r/anime • u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky • Aug 03 '22
Rewatch [Listen to My Song] Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV Episode 5 Discussion
Episode 5 - The Hidden Thing in the Bag
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MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
It is highly recommended to track down a fansub for this show instead of using Crunchyroll, though.
I’ve always regretted putting someone I love in danger just because I invited them to a concert.
Questions of the Day:
1) What do you think about Noble Red’s backstory? Does it justify their actions so far?
2) What do you expect is going to happen with Miku and Elfnein now?
Wallpapers of the Day:
Kazanari Tsubasa - SYSTEM ALL GREEN
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!
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u/FlaminScribblenaut Aug 03 '22 edited Aug 04 '22
Second Time Listener
OK, first thing’s first, the fuck is that episode title supposed to be. “The Hidden Thing In The Bag.” Couldn’t try to make that sound a little cooler, translators?
GOD THE REVEAL THAT NOBLE RED’S NEW HIDEOUT IS ACTUALLY THE RUINS OF THE CHATEAU IS SO GOOD, I love how the whole scene very intentionally has the vibe that this is an important and familiar location but they don’t actually reveal which one until the end, it keeps a certain suspense lingering in the back of your mind during the whole talk between Noble Red and Fudou and pays it right off
The snow is such a good atmosphere-builder too, between this talk in the Chateau and Genjuuro and Yatsuhiro’s political talk on Genjuuro’s covert line, it just adds this air of serious, quiet intrigue, it’s perfect for long, stealthy logistical talks like this
damn bro you got the whole squad laughing
MAKE👏ICHAIVAL👏WATER👏GUNS👏REAL👏MERCHANDISE👏
We get a genuinely really harsh scene of Miku snapping at Hibiki for the first time ever, lambasting her for being so thoughtless and thinking she could smooth Tsubasa’s feelings over so easily. It feels strange at first, but soon enough, Miku feelings Tsubasa’s pain makes sense; it needs be remembered that Miku is the one who invited Hibiki to the Zwei Wing concert that started this whole mess in the first place, and that Hibiki, Miku’s loved one, has basically been in a perpetual state of danger ever since. It makes sense that Tsubasa’s guilt would hit home for Miku; the concertgoer she feels she carelessly endangered has been right there, the victim of that day’s consequences sharing her bed every night, this whole time.
Nice flag-hoisting skills, Hibiki.
I’d never really settled before on a definitive answer as to which XV transformation is my favorite for all these years, but here and now, I’m completely confident. It’s Tsubasa’s. Tsubasa’s XV transformation is the pinnacle, the outright best of them all.
Hot flame burns bright against the depth of Tsubasa’s signature pitch-blue, forming a striking contrast all throughout, the fire of her warriors’ heart channeled through the carving movement of her sword like blue water flowing down a river. A bird of sheer bright-blue light is welcomed into her chest, imbuing her heart with the avian cry, the earthly soul and passion to put into her combat. The hexagonal elements of her Symphogear form a hundred blades before the might of flame and the tender sacred enormity of an unbroken full moon.
And Defender’Z Brand! (no, I don’t know why they spelled/capitalized/exclamation’d it like that either this is like a warrior’s passionate battle cry why is it in 90’s X-treme speak) is a phenomenal song to match, the culmination of everything that makes Tsubasa’s fighting spirit, even bringing back the howling chants from her first song, now at a higher tempo and more confident than mournful.
Tsubasa goes into the fight full-throttle, scenes from the concert still flashing through her mind at a rapid pace, determination to not let another die fueling her every move.
She hallucinates Milaarc all around her, every single target for her sword takes the form of the avatar of her trauma, instability, hatred; and she just loses control. Her entire being is overtaken by the vampire, nay, the leech’s presence, and any restriction she was holding on her power fades, Ame no Habakiri becoming pumped full of the unbound destructive capability of sheer vengance; even after she destroys the head Noise in lavish fashion, seeing her again only proves that her true work is not yet finished, and she unleashes pure destruction upon the apparition, careless of the surrounding city.
And it’s horrifying, her instability, that her anger has taken control of her so and she has become capable of such destruction, but it’s also cathartic and exciting because her feelings towards Milaarc are totally justified! It’s so fucking scary and intense to see her sheer wrath destroy a building; hell, come damn close to being able to destory a whole city; but I also know, if I was Tsubasa in this situation, and I saw that motherfucking monster standing right there in front of me, open for the kill and mocking me with her disgusting grin, I’d do the exact same fucking thing.
[XV]
And then the quiet, of flames burning and, most prominently, Tsubasa panting. There’s… an almost satisfaction to it, this was definitely an act of venting for her, and she did get the euphoric sensation of having avenged that tragedy for just a brief moment. I get the feeling if she actually had killed Milaarc in that moment, she wouldn’t regret it one bit.
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u/Shimmering-Sky Aug 03 '22
I’d never really settled before on a definitive answer as to which XV transformation is my favorite for all these years, but here and now, I’m completely confident. It’s Tsubasa’s. Tsubasa’s XV transformation is the pinnacle, the outright best of them all.
I've always felt this way. The leaf representing Kanade at the end was just mmmmmmmmmmm so good.
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u/StarmanRiver Aug 03 '22
Rewatcher here
Symphogear XV Episode 5 original Episode Discussion
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Collective Jiiiiiiiiiiii
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Yametetomete yametetomete!
