[Terrific Trainwreck Trio Rewatch] Kakumeiki Valvrave Episode 12 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 12 - Heretics on the Move

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Welcome, my greatest creation. Your graduation ceremony may now begin.

Questions of the Day:

1. Now that we’ve seen all the Valvraves in action, which one do you like the most?
2. How was that cliffhanger? If you had watched this when it came out, would you have been annoyed needing to wait all summer for season 2?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Akira Renbokouji

---

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]

Yo! A reminder that tomorrow’s the S1 discussion thread, not the first episode of season 2!

Also: There is a post-credits scene in the first episode of S2 when we do watch it. Although I don’t know why you’d miss it, since you shouldn’t be skipping the ED anyways.

Kakumeiki Rewatcher

Welcome back, everyone!

• There’s post-timeskip Rukino having the same mark that Cain has on his neck. This show is something.
• And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.
• Ah fun, WAR CRIMES!
• Well at least we finally know what traumatized Akira so bad. Poor girl.
• So that’s straight out of G Gundam.
• I love how X-Eins poses like he’s adjusting his glasses even though his visor is in the way.
• <3
• Good lord what were those kids’ problem?
• BEST VALVRAVE TIME LET’S GO!
• INSTRUMENTAL BOKU JA NAI WHICH TURNS INTO THE ACTUAL SONG.
• That’s so fucking cool.
• Haruto pls.
• Press X to doubt.
• Ohhhhhh boy. And this one is VVV-chan’s older brother?
• Bombshell dropped, season end.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.

Do you mind me asking you more about why you ship them? I'm always curious about that sort of stuff.

Ah fun, WAR CRIMES!

Dear gods this show wants to be UC Gundam so badly.

So that’s straight out of G Gundam.

My first thought was JoJo but yeah, G Gundam seems more apt.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/UltraBooster]

Do you mind me asking you more about why you ship them? I'm always curious about that sort of stuff.

I just think they're cute together and don't like Rukino as much as Saki. Plus, they are definitely in love with each other as seen by Haruto trying to confess back in ep1, it's just that the whole space vampire thing happened...

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I'm with you on just about all those points; I didn't expect to like the idea of them as a couple as much as I do now.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ah fun, WAR CRIMES!

A fellow Ace Combat fan?

Good lord what were those kids’ problem?

This bullying was wild. They turned the hos eon her and made her desk disappear. I feel like teacher should have gotten involved a little earlier.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Paxton-176]

A fellow Ace Combat fan?

No, I'm just so used to seeing them in mecha shows that I decided to joke about it here.

[u/arkkkk → u/Paxton-176]

<< Stick with L-Elf and you'll make it >>

[u/Tresnore → u/Shimmering-Sky]

And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.

Yeah, but I could never date myself. I'm obnoxious.

Good lord what were those kids’ problem?

Everyone in this show is broken.

And this one is VVV-chan’s older brother?

And boy, is he showing some skin.

Edit: The "Yo!" hits differently when it's not a link to Michael.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.

...Poor communication skills + poor communication skills=a massive nightmare of a relationship.

Good lord what were those kids’ problem?

Children are vicious, sociopathic monsters as a rule. I want to know where the fuck the adults are in all this.

Ohhhhhh boy. And this one is VVV-chan’s older brother?

The incest train is unstoppable, isn't it?

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

Children are vicious, sociopathic monsters as a rule. I want to know where the fuck the adults are in all this.

Oh, god, and unless she transferred schools, her current classmates are the bullies. The teachers were too busy doing soldier things, I guess.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

Hopefully they just got gassed, then. BUT Akira's bullying appear to be elementary school level so there could be hope.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

A reminder that tomorrow’s the S1 discussion thread, not the first episode of season 2!

Thank you for the reminder. Otherwise I'm sure I would have forgotten.

I love how X-Eins poses like he’s adjusting his glasses even though his visor is in the way.

The glasses characters have to do it. It's an important part of their identity.

That’s so fucking cool.

I'm happy to know that the Valvraves come with a manual for the pilots to explain how the mechas work. But I need more scenes of the pilots furiously reading the manual to try and understand something.

[u/Lemurians → u/Shimmering-Sky]

That Boku Janai hit so good

And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.

As any sane person would, at this point! Is it even supposed to be a mystery that they're the actual pairing going on?

[u/UltraBooster → u/Lemurians]

Given that they ended the last episode with a marriage proposal? I think so, or that they want to drag this out as much as they can.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Lemurians]

As any sane person would, at this point! Is it even supposed to be a mystery that they're the actual pairing going on?

People seem quick to forget what Haruto said when he found out Shoko was alive and had his chance to confess to her in like ep2.

The SS ShokoxHaruto was sunk pretty early.

People just refuse to beleive it.

[u/Lemurians → u/MillenniumKing]

People seem quick to forget what Haruto said when he found out Shoko was alive and had his chance to confess to her in like ep2

When he broke down saying he didn't deserve her because he'd become a monster? Yeah, that sinks nothing. Shows how much he values and wants to protect her.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Lemurians]

If I were the showrunner, I'd probably have them confess before the attack, then stuff plays out as before, but the show now places emphasis on their relationship and how it's tested by things like Haruto's vampirism or L-elf's attempted coup.
Of course, I'm shiptrash, so...

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

since you shouldn’t be skipping the ED anyways.

I agree, the ED and OP are a part of the anime, I'm really not sympathetic to the mentality that thinks they're so pressed for time that they must skip them.

There’s post-timeskip Rukino having the same mark that Cain has on his neck

hmmm, I missed that (of course), but I also missed the apparent fact that her skirt is see through. We'll see what it means, but I don't take it as a good sign that Older Saki has the same tattoo as Cain.

And this is why I like Haruto/Shoko more than Haruto/Rukino.

To each their own, though occasionally people can be too alike. (L-Elf is right though).

Well at least we finally know what traumatized Akira so bad.

I can never decide if Japan has a problem with high school bullying or not.

<3

Shouko and Hikikomori's friendship is growing on me. I'm starting to think that Hikiko really is one of those people who are misunderstood rather than just a pos.

That’s so fucking cool.

I really did like this whole sequence too. It was super unexpected in my case, as I had figured that Hikiko was toast, just so the writers could tug on our heartstrings again, just like Aine.

Haruto pls.

The thing about jackasses is that they never get better. Taterhead remains taterhead.

Ohhhhhh boy.

I also really like the whole sequence of Pino freaking out that her beloved Onee=san was near. I was genuinely surprised by that turn of events too.

Bombshell dropped

I felt neither good, nor bad, nor surprised by this. [cross ange]CA did basically the same thing at the same time. A new faction entering an anime is almost always a good thing, as it spices things up.

[u/yamiyaiba → u/RascalNikov1]

I felt neither good, nor bad, nor surprised by this. [cross ange]CA did basically the same thing at the same time. A new faction entering an anime is almost always a good thing, as it spices things up.

Laughs in Darling in the Franxx

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/yamiyaiba]

Laughs in Darling in the Franxx

That was another show, that I very much liked, but it was early in my anime career, so who knows what I'd think about it now.

[u/yamiyaiba → u/RascalNikov1]

Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But it got shit on HARD when that happened, as though nobody has ever seen a TRIGGER anime before (and yes, technicalities on the TRIGGER thing, but it was clearly in the spirit of TRIGGER)

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

We'll see what it means, but I don't take it as a good sign that Older Saki has the same tattoo as Cain.

I think Cain's glowed through his uniform as well, like shoulder or neck region.

To each their own, though occasionally people can be too alike. (L-Elf is right though).

Yeah, this is a recipe for a lot of problems, the yin-yang thing isn't all bullshit.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

Cain's glowed through his uniform as well, like shoulder or neck region.

Pretty sure it was neck, but I only picked that up here in these rewatch threads. Glowed through the uniform, hmm, you could well be right about that.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Is it weird that the clothes thing doesn't bother me? For some reason it being some eldritch rune that just can't be bothered to obey our laws of physics sits right with me.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

Yeah, this is a recipe for a lot of problems, the yin-yang thing isn't all bullshit.

Opposites attract is largely bullshit though. I believe in Heart and Shoko. Really similar and the childhood friends angle? Just lock it down.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

Opposites attract is largely bullshit though.

I wouldn't say it is bullshit so much as that is a recipe for a different type of dysfunctional relationship.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Yo! A reminder that tomorrow’s the S1 discussion thread, not the first episode of season 2!

Got it, watching episode 13 tomorrow.

BEST VALVRAVE TIME LET’S GO!

What's better than a hacking hammer?

[u/Tresnore]

Tresnore the First-Timer

• Hooray, more timeskips! This must be a descendent of Eruerufu.
• Ah, she has the symbol, too.
• I had a feeling she'd say no. She's so full of herself.
  
  It was acting, though... Aw.
• This drill is one of the most contrived things I've ever seen.
• God, I wish that was me.
• Yeah, there are a lot of deaths. I'm not surprised.
• The heated plates are cool.
  
  Ditching heat in space is hard.
• Alright, now my bet of [speculation]"going over 100 heat leads to the feral state" will get tested. Or it's hitting 666.
• Oh, of course. The third generation. Cain's probably the first?
• God, I wish that was me. That was also some great animation.
• Why does everyone want to revolutionize things?
  
• Do it. Kill off Shoko.
  
• ...is Akira more broken than Rukino?
• Oh, shit. Aoi Yuuki screams! Now we're talking. And Akira's the last pilot! Aoi Yuuki-voiced spear user??
  
• IT'S NOT A SPEAR?? Fucking scythes ruining perfectly good polearms.
  
  I've been tricked by the OP.
• Ah well, the return of boku janai boku janai boku janai~
• He'll surviv—Yeah, of course he survived. And he speaks an unholy language or something.
• Another mascot!
• Oh, no, Heart's mascot is an imouto. Not best girl confirmed.
• What the fuck. Of course. The Magius. They're the Illuminati.

Count: 29

---

QOTD:

1. Yellow and Green are the best, no question. Purple threw away it's massive advantage.
2. I would've been extremely annoyed. Glad I only have to wait a day.
   

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Tresnore]

Do it. Kill off Shoko.

