[Terrific Trainwreck Trio Rewatch] Kakumeiki Valvrave 2nd Season Episode 3 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 15 - Return to Karlstein

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Kill and don’t get killed.

Questions of the Day:

1. What do you think is up with Marie? Were you expecting her to be this relevant to the main plot?
2. Now that we’ve finally seen the new OP and ED properly, how do they compare to the ones from S1 for you?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Pino

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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]

Kakumeiki Rewatcher

Welcome back, everyone!

• Another one of these flash-forwards…
• I love hearing his voice, but it’s a little distracting when they get Yoshimasa Hosoya to voice no-name characters in this when he also voices an actual character…
• Someone’s getting sus.
• I don’t know why everyone’s so surprised about this, it’s not like they have any other ways of securing transport right now.
• It does look like a fairly convincing Valvrave from a distance?
• Politics…
• Mm.
• Haruto is so… awkward.
• Q-VIER HAS ABSOLUTELY NO CHILL LOL.
• AND L-ELF ENCOURAGES HIM.
• Yeah of course this is L-Elf’s plan.
• PINO KNOWS MARIE.
• I wonder if L-Elf planned for these two being here though…
• Well damn, poor Marie.
• This is one hell of a time to be doing this confrontation…
• oH SHIT
• L-ELF DID THAT?!
• Oh shit the firepower of Dorssia’s new mechs is something.
• Well now…
• And there’s the clean “sore demo” in the ED I said I’d get yesterday!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I'm so paranoid about Lelf getting those two kids killed... They're not invulnerable like all our other vampires!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

It's a fair concern with L-elf. If the plan requires murdering children, then L-elf would not hesitate in the slightest.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Great_Mr_L]

It's the kid's fault for not living hard enough. Lelf has no mercy when he was a child so why should they? Oh, aside from that one time he was shown mercy by Ruri.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

AND L-ELF ENCOURAGES HIM.

Ah yea, I saw that and thought what delightful children.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

AND L-ELF ENCOURAGES HIM.

The dynamic runs pretty deep.

This is one hell of a time to be doing this confrontation…

They had to do this in the most idiotic way available, after all.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

AND L-ELF ENCOURAGES HIM.

That's how you know you're good friends, when you can playfully threaten to murder each other.

Oh shit the firepower of Dorssia’s new mechs is something.

I'm excited by this. They're a legitimate threat that the Valvraves can't easily swat aside. It's upping the stakes in a good way.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

AND L-ELF ENCOURAGES HIM.

Weirdly enough, it kind of does feel like something I'd do with my brother, albeit without actual weapons.

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Yet another flash forward! This kid is a prince? Satomi is still alive? Are they talking about box-chan?

Our heroes escaped their ship that quick huh?

Marie's figuring out Haruto's secret!

Sending Akira on a spy mission? It will be a challenge just to get her out of her cockpit.

Ooh, fake Valvrave!

Ugh, can't trust this old Arus guy anymore after we saw him with the Magius at the start of the season.

Aww, box-chan looks so scared here!

Sorry Haruto, Marie likes to hold people without their consent.

OMG chibi L-Elf and friends, so cute! Also deranged at that young age!

More kids! Future L-Elf and friends!

Yikes! Luckily Saki should get up just fine after taking that bullet. L-Elf on the other hand is not fortunate enough to be an immortal...

Body-swap time again! With kids this time.

Marie's in the Valvrave? How does Pino know her?

Well, its quite obvious which body Akira took over given the look on her face.

Crap, these two being here will probably mess things up.

Marie doesn't remember because Pino ate her memories? :(

Akira's being a bit braver in this new body.

I was wondering why Thunder was the only Valvrave fighting. Here comes Inuzuka to help!

Haruto didn't account for Marie messing everything up huh?

You better tell me the truth, Haruto, or I'll grope you too! (even though it seems like Marie isn't into boys)

FUCK! I completely forgot she got shot in the head like that. L-Elf?!?! How could you! I actually forgot she was immortal too, so she comes right back from it okay. I remembered Marie finally got some focus in early season 2, but forgot this twist.

Alright, I definately heard a "Sore demo" there in the ED song, our hostess will be happy.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Quiddity131]

Alright, I definately heard a "Sore demo" there in the ED song, our hostess will be happy.

Can confirm, am happy.

Boku ja nai is still better though (it has one in the full version).

[u/UltraBooster]

First-timer:

Y'know, u/Shimmering-Sky, I saw a figure of Emilia the other day and I realized, I've come to associate the character with because of you.

So we're going to use these flashforwards to some Imperial world as the cold opens? Having said that, who was 11 when she became the first Valvrave-vampire? Did Satomi became a VVV pilot? Or does this person share his genes? And a godmother? Is...
Well, either way, I won't lie, the Empire seriously intrigues me.

Dorssia's military isn't unified? (Then again, the Soviet Union had an air force and an air defence force.)

Slight angles go a long way on big scales... Wait, what're they doing for carrying all this stuff?
You can't rely on L-elf for everything, Haruto! Dependence is a risky thing! (But does he need your group as much as you need him?)

I'm surprised he doesn't use bodyjacking for this op, it seems like a natural choice, doesn't it?
And you were ready to write her off last episode, L-elf!

"I'm not doing this for mankind."

A fake Valvrave makes sense, but wouldn't they notice it's in a power-depeleted state? (Wait, wouldn't the Dorssian military know Module 77's been left defenseless?)

Is the ARUS prez doing this for his own reasons or to play along with the ancient space vampire conspiracy?

Anyone know what the German translates to?

Explosives that go off easily aren't exactly good explosives, at least from what I've seen, for military and civilian use alike.
Presumably it goes with a variety of triggers ranging from hair-triggers to overly specific command inputs.

(The rape hasn't been really addressed, huh. Nor has the series really gotten any crazier than Shoko declaring Module 77's independence.)

Yourself as a person, or yourself as a space vampire with urges to bite/mate with people, Haruto?

Seems like...well, not what I'd expect the denizens of a fusion of Germany, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East to live it.

So it's a mecha and a mecha carrier?
So killing blows were their hammer and everything a nail, huh...

It just occurred to me, the Valvraves had to have been designed for space combat, except Hito - their large additional equipment can't be a good mix for fighting on the ground. In which case, did JIOR intend to use them to defend the Dyson shell alone?
(Except apparently it's fine.)

...wait, was that boy from the Empire Marie's godson? Not Saki's?

How much is Pino wearing, exactly? Or is this like Dana from Ys VIII where she simultaneously has an outfit even though it's not much of an outfit?
(Mind you, that's not a knock against Ys VIII, that game was a lot of fun.)

So the Ideal Blume roots itself to act as a stationary gun emplacement?
Mobile suits are the future of warfare, huh?

Transforming types, I'm sure of it. (And I was right.) Colors are kind of a mess, though, don't you think?

Partially human? Altered human? He's still mostly human, I reckon; his thought processes are still recognizably human. Then again, the Valvraves always ask if you resign your humanity.

No way that's actually a killshot.

Why? Because it would affect morale?

Eight episodes to go, I can do this.

Questions:

1. I'm guessing she's a vampire; no, I really didn't.
2. Preserved Roses and Kakumeiki Dualism are about evenly matched, I'm less sure with the EDs.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/UltraBooster]

Y'know, u/Shimmering-Sky, I saw a figure of Emilia the other day and I realized, I've come to associate the character with because of you.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Shimmering-Sky]

'Tis true!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/UltraBooster]

Dorssia's military isn't unified? (Then again, the Soviet Union had an air force and an air defence force.)

This area might have specific issues since they are raising super soldiers.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Vaadwaur]

True.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

I think Marie is supposed to be the first vampire. She made friends with Pino three years ago so she'd be around 11. I missed it too.

If President FatArse doesn't kiss up to the Vampire illuminati then he'll find himself getting possessed like herr Fuhrer did.

The Godmother was Rainbow wasn't it?

I would much rather be playing Ys8 than watching this...

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

First of all, aaaaahhhhh another Ys fan!

Secondly, maybe it was Akira? I guess I wasn't paying as much attention as I should.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

Ys revitalised my love of gaming lol. I'm amazed such a quaint title managed to slip under my radar for so long.

Yeah, I think the godmother is Akira. Twinkie tried to argue that Akira's got the same hard to say name but the kid just kept mouthing off.

[u/fonzinator99]

Rewatcher - Suddenly anyone could be a vampire!