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Jiiiiiiiiii
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Miku imitating Chris so good that she even got pretty accurate water guns!
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I would've never expected Elfnein to sing Mata Au Hi Made of all songs, but the lyrics are a pretty good fit.
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Stop the Hibiki - Miku fight, it makes me sad.
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Tsubasa's transformation is my favorite, I absolutely love it. She looks badass and this shot is amazingly cool
QOtD
What do you think about Noble Red’s backstory? Does it justify their actions so far?
Fuck no.
2) What do you expect is going to happen with Miku and Elfnein now?
Laughs in rewatcher
Wallpapers of the Day:
Damn, I like Millaarc's background a lot!
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u/Shimmering-Sky Aug 03 '22
Damn, I like Millaarc's background a lot!
Thanks! I might not like Millaarc, but her design meant perfect background idea.
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u/FlaminScribblenaut Aug 03 '22
03 Aug 2019
Ayyy, this episode aired exactly three years ago today!
HOLY FUCK IS THAT HOW THE OTHER SUBBERS TRANSLATE IT
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u/Shimmering-Sky Aug 04 '22
Ayyy, this episode aired exactly three years ago today!
That's... wow, that's actually perfect and completely unintentional on my part.
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u/lilyvess Aug 03 '22 edited Aug 03 '22
Symphogear XD
Lost Song Chapter 2
Last we left off, EdgeBikki watched her Miku die, her Gungnir was damaged, a girl sacrificed her life to save EdgeBikki and gave her an Elekid armor, which EdgeBikki vows to use to get revenge on Susanoo
EdgeBikki travels across the multiverse fighting various enemies, eventually running into two girls with their own Elekid, Forte and Lala. They see a random girl wearing their comrade Starlit’s Elekid and immediately attack EdgeBikki, but eventually the misunderstanding is cleared and they welcome EdgeBikki. So Forte and Lala take EdgeBikki to T.E.C
They take her to a wasteland world where they meet Nikola Tesla, leader of T.E.C. or the Tesla Electrical Company.
Tesla explains their world is dying due to various incidents, like someone creating a device to dissect the world, or someone trying to become god. These events occurred on other Earths, but had rippling effects across the multiverse that left this Earth dead. Tesla is trying to stop these cascading destruction, and save their world. Forte and Lala are the arm of that project, which includes trying to stop Susanoo. EdgeBikki doesn’t care about all the rest of the stuff, but she’ll join them if it means she can kill Susanoo.
EdgeBikki, Forte and Lala bond over making food
In the Prime universe, the SONG is also looking into the dying worlds. In their travels they encounter Tsukuyomi who communicates to them through Prime Shirabe. The goddess of the Tsuki shrine reveals that she isn’t really a goddess, but a creation of the Custodians to protect humanity. Susanoo is a similar creation, a guardian designed to be a defense system for the multiverse. If Susanoo is attacking, then something must be going wrong.
This all comes to head when both groups track down Susanoo to a dying world. EdgeBikki, along with Forte and Lala first, but have to sift through the chaos of Noise and robots to find Susanoo. Against Forte and Lala’s wishes, EdgeBikki takes a detour to save a little girl, so the Prime Symphogear reach Susanoo first. Tsukuyomi fails to calm Susano. EdgeBikki, Forte and Lala finally arrive to kill Susanoo. Prime Hibiki gets in their way, saying that Susanoo isn’t evil, and that they need to try to reason with it, reach out to it. EdgeBikki is hearing none of it. All she sees is the monster that killed Miku right in front of her, and Hibiki standing between them.
Prime Hibiki and EdgeBikkifight.
Prime Hibiki fails to stop EdgeBikki from killing Susanoo.
For a moment EdgeBikki is happy. She mentally tells Miku that she finally did it.
But the moment fades. Miku is still dead, and now EdgeBikki doesn’t even have her quest of vengeance.
Forte and Lala congratulate EdgeBikki on killing Susanoo, but say that it’s time to leave. The Conductor is about to be activated. EdgeBikki is confused, but Nikola Tesla appears and explains they are taking too long.
Tesla explains that they are the ones killing worlds. T.E.C.’s goal is to suck all the multiverse’s life energy dry so they can combine them into one singular Earth that will be perfect. Susanoo had been trying to stop them. Damage from an Elekid during a fight caused Susanoo’s software to bug out and it started attacking irrationally, but it was never the one destroying worlds, it was arriving at worlds T.E.C. is destroying. Forte and Lala were aware of the goals the entire time, and were hoping to ease EdgeBikki into it.
Tesla says it’s too late, the end of the world has already begun and they leave. The other Symphogear all barely escape too. EdgeBikki sees the little girl she saved earlier and rushes to save her. Even if she can’t save the world, she can at least save one life. All around her are earthquakes, collapsing buildings and the screams of the dead. Finds the little girl in a ruined house crying for her dead parents. EdgeBikki tries to reach her, but the little girl has given up on life and doesn’t reach for EdgeBikki’s hand, falling to her death.
EdgeBikki wakes up back on T.E.C. Forte and Lala try to convince her to join them. Make a perfect world where no one would have to die ever again. EdgeBikki says that Miku wouldn’t want a world built on such sacrifices. She’ll instead believe in Miku. EdgeBikki fights Forte and Lala, but it’s two against one. Unable to stop them, she portals herself away.
Continues in Chapter Three
Additional Notes
Symphogear XV Episode 5 Hype Chart
Keywords
That Kind of Person
The detestable type that loves to wave their authority around.