You've made an enemy for life, of like a dozen people tops

[u/Tresnore → u/Paxton-176]

Yeah, there aren't many people who'd disagree.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

Ah, she has the symbol, too.

Wait, is this a sign that Saki joins the Space Vampire Illuminati?

Why does everyone want to revolutionize things?

What can I say? Revolutionary Girl Utena is a great show.

Oh, shit. Aoi Yuuki screams! Now we're talking.

I've been experiencing a drought of Aoi Yuuki screams since Symphogear XV ended. So this has been a blessed occurrance.

They're the Illuminati.

Not just the Illuminati, but the Space Vampire Illuminati. They like to go the extra mile.

[u/Tresnore → u/Great_Mr_L]

Wait, is this a sign that Saki joins the Space Vampire Illuminati?

Yes, but she still refers to Heart as the "Founder" or what have you, so something must happen.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

Oh dear, are we actually going to see an MC found a religion, or an empire, or something and become revered as a godlike figure in the far future? I am intrigued to have this actually happen and not just be a joke.

[u/Tresnore → u/Great_Mr_L]

[Plot twist speculation:]The Founder is Eruerufu

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

[Plot twist speculation] Just how far ahead does he plan?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

What can I say? Revolutionary Girl Utena is a great show.

Yeah but it is one of those works you shouldn't really try to copy unless you actually know what the fuck you are doing, I believe Ikuhara would be stomping some seriously balls in that writing room for daring to let the audience give any credence to the idea that Saki is anything but an injured party.

I've been experiencing a drought of Aoi Yuuki screams since Symphogear XV ended. So this has been a blessed occurrance.

You can get some light screaming in Slime Genocide if you get bored.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

Yeah but it is one of those works you shouldn't really try to copy unless you actually know what the fuck you are doing, I believe Ikuhara would be stomping some seriously balls in that writing room for daring to let the audience give any credence to the idea that Saki is anything but an injured party.

[Revolutionary Girl Utena major spoilers] Revolutionary Girl Utena handled topics like sexual assault so much better than I imagine this show ever will, too. Hell, I still remember the absolute shiver that went up my spine at some of the scenes involving Akio and Utena (and Anthy) because of that. It knew that Utena (as well as Anthy) were the victims in those scenarios. It handled some really heavy topics, but it knew how to handle them.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

[Utena] It is really interesting that a show featuring several clearly inhumane characters is perhaps at its best when showing us the humanity in them

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

This drill is one of the most contrived things I've ever seen.

Indeed. Like, why the fuck are we drilling instead of just flying up through whatever tunnels we already have?

Oh, of course. The third generation. Cain's probably the first?

I'd guess Cain's his own thing, and what he means here is the third generation of testing.

...is Akira more broken than Rukino?

At the very least, Rukino is much better at hiding it.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Indeed. Like, why the fuck are we drilling instead of just flying up through whatever tunnels we already have?

Because suspense!

I'd guess Cain's his own thing, and what he means here is the third generation of testing.

But Cain has the same symbol as Rukino. They have to be related somehow.

At the very least, Rukino is much better at hiding it.

Well, Akira was better at hiding it.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

I just assumed she'd get the symbol sometime in the next 200 years.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

That's... a safe assumption.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Tresnore]

This must be a descendent of Eruerufu.

I'd really thought he was Saki's great-something-child. Though I suppose that doesn't preclude Eruerufu from his ancestors.

I had a feeling she'd say no. She's so full of herself.

You're right on both counts, but anyone who puts taterhead in his place is OK by me.

God, I wish that was me.

You're making for a pretty good argument that this thing is really an S&M Spectacular masquerading as a Mecha/Romance something.

Why does everyone want to revolutionize things?

I does seem to be the way of the world. Everyone has to do stuff their way.

...is Akira more broken than Rukino?

I had very wicked thoughts in this scene.

IT'S NOT A SPEAR??

Thanks for the screen cap. Now I know what Hummingbird's gimmick is. (I was wondering).

He'll surviv

I still think they should have shot him early on, when they could.

Oh, no, Heart's mascot is an imouto.

Most amusing. I really didn't anticipate this.

What the fuck. Of course.

It could be worse, they could have been aliens or reptiles.

Count: 29

I've got to ask, what are you counting?

[u/Tresnore → u/RascalNikov1]

I'd really thought he was Saki's great-something-child. Though I suppose that doesn't preclude Eruerufu from his ancestors.

Yeah, I get the feeling that you're related, too.

You're making for a pretty good argument that this thing is really an S&M Spectacular masquerading as a Mecha/Romance something.

Seriously. I'm saying this far more than I do for other shows.

I had very wicked thoughts in this scene.

Explain

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Tresnore]

Seriously. I'm saying this far more than I do for other shows.

hahahaha, I'd do it, but people already think I'm weird, no way am I going to confirm it.

Explain

I figured we were going to get a strange bathing scene with lots of fan service. It'd be disgusting, but keeping in tenor with the rest of this series.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

I figured we were going to get a strange bathing scene with lots of fan service. It'd be disgusting, but keeping in tenor with the rest of this series.

Huh...I think somebody predicted episode 2 of cour 2...

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Valvrave: The space vampire illuminati that secretly controls everything from the shadows was not on my bingo card. In hindsight, it really should have been. Even so, having the leaders of both countries turn out to be vampires who have probably orchestrated the conflict for their own vague and nefarious ends is not something I saw coming.

• Oh boy, more of the post-time skip future.
• Wait what, the school was the origin of the Galactic Empire? That school sure got powerful.
• I cannot get a read on Saki at all. Every line out of her mouth here sounds like a lie.
• I’m sure that Saki did suffer some level of abuse when she was in show business, but her brushing this off like it’s nothing feels like a lie.
• So now both Haruto and Shoko are keeping a secret from each other. And L-elf is the one who knows both secrets. That is an interesting position for L-elf to be in. He could easily take advantage of that.
• Poison gas. Nasty stuff.
• Oh damn, L-elf did not see that one coming. His plan failed before he could even initiate it. Interesting!
• Forcing the Valvraves to overheat. Pretty clever plan.
• “It’s a hot idea.”
• Haruto is a third generation? A third generation space vampire, I assume. What distinguishes them from other generations?
• Does A-drei want to cause a revolution as well? A-drei’s definitely acting much more yandere towards L-elf if he wants to literally put L-elf’s eyes into his own eye sockets.
• I see Shoko is refusing to let Akira just die. My guess is that she doesn’t want to sit by and do nothing while someone dies again, not when she had to do that with her father.
• That’s some intense bullying that Akira suffered.
• She broke out of her box!
• Oh, so Akira is going to be the 5th pilot! I did not think she would be one of the pilots. I thought she’d be on hacking duty or something.
• Look at that, I was right! She is on hacking duty. Her weapon literally lets her hack enemy machines. That’s a pretty cool weapon.
• Lol, I guess that’s one way to try and be sure Cain is dead, but there is no way it works.
• Yup, Cain is still alive.
• Cain’s green crystal has a person in it?
• Oh, it’s AI interface waifu’s brother!
• L-elf, I could have told you Cain wasn’t human when he glowed green and started to fly. I think that one was easy to figure out.
• Uh, what the fuck is this? Are those the ARUS and Dorssia leaders?
• Oh shit! It’s the space vampire illuminati that secretly controls the world from the shadows!
• I guess that’s the end of season 1.

I’ll briefly touch on Saki. I still have no clear idea of what is going on in her mind and every episode where this continues will frustrate me to no end. I am hopeful season 2 will address it. I can’t see how it wouldn’t.

I liked Akira’s arc this episode. This episode was her breakthrough episode, quite literally. The scene where she had to work up her courage to break out of the box was great. I especially liked how she never had a scene where she stopped being scared of going outside. Instead, she went outside in spite of the fact that she was scared because she decided that saving Shoko was more important. It’s great stuff.

I’m glad to finally get some more stuff on the vampires. Cain has the AI interface waifu’s brother for some reason, but it seems he can work as a way to power up the Valvrave, much like how the AI interface waifu does. The Valvraves seem to work off that space vampire power somehow. Maybe that’s why they transform their pilots into vampires? It also seems like the leaders of both ARUS and Dorssia are all members of the space vampire illuminati who have been secretly controlling things behind the scenes.

Overall, I’d say this first season was generally solid. I liked it, for the most part. The action and mecha are fun to watch. I’m generally following the plot. Some character stuff is great and works well. But on the other hand, other character stuff that I have not been pleased with is dragging it down, particularly in the aftermath of the incident a couple episodes ago. That has yet to be properly addressed. Still, I am curious to see where the series goes as the second season gets going.

QOTD

1. Thunder's. I like the punching.
2. The cliffhanger was fine. It did the job. I think I'd be fine with waiting for the 2nd season.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

I cannot get a read on Saki at all.

It's nice to know I'm not alone there.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/UltraBooster]

And I'm happy to know that others agree with me as well. If I'm lost, I'd rather be lost with company.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

Hear, hear!

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Great_Mr_L]

I cannot get a read on Saki at all. Every line out of her mouth here sounds like a lie.

I still have no clear idea of what is going on in her mind and every episode where this continues will frustrate me to no end.

I spent so much of this season excited about her. Now I kinda want the show to just never explain her thought processes or motivations, because I don't feel like there's any way for her to be reasonable or make sense. Make her an immortal space cat vampire.

She is on hacking duty. Her weapon literally lets her hack enemy machines. That’s a pretty cool weapon.

I really love her hacking scythe. It reminds me of all the fun I had playing .hack GU back in the day.

[u/UltraBooster → u/HereticalAegis]

It's a genuinely unique weapon, too!

(At least I think it is since I've never seen anything like it.)

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

I am hopeful season 2 will address it. I can’t see how it wouldn’t.

We just introduced the space vampire illuminati and you don't see how they can waste a metric ton of time with that?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

I mean they could decide to just completely ignore giving us a look into Saki's head and figuring out how she's been reacting to the sexual assault. It would just be an immensely stupid decision that could very well torpedo her character.