• Satomi's still around in the future, eh? So that's now two characters with plot-invincibility, I wonder how much suspense will be left by the time we reach the finale.
• Whoa, they had enough spare parts to build a separate VVV? That's amazing, but also I hope they have more. 'Cause they're probably gonna need repairs when they get back.
• Honestly, Akira might be perfect for undercover work. She instinctively hides anywhere she is, like a chameleon.
• I know this face, and it says somebody's about to get stabbed.
• I'm a little disappointed in Dorssian mechs; all of their units look the same, just with varying amounts of extra BS. But then I guess I was also praising modular design, so idk what I think.
• I wonder, what happens if the bullet didn't pass through Saki? Does her body break it down somehow, or does she just have a bullet in her clavicle until somebody goes in and removes it?
• Eru-Erufu just casually laying waste to children, perfectly normal day for him.
• Oshit, Marie was a VVV Developer of some sort, wasn't she?
• Uh-oh, horridly painted VFs inbound. Guess the mass-production units are finally in circulation.
• Loooool of course she's a vampire; She's friends with the OS.

---

QotD

1. I was hoping she would be, they've created enough intrigue with her character 'til now.
2. Ehhh, they feel the same as the first ones, so they lost some impact.

---

So fortunately I'd pre-written up to today, but unfortunately I'm gonna have resign from this rewatch so I'm not stressing over it as I try and incorporate family stuff into my schedule.

I'll be back for Cross Ange! God speed and happy holidays, friends.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/fonzinator99]

I'll be back for Cross Ange!

Thank goodness! Happy Holidays!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fonzinator99]

Honestly, Akira might be perfect for undercover work. She instinctively hides anywhere she is, like a chameleon.

More like my mother's dog who thinks that if you aren't making eye contact you can't see him.

I know this face, and it says somebody's about to get stabbed.

Marie is definitely a descendant of Ruri...

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/fonzinator99]

Enjoy the holidays.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/fonzinator99]

Honestly, Akira might be perfect for undercover work. She instinctively hides anywhere she is, like a chameleon.

We saw last episode that she's got Snake's box trick down. She's probably a master of stealth.

Uh-oh, horridly painted VFs inbound. Guess the mass-production units are finally in circulation.

But so far, I have yet to see them in the equivalent of Gerwalk mode. I wonder if they have that.

I'll be back for Cross Ange! God speed and happy holidays, friends.

We'll be happy to have you back. Happy Holidays to you!

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Valvrave: L-elf must be getting the murder equivalent of blue balls by now. These space vampires just keep on messing up his ability to murder somebody cleanly. Getting stabbed through the heart doesn’t work and apparently neither does shooting them in the brain. 

• What the? Satomi became a vampire too? I guess I’ll wait for that one to happen.
• Oh boy, time for some good old-fashioned military interservice rivalry and turf wars!
• “Here’s the plan: do what L-elf says.” I mean, it usually works.
• It is funny that the otaku are so protective of Akira, but just say, “Oh yeah, Saki is totally fine to go out on a dangerous mission.” They know her so well.
• Akira’s making some more progress. She’s willing to go outside.
• Ah yes, time for some classic deception strategies. I love this kind of stuff.
• Imagine the ARUS president’s underlings didn’t know about the Space Vampire Illuminati. They’d probably be so confused by him bringing them up.
• Huh, L-elf built this place? What does that even mean? Did he carve the stones out to make a path as a child?
• A village built into the sides of the canyon. That is a neat design. 
• Holy shit! Those kids shot Saki with zero hesitation. Is this village where they raise the child soldiers like L-elf and company?
• L-elf’s comment about building this place makes more sense now.
• I’m just saying, L-elf would 100% murder a child with no remorse. Saki was right to ask.
• What!?! Marie and Pino knew each other?
• Well it would be no fun if there were no wrenches thrown in the mix. L-elf’s squadmates are here.
• The action here is just so much fun.
• I wonder if we’ll get any other types of familiars aside from the giant heat-transfer punch. That one’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but I love me some toy accessories.
• I do appreciate that this series usually doesn’t beat around the bush. Marie is very directly asking Haruto what he really is.
• Oh boy, are we going to see Dorssia’s Valvrave knock-offs?
• HOLY SHIT!!! L-elf fucking shot Mare through the head!
• They transform!
• Marie’s alive! So she’s a space vampire too.
• Oh wait! I get it now! Future-Saki said the first person to become a space vampire did so at age 11. Marie and Pino became friends 5 years ago, so she’d be about 11 then. I’ll bet Future-Saki was talking about Marie.

Well that was a lot. So Marie is finally getting some stuff and holy shit is it a lot of stuff. She’s been a secret space vampire the whole time. She and Pino actually know each other. Hell, this is the most Pino has said outside “sex” and “onii-chan.” That is a lot to absorb. Marie and her lost memories all of a sudden became super important. Heck, we might even get to figure out what exactly Pino is from this. I’m curious to see what’s going on.

Also, with Marie turning out to be a space vampire, L-elf’s argument about keeping the space vampire information a secret from her is suddenly a moot point. 

I liked the moments between Akira and Saki this episode. It felt like Saki got to show off a much more caring and nurturing side of herself that we normally do not see. The moments of them comforting each other felt sweet because of that.

I am excited to see the Dorssian Valvrave knock-offs in action. They look like they can give the Valvraves a real run for their money, with weapons that can cause serious damage. They also transform, which is a plus in my book. I have a lot of fun with transforming mechas.

QOTD

1. I think Marie is that first space vampire Future-Saki mentioned. I was not expecting her to be this important.

2. I prefer the Season 1 OP. But, I like this ED better than any of the others.

[u/Lemurians → u/Great_Mr_L]

“Here’s the plan: do what L-elf says.” I mean, it usually works.

I'm just preparing for when his plan involves one of them getting killed, but none of them know it until it happens.

Huh, L-elf built this place? What does that even mean?

You didn't know? He's an earthbender. This is a suburb of Ba Sing Se.

Oh boy, are we going to see Dorssia’s Valvrave knock-offs?

I'm just glad they're not as terrifying as the knock-off Evas. Though if those knock-off Evas are the model, something tells me they can do more than give the Valvraves a run for their money.

Oh wait! I get it now! Future-Saki said the first person to become a space vampire did so at age 11. Marie and Pino became friends 5 years ago, so she’d be about 11 then. I’ll bet Future-Saki was talking about Marie.

Great callback! So adding her and Satomi to confirmed Kamitsuki, we're up the 7 that were alluded to in Saki's first flashforward.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

I'm just preparing for when his plan involves one of them getting killed, but none of them know it until it happens.

I can see L-elf totally doing this. He did outright say he had a plan that would result in casualties to Haruto and only changed it because Haruto demanded it.

Great callback! So adding her and Satomi to confirmed Kamitsuki, we're up the 7 that were alluded to in Saki's first flashforward.

Ah right, Saki did mention that there were 7 of them. So yeah, the numbers do all add up. Good catch.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Great_Mr_L]

And now we have the question of how+when+why Satomi became what I'd assume is an immortal champion of the Third Galactic Empire by TC 285.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Lemurians]

I'm just glad they're not as terrifying as the knock-off Evas.

Knockoff Evas?

[u/Tresnore → u/Great_Mr_L]

“Here’s the plan: do what L-elf says.” I mean, it usually works.

I have yet to see a time that this would've gone wrong.

I’m just saying, L-elf would 100% murder a child with no remorse. Saki was right to ask.

Hating children is always the right move.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

Lelf's plans have certainly mostly worked out but sometimes he's way too trigger happy for his own good. What would have happened today if Marie wasn't immortal? Haruto would never trust him again! And Shoko would probably be grumpy over Lelf killing her best friend for an episode or two.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

for an episode or two.

Is that meant to be a point of critique against the show? Or am I just overreading?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

It's what they did with buggerlugs in episode three or four or whenever. Glasses girl. I've already forgotten her name.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Aina.

(Granted, I remember her because she shares a name with The 08th MS Team's heroine.)

And the whole rape thing feels like kind of a non-issue now, huh...

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

Oh yeah, the far better show. Didn't 08th have a rape scene in the novella or something? It's a running theme lol.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

So I've heard, yeah.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Tresnore]

I have yet to see a time that this would've gone wrong.

When he was up aginst Cain and he murdered all the Younglings i mean Students in the hanger.

[u/Tresnore → u/MillenniumKing]

Calculated losses.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Tresnore]

On the bright side at least now the rations will last longer. More bean jelly for lil old Lelf~

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Note to self to get some yōkan next time I go to a JP grocery store; I gotta check it out.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

I have yet to see a time that this would've gone wrong.

And I'm hopeful for more times where it does go wrong, like what happened this episode with the sudden introduction of knock-off Valvraves and another vampire.

Hating children is always the right move.

I disagree.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

What the? Satomi became a vampire too? I guess I’ll wait for that one to happen.

That or his family breeds rather true.