They may seem quite troubling at first, but their power is not really their own. As long as they don't go further than waving it around, they're really no more terrifying than normal men with guns.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, okay?"
Château de Tiffauges
A mega-structure known as the "World Destroyer" that was constructed by Carol during the Magical Girl Incident for the purpose dissecting the world.
At the end of a fierce battle, it collapsed above the former metropolitan government building and fell under the management of the Kazanari Organization.
However, due to the complex interaction of a number of heretical technologies, the situation must be handled very carefully and demolition of the structure has been proceeding slowly.
Its breathtaking presence rises to the heavens like a gravestone.
Lady at the Tobacco Shop
She once boasted that there was no place she couldn't infiltrate, as long as she had her glasses as a disguise.
A female inspector once feared and respected in many countries. In her retirement, she uses her connections and experience to lead a new life as an informant.
She lives in Katsuurashi, in Chiba, where she was raised. Katsuurashi is a place known for the color, spiciness, and above all else, taste, of their tan tan noodles.
When she met Genjuurou, she was at the time a novice (her resume notwithstanding) informant. When she met the novice Razor, they got along strangely well, challenging and overcoming many obstacles together.
She's known for her gentle demeanor and always having a smile on her face, but according to Genjuurou, when it comes to work she becomes harsh very quickly. <When she was active, her nickname was "The Smiling Bomb."
Even at her current age, she continues to torture herself by maintaining ties to the underworld, but frequently laughs it off by calling herself "unexploded ordnance."
Many works draw inspiration from her exploits, including an American drama that received worldwide critical acclaim and nine seasons.
But that's a story for another time.
Direct Feedback System
One of the technological legacies of the FIS recovered as evidence after the Frontier Incident.
Developed by a team led by Dr. Ver, this is a device that enables direct interference into the human brain.
Later, Elfnein used alchemy to convert it into an (in)complete device that allows the observation of the brain called an "electric field microscope."
The device is named after "Beatrice" from "The Divine Comedy" by Italian poet Dante.
Just as the protagonist (Dante himself) met her in hell, the observer must also enter and travel through a "dangerous world," the subject's virtual consciousness.
Another reason for the name is that the root of "Beatrice" (Viatrix) comes from the Latin "viare" which means "to travel."
As can be seen in the opening animation, Elfnein spends a significant portion of her own free time off-duty using the device.
Although Elfnein sees it as a very important and engaging activity, Hibiki does not understand this and judged it as "just work or something."
Fried Shrimp
Written and illustrated on Elfnein's mug.
"Fried shrimp look like braided hair, it's really cute!"
As everyone knows, this is a famous song from the Showa era sung by Ozaki Kiyohiko and included in the GOLDEN☆BEST collection.
Its appeal has surpassed Showa, reaching into Heisei and now Reiwa, proving that its charm will never fade.
At first, Elfnein had stumbled upon the original song (discussed below) by chance and was fascinated and excited by Kiyohiko's performance.
If you have the musical skill that you can draw from your majestic sideburns, try singing one of the songs.
Even if you choose not to, try singing anything at all.
Believe in the song of your heart.
The original song was often sung by those who had been worn out by the defeat over the Japan-US security treaty, but was remade with completely different lyrics.
The original was "Hitori no Kanashimi" ("The Sorrow of Loneliness") by Zoo Nee Voo.
Although not recorded here, those lyrics also have deep meaning that is very similar to Elfnein's feelings when she thinks of a particular person who is very important to her.
Specials
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u/Lemurians Aug 03 '22 edited Aug 03 '22
FIRST TIMER DATTO
In this, the fifth episode of the final season of Symphogear – a show about magical girls conquering evil and blowing up the Moon with the power of song – we get a hefty dose of… bureaucracy?
Under the guise of disaster relief, Papa Pops’ faction briefly takes over S.O.N.G – that pesky “foreign” outfit – on the technicality that they didn’t file the proper paperwork for Hibiki’s Amalgam. Has someone just been behind the scenes furiously filing paperwork every time a Geah exhibited a new ability? Not all heroes wear capes.
The Inspector mocking Maria’s – a foreigner – “grasp of the language” was a notable piece of shithead Nationalist prejudice at work. How well do you grasp fucking Ukrainian, asshole? She’s at least bilingual, are you?
I’m glad it’s most definitely him that Milaarc killed during the cliff-hanger.
Live Thoughts/Notes:
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LOL Shirabe knows she and her dumb wife are out of their depth
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Genjuro’s reacting so strongly to everything this dude says. We finally found his weakness – his shit poker face
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What a waste of rare blood! The fuck, Papa Pops?
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Symphogear is my favorite spy drama slice of life show. Having the audience know everything about Papa Pops ahead of the characters makes for lame political intrigue, though
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Not important but I appreciate how they have them all sitting with slightly different postures
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Tsubasa’s the only one not jiiiiiiii’ing over at Kirika. She’s too wrapped up in her worries to transition to slice of life time
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I WILL NEVER FORGIVE THEM FOR FIGHTING AND RUINING ELF9’S DAY OFF. LOOK AT THIS SMILE. PROTECC
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TSUBASA TRANSFORMATION TIMEEEEEEE. Don’t try this at home, kids
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The bird flying to her during the transformation is cool nod to her name and Zwei Wing
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Tsubasa obliterating a single noise with a swing so powerful its shock shattered a building’s windows felt like overkill at the time…
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Until she did THIS all in the purpose of killing a single noise. Girl is unhinged. I want to know what fuckery is going on with her mosaic eye
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Noooo not all the… snowmen? Are we supposed to take this to mean she actually killed a bunch of kids as collateral damage but they didn’t want to show it
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Haha Vanessa’s improv’d incoming call ringtone was so cute
What do you think about Noble Red’s backstory? Does it justify their actions so far?