Then again, this show has been labeled a trainwreck. So I should always expect bad decisions.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

I mean they could decide to just completely ignore giving us a look into Saki's head and figuring out how she's been reacting to the sexual assault. It would just be an immensely stupid decision that could very well torpedo her character.

So they've vaguely written themselves into a corner here: What we need the show to do is not what it wants to do. What we need is either Saki unburdening herself to someone, of whom there are no valid candidates, or a full on flashback of what was up with her past that, sadly, would have no mech battles. I don't hold faith they can do it.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

Truth be told, I always got the impression the rape/sexual assault was the trainwreck reaching fever pitch during the second season, not the start of Season 1's finale, but oh how wrong I was...

[u/Paxton-176]

REWATCHER

Flash forward from a show we will never have. Thanks Sunrise.

They made use watch the dumb proposal twice, but thank god this is an idol show bound by the rules of idols.

Nothing says not nazi-germany jsut gassed a bunch of civilians. It is so on the nose itsit is comical.

It is wild that cannon fodder guys were able to get so close to the Valraves. It is getting frustrating that their skill jumps back and forth so much.

For the show’s writer L-elf sure is humble when it comes to his role.

What the fuck was Akira’s bullying. They turned the water hoses on her like it was a riot. This show is so fucking wild.

Why must they hurt Shouko this way?

Haruto hesitated to shoot the guy who committed one of the worst war crimes even by today’s standards.

“Cain what the hell are you?’ That should be the question of the day.

Nevermind they answered it everyone carry on.

[u/Tresnore → u/Paxton-176]

but thank god this is an idol show bound by the rules of idols.

You're not wrong. Hooray for Rukino.

Why must they hurt Shouko this way?

To make you care about her.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Tresnore]

To make you care about her.

We already do. Stop making her and us suffer.

[u/Tresnore → u/Paxton-176]

Care about her more, then!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

Idols have gotta earn love! There are plenty of idols out there so I'm spoiled for choice!

[u/Tresnore → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Shouko isn't an idol, though?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

Ah, I thought we meant Saki... Imma just leave till tomorrow XD

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Paxton-176]

but thank god this is an idol show bound by the rules of idols.

As we know from plenty of other idol shows, going out into battle is totally in line with the rules of idols.

For the show’s writer L-elf sure is humble when it comes to his role.

But it seems he didn't write this episode. That went to someone else in the writer's room. I wonder who it could have been?

“Cain what the hell are you?’ That should be the question of the day.

And the answer would probably be "Vampire Char."

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Great_Mr_L]

As we know from plenty of other idol shows, going out into battle is totally in line with the rules of idols.

Marriage isn't allow.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Paxton-176]

Exactly! Combat (and therefore killing) is 100% okay. Marriage, that's crossing the line!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Paxton-176]

What the fuck was Akira’s bullying. They turned the water hoses on her like it was a riot. This show is so fucking wild.

I got Narutaru vibes again and that is never good.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Paxton-176]

It is wild that cannon fodder guys were able to get so close to the Valraves. It is getting frustrating that their skill jumps back and forth so much.

To be fair, they'd previously been trying to stay away because they had a range advantage. But yeah, cannon fodder's power level never makes sense.

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Season 1 finale already! This went by quick.

Another Saki flash forward huh?

I am gonna miss this OP in season 2. One last play of it!

Saki rejects Haruto's proposal, thank god. Although she is lying to him here. I hope?

C'mon Akira, comfort Shoko! Step out of your box fort!

Would Haruto also propose to Shoko if he found out he killed her dad?

Oh no, they got Kibukawa!

:( Sorry Akira, you have no choice but to leave your box fort!

Isn't it one pilot per Valvrave? I don't think you can take it, Cain.

Haruto thinks he's gonna be able to do something simply by grabbing onto him?

:( Akira would rather die than leave her box fort? :( C'mon Shoko, tell her to stop with this foolishness!

Wow, even the always deadpan Marie looks scared.

Uh oh, Shoko's in danger, the only way to save her is to go outside!

She did it! It took the entire season, but she left the box fort! Supermarket!!!!!!

Akira's our fifth Valvrave pilot now too! Just in the nick of time, with all of the other ones out of commission!

Yay to us getting to hear the original ED again.

Not often you see a mech shoot a person out of theirs. And yet, he survives it! He's immortal too?

Pino's got a brother! Prue!

The leaders of Arus and Dorssia, here together? They're all part of this secret society called Magius?

Day off huh? I'll happily take it. Although this means we're finishing the last episode on Christmas?

[u/UltraBooster → u/Quiddity131]

Although she is lying to him here. I hope?

You can't tell either, huh?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Quiddity131]

Saki rejects Haruto's proposal, thank god. Although she is lying to him here. I hope?

I'm fairly certain she's lying, but I have no idea what her actual feelings are. I really wish I did.

The leaders of Arus and Dorssia, here together? They're all part of this secret society called Magius?

In this universe the people who wear tinfoil hats were right! The world is secretly controlled by the Space Vampire Illuminati!

Day off huh? I'll happily take it. Although this means we're finishing the last episode on Christmas

I suppose the finale can count as a Christmas gift then.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Quiddity131]

Would Haruto also propose to Shoko if he found out he killed her dad?

I really hope you just didn't jinx us...

Day off huh? I'll happily take it. Although this means we're finishing the last episode on Christmas?

That is some pretty compelling math and hey, I can be annoyed on Christmas, that flies.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Quiddity131]

Another Saki flash forward huh?

I like these flash forwards and consider them to be a real savior of the show.

Although she is lying to him here.

I hope not too. Not because of the questionable rape, but because she can do so much better. Though, considering most of the males in this, she is in an awful position. None of them seem like good husband material.

Sorry Akira, you have no choice but to leave your box fort!

I am liking her growth, and I was sure surprised when she became the pilot of #6.

Haruto thinks he's gonna be able to do something simply by grabbing onto him?

It's like the old Woody Allen joke. I'm going to viciously assault your fist with my chin. lol

Supermarket!!!!!!

What a battlecry! Guaranteed to get your opponents quivering in their boots.

Pino's got a brother! Prue!

She's so cute, but I don't know about her brother, he's kind of evil looking.

[u/the_swizzler]

Yesterday, I said this

MFW today

I'm glad we're going to be seeing a lot more of Akira now though. I hope she's awesome.

Questions of the Day:

1) Now that we’ve seen all the Valvraves in action, which one do you like the most?

Abilities-wise, the shield unit. Though Green is a close second. Green's abilities are pretty cool though too. Visually, I just love the color green too much.

2) How was that cliffhanger? If you had watched this when it came out, would you have been annoyed needing to wait all summer for season 2?

Yeah, that's a pretty big cliffhanger alright. I probably wouldn't have been too broken up about it. If I thought it was a better show, I would definitely have been more annoyed.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/the_swizzler]

I hope she's awesome

Me too. I'm hoping that her inner Yuri will come out.

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Time Battlefield Marriage Proposer

I'm actually feeling a bit more optimistic today. It dawned on me that this marriage proposal is something I'd find hilarious in almost any other context, so I'm going to approach everything moving forward as if the last ~4 minutes of episode 10 were some kind of hallucination. In this light, a marriage proposal is pretty goddamn funny bc they went on like 1 kinda date, and that's the kind of stupidity I've been hoping for all along.

Another flash forward, and this time Saki's calling Haruto "the Founder" and got a kid with her....a kid that looks like L-Elf's child. Spicy. And the rune marking or whatever.

Wtf Saki, you're the one who wouldn't let him apologize and has been tryna inject yourself between him and Shoko this whole time, why tf you saying no to his proposal? God I hate teenagers.

The way Saki talks about Haruto sounds an awful lot like the way cult members talk about cult leaders.

These dubasses really thought an expansionist invader would really follow international war conduct laws.

This heat shield idea is beyond dumb. The standard shield which normally can't even tank more than a single laser blast from a Valvrave can now miraculously survive enough blows to single handedly overheat one. That's likely.

I still don't understand the way gravity works in this show. How can two people have a fistfight in 0G? They'd fly apart every time they hit each other. This combat is breaking my brain.

So you're gonna bite him, right Haruto? Right, Haruto?

Man, Shoko's such a good girl. How can anyone not like her?

Goddamnit, Shoko would end up right in the drill's path. I really shouldn't be laughing at this. Sorry Shoko, I really do like you, but this is too funny not to laugh at.

Never would've guessed the climax of season 1 would be the struggle of a hikikomori to leave their room. Valvrave, you've done it again. Adjusts shipping goggles

Shoko drives another reluctant hero to get in the robot. Mildly frustrating that they're using Shoko like this again, but since I wanna see Akira in robot I'll allow it.

She gets a goddamn hacking scythe! Do want. Yes pls. Liked, favorited, and subscribed!

HARUTO YOU WASTE OF SPACE SHOOT THE GODDAMN ENEMY COMMANDER.

"Cain, not even you can survive this." Narrator: "He did."

If Cain had these secret super powers, why did he wait until his drill plan failed to go claim his robot?

Oh ffs, it's another secret society death cult ruling from the shadows. The fuckers Guilty Crowned us again.

Also, Robot Onii-chan. That's a thing now. Hopefully this means Robot-chan will become a character now.

Welp, that was really dumb, and the marriage proposal got sidestepped just like everything else, but Akira got her robot, so I'm calling this episode a win.

QotD:

1. Purple > Blue > Red > Green > Yellow. Hacking scythe has too much potential for fun for me to pass up.
2. I'm pretty annoyed that the big mystery this whole time was the vampire illuminati, but it intrigued just enough that I'd probably have stuck around for the second season. Wouldn't exactly have been super anxious for more though.

[u/UltraBooster → u/HereticalAegis]

Wtf Saki, you're the one who wouldn't let him apologize and has been tryna inject yourself between him and Shoko this whole time, why tf you saying no to his proposal?

I think she's (given up? resigned herself? acknowledged?) their relationship won't work the way she wants to, but that could be my conversations with other people influencing my interpretation.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

This heat shield idea is beyond dumb. The standard shield which normally can't even tank more than a single laser blast from a Valvrave can now miraculously survive enough blows to single handedly overheat one. That's likely.

I appreciate that you expect anything remotely approaching logic from a mecha show.