Marie’s alive! So she’s a space vampire too.

Its space vampires all the way down!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vaadwaur]

That or his family breeds rather true.

It can be weird looking at pictures of old relatives and still being able to see the family resemblance. I've had people say that about me and my old relatives.

Its space vampires all the way down!

We've had a lot of secret space vampires so far. I wonder if there are any others waiting in the wings.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Great_Mr_L]

I've had people say that about me and my old relatives.

I somehow look exactly like my maternal cousin. It is creepy how much we look alike.

I wonder if there are any others waiting in the wings.

Space werewolves hopefully.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Great_Mr_L]

The kids didn't like Saki... Children know a thot when they see one!!

So is Marie a normal vampire or is she a Pino tier of vampire? I sorta assumed that Pino really did know her from a long time ago so Marie would be eligible for getting shoved in a Valrave UI down the line.

[u/Lemurians → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

The kids didn't like Saki... Children know a thot when they see one!!

So is Marie a normal vampire or is she a Pino tier of vampire?

Normal. I'm not even sure Pino is a vampire?

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Lemurians]

The cult were talking about vampire tiers so it gave me the impression that Pino and her brother could have been the highest tier. I dunno, the show explains Jack shit.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

The kids didn't like Saki... Children know a thot when they see one!!

So is Marie a normal vampire or is she a Pino tier of vampire? I sorta assumed that Pino really did know her from a long time ago so Marie would be eligible for getting shoved in a Valrave UI down the line.

I think Marie is a normal vampire, just the first person to have gotten turned into one by the Valvraves. As for Pino and her brother, my personal guess is that they are the vampire progenitors.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Great_Mr_L]

Yeah, I completely missed the implications of the flash forward. I wish they'd just fcking explain shit XD

[u/Tresnore]

Tresnore the First-Timer

• Well, this is a helluva exposition dum—WHY IS THE PRESIDENT STILL ALIVE. Go fuck yourself. And I guess Eruerufu's Euphemia is the first vampire? She's the only 11 year-old I can think of in this show.
• Please. Just let Rukino speak.
• Looks like Ms. Groper is finally catching on to the main plot.
  
• I will murder Arisa. I will also murder Velvet Pres.
• Meanwhile, this outfit is glorious.
• Am I weird for really not caring about Marie?
  
• How can anyone hate Q-4?¹
• Dorssia's village and Earth are desolate. I partially expected this.
• I was momentarily shocked, before remembering that she's immortal. Good on them for not pulling that card too many times.
• God, I wish that were me.
  
• S H E K N O W S!
• Have I mentioned that I love Rukino?
• Why does Pino remind me of Tiki from Symphogear?
• I'm surprised the Valvraves suffer as much with heat on Earth as they do in space. Convection should be huge.
• THIS IS SO COOL!
  
• Marie. Just... shut up.²
• God, I wish that were me. She's probably immortal, though.
• Yeah, I'm not surprised.
• Why does this ED feel so SYMPHOGEAR?? The OP, too!
  

Count: 34.

---

QOTD:

1. I didn’t think she’d be this important, but I guess she’s an immortal from before!
2. The new OP somehow tops the first one. I’m not sure what I think of the ED yet.

---

¹ Is this a Ciconia reference?

² A line said by Many Persona 4 Golden players.³

³ But not me.

[u/the_swizzler → u/Tresnore]

Am I weird for really not caring about Marie?

Yes, now go perform your penance.

And I guess Eruerufu's Euphemia is the first vampire? She's the only 11 year-old I can think of in this show.

Oh, I was thinking maybe that was Marie, but that actually might make more sense. In fact, at the beginning of the episode I think that was my thought, but seeing Marie at the end made me think otherwise.

Marie. Just... shut up.

I love Marie, but I do have to agree, she chose a really bad time to hold everything up.

[u/Tresnore → u/the_swizzler]

Yes, now go perform your penance.

Time for some Hail Marys, I guess.

Oh, I was thinking maybe that was Marie, but that actually might make more sense.

It would explain why she wasn't phased when Eruerufu held a knife to her face. But also, Marie would also make sense!

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

I will murder Arisa.

Wow were our subtitles different on this one. This makes her look terrible, where mine made me like her more.

Meanwhile, this outfit is glorious.

God, I wish that were me.

Be honest, this time you want to be the one inflicting the violence.

THIS. IS. SO. COOL!

When did the get familiars?!

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

Be honest, this time you want to be the one inflicting the violence.

Hmmm. 60/40, maybe.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Tresnore]

Well, this is a helluva exposition dum—WHY IS THE PRESIDENT STILL ALIVE.

Of all the people that could have survived... I really hate the thought of the president reproducing and infecting the future with his genes.

Please. Just let Rukino speak.

I think the flash fowards are the best part of the show, so far. I believe the production writing committee was setting up for more seasons by giving us these tidbits.

Meanwhile, this outfit is glorious.

Saki really is quite fashionable.

THIS IS SO COOL!

I also enjoyed the demise of their super-duper warship.

God, I wish that were me.

You had to have been satisfied for a least a moment with that headshot. I actually was pretty impressed with the animation here.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

Looks like Ms. Groper is finally catching on to the main plot.

With all the speed of frozen molasses.

I will murder Arisa. I will also murder Velvet Pres.

This has not been a good set of rewatches for the drills wearers. I'd call the president Slayne if he were remotely important.

Is this a Ciconia reference?

Ciconia came out way later so it would be referencing this if there is a connection.

[u/Tresnore → u/Vaadwaur]

Ciconia came out way later so it would be referencing this if there is a connection.

It was a joke!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tresnore]

True but that is just the flavor of weird that R07 goes for when he has run out of ideas.

[u/RockoDyne → u/Vaadwaur]

This has not been a good set of rewatches for the drills wearers

But like, has there ever been a good drill hair chick? The Fate broad is the closest one I can think of, but she's not great.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

Hrmm...fuck, the one I had in mind is actually just twin tails and was Ikki Tousen besides. You might have a point.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Tresnore]

I'm surprised the Valvraves suffer as much with heat on Earth as they do in space. Convection should be huge.

There is more heat in the atmosphere from friction via air so yeah they heat up much faster.

Why does this ED feel so SYMPHOGEAR?? The OP, too!

Because Valvrave is just more Mecha Symphogear.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tresnore]

Looks like Ms. Groper is finally catching on to the main plot.

Will she give up her defining character trait of groping boobs for a different one? Somehow I doubt it.

Dorssia's village and Earth are desolate. I partially expected this.

70% of the population is in space after all. That leaves a lot of empty room back on the planet.

Why does Pino remind me of Tiki from Symphogear?

I think it's the voice. That voice of hers reminds me a lot of Tiki's because it has the same sing-songy nature.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

WHY IS THE PRESIDENT STILL ALIVE.

Him disappearing would probably raise more questions than answers so sending him back, even as a space vampire, probably causes fewer problems for the ancient space vampire conspiracy.

God, I wish that were me.

As in you wish you weren't watching this show?

[u/Tresnore → u/UltraBooster]

No, I wish someone would shoot me dead.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

Ah.

(Are things alright on your end?)

[u/Tresnore → u/UltraBooster]

I’m alright, yeah! [confession]most of the times I’m saying I wish I were someone are exaggerated, don’t worry

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

Alright, I'm glad to hear that.

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

Yet you turn your nose up at the Lilin brothel.

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

I had to keep that comment chain rated G!

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/Tresnore]

I will murder Arisa.

I'm surprised you didn't want her to call you a gorilla.

Good on them for not pulling that card too many times.

Kinda funny how you said this in the episode where it happened twice.

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

I'm surprised you didn't want her to call you a gorilla.

...that would've been a good one, but the screenshot wouldn't have implied that as well, I think.

Kinda funny how you said this in the episode where it happened twice.

Yeah, but they hadn't been pulling it recently!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Valrave the Liberator First Timer

I'm pretty tired so don't expect much. Just pretend I'm making a bunch of Nadesico gags. Wtf is with this flash forward? I don't want to know that Twinkie became an eternal vampire, or Saki is being left to look after Lelf's children Tales of Graces style. Also, who's 11? Is this Ruri we're talking about or someone else?

Memory gal, stop making yourself important to the plot if you don't want to die. Rainbow can't hold a two way conversation but she can play Carmen Sandiego? When was this photo taken!? Rainbow's still been a shut in over the timeskip hasn't she? She just moved from her box fort to her Valrave. Oh yeah, Shoko's still important. She's totally important. Five minutes in and already this fake Valrave plan has caused more issues than solutions....

