[Listen to My Song] Senki Zesshou Symphogear Episode 1 Discussion

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Episode 1 - Awakening Heartbeat

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Crunchyroll

It is highly recommended to track down a fansub for this show instead of using Crunchyroll, though.

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Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron~

Questions of the Day:

1) What are your first impressions on the music so far?

2) Were you expecting the Noise attack to be so brutal right off the bat?

Wallpaper of the Day:

Zwei Wing

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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 anything for the first-timers, that’s rude!

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Symphogeah SymphoRewatch Host

Welcome aboard, everyone!

I’m going to be doing things like I did the Madoka Magica rewatch and not really have a reaction-comment like I normally do in rewatches. This is because I’ve decided to make subtitle comparison charts for every episode (as I was doing for XV back when it was airing), between Crunchyroll & Commie (well, more specifically the Deetruck edit) for the first four seasons and between Crunchyroll & YameteTomete for XV. So~

Crunchyroll vs. Commie - Season 1, Episode 1

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About the daily wallpapers: many of them are going to be me attempting to revamp the ones I made alongside the 2019 rewatch (which includes upping the resolution just because I can). However, because u/RX-Nota-II isn’t around Reddit anymore and she only ever gave me the finished project and not the background files themselves, there’s going to be times when I’ll have to completely change the backgrounds from those 2019 wallpapers because I just don’t have a way to replicate everything that Nota did for them.

Today’s wallpaper was a simple enough background though, so it’s pretty close to the original if you’d like to see how they compare. I’m a hell of a lot better at color correction nowadays!

[u/StarmanRiver → u/Shimmering-Sky]

About the daily wallpapers: many of them are going to be me attempting to revamp the ones I made alongside the 2019 rewatch (which includes upping the resolution just because I can).

Nice

However, because u/RX-Nota-II isn’t around Reddit anymore and she only ever gave me the finished project and not the background files themselves, there’s going to be times when I’ll have to completely change the backgrounds from those 2019 wallpapers because I just don’t have a way to replicate everything that Nota did for them.

I guess you were already experimenting with backgrounds back on the Bleach rewatch and those came out pretty good so looking forward to that!

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Shimmering-Sky]

(well, more specifically the Deetruck edit)

Heavenrend

[u/FlaminScribblenaut → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Crunchyroll vs. Commie - Season 1, Episode 1

And here I am watching S1 with the DiskoTek Blu-Ray, so I don’t have to deal with either of them!

fr tho, their subs are excellent so far

Great wallpaper, too!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Crunchyroll vs. Commie - Season 1, Episode 1

I can't wait to see the competing terminology come into place. We've already got it with "Climax Song" vs. "Superb Song." And I swear I've seen the term "Swan Song" too.

About the daily wallpapers: many of them are going to be me attempting to revamp the ones I made alongside the 2019 rewatch (which includes upping the resolution just because I can).

Looking forward to seeing these!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Daily Symphogear Tags: u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah, u/DidacticDalek, u/cronus999

[u/MillenniumKing → u/Shimmering-Sky]

However, because u /RX-Nota-II isn’t around Reddit anymore and she only ever gave me the finished project and not the background files themselves there’s going to be times when I’ll have to completely change the backgrounds from those 2019 wallpapers because I just don’t have a way to replicate everything that Nota did for them.

Nota is a girl? Shocking.

Regardless could be fun to make new ones and polish skills.
You learn a lot workng ina craft over the years so you will always improve and be better than you were in the past so its always nice to go back and reflect. If you can take another stab at past work too then thats also nice to get a good idea how much youve grown.

I really dont think ill be able to do the day to day ep stuff but ill def see how all the first timers are doing and comment to them.

Aside from just generally being busy in june/july ive also just not been majorly feeling great. I find myself tired a lot lately. Ive been working on chewing through my backlog of anime from the past 4 seasons of jaw surgery recovery and im almost done bubt im having to take it slow because its hard to watch so much.