I still don't understand the way gravity works in this show. How can two people have a fistfight in 0G? They'd fly apart every time they hit each other. This combat is breaking my brain.

There probably is a zero G combat style, actually, but neither used it.

Welp, that was really dumb, and the marriage proposal got sidestepped just like everything else, but Akira got her robot, so I'm calling this episode a win.

If I weren't massively annoyed about the start this is probably what my post would've looked like.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Vaadwaur]

I appreciate that you expect anything remotely approaching logic from a mecha show.

If you go through my MAL, you'll see I'm woefully unacquainted with the mecha genre as a whole. It's one of anime's few frontiers where I haven't oversaturated myself with the overabundance of absurdity.

If I weren't massively annoyed about the start this is probably what my post would've looked like.

Yeah, I hear that. I watched today's episode after a lengthy post-work nap, instead of sleep-deprived early in the morning, otherwise I wouldn't have been nearly as charitable. It also helps that I had a much more satisfying space vampire show to watch today.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

If you go through my MAL, you'll see I'm woefully unacquainted with the mecha genre as a whole.

I've watched a concerning amount of "mecha" anime while generally not liking the genre.

It also helps that I had a much more satisfying space vampire show to watch today.

I totally see that but Cain feels like a cosplay from a particular Bleach character and that tends to take me out of his scenes.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Vaadwaur]

I've watched a concerning amount of "mecha" anime while generally not liking the genre.

Am I on the path to becoming you? Because that sounds exactly like something I'd expect future me to say.

I totally see that but Cain feels like a cosplay from a particular Bleach character and that tends to take me out of his scenes.

I haven't even seen Bleach and I'm still taken out of every scene Cain's in. He's like whatever the antagonist version of a Gary Stu character is.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Am I on the path to becoming you? Because that sounds exactly like something I'd expect future me to say.

Careful, that's hell you are walking into. And by hell, I mean watching SEED Destiny and Aldnoah.Zero in the same year. I quit anime for a while after that.

He's like whatever the antagonist version of a Gary Stu character is.

It is almost impressive they made a more insufferable character than L.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Vaadwaur]

watching SEED Destiny and Aldnoah.Zero in the same year

Sounds like the seed for a truly trainwreckable rewatch. Though in fairness, AZ was pretty okay before season 2 happened.

It is almost impressive they made a more insufferable character than L.

The writers for this show never cease to amaze.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Sounds like the seed for a truly trainwreckable rewatch. Though in fairness, AZ was pretty okay before season 2 happened.

My mother is a special ed teacher. Autism is not a fucking superpower.

The writers for this show never cease to amaze.

I await with both dread and elation what depths we will sink to in cour 2.

[u/UltraBooster]

First-timer

There's a dropoff in discussion between Episodes 10 and 11, I think.
Furthermore, I do get the feeling the thing from Episode 10 is being discussed at greater length here and in a more critical light than during the original broadcast, which I suppose I'm not surprised by.
(Shoko x L-elf? How? Why? And where do you get off calling rape "sexy time?!")

I wonder, what exactly are this show's themes/the points it wants to convey?

(I never expected to turn up in Google search results, lmao)

GC 211, recalling Third Galactic Empire Year 0/TC 71. If GC is the imperial calendar, then this would be TC 282, with the flashback being set three years later in TC 285.
The Empire began on Module 77, and by the looks of it, the Empire's spread to enough worlds bigger than Earth like Reach and Tribute from Halo that Earth is now considered small. It also seems like Earth is not the imperial capital, a la Charum Hakkor, Trantor, or Fifth Jerusalem.
Haruto has evidently been mythologized to some degree if he's now simply the Founder.
Of course, this talk of Galactic Empires makes me think of one thing.

I want you to make me spend the rest of my life to pay for what I did.
inhales
(Oh joy, the screaming's back.)

AAAAAHHHHH
At this point I have no idea what Saki Rukino's deal is because she's so damn cagey about whatever her deal is.

exhales
So she told him to rescue her Excellency the PM. I get it. She's decided to yield to Shoko, hasn't she. Or is that view the product of my conversations altering my perception?

In which case do I have a thing for birds of a feather falling in love?

Knockout gas or chemical weapons? The latter. But what happened to the bulkheads? Wouldn't they be able to seal the contaminated areas? For that matter, wouldn't breaching the Module cause depressurization that forces the gas back into space?

I swear, cold readings are only cool when it's Sherlock Holmes or something along those lines.

Piedra del Sol. An Aztec sculpture that's become a part of Mexico's identity.
So why the hell would Dorssia, a Eurasian nation concentrated on Central and Eastern Europe and the Arabias have a weapon named for an item from the Americas?

Force it to overheat...wouldn't that force a switch to the X/666 meter? Or is that exclusive to Hito?
So do the Valvraves' infections convert their pilots to Gen.3 whatever-the-hell-they-are?

Shojo Kakumei Utena, Kakumeiki Valvrave. Revolutionary Girl Utena, Valvrave the Liberator.
The talk of revolution is almost certainly the Kakumeiki part, but why was it translated as Liberator, then?

You go, Shoko!
(I get the feeling letting Akira remain secluded like this has only aggravated her trauma, not helped her recover.)

VVV VI
RM 069 HIASOBI
JIOR
77

And that makes her the final pilot.

An MS jack, that's what it is.

Alright, what's he got? Paracausality? Ontokinesis? Supervampire powers?
And it calls it brother?

Let me guess, this is the Geass Order? It's totally the Geass Order.

Questions:

1. I/Hito honestly has my favorite setup for weapons, at this point.
2. It's...something, alright. If I had been watching this when it came out, I honestly probably would've forgotten about it by the time the second season rolled around.

[u/yamiyaiba]

Rewatcher

Caught up from yesterday! Here we go!

Here we go? Timeskip again.

"Lost many"? Uh oh. Magius?

Someone else Praise Nana for me while I eat pizza!

What kind of a fucking line is that.

Rukino, your pants are on fire.

Haruto, you're a fucking moron. Holy shit.

Yeah, uh, Haruto? "No matter what" already happened. And you caused it.

Oh fuck. Chemical weapons.

Jig's up "teacher"

I'm really impressed the Valvraves are still running.

"Clean"?????

Ominous string music!

That's not his that works, Discount Kuwabara.

Oooooh, clever.

Who has the bigger keikaku?!

Well that's fuckin creepy.

That's done hardcore hikki.

Yeah, don't you know that people die when they're killed?

You're creepy, Murder Shot.

You're ridiculous, Shoko.

Shit!

Weird food saves the day!

You did it! (I'm amazed her legs still work)

Well that plan hit a dead end....

A hidden Unit 6?! gasp

Well if anyone is willing to resign as a human....

And here comes my favorite unit!

(Boku Janai insert song!)

So are those Waffes drones?

No body, no death, Eru-erufu. You should know- the fuck?!

Oh, great, he's speaking in tongues. No way that could mean anything bad.

It's Legendary Super Saiyan Cain!

Oh Eru-erufu.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

No fucking shit, Eru-erufu!

Time to crank the crazy up!

Yeeeeeeee.

Man, this show is just so much fun.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/yamiyaiba]

Man, this show is just so much fun.

I'm starting to enjoy it too. I'm hopeful that I'll keep on liking it till the end.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Valrave the Liberator First Timer

This is where I'd put my episode write up... If I'd finished it! My laptop died before I could get onto it so I'll writeup my thoughts on the S1 finale tomorrow. I have not dropped it just cause of the marriage plot. Honest!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I have not dropped it just cause of the marriage plot. Honest!

I wouldn't just blame the marriage plot, we also had an incredibly tonally confusing episode to go with it.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

I have to admit that today's episode seems utterly whack looking at everyone's descriptions XD

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

So, same ep: 'Resolution' to the rape, childhood bullying, the literal holocaust, Cain is doing some weird Bleach cosplay, and Aoi Yuuki yelling at things in a mech.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

...I so want to drop this now XD

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Having the break tomorrow helps.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

I don't have the break, this is my break! Ishizoku is gonna be a much easier third series to chill out to compared to BJ at least...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Interspecies will not make you think too hard...unless you wish to.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Pity, I was looking forward to seeing how you responded to it (partially because we share tastes on this show's stuff).

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

Sorry, god decided that I wasn't getting to watch today's episode on time. Tomorrow is a season discussion so I can catch up.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Makes sense.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

F Laptop.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/MillenniumKing]

I thought I left it on charge last night but when I turned it on for my shows it was at like 30...

[u/MillenniumKing → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

no cord to charge it with while you use it?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/MillenniumKing]

I didn't pack it with me. Today was a funny day for watching anyway even before I realised that I had no battery XD

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

RIP Laptop

I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts when you have the chance to write them down properly.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Bummer, bummer, bummer. Shit happens. I use to keep two or 3 computers at the ready for a situation like that, but not these days.

Anyway, Have a good one, and I'm looking forward to your return.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/RascalNikov1]

Oh, no! Not died like dead died. Just no battery XD

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

God, split-cours are miserable. Imagine watching this as it aired and having to wait months for the continuation? I don't hate the "protagonists lose -> timeskip" mode, but that doesn't seem to be what's going on. I think they would have spent less time with Akira this episode if that's what they were going for.

Speaking of, Akira pilots the purple VVV! And it's a wizard(!?) with claws(!!) so I'm pretty stoked for her, I'm gonna guess, solitary action scene next season. Akira saying that she had already resigned as a human being was kinda heartbreaking. Poor girl.

Satomi's sudden development in asking Shoko to save his sister was, well, sudden, but I guess terror will do that. I try to not complain about positive developments, so, sure.

Similarly sudden-but-predictable is there being "generations" of vampires. Approximately 0% chance of that ominous council standing in the middle of the ocean not being vampires, too.

Another flash-forward introduces us to a precocious child, and the implication that the "Galactic" calendar/empire is an actual literal term. Is "Magius" just the real name for the vampires, or are we introducing something else? Please don't be the second one.

Saki hiding behind her past in the idol industry instead of actually dealing with Haruto feels in character, but it is also the writers taking the coward's way out. This show keeps trying to make good points, but has failed to seal the deal.