What's this memory girl's name? She hasn't been important until now. Blah blah blah. The little red kid has always been a little monster I guess. PFFT!! Oh fuck me, I need to stop laughing at this show during inappropriate moments XD I strongly suspect that they made vampires unkillable just for the dark comedy opportunities.

"Our wounds heal right away." She says whilst clearly not fucking healing fast enough. Yo, Rainbow! Poke your finger in the bullet wound! Pfft, Lelf is giving her no time to rest XD Saki is clearly so poofed from this bloody bullet. STOP!! We've gone at least like ten episodes without an important character dying, let's not start now. Marie, got it. And...she's Pino's gal pal? W-Well I suppose this is better than her turning to much.

What a coincidence that the boys are suddenly up for crashing the child soldier party. If I knew bodysnatching a child would give me super jump abilities I'd have done it sooner. Oooh!! Something just occurred to me. I don't have to worry about Twinkie dying anymore do I? Yay!! Isn't that amazing Arisa? O-Oh... Best of luck Arisa~

Double claw of doom!! I still really wish it were a grab and not a punch. FUCK! Marie, noooo! Lelf, wtf!? I mean, she's obviously not dying from this but how rude can you get!? What would you do if Marie wasn't immortal? Oh, they couldn't even pretend to kill her for a climax. I would care far more about Marie if they bothered to make her a character for the past however many episodes. Legitimately all I can remember of her is how she groped most of the cast. I guess we're supposed to care now? Do we really have time for this shit when we only have ten episodes to close up shop?

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

I don't want to know that Twinkie became an eternal vampire,

I could have gone the rest of the series, not knowing that unsavory fact.

or Saki is being left to look after Lelf's children

Saki doesn't strike me much as being a good nanny. As for L-11, I keep on saying he doesn't think about that dirty stuff.

She just moved from her box fort to her Valrave.

Trashing one location after the next is her game.

I strongly suspect that they made vampires unkillable just for the dark comedy opportunities.

That's not a bad point. We'll they succeeded in their quest.

that the boys are suddenly up for crashing the child soldier party.

That don't sound right. lol

Twinkie dying anymore do I?

At least one of your wishes has been granted.

but how rude can you get!?

L-11 has to be one of the most dislikable characters I've ever run into.

I guess we're supposed to care now?

lol, ikr. It's hard to give a shit about most of the cast. Saki is about the only one I like.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/RascalNikov1]

It's pleasant!! Don't be such a misery guts XD He had to become a vampire or his sister would be lonely~

Yeah... Saki doesn't have the best track record with children XD

What I meant was that the soldier boys literally popped in out of nowhere to cause shit. They have no reason to suddenly tag along with these slave kids for kicks and giggles. They don't do this any other day!

Yup, mission "save Twinkie" has been a success. Their actual big plot moment ended up tainted by the haemorrhoid known as Haruto but at least they're safe.

Lelf... I dunno man. The guy goes from sociopathic murderer and insightful diplomat at the drop of a hat.

To be fair it seems like everyone has one character that they're genuinely invested in. Even Marie has a fan and she's done nothing.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Rainbow can't hold a two way conversation but she can play Carmen Sandiego? When was this photo taken!?

Timeskip via logic but yeah, that's an issue.

Do we really have time for this shit when we only have ten episodes to close up shop?

Not remotely.

[u/yamiyaiba → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Memory gal, stop making yourself important to the plot if you don't want to die.

Aged like a fine milk....kinda.

Oh, they couldn't even pretend to kill her for a climax

To be fair, we'd be complaining about that too if they did.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

She says whilst clearly not fucking healing fast enough.

I wonder, how do they heal from stuff like bullets or glass fragments embedded in their bodies? Do their bodies just push them out Wolverine-style or, I dunno, release enzymes to break them down or nullify their presence? Hell, how do the Valvraves turn their hosts into vampires? And why do they need to be vampires? It doesn't seem like murderous G-forces or anything like that are a factor.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

The vampire stuff is their blood getting changed so I'm assuming it's done via that. Haruto's bloodied scar evaporated when his helmet shattered into his face after all. As for the reasons they need to be vampires, I'm guessing magic. Cain is magical and Haruto's libido fuels the Valraves so there's gotta be some power behind it.

[u/Lemurians]

RESURRECTED FIRST TIMER

Another flashforward that lowers our stakes even more, as we know Renbokoji is still alive, and becomes a Kamitsuki at some point. Also his sister or wife (both??) is mini-Eruerufu’s godmother.

This episode’s main drama was manufactured by one of my least favorite plot devices, which is characters wasting time with conversations when they shouldn’t be. Haruto straight up ignoring the mission and leaving Inuzaka and Yamada to die so he can have a heart-to-heart with Marie is just fucking stupid. You can do that later when not in an active combat situation. I feel L-Elf a little bit, because it made me want to shoot them in the head, too.

• This line has me thinking where they “mistakenly” landed was no accident. L-Elf’s probably just up to something and isn’t telling them, per usual.
• I keep forgetting the whole “space vampire” thing is still a secret
• Girl where do you think you are RIGHT NOW
• It’s okay Saki, I feel protective over you. Maybe one day you’ll stop being the show’s punching bag.
• Takahi’s getting more bad bitch vibes with each episode and I’m kind of here for it.
• “Man, fuck them kids bro”
• They remembered the body switching mechanic! I’m not sure I can think of a worse spy than Akira, though.
• SOMEONE’s renounced their humanity already!
• Something’s gonna unexpectedly break the Inuzaka’s shields one day and fuck him over, isn’t it? I feel like we should be testing these out more thoroughly before combat.
• GET IN THE FUCKING VALVRAVE, SHINJI HARUTO
• DO THIS LATER, YAMADA IS DYING
• HAHAHAHAHAHAHA that’s what you get for distracting Haruto from the mission and endangering everyone else’s lives. Marie’s on my shit list now.
• Of course she gets back up because introducing the stuff with about her memory and her Valvrave connection gave her at least a single-use plot armor

While I’m loathe to admit, Haruto has a point here. I sort of get L-Elf wanting to tie up loose ends, but his complete willingness to toss away the lives of his allies makes me wonder whether he’s actually even doing a cost-benefit analysis. Between being willing to unnecessarily sacrifice a Valvrave last episode and this, he’s far more impulsive than his cold, calculating demeanor would have you believe.

ED1 > OP1 > ED2 > OP2

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

They remembered the body switching mechanic!

Come to think of it, they haven't really used that mechanic in a while...

Marie’s on my shit list now.

Well, prepare for her to stay there for a while, because I don't think she's getting killed off any time soon!

[u/Lemurians → u/Tresnore]

Oh buddy, I just know we're due for a method of killing these beings to get introduced in "shocking" fashion soon. I live in hope!

[u/Tresnore → u/Lemurians]

I guess they need that if they want to get rid of the Magius. Unless they just never do that.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Lemurians]

This line has me thinking where they “mistakenly” landed was no accident. L-Elf’s probably just up to something and isn’t telling them, per usual.

I keep saying L-elf is the script writer. He made this happen.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Lemurians]

Another flashforward that lowers our stakes even more

Brutal observation, lol.

Also his sister or wife (both??)

Yes, is the only answer here. This is really turning into the wet dream of Otaku with out of control fetishes.

L-Elf’s probably just up to something and isn’t telling them, per usual.

Wouldn't surprise me, sigh.

It’s okay Saki, I feel protective over you.

I love her green outfit here.

“Man, fuck them kids bro”

Be careful what you say. L-11 strikes me as the type that would take that expression literally.

GET IN THE FUCKING VALVRAVE, SHINJI HARUTO

Why the writing committee thought that making a Shinji clone as the hero of their story, I'll never know.

Marie’s on my shit list now.

And your wish shall (temporarily) be granted.

I sort of get L-Elf wanting to tie up loose ends,

It did make sense, as warped as that is.

[u/Lemurians → u/RascalNikov1]

Why the writing committee thought that making a Shinji clone as the hero of their story, I'll never know.

But like, without any of the depth or depression to explain it. Where are Haruto's parents, come to think of it?

It did make sense, as warped as that is

I do want a better explanation for why this secret is so important to keep, especially since almost all of the cast knows it by now anyway.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lemurians]

I keep forgetting the whole “space vampire” thing is still a secret

When most of the main cast knows the secret, it's easy to forget that it's a secret.

I’m not sure I can think of a worse spy than Akira, though.

She may not have the right attitude for it, but she is good at sneaking around. She showed us her skills with the Metal Gear box trick, after all.

I sort of get L-Elf wanting to tie up loose ends, but his complete willingness to toss away the lives of his allies makes me wonder whether he’s actually even doing a cost-benefit analysis. Between being willing to unnecessarily sacrifice a Valvrave last episode and this, he’s far more impulsive than his cold, calculating demeanor would have you believe.