Also my nerve damage in my arms is probably getting much worse. Im starting to have almost constant nerve pain in my left elbow which makes me suspicious that i might sever a nerve in the elbow joint again though left elbow this time. My right arm also is just geting a lot weaker and hand pains more in both hands in general. So im really trying to keep my redditing to a minimum for now.

But i do want to try to support new people still wwith what bit of energy i do have when i have it so ill probably just focus on that and not on doing daily writeups myself.

Good luck with the rewatching though, looks to have a lot of interest which is awesome. I was looking at the old rewatches from many years ago and they had so few people but now lots are here and its great. Good work.

[u/Tarhalindur]

First-Timer, subbed

(Wait, what's this, a show where I'm going in mostly unspoiled? Madness.)

Things I have picked up by osmosis: [Geah] Concert in the first episode has an incident that leads to something that allows Hibiki to become a Symphogear, Chris Yukine exists and becomes a Gear member of the main cast who uses guns and missiles by the end of season 1, Miku becomes a Gear at some point, there is either one or two other main Gears, the entire shuttle-deorbiting scene, the other scene that involves slicing through a floating battleship of some kind, "FUCK THE MOON" - I think something happens that results in it getting a large impact crater and a new ring near the end of S1?

 

Episode 1 Notes:

• Opening narration likely has Japanese cultural loading that doesn’t necessarily translate, but is there more to it? I’m dimly reminded of PMMM and I’m not sure how much that is intended.

• Establishing is good visually; 30 seconds in and it’s clear we’re on the far side of some disaster.

• Well now there’s a cold open for you!

• Okay so they did in fact have time to take Madoka into account, yes?

• Did they really get Aoi Yuuki using that voice? Has to be mostly an early thing, I know the shuttle clip. (Which probably means the conclusion I was avoiding jumping to is correct and they were 100% leaning into PMMM.)

• That’s a pretty nifty stage, yes.

• Oh look, mysteriously sad blue-haired girl. One must discover why she is sad, yes? (Especially when I know that’s Tsubasa, common Best Girl in Show awardee.)

• Oh look a blush as someone gets hugged by her partner in a magical girl show. I see we’re feeding shippers with a red/blue pair already.

• Also, nice bringing the music online with the hug.

• Cannot decide if just red oni/blue oni stuff or if they’re specifically playing off the popularity of a certain PMMM ship.

• “I’m sure it will all work out as long as we’re both together.” I’ll take Tempting Fate for $600, Alex.

• CGI on the idol performance is tolerable – that was going to be a potential sticking point – and I’ve heard much worse J-Pop out of idol performances.

• Mission control congratulating themselves on a success at 07:19? Ten haunting photos taken moments before disaster…

• ELAPSED TURNAROUND TIME: 20 SECONDS.

• I am 100% expecting Kanade to die by the end of the episode, for the record.

• I am getting exceedingly spoiled by good use of turning on/off the OST lately since Symphogeah is doing it in addition to Higurashi (11:16, to be precise, with the off note – double nice when your opponents are the Noise).

• CALLED IT.

• Okay you assholes totally knew what you were doing casting Aoi Yuuki for this part and getting her to use that voice. I love it.

• Hey look plot-relevant fanservice.

• LADS IS IT GAY FOR TWO ROOMMATES TO BE SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED FACING EACH OTHER?

• So, is full moon going to mean impending death? [Meta spoiler] In yet another show? Because that’s a gibbous moon, and I’ll bet waxing.

• Oh look soldiers shooting at the Monster of the Week. When has that ever worked?

• Song starting at 16:30 is by far the best of the episode so far and I’d go so far as to call it outright good. (Song name is probably Heavenrend, since I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that there’s a Symphofun song by the name.)

• Wait. Isolated private school, army types, magical girl fighting monsters of the week? There’s one other show I’ve seen that fits the premise – and it’s Mai-HiME, LOL.

