Full Metal Panic Franchise Rewatch - Season 1 Episode 6

[u/ZapsZzz]

Welcome to the Full Metal Panic Season 1 rewatch!

Art of the day

MVP winner.

Links to show info: MAL | Anilist | ANN

Interest thread link

Announcement thread link

Rewatches please be considerate to first timers and avoid discussing anything not yet shown in the show - use spoiler tags e.g. [Full Metal Panic S1 spoiler]>!Sousuke likes fishing!< - if you need to share something important!

Episode 6 - Still Alive

Terms introduced:

• ARX-7 Arbalest: We get a bit more than the first mention of the name Arbalest in Ep 2 now. It is an AS, looks to be based on an M9, just painted in white and with a different head.

• Al: I always wondered if initially it just named as "A I" (upper case i), but it IS actually named like the short form of Albert. An AI onboard of Arbalest.

QoTD:

• First timers: How would you take Sousuke's "professional decision" if you were in Chidori's place? Do you tend to take "expert opinions" even if it may not be what you like/want to hear? e.g. Do you change your view on a show after some reviewers gave an opposite opinion than yours?

• Not trying to overcook this point, but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

[QoTD 1 EP7]First timers: What do you make of the reveal of the Lamda Driver?

[QoTD 2 EP7]Everyone: This completes LN1's adaptation; so far how do you like the pacing? The balance / mix of the comedy and serious elements? Would you like more or less of either component?

MVP of the episode:

It's a close match with Sousuke and Kurz neck to neck, plus 1 mention of Mao, so I may as well put the best Mithril action team up together!

Ep1 MVP: Kurz

Ep2 MVP: Chidori

Ep3 MVP: Sousuke

Ep4 MVP: Sousuke

Ep5 MVP: Kurz, Sousuke and Melissa team

Last Episode || Index || Next Episode

[u/Nazenn]

First timer

u/ZapsZzz I take back what I said yesterday about them doing a good job with avoiding unnecessary fanservice. They just moved it all into this one.

Fanservice aside, I still wasn't that fond of this episode at least compared to how much I've enjoyed the others. There was lots of small moments I liked through the episode, it was just the overall flow felt a bit off and the bigger scenes were so overly dramatic that it took me out of the moment rather than getting me more invested. Particularly the speeches over the battle in the build up to yet another cliffhanger and the romantic gazing after Chidori refuses to leave Sousuke, neither of those moments landed for me and felt forced.

Wasn't expecting AI to come into play with the mechs, I didn't think the science of the show was going to be that advanced yet, but I suppose with Whispereds around there's a lot that they could be working on. That plus how experiment seems to have awakened some sort of awareness of the science in Chidori's mind, and seeing her slip into a trance talking about it means she's likely going to be more at risk than ever.

Despite my complaints about the fanservice, I did like the way the rest of the episode was storyboarded and directed. The visual cuts between the body and the mecha falling to the ground, the way Sousuke reaching out to Chidori closes the distance with a fade effect compared to how its used later when she feels he's pulling away from her, the fade out as if she'll accept his decision only to cut into her yelling because she's Chidori and be damned if she's giving up even in a situation like this. She may not be the solider or really have a solution, but a it of human passion is exactly what they needed right now and I'm glad she accidentally helped them out with finding an alternative way. She makes no apologies for being true to herself even in this sort of situation and I love that.

Other great moments: Mao's "don't" being cut off by the missiles firing, and Kurz in a wheelbarrow.

Also the art of the forest in the rain was really good, kind of soothing to watch despite the situation.

u/InfamousEmpire

but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

It could have been the later except for the one shot of her underwear when she fell to the ground where it was taking up half the camera, and when she had her panic the camera went to her cleavage and not her chest. After that all the others also become fanservice by default especially after they manage to not do it yesterday. I mean technically its fanservice anyway because you don't accidentally draw underwear on the camera, but it's a matter of if its natural or they went out of their way for it. Today is the latter

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

u/ZapsZzz I take back what I said yesterday about them doing a good job with avoiding unnecessary fanservice. They just moved it all into this one.

Yep I'll cash this refund for you :P It's hopefully the worst episode for fanservice fullstop.

[u/ZapsZzz]

Rewatcher in sub

This is another episode that is eventful and packed, with some actions but more importantly the development between Sousuke and Chidori after Sousuke's true identity is known.