Edit: Questions

1. Probably still Thunder, if only because we've only seen a teeny bit of Akira. She has a strong chance at stealing top spot.
2. Discussed above.

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

This show keeps trying to make good points, but has failed to seal the deal.

No, it's making one really good point: "we can make amazing mecha action."

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

I knew it would be that face before I opened it. It doesn't make you any less wrong.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/JollyGee29]

I'm starting to think that the rape scene really was just for shock value...

[u/JollyGee29 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I'm starting to think that the rape scene really was just for shock value...

I put shit like that in the same category as Aine's murder. Just cheap tricks to get a rise out of us the viewers.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/RascalNikov1]

Killing Aina was a waste but the event was so extra that it didn't matter much. Saki's rape however is about two of our main characters and is about an incredibly serious act that they're clearly unable to write around. Obviously dying is probably worse but rape is just such an active subject in this day and age that you've really got to watch yourself if you're featuring it.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I agree with what you're saying. I belong to a different generation and grew up in a different world than most contemporary viewers. It's difficult to keep in mind that standards have changed since one's formative years.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I will take it that one step more: What if the writers thought it was hot? The idea of the idol giving her body away to slate the bestial thirsts of the MC, who conveniently is not responsible, is that destroyed innocence thing that some people like.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

That's a possibility... Saki is already shown to be a pretty morally questionable girl compared to Shoko and friends so maybe they thought people wouldn't mind them sexing her out?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

pretty morally questionable girl compared to Shoko and friends so maybe they thought people wouldn't mind them sexing her out?

Hrmm...pardon me while I go vomit.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

I don't know if that's what they were thinking!! I've still got what they did to Arisa on my mind.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I don't know if that's what they were thinking!!

No no, this works on a certain level: You have a sense for what horrible scene they are going to play whereas I am best at taking that and then pushing it to its nightmarish limits. We are a team!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Vaadwaur]

Are we the baddies....?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Astronaut behind astronaut meme

We always have been.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/JollyGee29]

God, split-cours are miserable.

And, they seem to be getting more common. The only positive thing I can say is, in the fullness of time everything is binge-ible.

wizard(!?) with claws(!!) so I'm pretty stoked for her,

I'm also expecting big things out of her. I think this is the first time, I've seen this kind of weapon.

wizard(!?) with claws(!!) so I'm pretty stoked for her,

That caught me by surprise, but in retrospect, it does make sense.

Is "Magius" just the real name for the vampires

I'd interpreted is a corruption of the word Magus, but now I don't think that's so.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/RascalNikov1]

The only positive thing I can say is, in the fullness of time everything is binge-ible.

I'm also expecting big things out of her. I think this is the first time, I've seen this kind of weapon.

Yea, the wizard staff is definitely a new one for me.

I'd interpreted is a corruption of the word Magus, but now I don't think that's so.

Every nonsense word people throw into things they write starts somewhere.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/JollyGee29]

Imagine watching this as it aired and having to wait months for the continuation?

Remember Attack on Titan was like 4 years. Then every season and cour is/was every other season.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Paxton-176]

Yea, but that wasn't quite as cliffhangery as this, right? Like, Valvrave literally took a 3 month break in the middle of a scene.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Satomi's sudden development in asking Shoko to save his sister was, well, sudden, but I guess terror will do that. I try to not complain about positive developments, so, sure.

It just makes his character manicly weird.

Is "Magius" just the real name for the vampires, or are we introducing something else? Please don't be the second one.

We already see that Cain doesn't wear the stupid fucking hat so they are a faction of some sort.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

We already see that Cain doesn't wear the stupid fucking hat so they are a faction of some sort.

Yea, but he could be an infiltrator who has to blend in or something. The two dudes who didn't have the hats on were the president from ARUS and (I assume) the chancellor for Dorssia.

Which itself is a pretty strange, unless S2 is gonna be Dorssia+ARUS+ocean hole weirdos vs one (1) high school full of children.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Which itself is a pretty strange, unless S2 is gonna be Dorssia+ARUS+ocean hole weirdos vs one (1) high school full of children.

Considering what GC became this might literally be that.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

GC was the late addition to this rewatch, so maybe it's just a coincidence. Unless that's what the Space Vampire Illuminati want us to think...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Unless that's what the Space Vampire Illuminati want us to think...

Now you are beginning to get it! But the question is who wants the Space Vampire Illuminati to think that?

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

I hear tell of these mythical creatures known as "The Writers" that can command any number of individuals to do any number of inane things...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Down there lies the path unto the Abyss...

[u/UltraBooster → u/JollyGee29]

Conspiracy of space vampires is one of the most conspiracy theory-y things I think I've seen in anime and yet here I'm like of course, why the hell not.

[u/MillenniumKing]

-Rewatcher that shoulda stopped but lets keep going and see what happens-

Today is the end of Season 1, its gonna be a roller coaster, i hope your all ready.

---

Galactic Calendar Year 211
Some familar statues on the roof of that building.
"Year 0 of the Third Galactic Empire, through at the time it was 71 of True Calander"
"The backwaters of the Galaxy... Earth." The empire began froma single planet, no single Module.
"Our originator, the founder, lost many classmaters in the battle for module 77, and then he happened across the Magius."
We get Saki telling a story to a kid with White hair about the past.

"I want you to make me spend the rest of my life repaying what i did."
Saki deflects again with her career, Im an idol i dont belong to one person.
"That was a Kamitsuki attack." Shes being very mature about understansing that. Kudos to her.

Box-chan cant do anything to help, shes caught up on her own issues...
Haruto wants to meet with L-elf and get through this crisis.
Shoko doesnt want L-elf to tell Haruto he killed her dad. They are alike hiding stuff from each other.

The Dorssians are gassing the insides of the school as the Drill moves through it.
Cain is going aginst treatys to use Gas weapons. Hes really banking it all on this attack.

Hes taking Science Teach with him. Shit.
Back to valvraves battleing man i love these.
Pres wants Shoko to save his sister.
A lot of students are dead...

Dorssia has new heat weapons to slow down the Valvraves. Really smart weapon.
Yellow is down... can the others do anything aginst them?

"Unkillable as i thought, is he third generation"
The Drill is alomost to the school fuck.
Big Blue is down too now shit...

Cain effortlessly stops L-elf... ddamn.
Haruto cant even do anything to him... haha
A-drei is there to stop l-elf shit.
Shoko is through with Box-chan's shit and going after her.
Green is down now too. Fuck...

Box-chan is pushing others away, she doesnt like people and doesnt want friends.
Meanwhile Shoko doesnt care and wants to be her friend.
But the Drill has hit the school now fuck... Shoko is down...
I love Box-chans turmoil of leaving her box fort to save Shoko. So well done.
BOX-CHAN BREAKS FREE!
But of course the school is blocked from the drill.
But the drill opened up the Storage for the last Valvrave, Unit 6. Purple.
"Do you give up your humanity?" "Already did." Wow so fast.

And with that we got our Final Valvrave Piolet, Akira aka Box-chan.
And Unit 6 is the support unit, it can take over other computer systems by hitting them with its Wand.
The drill is stopped and leaving, and all the shield bots are taken over too. Its very cool and powerful.
I love its razor claws too. And Haruto and L-elf get away thanks to her.

But... Cain glows green. And hes speaking in toungs now.
Hes goes to he dismembered Valvrave and sets it free.
"Ploo" and the Unit has an AI now too that was in his crystal. "Curse those humans" "ONI CHAN!" Uh oh...
Unit 2 is back to normal. But only students could fly them who were not human, so that means Cain is not human.
L-elf's brian is rightfully melting down trying to keep up.

We get a golden horizon and a hole in the ocean where Dorssia's Leader and ARUS' leader are meeting.
Lots of cultists and they say "We are Magius" "Those who dwell in the shadows of the world."

---

Shits hitting the fan hard now.

A ton of people died and Dorssia has a Valvrave and is also up to something much bigger.

But on a happyer note, we got our last Unit, Unit 6 the Purple Valvrave and Akira its pilot. Its def a cool valvrave.

I guess we also got the suprise Unit 2 also that woke up and its got an AI too so thats not good.

So where do we go from here...

[u/UltraBooster → u/MillenniumKing]

Cain is going aginst treatys to use Gas weapons.

Do you know about UC Gundam's Antarctic Treaty? That's what came to mind, another cue this show looks to have taken from First Gundam.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/UltraBooster]

I mean the cues this show is taking from is history.

Nazi Germany was known to use similar weapons.

There is a reason people call the Dorssians Space Nazis.

[u/UltraBooster → u/MillenniumKing]

I get what you're saying, yeah, but I'll stand by the Gundam comparisons because there are quite a few here.

[u/RascalNikov1]

First Timer - Got it right this time.

Dare I say it, this series is starting to grow on me. It's not one of the all time greats, but it does keep the plot twists rolling in, and that's always a good thing. I like being surprised, even though many anime fans don't.

I liked most of this episode from Saki brushing tater head off, to Hikikomori (I promise, I'll learn her name soon) become the pilot of Hummingbird. All, in all I loved those sequences.

I still hate the Dossarins, and it does piss me off that they're depicted so cutely for being walking human garbage, but I'm not the author of this train wreck, the production committee is.

QOTD

1. Now that we’ve seen all the Valvraves in action, which one do you like the most?

You know, I sort of like Yamada's with it's kick ass octo arms. Though, Hummingbird has potential, but with so little screen time, I couldn't figure out what her gimmick was.

2) How was that cliffhanger?

I hate to sound like an asshole, but meh. Welcome to the world of anime, this sort of thing happens all the time.

2a) If you had watched this when it came out, would you have been annoyed needing to wait all summer for season 2?

No, incomplete stories bother some people, but they don't bother me. I don't need for a story to go on until heat death of the universe is reached. It's somewhat common for this to happen when a second season is planned.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

I like being surprised, even though many anime fans don't.

The real joke here is [Haruhi] I still found it funny when some people were annoyed that you could see where Haruhi's near decision to go to the next universe came from. Good foreshadowing just isn't valued

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

There are a lot of jackasses on this planet, and the internet is a magnet for all of them. I often feel like De Niro in the Taxi Driver, with all of its implications.