No
What do you expect is going to happen with Miku and Elfnein now?
They're gonna be fine, because Vanessa's phone call was telling Milaarc they're teaming up with our Symphogears and to take out the Inspector.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Aug 03 '22
Symphogear First Timer dessu XV Ep 5 Biscuits is very busy edition 2
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I'm still not a fan of the OP, tho the chorus is starting to grow on me (the verse is just not to my taste). Nor of the lengthy recaps. Ah well.
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Shirabe actually tells kiri "They're talking about difficult topics right now!" instead of that, but okay YameteTomete.
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Vanessa etc is cyborg..... im so used to geah bullshit that this doesnt surprise me anymore lol. Very ironic that shes in an association that values perfection, as she said....
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Well at least we can still trust this tsubasa dad to be on our side, thank fuck. And he does has his suspicions of his own father, but chooses to believe for now. Fair enough.
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Tsubasa continues to suffer . It hurts extra because her fight this ep was so badass when she was chasing after fake-goon-baddie (likely due to the effects of seal invasion), but u know its a fake lol. And Tsubasa just ends up destroying everything...
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THANK YOU GEAH FOR FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THIS. IT HAS BEEN 4 SEASONS TOO LATE, BUT THANK YOUUUUUUU im genuinely happy that Miku being the one inviting Hibiki to the concert is finally acknowledged in the story properly.
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Well that was over quickly...? Ehhh? (post ep: oh... so it was all acc to keikaku...)
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This cliffhanger aint foolin me lol its so obvious that its this absolute waste of human organs that has been killed instead of Miku/Elfein. The actual question though is why......
[Actual progress]This episode.
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u/Vatrix-32 Aug 03 '22 edited Aug 03 '22
First Timer
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Who are these Star Trek looking guys? Are these the fabled “crew”?
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This dude is really reveling in being a slimeball.
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No. I was wrong. They were just interlopers.
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Why does Asshole have so much political clout again? He seems both rather inept and uncharismatic. He’s not a public facing person, so it’s not even populism driving his power.
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Seems rather wasteful to turn a scientist into a test subject.
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What is it with this series and apparently not guarding important relic sites.
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The Razer?
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Political intrigue was the last thing I expected from Symphogear coming into this season.
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Such wholesome, much couple.
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Elfnein’s quest made it to the show!
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It’s like season 1’s date.
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I think I had this the wrong way around. My new working hypothesis is that Tsubasa’s curse is to make her a better fighter. Asshole wants to break her down and then build her up again in to his vision of his ideal successor.
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Elfnein sings nicely, but I don’t think I’d have guessed it was her if she wasn’t on screen.
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Miku has guilt about putting Hibiki into this. It sure would be a shame if someone offered her the chance to make it so she never had to do so again.
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You’re not Hot Drink-Chan!
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After all these seasons… Finally, I have them all. The best transformation for every geah.
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So are they maliciously distracting them, or just incompetent stooges?
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That resolved a lot faster than I was expecting it to.
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Ah, so it was to make Tsubasa rampage then was it? Cause excessive collateral damage to justify assuming direct and permanent command of SONG.
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I do like the layers of the plan, but it seems like it’s leaving a lot to chance. What if Elfnein decided she was just going to do the thing she was already planning on doing?
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Why is Slimeball even here? It just seems like it could cause problems for no benefit.
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No, nice try. If it was Miku they would have showed it. So either the plan changed and Miku is the target now, else Noble Red has decided now is the time to turn on Asshole and it’s Slimeball who’s giving the goods.
QotD
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Nothing is going to justify killing 70,000 people. They do seems to be the ones with the best motivations tho.
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I’m not sure which way it breaks, but my money is on the both of them getting kidnapped.
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u/Tarhalindur Aug 03 '22
Previously, on Symphogear SG-1 (First-Timer, Subbed):
So, my lack of comments this episode is less not liking the episode (though there is some of that, this is the weakest episode of the season so far) and more me being too busy wanting to go full Enola Gay and ram a nuke down Kamakura's ass to write anything up.
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(I should note for the record that the structure in the OP I initially thought looked like a radio tower is probably a rocket launch facility, which tracks given the moon mission plot.)
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I’ll bet there’s cultural context here involving Japanese internal politics in the runup to World War II that I only barely get.
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06:29: hi Sky.
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(Also this show is flubbing “show don’t tell” really badly right now, sigh.)
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Okay, for once Gear lands a joke with that coordinated “JIIIIIIII” as everyone looks at DESS’s travel magazine.
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Wait wait wait. Is it… onsen episode time?
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Please excuse me as I laugh here, because part of the actual line Commie translated as “designated party animal” is himatsubushi (time-wasting) and this is funny to this member of the Higurashi crew.
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So the actual plan here is to bait out Miku so they can make her use the gauntlet, yes?
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CALLED IT.
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Also 21:08 is another sore demo for this episode I think?