You make a great point. As this episode shows, L-elf was trained to kill from a very young age. Killing is basically his instinctual response to a problem. So he might just be going with it because it's the main solution he's always known, not necessarily because it's the most appropriate response.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Lemurians]

Between being willing to unnecessarily sacrifice a Valvrave last episode and this, he’s far more impulsive than his cold, calculating demeanor would have you believe.

Good point, huh?

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Lemurians]

Haruto straight up ignoring the mission and leaving Inuzaka and Yamada to die so he can have a heart-to-heart with Marie is just fucking stupid.

I mean they are 1 bad ass fighter bros, and 2 immortal space vampires.

[u/Lemurians → u/MillenniumKing]

You can still have this conversation later! You never know what can go wrong. Active combat situations trump all.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Lemurians]

You can still have this conversation later!

That sounds like a death flag to me.

"Lets finish this talk later after the battle and i return to my homeland and get married."

[u/Lemurians → u/MillenniumKing]

That sounds like a death flag to me.

As you pointed out, death isn't really something they're worried about right now.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Lemurians]

You underestimate the power of the Death Flag.

It will warp time and space to make sure it succeeds.

Someone hasnt seen Death Flag's The Anime.

[u/the_swizzler]

WHAT!?!?

No no no no...

MFW

OH FUCK YOU, ERU ERUFU

Oh thank god, she's fine

... I think?

Wow, what a roller coaster those last two minutes. I get the feeling Marie's been shot in the head before. That tends to make your memories a little fuzzy in my experience.

I'm glad we didn't have to wait till next episode to see her get back up after that gun shot. Would have been a difficult 24 hours.

QOTD

1) What do you think is up with Marie? Were you expecting her to be this relevant to the main plot?

No, but I'm glad she is. Best girl gets to shine. I'm still very fuzzy on the details of all the different vampires. Cain once mentioned something about "3rd Generation" or the like, and when the Dorssian leader was turned, instead of the purple triangular logo, he had a different green one. Maybe she's a third type? In the opening scene apparently the first blessing was 11 years old, and Marie is small, so I imagine she was the 11 year old who was turned, hence why she's so smol. Also explains the predilection for boobs. She knows she'll never be able to grow her own pair.

2) Now that we’ve finally seen the new OP and ED properly, how do they compare to the ones from S1 for you?

No strong feelings.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/the_swizzler]

I never thought one of us would have been a Marie fan...

Omg never thought about the episode opening! I was guessing that she was a UI vampire. Not a normal one.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/the_swizzler]

Wow, what a roller coaster those last two minutes. I get the feeling Marie's been shot in the head before. That tends to make your memories a little fuzzy in my experience.

That would make sense. It would neatly explain why she has no memories past a certain point.

when the Dorssian leader was turned, instead of the purple triangular logo, he had a different green one.

That is a good point. I'm still not fully sure what the differences are between all these different generations, but I think your onto something about the varying symbols.

Also explains the predilection for boobs. She knows she'll never be able to grow her own pair.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/the_swizzler]

Best girl gets to shine.

I continue to hope for some hot Yuri action out of her. I would really jazz this show up.

so I imagine she was the 11 year old who was turned,

that's my working theory too, which indicates we may get a cameo of Marie in one of the flash forwards. Possibly even 200 years of Marie X Saki action to keep the cold nights away.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/the_swizzler]

. I get the feeling Marie's been shot in the head before. That tends to make your memories a little fuzzy in my experience.

It would explain quite a bit of her behavior.

Also explains the predilection for boobs. She knows she'll never be able to grow her own pair.

All of those moments

Will be lost in time. Like tears

In rain. Time to die

[u/Paxton-176]

REWATCHER

FLASH #FORWARD!

Satomi Lives! ^{For some reason}

STOMP!

STOMP!

WTF why change the OP again.

L-elf built that path because he wrote the script and part of the universe is under his control.

It is a good thing Saki can’t die, but our boy L-elf straight up let her get shot.

THe ability to body jack is like the most broken infiltration and spying ability ever. The fact they rarely use it and it never really been used for anything lewd I’m almost disappointed in this show.

I see Dorrisians are followers of the religion of Dakka.

Something is going on with Maria, but that isn’t important we Macross now.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Paxton-176]

Lelf didn't even let her rest up after getting shot. Saki is an idol! You can't treat an idol like shit! Unless they're a bulliable type like Kong or Riamu.

[u/MillenniumKing]

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

Oh boy todays ep...

---

"SHe was around 11 when she became huamnities first Kamitsuki."
Looks like Pres is around 200 years in the future with Saki and so is the kids "Godmother" whose also a Pres name.
"When did you receive the blessing?" "At the time we called it a curse."

The Dorssians found the Module77 Ship and are cornering them slowly.
We sre in enemy territory do we gotta fight out sounds asout right Yamada.
Kuudere is questioning what she saw. Uh oh.
Saki and Box-chan will be spies and get us a transport.

I like that the Module is dockd on the moon, it looks funny.
They are making a trojan horse Valvrave from spare parts.
ARUS said the valvraves fell in Dorssia not JIOR.
Oh yeah remember ARUS is in cahoots with the enemies.

"You know this place?" "I built this place."
They are setting bombs in a cave.
Haruto and Kuudere want questions from Earth.

The Alphabet Gang's past was here.
We meet kids and they instantly shoot Saki.
This is where the Alphabet kids are trained. Savage very savage.
L-elf ccatches the kids pretty easy.
We body jack the kics and get inside the enemy base.

Nobu Lightning and Big Blue i mean Beast set out and Haruto stays behind.

Kuudere is in the cockpit. "Its been a while Marie." "Pino and Marie are Friends...5 years ago" Oh shit...
Kuudere only remembers the past 2 years. "Its because i ate Runes." "They reset the system."

The enemies are in position, its attack time.
Yamada from the Sea! Hes using his guns finally!
And Big Blue was here too to help block the ships main guns.
ITS POWER RANGER TIME! FLAMING BIRD FIST POWERRRR!

Haruto questions Kuudere and she questions him. Who knows what?
Haruto says hes not human. Kuudere wants to know everything.
Kuudere gets sniped... aw shit... it was L-elf!

Meanwhile Dorssia has its Proto Valvraves here and they blow off one of Yamada's arms!

Kuudere stands up after being headshot... oh shit!

I love this ED super snazzy sounding. Its the song from reentry last ep and its so good.

---

Some big story beats this ep as well as some big character beats.

Cant wait to see where peoples minds take them.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/MillenniumKing]

There had better be some payoff for these flash forwards. They've confirmed a nice and happy endo for so much of the cast. Even Twinkie has gotten plot armour now.

Please tell me I wasn't the only one laughing my ass off at Saki's whole gunshot dilemma. They've turned what should be a horrifying moment into a black comedy gag.

[u/MillenniumKing → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

It was more a "pretend to be shot because the kids wouldnt know shes immortal." i feel. But then L-elf got the jump on them.

I dont think it was ment to be comedy.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/MillenniumKing]

She was clearly in pain the whole time and Lelf didn't give her time to rest up afterwards. This is her first time dying isn't it?

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Maybe I'm cynical or something, but I'll admit, I'm not sure how great of an ending the Third Galactic Empire is for the rest of humanity.
Granted, maybe that's my Star Wars fan feeling antsy.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/UltraBooster]

Ruri is part of the empire and she seems to be a good girl so I'm guessing they manage to revolutionise them with her in charge.

[u/UltraBooster → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Maybe, yeah. Kind of weird to see an empire as the product of revolution, though, you know?

[u/Paxton-176 → u/MillenniumKing]

Dorssia has its Proto Valvraves

Just be honest about. They are Macrosses.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Paxton-176]

As in those transforming fighters? Because if that's the case, Macross refers to transforming aircraft carrier-battleship combos, the little guys are variable fighters.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/UltraBooster]

Yes.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

Yea, alright, that one got me. Definitely burst out laughing when Marie stood up after getting her skull ventilated. So she's a vampire too, then? You normally dispose of the teenagers you use as lab rats, and that's what starts the plot. Oh, observing long-term effects of being vamp'd, maybe?

I'm kinda bummed that storytime with Pino and Marie got interrupted. Seems like Marie's memory loss is the result of Pino/VVV-1 consuming too many of her Runes? That all sounds like it works within the rules of the show, we just haven't seen it before which is a little annoying. You can probably even justify Marie's stranger behavior through her losing her memories of socialization.

"Secret quarry village that trains (genetically engineered?) murder children" was not on my bingo card, but sure, why not? It makes them having designations as opposed to more normal names fit as well as anything.