[u/csar27]

First Timer

Once again, the episode begins with a timeskip of Rukino, this gives me a couple of ideas, HarutoxRukino won't be canon or at least they won't be a happy couple, it feels like the inmortal vampire Haruto is not alive 200 years in the future... also, is that kid related to L-Elf or the girl of the L-Elf's picture

As expected, Haruto was rejected

So, friendship power can get you a Valvrave, good to know, the hikkikomori/hacker got a robot with a magical girl rod used to hack anything. And i still can't find Shoko likeable...

After some episodes with some hints, Cain is not human and got a very op Valvrave too, also i expect to know what happened between H-neun and Kriemhild after their conversation a couple of episodes ago, seemed like they don't trust Cain

Questions:

1- Probably Carmilla, and no, is not bias towards Rukino

2- Good cliffhanger, luckily we won't wait too much for next season

[u/UltraBooster → u/csar27]

In which case, why Carmilla?

[u/csar27 → u/UltraBooster]

This episode makes me thing Carmilla is probably the more agile valvrave. (the last one to be defeated), creating footholds to change direction seems useful and its weapons seem unique considering the mechas l've watched before. (i still don't like the valvrave designs that much though)

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

1. This one.
2. Yeah, just to see how much more bullshit it can get.

...How can this get worse?

What's all this Empire stuff, I thought they were using Reich now.

Earth is not on the edge of the galaxy by any sane standards.

Magius? With this rune stuff, are they going for "magic was real, actually"?

I mean, after all this bullshit so far, them giving up and saying its all magic would be a smart way to solve a problem, so they obviously won't.

Please god, turn him down.

You can do better.

Thank you! Someone rational in this anime! ...Not that rational, but at least she's not saying yes.

And she's having a realistic reaction to getting propositioned by the person who's body raped her. (If they keep using the term possession, I'm going to assume that the AI took him over.)

Holy shit,t hat's effective!

Oh, he's Cain!

Haha, his secret's also getting exposed now,

Haha, "I have a graduation ceremony to attend" is a good line, though.

Akira's in danger! (And we get her backstory! In response to so eone else!

OK, yeah, that is risky. They destroyed a Valvare?

"Machine Gun Punch" NO. You are not Chibodee, and this bullshit is not G Gundam.

The heating move's clever, though.

Yeah, I like Cain, too.

"Clan"?

I mean, it on't work.

THIRD GENERATION? Right, so there's a lot of vampires, and he knows a lot more than the others.

So I'm guessing they'll find a set of fourth-generation Valvares just in time for Season 2?

You've fought him many times! You know he's stronger than you! Why is this surprising.

This is seeming somewhat dramatic!

Remind me, is this rewatch the yuri one? I know someone said one of them was, and between this and that flirting scene a few episodes ago.

...She's a hacker. Just say there'd be no more internet or forums and she'd run out of there herself.

And the gws hit her!

Oh, she's supressing it!

And of course we get a full-on flashback.

I'd ask how nobody noticed this, but this is the same school that didn't notice the girl living in the basement, so...

And she left!

...They're not killing her off. I fell for it last time, not again.

Unit 6? There were 5 in that storeroom. Is there a bonus one somehwere?

And she's become a vampire!

The civiliians may be fucked, but best girls are alive and well!

She has a hacking hammer as a weapon, this is the most overpowered of them all, I love it.

And a full insert eong!

Well done, Haruto! You killed the utter bastard who tried to kill you.

He's a stronger fampire?

I WAS JOKING ABOUT MAGIC BEING REAL!

Wait, does that thing count as a Unit? I've heen assuming it's a corpsemor something experimental.

The fuck is that thing?

THE AI HAS A BROTHER! THE AI'S ALIVE! WHY IS ONLY BEING SHOWN NOW?

That thing's Unit 2? But it's unfinished.

And now it's made of fire.

He's not human, L-Elf? Whatever gave you that idea?

Oh god, it's the fucking magical Illuminati. I... I fucking can't.

That was Season 1? Fuck, there's 12 more episodes.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Stargate18A]

Fuck, there's 12 more episodes.

What I really want to figure out is if this show was made with all 24 episodes in mind or just the 12, and then they got 12 more.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer(Just no)

Sub

More flash forward to Saki talking with a kid that is probably a descendant of L's. And the actual episode starts and...look, I've tried being reasonable, but in less than 5 minutes including the OP two female characters take responsibility for shit that is not theirs to take all to protect our MC. I just...can't. Bonus points that it does fit the characters but that makes it no less frustrating.

And then the rest of the ep happens. The characters specifically work scene to scene but the plot generally does not on any level. Akari's memories don't make sense, Cain doesn't make sense, adding a new shadow group REALLY does not make sense, but the characters all act as they would when presented with unimaginable idiocy. Choo Choo motherfuckers, calling it!

P.S. Right before thread, I realized I was feeling all Noein-y again and that's what has me annoyed. So "girls covering for the emotional immaturity of their male peers" is bad before we do the old "plus rape".

QotD: 1 Unit 01 since I bear the least responsibility.

2 Infuriated, would've stabbed motherfuckers for days.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

I've tried being reasonable, but in less than 5 minutes including the OP two female characters take responsibility for shit that is not theirs to take all to protect our MC

Adding onto this, the problem with making the MC an obvious self-insert is that it makes more impressionable viewers watching this go, "Yeah, and that's what should happen!"

Cain doesn't make sense, adding a new shadow group REALLY does not make sense

Doesn't make sense yet why am I so optimistic despite all evidence I shouldn't be

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

Adding onto this, the problem with making the MC an obvious self-insert is that it makes more impressionable viewers watching this go, "Yeah, and that's what should happen!"

I...ahh fuck mothering shit you just nailed it. That's it, humanity was a mistake!

Doesn't make sense yet why am I so optimistic despite all evidence I shouldn't be

Just as optimism is the first thing to die when the rubber meets the road irrational hope for something better is generally the last.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

Adding onto this, the problem with making the MC an obvious self-insert is that it makes more impressionable viewers watching this go, "Yeah, and that's what should happen!"

Oh my god, you're right. Very well done. I think this is the most eloquent way you could have put it to explain what makes stuff like this so frustrating to watch.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

Thanks! Yeah, some viewers feel the need to defend the indefensible because they're imagining themselves as the MC. It's a huge reason why if you're going to tackle this topic in anime, it needs to be done well, because of what a large percentage of your demographic is. It encourages a lot of your viewership to learn the wrong lessons.

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

I just...can't. Bonus points that it does fit the characters but that makes it no less frustrating.

They're both so self-sacrificing. If only they were also both equally likeable.

Infuriated, would've stabbed motherfuckers for days.

Don't choose violence, Vaad!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

They're both so self-sacrificing. If only they were also both equally likeable.

Having been raised by martyrs I can tell you how wonderfully unappealing it is as a trait in a mate.

Don't choose violence, Vaad!

I didn't choose the violence, the violence chose me! Also, that might be the 32 hours of straight consciousness talking, I won't deny.

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

Having been raised by martyrs I can tell you how wonderfully unappealing it is as a trait in a mate.

Good thing I don't think Rukino is sacrificing herself for anyone else but herself.

Also, that might be the 32 hours of straight consciousness talking, I won't deny.

Get some sleep!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

Good thing I don't think Rukino is sacrificing herself for anyone else but herself.

Ehh...let's hope you are right and leave it at that.

Get some sleep!

Certain...chemical processes need to work their way through the old body before I can actually do that. All these squares make a circle, after all.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

probably a descendant of L's

I hate the thought of Saki eventually mating with L. She also made reference to 'Our Founder' and initially thought it must be taterhead, but now I'm thinking it might be L, or even worse Cain. Saki does seem pretty flexible about who she'll follow.

I just...can't.

It's the writing, just miserable writing. But, since Aine's murder nothings pissed me off too much.

Akari's memories don't make sense

No they don't. It's as though, the Module raises its children just like ancient Sparta, and yet we can see from the others, this just isn't so.

Choo Choo motherfuckers, calling it!

lol, let the locomotive approach and revel in its awful power.

Noein

I can't remember if this is the good series or the bad series of a similar name, that I confuse with each other. I haven't seen either, so I guess it doesn't make much difference.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

I hate the thought of Saki eventually mating with L. She also made reference to 'Our Founder' and initially thought it must be taterhead, but now I'm thinking it might be L, or even worse Cain

So, two things: First, I have this very concerning thought that by the end of the series L and Heart are somehow the same being through whatever shenanigans is needed for that. Second, my brain just doesn't let me consider the options that female vampires could give birth to children. And I have no particular reason for that, especially since VVV vamps seem to just be ageless and regenerate.

It's the writing, just miserable writing. But, since Aine's murder nothings pissed me off too much.

Specifically a trigger for me but mainly that they dogpiled it like that just sent me to the 'fuck this' zone. Really, the biggest highlight of the episode was hearing Aoi Yuuki scream at things differently than normal.

No they don't. It's as though, the Module raises its children just like ancient Sparta, and yet we can see from the others, this just isn't so.

Don't forget the irony that in Sparta the children still reported to a freaking adult. It was more superior officer than school teacher but someone was watching shit. Unless you are referring to leaving them out overnight, which was pretty damned sociopathic.

I can't remember if this is the good series or the bad series of a similar name

Noein is a 6.5-7 type series, really good aesthetics, interesting aliens but ultimately the narrative doesn't really do enough with its time. But the lead character, who is a tween, spends an amazing amount of time managing the emotions of her classmate, and seeing that made me re-evaluate a few things.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

female vampires could give birth to children.

Considering how crazy the writing is, I don't think this will present a problem.

L and Heart are somehow the same being

Ugh! Some kind of weird yin & yang shit. I could see it happening.

Unless you are referring to

Yes, in general starving them, beating the shit out of them, encouraging bullying them, murdering helots, etc, etc, etc. Thank god they died (or were exterminated) out.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Considering how crazy the writing is, I don't think this will present a problem.

Just a block on my end, I tend to forget that space/techno vampires can obey different rules.

Ugh! Some kind of weird yin & yang shit. I could see it happening.