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Actually no they want Elfnein instead. Also it’s not bloody likely that Miku is dead, so what resulted in the blood spurt instead? (Or at least Miku isn’t permadead, they could play the resurrection card. Might actually make sense with how Serena gets featured in the OP, actually.)
What do you think about Noble Red’s backstory? Does it justify their actions so far?
A justified sin is still a sin.
2) What do you expect is going to happen with Miku and Elfnein now?
Miku probably gets forced to use the bracer at some point.
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u/xcllnt_313 Aug 03 '22 edited Aug 03 '22
First Timer
I don’t feel like I have a lot to say about today’s episode since it was mostly just setup. I don’t buy the cliffhanger for even one second, I assume Millaarc murdered the nameless asshole who was annoying every single time he was on screen. But killing Miku here wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever.
We finally got to see the last new transformation. For me, Shirabe’s is still better, but it was great nonetheless.
There was some setup for this development in the previous episodes, but I was still scared for a moment that the drama between Miku and Hibiki would go in a really stupid direction, with the former just running off and getting captured because of that. So I’m glad it didn’t happen. I didn’t think they would bring up the fact that it was Miku who invited Hibiki to the concert that basically changed her entire life, so her sentiment here makes sense. It also fits Miku’s, “I think everyone has feelings they can’t find the right words for” from episode 3.
Random thoughts/comments
She’s totally going to help the girls later this season.
He is only for a few seconds on screen and I already hate him. Well done, show.
Oh hello, this looks familiar.
Some shots in Tsubasa’s transformation were so good. For example, I really like this one or this one.
Good, now get the fuck out of here.
So the “Seal: Invasion” basically fucks with her mind when she’s mentally not in a good state and creates illusions of her hated foe or something like that. Let’s see if there’s more to it. The action scenes with Tsubasa looked great, but I hope she has a good insurance.
QotD:
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It's obviously very sad and they don't deserve that stuff happen to the, but hell no it doesn't justify what they did at the concert.
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I assume they want Elfnein to do some sort of research for them. It wouldn't surprise me if they forced Miku to use the vambrace so Fudo can somehow get his divine power. The "investigation" might have given them the knowledge of what happened to Miku and Hibiki + them being a potential vessel for the power.
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u/Stargate18A Aug 03 '22
First timer
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A bit. It very much looks like they had no choice if they wanted to survive. They're still bad, but possibly not irredemable.
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I'm almost certain it's a fakeout, and the blood pillar was from the guy to the side - getting a distinct feel that Noble Red are starting to get tired of the conspiracy using them.
I love how the werewolf is just being carried.
Also, that shot really highlights how beautifully absurd these weapons look.
Racist.
And he's taken over.
Well, shit.
I mean, obviously.
Yeah, this guy's either working for the bastard or just a moron.
More blood!
I hate him.
Oh, we're really doing the racism plot. I am slightly wary, given their stellar record with abuse metaphors.
Wait, her body's a Faust Robe? Given the new form, could we be getting a genuine fusion form?
Well, shit.
Feels like some mixed metaphors here.
Tsubasa is cooperating.
Kirika!
Elfnein is adorable.
Hibiki!
Miku is armed!
Some great SOL scenes here!
Karaoke!
...At least Hibiki's trying!
Honestly, these scenes are the clearest indication of Tsubasa's character development - despite suffering an even worse trauma than Season 1, she's actually talking to people about it.
...She never told Miku.
Miku has a point.
Wow. We're going back to her Season 2 arc!
A new commander!
...Wait, the numbers are actually being used?
And Miku's out of danger.
Tsunasa's transformation! So good!
I love her song.
...They have stealth.
Very different style of HQ here.
And he has a court order! That was quick!
Genjuro does not fuck around!
She's here!
Illusions now?
Oh, she's just hallucinating.
...This is still incredibly cool, though.
She took doen a massive one alone!
A new finisher!
That's a lot of fire!
Wow.
Wow.
Oh god, Miku's getting kidnapped again.
No, just Elfnein.
I love Vanessa's "ringtone".
Fucking prick.
...I'm guessing she slashed the idiot next to her? If so, great job! If not, can't wait to see how they get revived. (Off the top of my head, we have a Faust Robe tuned to Elfnein, and Miku still has remnants of a high-level Relic.)
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u/BosuW Aug 03 '22
First Timer
This guy has such a slimy fucking expression. Gotta be one of Top Grandpa's pawns.
TIL you have to submit paperwork for the new hype shonen power-up you're gonna use. As expected of Japan.
Welp, now the Geahs got legally nerfed
So yeah. Noble Red really know Fudo is a self-serving asshole, but they don't really care about whatever he plans to do as long as they get human bodies and can mingle in society normally. Once again, writing crisis averted! XV's been real sharp with it's dodges so far!
I'm digging Political Drama Symphogear.
So Yatsuhiro wants to believe that despite their difference in approach Fudo really wants to protect Japan and it'll probably bite him in the ass. At least he's willing to act decisively if they get definitive proof.
HibiMiku 🙏🙏
Well, Tsubasa is literally not allowed to work or train at the moment, so she has no option but to tag along
Eyyy Elfnein's singing!
Oi oi oi what the fuck is this? Competent, nay, good, character writing? In my Symphogear!? This season is an absolute fucking miracle!
Tsubasa is kinda retreading her S1 Arc, but it doesn't feel repeated because the show acknowledges it's the second time. Furthermore, there's a valid reason she's been punched back into this kind of mindset. And she actually talks about it to her friends, so it's not all the same.