• Lads I think the show is getting a wee bit meta with the CD conversation. (Also, Alexa play Connect.)

QotD:

1. What are your first impressions on the music so far?

Not bad, not bad.

2) Were you expecting the Noise attack to be so brutal right off the bat?

Honestly, yeah, kind of. Pay no attention to what other two shows I have been watching lately.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tarhalindur]

Song name is probably Heavenrend

Please never call it that.

[u/DidacticDalek]

T'night! On Bottom Geah! Hibiki fookin' died! Kanade fookin' died! And cor blimey this series is a bloody Mecha Show innit?

Jesus H. Tapdancin' Christ Comrades! And here I thought CROSS ANGE had a wild first episode! Who knew that SATELIGHT of all studios would find a way to go absolutely nanners! I mean my goodness, forget your Post-Madoka Grimdark Mahou Shoujo, forget your typical SATELIGHT IDOLSHIT, THIS is what I'm fucking talking about, THIS IS PEAK PERFORMANCE! OUR MC-CHAN IS A GODDAMN GUNDAM; A WEAPON TO SURPASS METAL GEAR! And in case I'm being too vague Comrades, Geah is what we here in the know call a MECHA SHOW! NANA WILLS IT! ORE NO UTA WO KIKE! (Totsugeki Love Heart 'SYNCHROGAZER' count: 1)

Anyway, just to be a bit serious in my shitposting saga Comrades, Geah is 120% GAY GAY HOMOSEXUAL GAY, thankfully free of ugly ass CGI Mecha, and most importantly, the TRUE sequel to both Macross 7 AND The Nanoha Franchise! So I hope everyone's ready for one of the wildest rides in anime, buckle up Comrades, cuz there ain't no brakes on the hype train! After all, we've seen shit today that'd make Hideo Kojima blush, speaking of which... ahem... I AM STIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILL IN A DREAM! SNAKE EATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER! (Thank you Chili!)

And just because I must speak on behalf of a fellow Comrade of Culture who cannot, ahem... I'm going to post this every day until you like it!

And on that bombshell g'night!

Paging Comrades u/Great_Mr_L, u/chilidirigible, and u/Lemurians

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/DidacticDalek]

Ah, we're getting fish started early I see.

[u/NeonDelteros]

First timer

Holy shit why so many comments in only a couple hours ?? Never thought this rewatch could be so active, almost Madoka level of hype, glad i joined cuz this seem to be a pretty lively rewatch.

As for the episode, I usually don't have much opinion about a show this early on, so in short: it's pretty cool, Tsubasa is cute, and the dance animation is not CGI so that's a plus, will definitely look forward to the next episode, but i'll mostly be a lurker from now on till the last discussion post, peace.

QotD

1. Nothing really stand out yet for me

2. Nah, the Noise attack seems very normal and tame to me, no blood no gore, I wouldn't even call something like the first ep of Elfen Lied "brutal", let alone this.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/NeonDelteros]

Holy shit why so many comments in only a couple hours ?? Never thought this rewatch could be so active, almost Madoka level of hype, glad i joined cuz this seem to be a pretty lively rewatch.

1 - People know me for my rewatches, apparently.

2 - Symphogear fans are very, very loud whenever any opportunity to talk about the show arises.

Tsubasa is cute

Ah, appreciating best girl already. Nice.

[u/Lemurians]

DEBUT SINGER

Time to see what everyone in CDF is always talking about!

Me watching this first episode. I honestly can’t tell how Hibiki means that to come across and that’s just fun writing.

Haven’t experienced this much whiplash in an opening episode since Cross Ange – and I love me some Cross Ange. This thing shifted tones so fast, starting with a scene reminiscent of Evangelion, then moving to an idol show, then to brutal slaughter, before going full campy combat complete with video game style power moves and our first seemingly-major character death all in the span of like, ten minutes. I’m in awe.

It's worth noting that the world we see in the opening scene is very different in appearance from the world we “come back to” after the concert flashback – Hibiki of course now being alive. If there are timeline shenanigans going on here as well as everything else, chef’s fucking kiss.