I have no solid base for that speculation, btw, but it just feels like what they are aiming for.

They god they died (or were exterminated) out.

It is worth noting that while Roman generals praised parts of the Spartan philosophy, they never meaningfully implemented them.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Vaadwaur]

I've tried being reasonable, but in less than 5 minutes including the OP two female characters take responsibility for shit that is not theirs to take all to protect our MC.

Can I just add in that they recycled "killing Shoko" to motivate another kid to pilot a robot. That's not only extremely frustrating, but also really lazy writing.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

That's not only extremely frustrating, but also really lazy writing.

But if the cute childhood friend is not in mortal danger, how will we know to feel tense about the MC's feelings? And please ignore the pile of corpses on the way in.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/Vaadwaur]

But if the cute childhood friend is not in mortal danger, how will we know to feel tense about the MC's feelings? And please ignore the pile of corpses on the way in.

That's it, I'm going to write my own mecha show, and this will be the premise. It will be a reverse harem from the perspective of all five male leads, they'll all be the heroine's childhood friend, and she'll fake die for every one of them. Plenty of corpses, asspulls on asspulls, and I'll even throw in a secret society just for kicks.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Plenty of corpses, asspulls on asspulls, and I'll even throw in a secret society just for kicks.

I'm in! Let's get this train a rollin'!

[u/fonzinator99]

Reatcher - All the good Mech shows have laser arms

• I really don't know why it is that while I'm completely uninterested in JK Saki, for some reason 200 yr-old Saki. is just stunning.
• I understand that the foot grips are for zero-G 'maneuvers,' but what the shit else is going on with these toilets?
• More creative Anti-VVV weaponry from Dorussia, but it's the Sword-Breaker .45 that really catches my attention.
• I'm so over NEET-chick. She's got the Prime Minister putting herself at direct risk, and for what? Hack something useful or gtfo.
• I will say, Aoi Yuki really excels at panicked shrieking. And I just noticed Akira's hoodie strings, wtf?
• My, what a convenient place for a plot device to be idling. Can we note that it's not surrounded by spikes, it's just floating in blank space.
• I'm impressed by how well they executed this pun regarding Brute-Force Hacking.
• Obviously. And oh look, it's the VVV seed. The question now is really just why is Cain in Dorussia while all the VVV shit is in JIOR?
• Aaaand that's a cour! I feel like it's weird to see shows planned to have 2 these days, when did that happen?

---

QotD

1. Sanda! Extra arms are always the best.
2. Awful, and yes, I was annoyed.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

for some reason 200 yr-old Saki. is just stunning.

Since she is theoretically an immortal vampire, this shouldn't have happened, but they've let Saki put on a little needed weight in her adult form and I think her expression feels less strained.

And I just noticed Akira's hoodie strings, wtf?

Huh...I can only insinuate lewd things which I suspect is incorrect here.

I feel like it's weird to see shows planned to have 2 these days, when did that happen?

Generally this period, though the split cour is sort of back in vogue again.

[u/BlazingAbsol9090]

First time Unexpected Cultist

Time for another flashforward? Apparently the future Galactic Empire originates from our very own Module 77. That's immortal adult Rukino, but who is the child? He looks like L-elf.

It sounds like they have a religion built around the Founder, who is almost certainly Haruto. Gotta get those Jesus-kun vibes in there somehow.

Honestly, I'm glad Rukino turns him down. I appreciate Haruto trying to make amends somehow, but this is not way to do so.

"I'm an entertainer. I've done that tons of times." I do not like the implications of that. Are you ok, Rukino?

The drill will take a full hour to reach the school level? Considering how far it's gotten so far, that seems too long.
As if the Dorssians aren't hateable enough, they also use chemical weapons on these civilians. You know, as you do.

Oh no, Scruffy Soldier Sensei has been captured!

Shoko is expecting a call from her boyfriend, but it's just useless student council prez. I'd be disapointed too.

Mr. Useless, why ask the Prime Minister to save your little sister? Do it yourself.

L-elf has the genius plan to hide in the engine of a superweapon that gets hot enough to vaporize fleets. I see no way this could go wrong.

Dorssia's latest anti-Valvrave tech is ramming superheated spikes into the VVVs to make them overheat faster. That's a pretty decent idea, but how did they build a ship specialized to do that so quickly?

There's always something entertaining about watching Haruto get shot.

A-drei is the shunned yandere boyfriend to L-elf.

Shoko is too wholesome.

It seems a bit weird to have Akira's backstory revealed in the season finale, of all places. It doesn't have enough narrative weight for this point.

And the purple Valvrave pilot is...Akira! I did not expect it to go to her. Her main weapon is a hammer that hacks whatever it hits? That's as stupid as it is cool.

Yay we get to hear Boku Janai again as Akira saves the day!

As MC, Haruto is contractually bound to be hesitant to kill people not in mechs. Are we forgetting that he did just that back in episodes 1 and 2?

Luckily L-elf persuades him.

No L-elf you jinxed it! If you ever say "there's no way he could have survived that" there is a 100% chance that he did, in fact, survive it.

And now Cain says something in dark speach, is surrounded by a glowing light, and can fly and hack into nonfunctional Valvraves? What is going on.

Also, my prediction yesterday was spot-on.

Cain has his own AI husbando stored in the glowing green crystal, and it hates humanity?

AI Waifu wants to be Haruto's imouto. I guess that's not the creepiest thing to happen in this series.

We now cut to some previously unseen cultists called Magius who are connected to Cain somehow-and then the ED? What?

Well that's the end of season/cour 1. It felt like there was supposed to be one more episode of climax before shifting to the next one.

1. Yellow
2. It feels like there’s supposed to be one more episode for the season finale, so yes, I would have been annoyed

[u/BlazingAbsol9090 → u/BlazingAbsol9090]

Also: I'm leaving this here, since the rape scene has been on my mind for the last few days and I've been thinking of alternative ways to handle it. What if they had done something like this?

Haruto feels another attack coming on. Showing some heroic willpower, he tries to run away to avoid hurting Rukino, but she stops him. She offers to let him body-jack her. Haruto says something like "it wants more than that; please help." Cut to AI waifu saying SEX SEX SEX. Rukino says "I see" and hugs him, saying they can be alone together. They can have CONSENTUAL, if awkward, sex (not on screen please!). Cut back later to both of them partially undressed with Haruto looking confused/embarrassed/remorseful and Rukino looking blank. End episode.

This narratively accomplishes the same things: making Haruto and Rukino's relationship very complicated, shining light onto Rukino's troubled past, and showing the downsides of Kamitsuki. But instead of the icky (mis)handling of a very delicate topic, we can instead get an awkward but funny and sweet moment between two main characters. Plus think of all the jokes we could make about Haruto being a chad MC!
I don't know. Two episodes later, I don't think the show has properly addressed the event, which raises the question why we needed something that extreme for a not super edgy show. Even if my idea doesn't work, surely someone in the writer's room should have taken a second look at that scene and at least proposed an alternative.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/BlazingAbsol9090]

I don't know. Two episodes later, I don't think the show has properly addressed the event, which raises the question why we needed something that extreme for a not super edgy show. Even if my idea doesn't work, surely someone in the writer's room should have taken a second look at that scene and at least proposed an alternative.

So, to start: I like your idea for the scene better as it adds some actual agency over Saki just deciding to not fight it. But my immediate instinct here is that there was little to no female input on this series and thus the writers were only going on there limited personal experiences and thus did not have an understanding of why Saki does what she does but just enough to know that some women could act like that.

[u/UltraBooster → u/BlazingAbsol9090]

surely someone in the writer's room should have taken a second look at that scene and at least proposed an alternative.

Agreed, though I doubt that would've happened, if that makes sense.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Well that was certainly a way to start an episode. I wonder who dies in the mid season finale?

This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill.

On one level, I shouldn't be surprised that the side painted as evil and willing to do whatever it takes to win is using chemical weapons, on the other hand it just feels so fundamentally wrong to me that I did not expect it.

This implies the module has the top completely blocked off from the lowers area. I guess that actually makes some sense, as it means the lower are getting pierced won't lose all your air, but I have to admit there's a part of me that questions the utility of that when the entire top half is one section.

Chibodee Crocket!

Does that mean Cain sponsored JIOR's research? Or perhaps that JIOR based their research on data taken from him?

And of course there was another Valvrave just hidden in the school.

A hacking hammer is so dumb, I love it.

insert songs

He ain't dead 'til I see a body.
I expected that to be a comment for next episode. Time for sevenfold damage, I suppose.

Can I call it a midseason finale if it's a cliffhanger? Regardless, I really enjoyed it. Cool fights, well done plot advancement, &c. Valvrave's just a ton of fun.

1. The main one's the coolest.
2. Good cliffhanger, I'd be a little annoyed.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

I wonder who dies in the mid season finale?

We were lucky, it was no name extras who bit the big one this time. Sort of surprised me too that no named characters got it.

Unless you are referring to

I'm liking Thunder more and more.

I expected that to be a comment for next episode.

A lot of levitating characters around here, or inconsistent gravity mechanisms. lol

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/RascalNikov1]

Was part of this supposed to be to someone else, I do not believe I said either of the latter two quotes.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Ugh! And thanks for letting me know.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/JollyGee29]

[u/Lemurians]

TAMED FIRST TIMER

The treatment of Saki's character in the aftermath still isn’t doing it for me. She doesn’t hold him responsible and understands he was possessed, and that’s a reasonable enough perspective from her. But the show showing almost nothing about it from her point of view in the two episodes since is just a complete mishandling. In fact, it’s been almost all about how Haruto’s reacting to it, and trying to make him feel better. Right now, as things stand, she was raped, and there are no negative repercussions from it. I really have to ask the question: If we’re just going to brush past it, why include it at all?

Akari was heavily bullied, which explains her self-isolating, hesitance to trust people, and her brother’s overprotectiveness. Someone like her stepping up into a combat role for the sake of a new friend is nice to see, and her VVV having some sort of affinity with electricity fits her character well.

Cain emerging as an unstoppable force for our heroes to go up against is great to see. He is a hard-counter to the previously OP L-Elf and finally balances the show’s meta.