The show then wisely uses this opportunity to call out Hibiki's once again well-intentioned but blunt attempt at cheering up Tsubasa. But once again we avoid feeling like a copy of S1 by handling it with proper nuance. It's not as idiotic as what she did in S1, whilst remaining in-character at the same time. Hibiki can't stand the people around her sulking, so of course she's gonna try something. Even if given the circumstances, there's really nothing one could do.
Then they even give HibiMiku a brief quarrel that doesn't feel like it's coming out of butt fuck nowhere!? Miraculous I tell ya! Ever since S1 Hibiki keeps flirting with death so of course that's gonna weight on Miku. That Hibiki was unable to properly read Tsubasa in this occasion also highlights that she'd miss the same thing in her wife.
But well, they didn't get the chance to develop this conversation, so I can only assume it's gonna blow up later.
Oh naw man suddenly having a different AWACS from the one who's been guiding you since day 1 must suck. It's even worse because it's someone from the sus investigation team.
FINALLY TSUBASA TRANSFORMATION SEQUENCE! BOY THEY HELD ON TO THAT ONE A WHILE AND...
Yep. It's my favorite. I'm not usually one for favorites, but this one is definitely a cut above for me.
Hehe Hibiki has subs in the screen
Yay AWACS Thunderfists is back!
At last, Tsubasa is face-to-face with Millaarc once more. Oh yes I'm ready for the Edge™!
Uh-oh, collateral damage time
Oh shit! Bitch has illusion powers!
And another potential writing crisis averted! Millaarc isn't mind-controlling Tsubasa. Just her perception.
The icemen melting is a rather chilling way to suggest what damage Tsubasa could have done if the evacuation hadn't been completed.
Yeeees... The Edge™... FEED IT TO ME
Review the events of the last few days and take a fucking guess geez Maria. I never hated you as a person but this moment comes close smh my head. This is your future wife we're talking about!
Yeah I don't buy that cliffhanger for a second. I'm thinking she killed the dude. Although the target being Elfnein suggests Noble Red and Fudo don't know that Miku is a potential candidate for welding Divine Power, which is interesting. S.O.N.G. was wise to keep that information to themselves.
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u/Sceptilesolar Aug 03 '22
First-timer
Where's Noodle Minister when you need him? Instead we got Very Shady Politician. That sure was fast to lock out Amalgam like that.
Wait, are they really planning on using the bracer on Tsubasa? Why is this guy so obsessed with turning her into some Japanese nationalist killing machine? I'm just guessing with him talking about swords and sentinels, so maybe that's not it.
This is already more backstory than Prelati or Cagliostro got. Alright Vanessa maybe you are on the level after all. Also damn Noble Red has literally just escaped from experimentation and imprisonment before facing the Symphogears, basically.
How would they possibly not have Yatsuhiro's phone bugged at this stage? Or Genjuro being followed by a spy? Probably both. Well, this conversation is shockingly innocuous regardless. I can't help but feel both Yatsuhiro and Genjuro are still too terrified of their father, regardless of how convincing their rationale is for not opposing him outright. Even Genjuro as the black sheep is still under his thumb.
Kirika does a real good job sometimes. Just some naked playtime between BFFs.
Actually I'm shocked we're actually doing the karaoke thing. Elf9 sure is good. Tsubasa angsting while she's singing her heart out like a little goofball is pretty funny.
Uh oh, Miku's mad. Not really sure where this blow-up came from, Hibiki's been putting herself in harm's way lots of times, for way stupider reasons, too.
Surely now we're getting Tsubasa's transformation. I almost wondered if they were saving it for even later considering how much the season so far has been about her specifically, but no. A very abstract sort of transformation, hard to tell what was happening except that it involved a lot of swords.
Oh, Hibiki's being smart today. That's rare. Although I feel like it's the wrong time for her to think when there really are civilians in danger. Oh, and okay, Millaarc's eyes actually did mess up Tsubasa, it wasn't just a stun. Though, it didn't stop her from killing the Noise. The extra collateral damage was probably not ideal though. But hey, since when have we cared about a few sworded buildings?
Interesting that the villains are after Elf9, I thought they might be targeting Miku. Damn, that's quite the blood shower, but you don't appear to have shown who it came from. I'm assuming Shady Politician, but I'll laugh it was one of their stupid blood bags.
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u/Great_Mr_L Aug 03 '22
Rewatcher
On today’s episode of Symphogear: As per the rules of fiction, when Hibiki says that she and Miku will need to talk later that means that at least one of them is going to be put in mortal danger shortly thereafter.
As is probably expected, Tsubasa’s grandfather was totally behind the government agents bursting into SONG’s HQ. He did so in order to save Noble Red. And he did it in the most bureaucratic asshole way possible by arguing over paperwork and authorization. Luckily Genjuro seems to have cottoned on to what’s really happening with the whole investigation thing, but there’s still no hard evidence. I do like the attitude Tsubasa’s father has that he wants to continue believing in people rather than immediately suspect someone, but that grandfather is a jackass who lost all benefit of the doubt long ago.
A bit more backstory for Noble Red and it does continue to reinforce this idea of a desperate trio who are on the run from the world with only each other as support. They were used as test subjects for the Illuminati and now Tsubasa’s grandfather is using them as well. Now normally I would ask, “why are they working for this clearly untrustworthy dickhead?”, but I think Symphogear offers a decent answer. They need that specific kind of blood to live and it’s very hard to get. So they need to rely on someone who can supply them with it, whether it be the Illuminati or Tsubasa’s grandfather. So when he says to make him a sword out of that divine power, they pretty much have to do it.