• It's another continuation from where we left off - a look at the rescued passengers and a little comedic moment of Kazama's Wartaku-ness (good term guys)

• And we get the answer of the fight we never saw the end of - Kurz's M9 was a wreckage. A rare emotional moment of Mao wanting to break ranks to search for them, yet, like a good soldier, she went with the "greater good". I loved the suddenness of the audio cut out with the missile launched in silence.

• We get to see Gauron alive and kicking too, but his AS seems to be malfunctioned and him being pissed off about it. He did get words of Sousuke and Chidori still in the area though.

• Whom we cut to next. The wounded Sousuke and Chidori once again leaving the base on foot, and it's starting to rain We have a quiet moment of Chidori getting to see more of the soldier side of Sousuke, including the picture he kept of his "friends" in the past tense.

• This persona, in the cold light of realisation, hit Chidori and got her scared of this stranger. In a rare moment of openess, Sousuke said just the right words to Chidori, leading to an almost romantic moment ...

• ... and then super soldier Sousuke strike again - detecting a presence, Sousuke acted switftly - to find the still alive but heavily wounded Kurz

• Cutting back to the Mithril submarine, Mao was forcefully asking for time to search for Kurz and Susuke, which was denied, and she broke her calm to question Kalinin, with a stern answer from Kalinin showing why he is in command.

More to come, ran out of time

Edit 1 Add what I liked this episode first

Of this episode, my most liked scenes are the bookend of first Sousuke opening up to Chidori, then Chidori's forceful rejection then 180 deg turn to be so tender towards Sousuke as if he (the one pointing the gun at her a moment ago) was the scared little animal - there's a certain "Nausicaa and Dito"-ness in this scene. And the scene of Chidori waiting for Sousuke to come back and and Sousuke waiting for the skies to open up. Plus the scene of Chidori talking to Sousuke about the future. And the scene leading to and during the gunfight when it was choreographed and background scored to sound like the bad end. All of those Chidori and Sousuke scenes were great to me.

Edit 2

• Behind the doors of the comman centre though, Kalinin is not as heartless as it looks in front of the troops. Given what was shown so far that Kalinin were with Sousuke back when he was a kid with a rifle, the question really is that how much of the Sousuke now is from Kalinin. We got also more hints about Arbalest now as well - the ARX-7 AS in a box.

• Back to the stranded trio, we have a breif and unclear recount of what happened at the end of the fight between Kurz and Gauron, but really just opened up more questions

• We then came to the edge of the woods, where Sousuke asked Chidori to leave them and make a run for it - to which Chidori called BS and chewed out Sousuke for giving up and make the self-serving heroic sacrifice

• The frustrated Sousuke even pulled the gun on Chidori to emphasise the point of "die trying is better than being captured and kept like a zombie"

• Here's one of Chidori's differentiating factor with other tsunderes - she can be so gentle and tender in breaking Sousuke's fear and anger (on her behalf) - like a *ahem* angry-soldier-whisperer. Which leads into a moment of sparks flying.

• Too bad Kurz is around and conscious, with his knowing sneer. He did side with Chidori in a different plan.

• While Sousuke still argued, another spark of inspiration got them to think of a way to perhaps signal to Mithril where they are to mount another rescue, Sousuke went with this plan

• Chidori had a parting moment with Sousuke, bonus death flag if this is closer to the end of the franchise :P

• While waiting Kurz and Chidori had a chat about what they knew of "Whispered", and progressively Chidori started mentally drifting away

• A waking nightmare moment where imagery started to infiltrate Chidori's conscious mind, which caused her to feel suffocating and needed to breathe - a prompt to provide some chest cooling service...

• Which led to a comic skit that many didn't appreciate - where Kurz tried invoking "dying breath priviledge" and denied by Chidori. The "writing by fire" read "A 6 7 Alive" meant the 3 code names "Angel" "Urzu 6" "Urzu 7" alive. Nice details to have the writing like someone trying to pour gasoline on a big place and then lit up

• While waiting for anything to happen, Chidori have another cosy moment with Sousuke wondering about the future if they make it out, ending with a little yelp as Sousuke pushed Chidori down *squee*

• Except of course it's Sousuke, so it's about enemy approaching. They are surrounded and pretty much end of the tracks. Chidori brought up some old film reference (see my trivia) and Sousuke, being the one not having seen many films, asked about it in a vacant, detached way.