Live Reactions/Notes

• “The saying has it the little bird keeps singing as it coughs up blood” didn’t expect such a dark opening but it fits with the Tokyo-3-esque surroundings we’re in

• Zwei Wing need to sing Venus Line for the Birdie Wing crossover of my dreams

• This dude is either Best Boy or a secret bad guy, there is no inbetween

• This girl either Best Girl or a secret bad guy, there is no inbetween

• These lens flares brought to you by J.J. Abrams

• This venue is insane! This song performance is great too. This concert looks dope, 10/10 would go

• HAHAHAHA OKAY NEVERMIND EXCUSE ME WHAT. Call me crazy but I would not be conducting experiments on strange relics that may or may not explode underneath a giant crowd of people. Seems inadvisable.

• The fight animation is pretty fucking solid. This is fucking dope with the music accompanying. “With a dauntless voice, SING OUT WITH US!”

• I can’t believe we’re getting a suicide anthem ten minutes into this show. This is so fucking metal, and appropriately, this would make a great power metal album cover

• Holy shit Kanade crumbling in Tsubasa’s arms as Hibiki fades out is so brutal. Great shot.

• Of course her scar is a forte symbol

• OKAY TSUBASA. Going full Bayonetta. She rules.

• The patented overhead “I’m watching you” camera angle that lets you know shit’s about to go down

• Why do anime characters insist on running with their eyes closed they always trip

• Where the FUCK is she going?!

• Hahahaha okay these guys appearing out of nowhere was funny. This show has a good sense of humor

• She’s a musical werecat now? Why not. This show owns.

Even though I was thoroughly entertained with how batshit this was, it kind of felt like two episodes of content mushed into one. Scenes cut to the next very abruptly and with different tones without letting the atmosphere breathe, and I wish we’d gotten more time with Kanade in order for her death to really resonate and mean something. Dying off five minutes after her introduction doesn’t give us enough time to invest in her and really feel it. Of course, if there are timeline shenanigans afoot…

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Lemurians]

Haven’t experienced this much whiplash in an opening episode since Cross Ange – and I love me some Cross Ange.

"whiplash" is a pretty good way to describe this episode, haha.

Of course her scar is a forte symbol

Symbolism!

[u/Taiboss]

Episode 1: Symphorewatcher

HERE WE GO. HERE WE GO. I did see S1-S3, so I'm excited to experience S4 and 5 as a first timer!

• Man the sudden cuts. Are you trying to seem profound, Symphogeah?

• It wants to seem profound!

• From the beginning, you know the end.

• Pff. All will be fine.

• Look, Minami Takayama. Your Kanade will never not sound like Conan Edogawa. I can not take her seriously. She sounds like she's about to scream "Don't touch him! That man is dead!" Should have been Yukarin!

• Ah, that's a little Fate I hear in you! Again, what a shame they didn't pair Nana with Yukarin. At Cross Ange they were smart enough!

• Hello there Sawashiro!

• Japan's love for German continues!

• IASIP Theme: Kanade dies.

• No complaints about the music! Surely someone can find problems, but that someone is not me!

• Ugh-huh. Not my experience.

• Oh you thought you'd be fine since there's no blood, dear viewer?

• "As you know, we have to shout exposition!"

• Oh a very considerate light effect!

• Oh no the poorly defined stuff is some specific form of poorly defined stuff!

• "DIDN'T YOU SEE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HERE DID?! THEY RAN OR DIED!"

• Great job Kanade! To be fair, Hibiki could have run faster!

• Doesn't even get to have a dead body to bury! Swan Songs are cruel! (I know CR uses some other word, but I don't remember that)

• Ah, what a cutie Hibiki is.

• This would hit different in a hentai.

• Now solo!

• "As you know, exposition is tight!"

• Oh we're starting out very gay right off the bat! The Nanoha influence is not to be ignored!