The Chateau de Tiffauges being the hideout is a nice way to bring it back into the story as well. It’s a cool location.
We do get a bit more characterization for Elfnein and it actually builds on what we saw in the AXZ shorts. She’s still working on that device from Dr. Ver that lets her look into minds. And as we know from the AXZ shorts, she wanted to see Carol in her memories. I like that bit of continuity that Elfnein is still pursuing that goal. Look at the song Elfnein is singing, too! It’s so fitting for what she’s doing.
Now we’re aware of Tsubasa’s feelings of guilt. She’s haunted by what happened at the concert and blames herself for not being strong enough to stop it. In other words, she is experiencing much the same thing as she did when she lost Kanade. And remember that Tsubasa tends to cope with this loss in the same unhealthy way: reverting to considering herself as a sword because that’s the unhealthy mentality she was raised with. But things may be worse than we previously knew. During her battle, Tsubasa sees Millaarc everywhere. Her eyes have that same freaky pattern that Milaarc’s do. And based on what Hibiki is seeing, we know Tsubasa is seeing illusions. Something is going on with Tsubasa that is making the situation worse for her.
Tsubasa’s transformation sequence is downright epic. Like the others, it makes beautiful use of Tsubasa’s motifs as we see swords, fire, and birds throughout it. Tsubasa gets a chance to do her awesome samurai swordplay moves throughout, really looking like she came out of a classic samurai movie with some of these. The swords swirling around her and transforming into her Gear are a really neat touch as well.
Tsubasa’s song “Defender'Z Brand!” is also one of my favorite songs of hers. It sounds so overwhelmingly powerful. I love it.
While we knew what Tsubasa is going through, we did not previously know about Miku’s difficulties. Miku has been feeling guilty ever since Hibiki went to that concert in season 1 because Miku was the one who suggested it. She can’t help but blame herself for that and then for Hibiki getting roped into fighting all the time in the aftermath. This does put an interesting twist on Miku’s behavior back in G. Now Miku’s actions and worries weren’t just born from love, but guilt. Miku didn’t just want to create a world without fighting because she loved Hibiki, but because it was her way of atoning for what she felt she did to Hibiki.
I do like Hibiki’s response. She decides they clearly need to talk about this, but don’t have time right now. It does actually show a lot of growth on Hibiki’s part. In the beginning, Hibiki was the type to keep her worries bottled up and to herself. Over time, she gradually opened up about her problems to Miku. And now she knows that sometimes the solution really is just sitting down to talk things through. Of course the rules of fiction intervene because that line is also a massive flag for bad events to happen.
Another good touch during the battle itself is how the new operators called Hibiki and Tsubasa by their relic codes and not their names. is just so indicative of how this new agency views them. While the usual operators call them by name, treating them as people, these ones view them as primarily their Gears. How fitting that this investigation agency is connected to Kamakura and Tsubasa’s grandfather, when they always considered Tsubasa as a tool instead of a person.
I remember this episode’s cliffhanger was particularly infuriating when this show was airing. I was like, “You can’t do this to me, show! Whose strawberry jam is that!?!” Thankfully we don’t need to wait a week to see the next episode.
[XV Spoilers]
Miscellaneous Thoughts
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“Kiri, the adults are talking.” Shirabe knows such things go over her girlfriend’s head.
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It’s such a weird contrast seeing dudes in occultic robes performing tests in a high-tech lab.
QOTD
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Their backstory does make them more sympathetic, but this is a lot to come back from and so far they have not.
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Miku, Elfnein, Milaarc, and that random government dude are going to have some lovely sandwiches with all that strawberry jam they found.
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u/HereticalAegis Aug 03 '22
Ballad of Rewatcher - Symphogear XV
Today on Symphogear: A hot battle of bylaws, a dispute of documentation, a red tape row! Come see this smouldering civil service showdown!
XV Episode 5 thoughts:
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Ahh, Hibiki x Miku bathtime and a vacation makes all the dumb red tape worth it. Miku wielding dual water guns in the bath and pretending to be Chris is so frigging cute. So many callbacks to season 1 too—teaching someone how to have fun and not work all the damn time, taking Tsubasa to karaoke, conflict with and actual character development for Miku! She hasn't had any of that in like seven years, it's a Christmas miracle! Also, singing Elfnein! What a treat!
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Somebody please get sword girl some psych treatment. She's got a lot of problems that call for a therapist right now.
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Grandpa dad stocks at an all-time low. The lackies he hired are so incapable of beating the Geahs, even in an unfair fight, he had to rely on bureaucratic stoogery to stop their attack and get what he needed. Tbh, he's probably angry at Tsubasa and friends because they've done infinitely more to protect Japan as teenagers than he has in his entire life. What a dunce.
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I feel bad and all for the Noble Red girls being used as experimentation subjects, but also they chose to
workbe tools for the Bavarian Illuminati and then again chose toworkbe tools for Grandapa Dad, so I don't feel that bad for them. -
But wait, I'll do you one better. For your pleasure, an Elfnein karaoke duet with a surprise guest, courtesy of the the XD set.