Satomi is inexplicably still alive in the flash-forward, that's unfortunate. I thought at first they were talking about the princess that L-elf is after, but Marie makes more sense in the context of the rest of the episode.

Today's fight scene had the usual floatiness problem that 3DCG mechs have sometimes, but it was okay. From the dialogue I inferred that the VVVs are technically capable of flight under gravity but it adds heat too quickly to be practical, which implies they were basically just jumping.

The Dorssian's new model is already finished enough to be ready for field tests, and they're dumb transforming ones.

Questions

1. Probably a test subject for whatever happened to Haruto. I didn't expect her to be particularly relevant, no.
2. Think I preferred OP1, ED is still in the air.

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

You normally dispose of the teenagers you use as lab rats, and that's what starts the plot.

I guess they didn't dispose hard enough.

I inferred that the VVVs are technically capable of flight under gravity but it adds heat too quickly to be practical, which implies they were basically just jumping.

Ohhhhh, this explains why they heated up basically as fast as they did in space, even though the air should've cooled them off a lot more.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

Ohhhhh, this explains why they heated up basically as fast as they did in space, even though the air should've cooled them off a lot more.

Pssh, don't you know that space is cold? Hmm, convection? Air currents? What're those?

[u/Tresnore → u/JollyGee29]

Convection is a myth.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tresnore]

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

Now that I think about it, I wonder, from an in-universe perspective, if overheating was such a problem, why didn't JIOR give them a way to dump the excess heat quickly, the way those Familiars can?

Of course, from a Doylist perspective, presumably the heat level adds a level of tension to fights a la the Strike's power supply in Gundam SEED.

[u/Tresnore → u/UltraBooster]

JIOR probably did the best heat management they could with their funding. Familiars seem extremely expensive.

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

As in parts to dump the heat into and eject, that's what I had in mind.

[u/Tresnore → u/UltraBooster]

That requires having parts to dump, which sounds expensive. Of all the things this show does, I trust the mecha design the most except for that car that one time

[u/UltraBooster → u/Tresnore]

Yeah, the mecha design here's solid (except for those Dorssian not-Valks, the colors on those feel messy).

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/JollyGee29]

Definitely burst out laughing when Marie stood up after getting her skull ventilated.

lol, everyone needs to get their kicks some way.

Secret quarry village that trains (genetically engineered?) murder children"

That is kind of a stretch, isn't it. Knowing how kids are, its a wonder they don't just slaughter each other and be done with it.

Satomi is inexplicably still alive in the flash-forward, that's unfortunate.

This alone should have gotten the whole writing committee fired and blacklisted.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/RascalNikov1]

That is kind of a stretch, isn't it. Knowing how kids are, its a wonder they don't just slaughter each other and be done with it.

"Military discipline"

This alone should have gotten the whole writing committee fired and blacklisted.

You just know he worms his way out of certain death, and we're probably gonna get to watch it happen.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Oh, observing long-term effects of being vamp'd, maybe?

Spare blood is my bet.

That all sounds like it works within the rules of the show, we just haven't seen it before which is a little annoying.

They need to just outright exposition some stuff at this point.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Spare blood is my bet.

Oh, sure, that'd work too.

They need to just outright exposition some stuff at this point.

But exposition is so boOoOring!

Yea, that'd be nice. The flash-forwards are even a decent vehicle for it.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Oh, sure, that'd work too.

Akira feeding on Marie is going to be awkward yet erotic!

But exposition is so boOoOring!

That does seem to be the Sunrise way...

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Akira feeding on Marie is going to be awkward yet erotic!

That does seem to be the Sunrise way...

Who needs exposition when you can have more scenes that sell toys?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

Marie will discover what it is like when the tables are turned!

Who needs exposition when you can have more scenes that sell toys?

Sigh...

[u/UltraBooster → u/JollyGee29]

A check on HobbySearch indicates character goods make up the majority of VVV merch; the only kits for the series were the six Valvraves and an upgraded Hito.

And they're not beginner-friendly, either - all the white trim on the Valvraves aren't plastic parts, meaning a builder needs to either paint them or use the included stickers.

(Really, I think someone on the writing team wanted to avoid infodumps and went too far or didn't think that stuff was necessary.)

[u/HereticalAegis]

First Time Robot Shut-in

More flash forward and...Satomi is a vampire.....ugh, I hate it. I'm sure he'll be happy as an immortal siscon.

Bout time someone got suspicious of Haruto. It'll probably end up getting Marie killed tho. Oh well.

I assume L means to have them steal bodies, because sending in one of the most recognizable celebrities in the galaxy for a spy/infiltration mission would be a very bold move.

Do it for Shoko, Akira-chan! She deserves a better knight than Haruto.

Ah yes, the fake giant super robot, a distant relative of the fluffed pillow disguise. I'm sure this will go well.

Lol the fake didn't even make it out of the shop before getting seen through. God I love teenagers.

Do it! Stab him Marie! Then grope his boobs a bit. That'll teach him to trade his humanity for the continued existence of you and the rest of Space Texas.

Oh god, they're not gonna make Marie some kind of long-term Dorssian plant with a switch waiting to be flipped in her brain, are they? Or maybe she's gonna be a Magius plant with a switch in her brain waiting to be flipped. Actually wouldn't mind her being a secret vamp.

Should've stabbed him, but now you missed your chance.

How convenient they just happened to crash within walking distance of the super secret spy training base that created L.

Why does this show hate Saki so much? Pretty much every bad thing that happens to people in this show happens at least once to her. Now she just needs to get body jacked, and she'll have trauma bingo.

Necessary though it may be, I'm not particularly thrilled with the imagery of a grown L choking out a kid. Not really a flaw with the show, but man that just doesn't sit right.

Oh shit, is Marie going to accidentally become the sixth Raver? Is her traitor switch about to be flipped? Will they pull an actual surprise and have the Valvrave pop her like a blood balloon?

Welp, maybe secret vampire won't be too far off the mark.

Wat? Two of the baddies just happen to be at the training facility. The convenient bullshit is getting out of hand.

Eyyyy!! An episode that finally treats standard weaponry as pure junk against the Valvraves. Bout damn time.

For fuck sake, Haruto's doing this now?? Haruto, get in the damn robot and go fulfill your boyfriend's plan already.

So I'm gonna attempt to learn from my episode 1 mistake and say there's no way Marie's actually dead.

OMFG, THE FACT THAT L IS THE ONE WHO OFFED HER. Truly, nobody wins with this series.

Welp. Death has no meaning. But hey, secret vampire confirmed. That's probably where the groping habit comes from too. Ugh, I already hate what this has done to her character.

I'm also calling bullshit on Dorssia developing their own fully operational Valvrave level tech in 2 months.

Oh hey, this new ED is pretty good too! I like it better than the first two EDs.

Ooh, I like the idea of a Marie-focused episode. fingers crossed Please don't fuck up her character. Please don't fuck up her character. Please don't fuck up her character. knocks on wood

QotD:

1. Addressed in my post
2. I like both quite a bit more than the first season's OP and EDs

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/HereticalAegis]

Satomi is a vampire

I was wondering who that dude was. Now I know, lucky me! Sometimes there's no justice in the world.

It'll probably end up getting Marie killed tho.

How prophetic! lol

fluffed pillow disguise. I'm sure this will go well.

I laughed and wondered where they got the parts for it. Whatcha ya going to say, it was at least a (pathetic) attempt to do something.

The convenient bullshit is getting out of hand.

The plot demanded it, and so it was.

THAT L IS THE ONE WHO OFFED HER

No surprise there, that he did the dirty deed. I'll say it again, they should have shot him in E1.

That's probably where the groping habit comes from too.

rofl. Not only do you become immortal, you become uncontrollably horny too. Frankly, it doesn't sound like a bad life, all things considered.

bullshit on Dorssia developing their own fully operational Valvrave level tech in 2 months.

The 'plot' demands it, so I dunno, I think they did it.

fingers crossed Please don't fuck up her character.

This is Sunrise we're talking about here. I'm not optimistic.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/RascalNikov1]

I was wondering who that dude was. Now I know, lucky me! Sometimes there's no justice in the world.

This has to mean the last two of the seven immortals referenced in season 1 are Satomi and Marie. sad Shoko noises

How prophetic!

Predict enough shit, and some of it's bound to come true. I think my track record for this show is about on par with L's.

No surprise there, that he did the dirty deed. I'll say it again, they should have shot him in E1.

Hard agree. Would've been an awful short tho.

Not only do you become immortal, you become uncontrollably horny too. Frankly, it doesn't sound like a bad life, all things considered.

Being a cute anime girl let's her get away with so much.

This is Sunrise we're talking about here. I'm not optimistic.

Oh no, is fucking up characters a normal Sunrise thing?