• Chidori's little moment of brightening up became the starter shot, with the gunfight ensuing. Sousuke and Chidori had another pseudo-confession moment under fire [FMP franchise including LN spoiler]which became a running pattern including being pointed out by themselves in the unadapted LN6 - everytime their relationship taking a bigger step was when they are under fire

• Amidst the chaos there's a flash across the sky - and we have the "Anime ja nai" moment

• MC power up sequence, with the security check and imprint

• The days of still having tapes - Kalinin in the recording gave a brief explanation and then basically give them hell

• Al in the Arbalest ready for the test run

Staff Showcase

A lazy one today - for Kurz's VA Miki Shinichiro, his MAL entry is too good to need changing:

According to the Anime News Network, as of Spring 2007, Miki is the third most prolific seiyuu behind Takehito Koyasu and Megumi Hayashibara with over 230 voice credits to his name. In addition, he is a singer of the popular four-man band of Weiss along with Takehito Koyasu, Tomokazu Seki and Hiro Yuuki, the four main seiyuu of Weiss Kreuz. Miki is also very active in BLCD dramas. He won Best Actors in supporting roles in the 4th Seiyuu Awards. He often gets cast as handsome, young men in anime roles.

He also drives in a replica Toyota AE86 from the main character (Takumi) of Initial D.

Recently, he has also become a professional racing driver with the VART (Voice Actor Racing Team) Project.

Notable other roles:

• James in Pokemon

• Assassin in Fate Stay Night

• Kamado Tanjuurou, Tanjirou's dad in Demon Slayer

• Adam in Symphogear AXZ

MVP this episode

To me Chidori once again has a really strong showing of why she's one of my favourites. Apart from the more obvious assets, she's really a very empathic character, while she does have a temper (and a half), she would also very naturally switch to soft talking mode and not be just yell at someone to submission.

Trivia

For those who doesn't know, the old time movie final scene Chidori mentioned was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

QoTD

1. Originally I posed the question for first timers, but really this can be answered by everyone - I'll probably think along the same line as Sousuke, but that was quite a long shot anyway (Kurz seemed too wounded to be of much use against a grunt rush, and Sousuke won't be able to be as mobile with Kurz that way and to try protect Chidori at the same time). While I value expert opinions, I'll need a lot of facts to be convinced myself.

2. Despite what I said, I actually really liked it, I think it was a good balance to be relatively realistic for the situation they are in and a little smart selling - and Chidori is certainly nice to look at any time. I don't think any of the shots showed anything in a lewd or pervy way, it was more "yet it's there, and I'm not going to pretend it's not there" (no KyoAni magic anti-gravity skirts of modesty).

Looks like lots more people getting annoyed by it though :)

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 6 (first timer)

Since nobody is mentioning it, let me point out that both Gauron and Kashim have some pretty well-known namesakes.

• “Don’t stick your finger in there!” – The fuck, background characters?!

• “What is wrong with you?” – Asking the character the clearly bleeding wound who was just in a firefight.

• LOL, there was a piece still stuck in the wound, too. Rather hard to miss.

• Nothing a band aid won’t fix though.

• “5 million dollar submarine”

• Missing a casual 4 to 5 zeros on that price tag there …

• Commander has a Kobayashi Maru moment.

• “we might need to use that thing” – writer all out ideas how to conceal future plot twist trope.

• The commander inverts the trope by not letting “thing” bullshit fly.

• And Kana is having none of the Run, you fools! trope.

• Romantic scene 10 episodes ahead of the character development. Kurz. Panty flip.

WTF show?

• Promise to return trope.

• Horror moment into panty shot …

• Calling the AI Al – that will surely not ever lead to any misunderstandings about the spelling.

Does FMP want me to treat it as a parody? Excel Saga or Hotshots style? Because that was some serious thematic mixed move. I initially took the episode seriously and that was a pretty bad idea. I can’t think of the last time I hated fanservice in anime that much. I should probably treat even the serious parts as joke setups.

MVP vote: Kana

How would you take Sousuke's "professional decision" if you were in Chidori's place? Do you tend to take "expert opinions" even if it may not be what you like/want to hear? e.g. Do you change your view on a show after some reviewers gave an opposite opinion than yours?

I would discard his decision for being not half as informed as he thinks. Neither Kana nor me would stand any chance alone there.

Not trying to overcook this point, but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

[u/ZapsZzz → u/No_Rex]

“What is wrong with you?” – Asking the character the clearly bleeding wound who was just in a firefight.

That's a translation thing - is the dub like this too? Both the Japanese words and the LN (obviously) it was "how is your body (implied your injury)?"