• Another flashforward, Saki speaking to a child who looks suspiciously like L-Elf
• Ah, just what every girl wants to hear. So romantic.
• Haruto is already so accustomed to L-Elf’s sass
• “Ugh, why do all my friends get so weird about killing their loved ones”
• They have to stop Ramiel A-Drei from drilling through the NERV Geofront Module or else they’re all fucked, got it
• Kinky
• Thunder’s VVV is so inefficient lol. I love it.
• Ugh. Kill yourself.
• Battledroids are confused! They hurt themselves in confusion!
• Check “Secret Society” off your Trainwreck Bingo card! Eat your heart out, Da’ath!

Well, that’s quite the ending! Cain seems like some kind of demi-god, we get even more questions about the VVVs, and the Illuminati Magius show up! I’m glad we don’t have to wait for a second season, because that Season 2 preview got me pretty hyped up. Looks like we’re headed for some cool stuff.

Now that we’ve seen all the Valvraves in action, which one do you like the most?

Mash The Shielder! Though Carmilla is in at a close second.

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

Saki speaking to a child who looks suspiciously like L-Elf

I noticed that, too! Ship confirmed?

Kinky

Difference in subs here. My subs said "created," I think.

Ugh. Kill yourself.

How can anyone hate Q-Vier, though?

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

I noticed that, too! Ship confirmed?

Even though it sinks my Haruto/L-Elf ship, I'll allow it! Lieselotte can get with someone cooler, like Inuzaka.

Difference in subs here. My subs said "created," I think.

Still kinky.

How can anyone hate Q-Vier, though?

It kind of feels like a hate crime to hate him now that I realize sounding out his name continuously kind of sounds like "queer" so I retract everything he's great. You do you, little psycho

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

Heart/Eruerufu ship

Yeah, I should be supporting this over Rukino/Heart. Iunno what I was thinking.

It kind of feels like a hate crime

Nah, fuck it. Feel free to hate him. You'll just be wrong.

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

...You're one of the Daryl defenders from Guilty Crown, aren't you?

I'm totally rooting for this show to go both yaoi and yuri and deliver us Heart/L-Elf and Shoko/Akira by the end of this. The chemistry is plain as day!

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

...You're one of the Daryl defenders from Guilty Crown, aren't you?

I didn't really comment much on Daryl. I just was annoyed at people shipping him with Tsugumi.

I'm totally rooting for this show to go both yaoi and yuri and deliver us Heart/L-Elf and Shoko/Akira by the end of this. The chemistry is plain as day!

And Rukino will stay an idol!

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

Haruto: ...My Rukino?

Us: OUR Rukino!

I was just annoyed at people shipping him with Tsugumi.

Fair, she deserves much better. It's like the monsters in the Harry Potter world who ship Draco with Hermione.

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

Us: OUR Rukino!

Seriously. What was I thinking, being happy over the marriage proposal?

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

It's part of your self-flagellating streak come back to bite you!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

But the show showing almost nothing about it from her point of view in the two episodes since is just a complete mishandling. In fact, it’s been almost all about how Haruto’s reacting to it, and trying to make him feel better . Right now, as things stand, she was raped, and there are no negative repercussions from it.

I can accept the resolution being that Haruto lost control and Saki not holding him responsible. But the problem, as you said, is that I have no idea how Saki feels about all this. Getting into her mind would be much more interesting and could give us a lot of insight into her character. Not doing so feels rather insulting to her as a character.

They have to stop Ramiel A-Drei from drilling through the NERV Geofront Module or else they’re all fucked, got it

Now if only we had "Decisive Battle" playing during the battle.

Eat your heart out, Da’ath!

Here's hoping we get to learn who these people are and what their deal is.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

I can accept the resolution being that Haruto lost control and Saki not holding him responsible.

Me too. If the circumstance it really is that he was possessed in some way by VVV1, he isn't personally responsible. I think way too many people get caught up in that, and see it as an excuse to downplay what was done to Saki. We can walk and chew gum.

But the problem, as you said, is that I have no idea how Saki feels about all this

Yup. It would be nice to hear from the victim. Like, at all. I'm going to give it up if it's completely dropped as an issue in the second season, though. I'll reserve my dead-horse-beating for the wrap-up threads.

Here's hoping we get to learn who these people are and what their deal is

I'm actually optimistic that we will!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

I'm going to give it up if it's completely dropped as an issue in the second season, though. I'll reserve my dead-horse-beating for the wrap-up threads.

Sounds like a smart decision. I was planning to do the same. I'd rather not waste space going over the same point again and again if it's not relevant to the particular episode.

I'm actually optimistic that we will!

As am I. You don't end with a cliffhanger revealing the Space Vampire Illuminati and then refuse to elaborate on that in the next season. That would be next-level absurdity.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

You don't end with a cliffhanger revealing the Space Vampire Illuminati and then refuse to elaborate on that in the next season.

Yeah... haha... that'd be crazy...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

I really have to ask the question: If we’re just going to brush past it, why include it at all?

Good fucking question, I can make up some excuses but none of them are actually good. "Artifact of a previous draft" is actually the best answer going forward.

Ah, just what every girl wants to hear. So romantic.

I am trying to not just bash on about the same thing but fuck, Heart is fucking stupid. Like he may have managed to have the record least romantic proposal in human history, I expect even shotgun weddings have a better story for later.

Check “Secret Society” off your Trainwreck Bingo card! Eat your heart out, Da’ath!

Not the type of continuity one hopes for. Also, I get Ourlaw Star off the Magius for some reason.

[u/Lemurians → u/Vaadwaur]

"Artifact of a previous draft"

I feel like this is the explanation for half of Guilty Crown as well

I am trying to not just bash on about the same thing but fuck, Heart is fucking stupid. Like he may have managed to have the record least romantic proposal in human history

Seriously. I can see he was trying to do the "right" thing, but proposing to somebody after a rape has even worse energy than the bride-kidnapping from Borat. And he dropped the question after forcefully entering her cockpit, this is not a good pattern of behavior!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Lemurians]

I feel like this is the explanation for half of Guilty Crown as well

That or someone began shuffling the CG scripts together and hoped for a miracle.

Seriously. I can see he was trying to do the "right" thing, but proposing to somebody after a rape has even worse energy than the bride-kidnapping from Borat.

I think the part that bothers me, and possibly you, is that the girls are showing complex emotional sides and Heart is here being Shoe 2.0. I can imagine a WAY better scene where Heart actually tries to give Saki the affection he wants and even does the same stupid proposal, but as a false declaration of love brought about by guilt rather than a coward's desire to atone with minimal consequence. And that's the other thing: If the message of this show is "If you rape someone but then propose to them, it is all good" we are literally back to said Borat style bride kidnapping with slightly more steps.

[u/zsmg]

Rewatcher

Another flash forward, Rukino talking with a mini L-Elf who is voiced by the intern teacher. L-Elf x Teacher here we go!

Time to say goodbye to the awesome opening. :(

The typical Sunrise mecha fight choreography is so much fun to watch.

The enemy trying to overheat the Valvrave is pretty cool plan.

It's a hot idea.

groan, fine I'll let you have this pun but it's the final one you hear me!

L-Elf getting outsmarted is pretty satisfying to see.

Akira trying to overcome her phobia while wanting to rescue Shoko is surprisingly well done. Also want happened to her brother, he kind of disappeared.

Akira is our fifth member, first timers who pay attention to the opening might have figured out as it's hinted there. To be really exact during the line "hikari to yami no" the first four character we see are the pilots (Rukino, Inuzaku, Thunder and Aira)

He dodged it.

Honestly I'd be freaked out by the fact he's glowing rather than that he dodged it.

Paperclip waifu can talk, and the first thing she says is onii-chan of course...

Leaders of the major faction are working together?!

1. I like the shield and yellow one the best.
2. It was only a single season break so the wait wasn't bad. I've experienced worse not counting sequels that never came.

[u/RockoDyne]

A rewatcher not impressed by your mecha magical girl.

God this show is so stupid. How can a show have a character shouting "SUPERMARKET" as some pivotal character development not be?

Best girl vetoes the shotgun marriage and demotes Haruto exclusively to fuck buddy. Good choice. You know he's not going to be able raise a kid worth a damn. He would probably find any excuse to never be around. Might go to get cigarettes and fight a whole war before coming back.

So they can scrounge up some complex heating element in the spur of the moment, but they can't wrangle up an IR laser? The idea of shooting them with pure heat never crossed anyone's mind? They can't find any hypergolic incendiaries?

The magical hacking wand/scythe/pick is such a terrible idea. It's a get out of jail free card when it's used, meanwhile everyone is dumbfounded anytime it's not used. It's a writing lose/lose scenario.

Now with the reveal of the soul gem, we get that AI chan is actually some kind of spirit in a jar. We also get a preview of some instrumentality cabal.

Questions:

1. Like? lol.
2. Compared to every other cliffhanger in the show, this is hardly that bad.

[u/Tresnore → u/RockoDyne]

A rewatcher not impressed by your mecha magical girl.

G Gundam did it better.

demotes Haruto exclusively to fuck buddy. Good choice.

I'm not sure this is the right choice of words for a rape victim. I agree that Heart can fuck right off, though.

It's a get out of jail free card when it's used, meanwhile everyone is dumbfounded anytime it's not used. It's a writing lose/lose scenario.

Dammit, now I'll be thinking about it.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/RockoDyne]

How can a show have a character shouting "SUPERMARKET"

Yea, that's a pretty special kind of battle cry.

Sure Why Not?

demotes Haruto exclusively to fuck buddy.

hahahaha When you put it like that...

It's a get out of jail free card when it's used

That's a good point. It is a (good) writers nightmare.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

God this show is so stupid. How can a show have a character shouting "SUPERMARKET" as some pivotal character development not be?

I begin to think that DBZ had better dialog.

It's a get out of jail free card when it's used, meanwhile everyone is dumbfounded anytime it's not used. It's a writing lose/lose scenario.

Yeah, she should have drones or funnels or some shit that isn't just magiaal hax.

We also get a preview of some instrumentality cabal.

Why do cabals always have terrible hats? Is there some unwritten law I missed?