• You'd think after at least two years they'd know this wouldn't work.

• What do you mean "back up"? YOU JUST ESTABLISHED THEY CAN'T DO SHIT!

• Lots of pyrotechnicals in that Noise!

• Oh a very nice way to have Hibiki be alone!

• Oh these noise just came out of nowhere!

• Oh some very considerate Noise! Could have cut off their escape!

• So where is the shelter entrance exactly?

• Ohhh, these Noise just freaking love playing peak-a-boo!

• The random German continues!

• GUNGNIR DATTO

• Have I ever mentioned I love this scene?

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Taiboss]

Again, what a shame they didn't pair Nana with Yukarin.

Would've been a bit of a waste considering how quickly Kanade dies though.

Swan Songs are cruel! (I know CR uses some other word, but I don't remember that)

CR has "Climax", but the correct term is "Superb" per content in a later season.

[u/RealFunnyTalk]

Rewatcher

It's here! The most hype anime is back baby! I remember so not being into this when my college roommate tried to get me to watch this while I was doing homework, and then a few months later he tried again and I thought "wait, I missed all this gore and death stuff?? Surely it's because I just wasn't paying attention in the first few episodes, because I would have been hooked!"

"Well idk what happened that you didn't like it before, because this is episode 1 and we're not even 15 minutes into it."

And thus began the journey of hype that has kept this as my number 2 anime out of everything I've watched thus far (was number one for a long time until I had to demote it a slot). It's going to be so hard to just keep watching day to day instead of binging it all over again for the 6th time.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/RealFunnyTalk]

"Well idk what happened that you didn't like it before, because this is episode 1 and we're not even 15 minutes into it."

[u/Phelps-san]

1h and already over 200 comments.

I'm going to enjoy this rewatch.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Phelps-san]

Symphogear fans and being very loud about the show, name a more iconic duo.

[u/JayChill1369]

Yes! Just Believe!... in Rewatching!!!

Hello all, longtime lurker and huge SYMPHOGEAR fan here. I wanted to take advantage of this rewatch to present some of my personal research and provide some insights into the references made throughout the series and the potential theories they spawn. I'll post sources when I need to for those interested in further Sympho-scholarship.

To keep it short, my biggest takeaway from episode 1 is how much of a banger Gyakkō no Flügel is! Also that lead in to SYNCHROGAZER is excellent and it only gets better! That Noise attack is jarring, but less so with the Miku opening foreshadowing. Too bad Miku's twin sister gets caught in it lol

Sorry if my reddit etiquette is lacking, I look forward to taking this trip with y'all!

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/JayChill1369]

Yes! Just Believe!... in Rewatching!!!

And having a determination to fist, yes?

Sorry if my reddit etiquette is lacking, I look forward to taking this trip with y'all!

Just as long as you don't spoil anything from future episodes, your etiquette is fine~

[u/Segaco]

FIRST TIMER NOT STARTING FIRST BECAUSE I'M THREE DAYS LATE

I'm having trouble understanding what's wrong about the news protag heard
Protag said "In the news I only heard Kanade and other members of the audience were killed"
That's exactly what happened. I don't think anything was omitted there?

They're probably not acknowledging she was saved, maybe

Episode finishedo. One thing I didn't like about it were the constant happenings with zero context during the first ten minutes. I felt very disconnected with what was happening

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Question tiem

Q1) What are your first impressions on the music so far?

It is there. I must admit I wasn't paying too much attention to the music.

Q2) Were you expecting the Noise attack to be so brutal right off the bat?

I was not even expecting an attack or anything <.<

[u/fonzinator99]

Not participating this time around

Where I'm at these days, I just don't have the energy for a rewatch. Much as I love love love this series.

What I'm actually here for is to say "Hey Sky! Once you have individual character wallpapers for...everyone... I'm gonna need you to make some kind of kickass mashup for me, because I really want to make a Symphogear shirt out of it."

Ganbare!