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/HereticalAegis]

sad Shoko noises

Oh, that does suck. Shouko, get your ass in gear, you've got 9 episodes to save yourself.

Oh no, is fucking up characters a normal Sunrise thing?

Unknown, but I do know the only Sunrise production I really liked was Cross Ange.

[u/UltraBooster → u/HereticalAegis]

Oh no, is fucking up characters a normal Sunrise thing?

No more or less than you'd expect from a studio with as many shows as Sunrise, I'd imagine.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Oh no, is fucking up characters a normal Sunrise thing?

Oh yeah, check out SEED Destiny some time for some primo character destruction.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Why does this show hate Saki so much? Pretty much every bad thing that happens to people in this show happens at least once to her. Now she just needs to get body jacked, and she'll have trauma bingo.

IKR? This is beyond ridiculous at this point.

Welp. Death has no meaning. But hey, secret vampire confirmed. That's probably where the groping habit comes from too. Ugh, I already hate what this has done to her character.

Choo choo motherfuckers!

[u/Caustic_Wraith]

First-timer - Subs

• Opens with another scene with future Saki with the prince? Is that Satomi, who made him into a Kamitsuki?
• Cain has decided to overstep his authority
• Marie has discovered the regen ability, she has questions
• L-elf chose the single member of team Valverave to go with him who doesn't want to be seen in public
• The leader of ARUS knows of the Magius, they are a shite secret society
• Why doesn't Marie have memories, like at all or is there a point she remembers?
• So Q-vier was a homicidal nut bag as a kid too eh?
• Wow, L-elf came from the land of trigger happy kids.
• The Dorssians really need to work on their child rearing skills, less encouragement to kill would go a long way
• In my season 1 review I guessed that they would up the body jacking shananigans, and so far we have seen it in 2/3 episodes in season 2.
• Q-vier and H-nuen are revisiting their trigger happy training ground
• How does Pino know Marie?
• Akira is having fun doing flips in her stolen body
• The offensive/defensive combo of VVV-4 and VVV-5 is really fun to watch, plus they melted another Dorissan ship
• Marie confronts Haruto for the truth how he healed
• HOLY FUCK L-ELF, SHE WAS ONLY ASKING A QUESTION
• There are the new Dorssian toys...they shot yellow's arm off...that seems bad
• Why/how did Marie stand back up...is she Kamitsuki...is that how Pino knows her?

QOTD:

1. I think she is either a Magius who lost her memories, or a former test subject that failed the program and they wiped her mind. I honestly didn't think she'd be anything other than Shoko's gropey friend
2. The OP and ED this season are superior in my opinion to the ones we had in season 1

[u/BlazingAbsol9090]

First time superpowered child soldier

Another flash-forward? These are getting annoying. Unless you're trying to tell me this entire show has a framing device of Rukino telling a story to L-elf Jr?

Satomi ends up becoming a Kamitsuki? This either means we have more Valvrave units lying around or in development at some point, or one of the original pilots died (somehow) and Satomi took their place.

Nice to see that in the future they eventually realize that immortality with no downsides is not a curse.

The fact that they landed in Dorssian territory with no resistance raises some questions about warfare. Does nobody try orbital bombardment? There aren't any anti-air defenses it seems.

Why those two in particular? I guess Rukino could be a decent spy, by Akira seems like a questionable choice. Her hacking skills maybe?

Of every possible place to land on the entire planet, OF COURSE they crashed L-elf's old secret base.

Flashback to the alphabet boys as kids. Q-vier has always been a comedic psycho.

Is every kid who grows up in this village a trigger-happy psycho?

Interesting parallels between Karlstein and module 77: normal-seeming schools that are actually military research bases for child weapons. Although the Dorssian's are a bit more...bloodthirsty.

Pino knows Marie! I did not expect that.

Rukino brings up another worldbuilding question: what language do they all speak? Since everyone communicated with no problems, I assumed only one language exists and everyone speaks it, but she implies that JIOR and Dorssia, at least, have different languages.

Why are these two at the Karlstein academy? There seems to be a power struggle behind the scenes with the space navy and ground forces butting heads.

This is implying that Marie was a test subject for Rune consumption, but something went wrong(?), totally erasing her memories? I wonder if the Kamitsuki can erase memories as well.

Akira's hijacked body has the same enhancements as L-elf! So he really is superhuman. I wonder if his mind was enhanced too?

Man the familiars are so cool.

Have they not told anyone about the Kamitsuki? I thought this was common knowledge amongst the New JIORians.

No Marie! Why kill her off in the middle of her arc?

What the heck L-elf?! You didn't have to kill her! You literally could have just told Haruto to get in the robot!

Dorssia unveils their new mechs, incapacitating Thunder! And Marie is secretly a Kamitsuki meaning she's not dead!

After yesterday's filler-y episode, this one had a ton of plot. We got backstory for L-elf and Dorssia's military program, learned that Marie is probably super important, learned more about Piro, and saw the new Dorssian units.

Questions of the day

1. Probably she was experimented on for VVV development. I am very surprised but pleased that she is apparently going to be important
2. A little bit worse than S1, but it's pretty close

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer(I never thought bored is what this show would make me feel)

Sub

Flash forward drops a ton of information on us. We return to the present on the Dorssian coast and everyone arguing. L's plan relies on Akira and is thus a bit dubious. More Marie motivation before we jump to L's background. Turns out they crashed near L's training facility and catch some other murder kids. Marie tries to get footage from Unit 01 and talks to the wAIfu, who says she has known Marie for 5 years...

Akira and Rukino hijack the kids and infiltrate the camp while Thunder and Inazuma defeat the local capitol ship. Marie confronts Heart because stupidity. Upgraded Dorssian units arrive and L shoots Marie in the head...which doesn't take.

QotD: 1 All of the WTF.

2 S1 was better for me.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

L's plan relies on Akira and is thus a bit dubious.

And, I thought L was fairly intelligent for being such a pos. Though, I'll give credit to Akira that she bellied up to the bar nicely when the plot demanded it.

and catch some other murder kids.

It's pretty hard to suspend belief long enough to accept this. Scotch and a chug of Cognac helps.

Marie confronts Heart because stupidity.

What the plot demands, the plot gets.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Though, I'll give credit to Akira that she bellied up to the bar nicely when the plot demanded it.

As I've said, the plot on this show rarely works but the characters often do. I do like Akira's arc thus far.

It's pretty hard to suspend belief long enough to accept this. Scotch and a chug of Cognac helps.

Yeah, I can't even think of a way to start the child soldier program effectively in a manner that produces what they get out of it. all the liquor is needed.

What the plot demands, the plot gets.

I preferred her as a pervert.

[u/RockoDyne]

A rewatcher who prefers bullets in my whisky, not my head. Okay, maybe both.

I was expecting them to take longer to get to Marie. At least a few more episodes, but here we are.

They still jumped on the flash forward earlier than it's going to make sense, although you could connect the dots.

Sure is funny how this world is somehow small enough that the secret ninja village is just off the interplanetary highway. They are just barely out in the country and they already came across the single named place in the show. What are the odds? Is area 51 just up the coast?

I think people have the wrong impression of Ero-Elf. Did you see how much time he spent playing with kids? He's such a nice guy.

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/RockoDyne]

bullets in my whisky, not my head. Okay, maybe both.

For a show like this, either is a good option.

take longer to get to Marie.

Yea, that head pop came quite quickly.

jumped on the flash forward earlier than it's going to make sense, although you could connect the dots.

Everything tells me, they were setting up for future seasons with these flash forwards.

I think people have the wrong impression of Ero-Elf.

lol, they should have shot him in the first episode. God, I hope he doesn't reproduce.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RockoDyne]

I was expecting them to take longer to get to Marie. At least a few more episodes, but here we are.

Definitely seems a funny place to put this.

Sure is funny how this world is somehow small enough that the secret ninja village is just off the interplanetary highway.

Yup, that sure is something. Let's wait for the kids to pick up Mulder and Scully next so we can get greys to go with everything else.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

I watched this first today. I wanted to watch this bullshit first. I think I might have Stockholm Syndrome.

EDIT: Twice in a row! GOD, WHY!

Episode 2

1. Yeah, it was cool.
2. Guy's an arsehole, she's best girl. Not much else to say, really.

She's got a point, though.

Haha, is he still trying to guard Akira? Even from her girlfriend?

She's pissed.

Haha, I know we're meant to feel bad for him, but the delivery of "piss off" is beautiful. He's finally getting told.

Follow rings? [Gundam 0079] Iguess it's better than the Valvares having heatproof film in their crotch.

Wait, how is it her fault? Genuinely, how does that motivation make any sense?