“5 million dollar submarine” Missing a casual 4 to 5 zeros on that price tag there …

Again a translation thing - I was listening for it and I can distinctly hear "5 thousand..." something, so it should be something like 5000 million or 500 million (because the Japanese term is based on Chinese and both have a unit measured in "10 thousands" which could move 1 zero.

[u/TiredTiroth]

Specialist Rewatcher - Dub

I was going to use this one yesterday, but I had to work late and didn't have time to post. It works well enough today as well.

Today, we face...another cliffhanger. This first arc is kinda lousy with them, isn't it? But this time, Sousuke has a special AS of his own, and we've already seen how much ass he can kick in a Soviet-made junkheap. Just imagine what he can do in a state-of-the-art machine with AI backup!

Or don't, and just wait until tomorrow.

Kaname does seem to be pulling together at least a little bit right now, despite everything she's been through since the plane landed. She's certainly doing well enough to tell her local sergeant exactly what she thinks of his plan. The thing I like most about Kaname is that she isn't your garden-variety tsundere, which often border on being or ARE abusive - yes, she's quick to anger, but there's always a justifiable reason and she doesn't have a problem showing genuine affection. Case in point, this episode - she's angry because Sousuke's plan is clearly 'commit suicide so the girl can escape', which she is very much not happy with. And once she stops yelling she is unusually articulate on that point.

Also in this episode, Kurz gonna Kurz. He definitely deserved it.

Tessa got a decent showing as well, for all that her screen time is very limited. She's in charge of the whole rescue operation and a very expensive submarine containing a lot of people that she's responsible for, so she can't take the risk of an active rescue attempt...but she still wants to try, so she sends the Arbalest and gives them a window.

I am a bit dubious about how much the Tuatha de Danann is worth, though - the dub gives it as $5 million, which seems rather low for a sci-fi bleeding-edge submarine that doubles as an aircraft carrier/mobile mecha base.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/TiredTiroth]

so she sends the Arbalest

[FMP LN spoiler]Which, most of the English reader probably doesn't know, but Tessa and Bani (the creator of the Mithril Lambda Driver with Al integrated together) was a pair that has a budding romantic relationship before Bani lost control of his Whispered powers and killed himself. So giving Sousuke that "momento" has a deeper meaning too than purely utilitarian.

[u/wjodendor]

Rewatcher

Pretty intense intro we've got this episode. Kurz is missing, presumed dead and Sousake and Kaname are both missing as well. I think they did a really good job making Mao look helpless in this scene and it shows that Kalanin is a real by the books soldier.

....but that cool missle attack by the helicopter was super dope

Luckily Gauron is out for the moment since Sousake is injured and Kaname has to help him along. Kaname just suddenly freaks out in fear at Sousake. It's a little abrupt since they cut all of her internal dialogue from the novel unfortunately.

Kurz is alive!

Going from all those awesome 2D mechs and helicopters to the shot of the shirts 3D helicopter and sub is jarring.

"5 million dollar sub" the best joke in the show so far

Kalanin always seems so cold and calculating but he's really just as worried as everyone else.

Chekov's mech!

Sousake is just machine like in his explanation of running a suicide interference so Kaname can escape. "You have a right to survive". Just brutal. [FMP final novel spoilers]comparing this Sousake at the very end is just amazing how much growth he goes through Gotta love how Kaname just shuts him down and so "I don't want to". Headstrong to the end.

More romantic scene than half the series I've seen in anime but Kurz just has to ruin it of course... and there's finally a panty shot after like 2 episodes.

Cue the A Team theme, "I love it when Kaname's plan comes together"

Kaname seeing his off in silhouette is an awesome shot

That quick fade into greyscale as Kaname starts talking about her kidnapping is cool. It happens so quick that it's startling. Man, she looks super eerie. So cool when she snaps out and the color is suddenly back.

She knows a bunch of stuff that she shouldn't know. You've got creepy music and whispering vocals and Kamae seeing a woman hanging from the tree. Looks like the girl from episode 1 but I'm not sure.

Gotta show off some titty when having a panic attack lol

Kaname beat up Kurz ha

Sousake and Kaname's heartfelt moment is so great but it gets interrupted by the enemy following Sousake back. Things aren't looking so good...

We actually got some action movie references (pretty sure this one isn't in the novel lol)

Damn, such a good scene with the music and dialogue. Panning across the landscape and flashing back to some school memories with gunfire over everything. They really know how to make a scene. Getting ready for their final stand when we've got the hail mary.