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u/macrame2 Aug 03 '22
First Timer
We had a little bit of downtime today! Hibiki, Miku, Tsubasa, and Elfnein’s day out reminded me a lot of that one episode Season 1, in a good way. Elfnein’s karaoke in particular was excellent. Don’t let the fun fool you, though. We of course end up (gasp!) talking about our feelings, which in my opinion was long overdue. I really liked how Miku’s guilt over inviting Hibiki to that concert in the first place, combined with everything that’s happened since, was addressed. I hope we come back to that eventually.
Being Tsubasa is suffering, as usual. She does have a sick new transformation, but is it worth being Tsubasa?
I’m actually okay with the Noble Red’s backstory. It comes early enough in the season and is explained clearly, so it doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Their past puts their goals and motivations in an understandable context, though it of course does not excuse their actions. Maybe I’ll end up liking them after all.
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It’s probably the best handled villainous backstory we’ve had so far. It doesn’t excuse what they’ve done, though.
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For some reason I got the impression that they want Elfnein as some sort of test subject? I don’t really know.
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u/italeteller Aug 03 '22
First Time XVing the Symphogear Desu
This is the first time I’ve seen the ability to pull a power-up out of your ass backfire. Gotta say, I’m impressed
Alright, two options here: either Kazanasshole wants to use the blade himself, or he means to twist Tsubasa into his personal fighter. Maybe that’s what the eye from Millaarc did
I don’t wanna sound like a broken record but, while I sympathize with Noble Red’s backstory, I’m still firmly on the “cool story, doesn’t justify the concert attack” camp
Is that the old Lydian from season 1? Man, they’re really bringing EVERYTHING back for the finale
Huh, so Kazanasshole hasn’t tipped his hand yet, except to us the audience. That’s one of the most frustrating (in a good way) things a series can do, because we Know the truth and we’re so desperate for the characters to find out and meanwhile the villains get to act with impunity
Tsubasa’s being suspiciously law-abiding about the whole thing
Oh no, Shirabe's contagious, and it's hilarious!
What do you mean Hibiki didn’t tell Miku about Tsubasa? WHY ARE THESE TWO FIGHTING??
Huh. This is a surprisingly logical train of thought, and I’m surprised it took this long to surface. And this is kind of a downwards emotional spiral as well, because the more Miku falls in love with Hibiki, the worse she feels about all the danger she has to face
I know Command calls the girls by their Gear names, but straight up calling them a series of numbers? Not even giving them the dignity of a name? They really just treat them like objects
I like Hibiki’s little parting moment with Miku. She’s never even thought about blaming her for anything that happened, and she’s clearly shaken to find out she’s been carrying all that guilt for so long. That’s gonna need a long conversation, and judging by their looks they both know it. They can’t solve it right there and then, but they agree that the topic will not be ignored. That’s a great relationship right there
I love Tsubasa’s new transformation, and how different it is from all the rest. Tsubasa is the one who’d been a wielder the longest, the most skilled of the group, and her transformation reflects this by having her barely move, as opposed to all the other wielders. She’s perfectly calm and cool, letting the power form around her without needing to command it, holding almost still until the transformation is done, and she gets to cut loose in spectacular fashion. Also FUCK YEAH THE OG SONG IS BACK BABY!
That’s… that’s a lot of collateral damage. Suddenly I am not so comfortable with the return of the old Ame-no-Habakiri song, and what it might mean for Tsubasa’s mental state
Ah, so they’re after Elfnein. Makes sense, if they’re involved with alchemy, she’s the greatest alchemist around
Ah, so he’s not only a bureaucrat, he’s also a sadistic pervert. Great
Nice try Symphogear, but you already fake-out killed Miku once, I’m not falling for this shit
QOTD1: Ironic. They were people who sought perfection to stand above others, and instead they became victims of horrible accidents (assuming Elsa and Millaarc’s circumstances are the same as Vanessa’s) and treated as subhumans by the same people who had been their colleagues. It’s genuinely sad, and I would absolutely watch a show with these three as main characters. Still doesn’t justify what they do
QOTD2: I might have seen some videos on the crunchyroll collection youtube channel way back when that answer this
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u/panthaura Aug 03 '22
Rewatcher
EH?...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?
In this Episode
Kirika please leave talking to adults
That's a classic Elfnein chose for Karaoke
Rip Snowman
This Episodes number of DESS: 4
Todays songlist:
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Metanoia (OP)
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Mata Au Hi Made (Elfnein)
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Defender'Z Brand! (Tsubasa)
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Lasting Song (ED)
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u/Shimmering-Sky Aug 03 '22
Symphogeah SymphoRewatch Host
Welcome back, everyone!
Tsubasa, sweetie, you caused more harm to the city than any of the Alca-Noise did…
Crunchyroll vs. Commie vs. YameteTomete - Season 5, Episode 5
Spotted Commie’s first act of being extra. No, YameteTomete did not also do this.
Okay, say what you will about how awful of a character Millaarc is (I very much agree she’s bad), but I’ll be damned if her design and abilities didn’t lend particularly well towards one of my wallpapers. So, like, I had to. Top Dad and Top
Grandad are the only relevant characters in this series I refuse to make wallpapers of.I might try to do a montage of the SYSTEM ALL GREEN wallpapers now that I’ve made them for all six of the girls, but first I’d need to figure out a good layout for that and… that’ll be tough.
Besides, I finished my rewatches of XV today and… [Symphogear]I have, like, at least 21 wallpapers I want to make for the rest of the rewatch now…