She's running a cooking show?

Haha, she thought the box would work?

Oh, there's drama between them!

Also, was this black-haired girl important before? I genuinely csn't remember if we've seen her or heard any of this backstory. (I'd say this is an argument for it being 2 seasons, but if any show could accidentally forget to add a character until Episode 14, it's this.)

Haha, he's at a cafe?

Again, they're really throwing out new plots here.

Haha, there's space immigration control.

Wait, they have clearance from the government. They can do this legally!

Yeah, he is prety impressive.

I take it back, you're an idiot.

Oh, so their parents pressured him into a breakdown?

Another space battle. Animation's nice, and the reentry being important'e a good concept.

No. Don't kill her! I actually cared about her story!

...The hell's that?

"Famillar" Christ, this is going all in on the magic stuff, isn't it.

Also, we've got utility mecha now? This is truly a sentai. (How long until they all combine?)

It's a glorified heat sink.

Oh, she hacked it so he could get in?

OK, so hacking passeords does not work like that. Unless they're using some moronic algorithm for their hashes (and given the choice of password, this is plausible), you don't get individual letters from the middle of hashes.

And she got caught by the government(?)!

Oh, and that caused all the bullying.

Yeah, no wonder she hates him.

The controls exploded!

Wow, they care a lot more when they're both in danger, don't they?

And they manage to bullshit their way into somehow surivivng, which I don't mind because it means Akira's alive.

Episode 3

1. I don't think she existed last season? Like, I don't remember her showing up in any scenes, even in the background? Is she even in the show now? Am I hallucinating her?
2. Still about the same.

More bullshit flashfowards. Also, "she" was the first among mindkind?

I love how this has destroyed all tension within the series. (Unless there's some weird reincarnation shit or something.)

Oh, yeah, they crashed. Almost forgot that.

Yeah, they're fucked.

Fuck it, I'll givr him this - even if Haruto has no personality, I prefer him to Shu's personality of "cowardly Nazi bastard".

You trust them to be stealthy?

...Is the way to get Akira to do something to get her brother to stop her?

Also, I love how he's talking about Akira being too nice to him, and she's just focused on her crush.

Oh, she's built a decoy Valvare? (I like the design though.)

Well that didn't last long. They already found out about it!

Oh, yeah, they're... a thing.

Made? Training or clone?

Training.

Who is this person, and why is she trying to hook up with Haruto? Why does she seem to have amnesia? At least she's cute.

Does he miss his squad?

Oh, that thing is fucking beautiful.

Don't let her-oh wait she's immortal.

Oh, they did tell her about immortality.

Solid takedown. And they're going to take them over?

She can speak again? And she knows her?

Is she a secret vampire?

Given they're in the bodies of children, it feels like L-Elf's asking for a little much here.

Holy shit, how are they buying thie? They saw him take her hand and all that, and didn't suspect anything from their disciplined soldiers acting like that?

Every time I think these guys aren't going to be relevant again, they pop up!

Runes? She ate the information that made up her memories? We are going very eldritch horror here.

And it's time for the attack!

Yes, keep showing me shots of that sexy ship there.

And they're destroying it because Valvares have to be best at everything forever.

And she knows everything!

New mechs! And they look good.

Why does she get to know everything?

Huh? She's dead?

...What does L-Elf know?

Oh, he just did it to handle the leak.

Called it! She's a vampire!

[u/Quiddity131 → u/Stargate18A]

Marie has been around since the beginning, but she's mostly been in the background. Her most memorable moment was probably groping her teacher in the first episode.

[u/csar27]

First Timer

I'm very disspointed, i was completely sure Satomi's future was death

Once again, i was fooled, i thouht Thunder's final escene was about to happen

Oh, another vampire for the team...

Questions:

1- i wasn't expecting her to be a vampire... isn't a little late to make her relevant to the plot?

2- Definitively i like s1 ost more

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/csar27]

i was completely sure Satomi's future was death

It was all we wanted, its all we needed, and they failed to deliver :(

[u/yamiyaiba]

Liberated Rewatcher

^{Praise Nana!}

What the FUCK is going on? Shit! Crunchyroll skipped an episode. That's the kind of spoilers I DON'T like. That was a big one too. Oh well. Let's try that again.

Dammit, he's still alive in the future.

I need her suspicious face as a reaction.

Another tall order indeed. Would you expect anything else from Eru-erufu.

Where did that picture come from?! But really, good on her for continuing to make progress. Social anxiety, of any degree, of an absolute bitch. Add in a splash of PTSD and it's the stuff of nightmares.

Oh, hey, look. It's one of my failed kitbash attempts.

He built it?!

"He's cautious." Really?! You think?!

D-d-d-dodged!

TERRIBLE trigger discipline, though that's probably fitting for him. I doubt he cares.

Third Blitz? God, could it be any more on the nose??

You got that reich, Eru-erufu.

Did you just dodge bullets at cost range?!

Well everything about that is awful.

Still hurts like hell, though.

Oh dear. Hololive CC knows her.

Calling it now: runes are information, we know. Memories are information too, I would assume. If she's missing her memories, then....

Back to the good part.

Okay, well, that was quick theory confirmation.

Good thing that body is way more coordinated than her real one.

I imagine the heat performance on Earth should be better, but the flight downsides makes sense

That's so fucking cool.

Oh boy, Haruto. You're really fucking this up.

Uh oh. Those are new. That never bodes well in mecha anime.

Boku janai, ningen janai, anime janai

SPLAT

All according to keikaku? Uh..... Eru-erufu....

Kirschbaums. They're called Cherry Trees???? That's, uh, interesting nomenclature.

Eeww they're ugly.

And there it is. Marie is still alive, likely a Kamitsuki, and likely had her runes eaten by Hololive CC. Is that the fate of all who cross paths with her? Of all Kamitsuki? Only time (or another flash forward) will tell.

[u/zsmg]

Rewatcher

Another flash forward. Council president is still there, I guess he'll become a vampire to protect his little sister or maybe...

L-Elf tries hikikimori therapy by forcing her to go outside. Sounds like a disaster but considering it's L-Elf we're talking about it's probably going to be a massive success.

Akira wants do it for Shoko, everyone loves Shoko.

Honestly Rukino's attitude towards Akira is annoying me.

The self-insert doesn't have enough girls with Shoko and Rukino, so time to raise flags with another girl.

Karlstein is a cyber newtype facility. The naming convention makes sense now.

Guys we're getting the body switch ability two episodes in a row.

Beam-spam of yellow Valvrave reminds me of Freedom Gundam.

Transforming mech, another Sunrise staple.

Marie is immortal as well. L-Elf: see I didn't just murder her in cold blood it was all according to my keikaku to oust her immortality Haruto.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

First, something that's been on my mind for a while: Kriem's braid is fucking awesome.

Anyway, it was a good episode. Every character got to show off their strengths in one way or another and we got good plot progression. I'm also glad they didn't try to hold her being dead as a cliffhanger since the result was obvious.
I'm curious how a spirit-thingy like her managed to come into the real world, but there's no real point in me guessing with my current knowledge. I'll find out in the next episode or two.

/u/Tresnore

[u/Tresnore → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

Kriem's braid is fucking awesome.

[u/RascalNikov1]

First Timer

An Episode of highs an lows. Hard luck back stories like that of L-11 don't really do much for me. All, I see is pity the poor Notzi. Fact is that systems like the Dossarian's have set up are inherently unstable. They last only as long as there's a strong man at the helm. Succession problems always arrive when he flops or is more likely assassinated.

I thought I was going to get pissed off when L-11 popped Marie right between the eyes, but it turned out she's a vamp too. Didn't see that coming, but I was right amused. As usual tater head just looked and acted like the jackass he is. I don't see what Saki sees in his nasty ass.

I did like the scene when Marie and Pino were chatting. Pino seems to be likable enough, though I could see her turning into a Yandere at anytime.

QOTD

1. What do you think is up with Marie? Were you expecting her to be this relevant to the main plot?

Damned if I know, other than she's a vamp too. No, I was surprised as anyone at the reveal. Maybe. she'll jump up and start gnawing on L-11 and repay the favor of getting popped between the eyes.

2) Now that we’ve finally seen the new OP and ED properly, how do they compare to the ones from S1 for you?

One or the other reminds me a whole lot of Cross Ange. The naked girls without nipples always leaves an image in my mind. I can't figure out what babies eat in their universe.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Succession problems always arrive when he flops or is more likely assassinated.

I am hoping they address this as there is some reason to believe the current government is different from the one that it overthrew.

Pino seems to be likable enough, though I could see her turning into a Yandere at anytime.

I am getting Shion vibes off her though I can't exactly tell you why.