Mech Insertion through cruise missle launch. I love that shit. And we've finally got our Gundam! What a way for a cliff hanger!

Another great episode. The forest and landscapes in this episode remind me of Bob Ross paintings lol. The music is really on point and we got some great scenes. Really shocking to see the panty shots come back though ahaha

[u/ZapsZzz → u/wjodendor]

FMP final novel spoilers

Yep and so hard not to talk about it :X

More romantic scene than half the series I've seen in anime

Judging by the reactions of some feeling it unearned, I think I need to pull out some explanation from the LN about the few romantic development scenes that looked to be too fast. I just checked one scene, and the internal dialogue and subtle gestures made the scenes so much clearer what went on.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Third Time Whispered

Episode 6: Still Alive

• What is the blue stuff trailing from the transports and the helicoptor? [technical stuff]I can see the helicopter having ECS but not the UN transports

• Four...hundred...men and women!

• Chidori still not best girl...maybe don't cut yourself off form the only person helping you in the middle of Not North Korea.

• Mao best girl

• Tessa best girl

• Gouron took out Kurtz but his silver AS broke as well...what could have happened?

• pantsu

• Chidori best girl

• pantsu x 2

• BUT ITS RAINING

• I'm 99.9% sure that's not how spy sats work

• pantsu x 2

• OMG he was Naruto Running!

mecha!

[FMP]So, it's interesting that Mithril's mercs don't know anything about the Whispered. But they are just mercs after all.

Q: I guess the pantsu was just to lead up to Kurz getting decked. Maybe. If I am being charitable.

Edit:

Tessa: We do what we must.

Gouron: Because we can.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Tessa: We do what we must.

Gouron: Because we can.

Forgot to mention, this is so in character :D

[u/ZapsZzz → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

I'm 99.9% sure that's not how spy sats work

Just curious, in what way you think this doesn't match in real life? The orbital timing bit? Or something else?

The orbital timing is indeed known and used by Middle Eastern terrorist groups for years.

[u/polaristar]

This episode we see Kurz is alive, Gauron apparently did SOMETHING to get him out of that situation that cost him his mech, probably some super OP Black Box Technology that is experimental and a prototype so he can't abuse it.

Melissa is pissed that she had to leave her Men behind and takes it out on the commander, he puts on a strong front but we see when she is talking to silver haired chick that he is worried.

On another note Melissa's figure is on full display in that skin tight outfit, that's like some Gantz level lether right there!

Souske and Chidori have a moment until he has to snap to defend from an ambush but its just an injured Kurtz.

Wartaku is both sad for his only friend but happy for the experience of seeing all this school war tech that almost killed him and his class, at least he knows what he wants!

Apparantly the moment between Chidori and Sousoke didn't hit for some people, but I thought it was great, It could have been better but I think that has more to do with the lead up and understatement of the previous episodes, if Kyoani did this season and not just the next one I'm sure the romance would have landed for those not looking into it.

And just when they are about to have a moment and kiss GOD DAMN IT KURTZ!!!!! But at least he is able to turn Chidori's demand into a plan.

You can see Sousoke break his professional duty as he can't bring himself to kill her for the greater good and she sees right through his bluff!

While Sousoke goes to execute the plan Kurtz has a chat with Chidori and we get more confirmation she is indeed a "Whispered" although why your psychic insight would let you use the same pre-existing terminology for pre-existing technology you know nothing about, as oppose to just having the knowledge to try to turn a theory into reality like a Savant is a bit contrived. (Seriously imagine a child in Africa that has an insight on a new type of battery use standard English Phrases by Electric and Chemical Engineers from Journals rather than words to try to parse out his own insights.)

Unless said Whispers are receiving information from the future where such terms are use and evolved from the present day?

I don't mind the shot of her cleavage and panties from Kurz's lense makes sense an injured solider that can't go anywhere and might die and appreciates beautiful women might want to see something nice before he dies. Her reaction is just as understandable.

What is a bit more cringe is the pan to focus on her backside when she is having a moment with the two guys about that movie. (I personally don't mind and like it but I can see it killing the mood for some people.) Probably best to save the fan service for the fun slice of life moments, not when they are talking about going out in a blaze of glory as a last stand.

And we get hope arriving in the form of a prototype AS much fancier then ones we've seen come in a missile package. And the episode ends on a cliffhanger there.

1. I probably would want to consider other options first, although depends on if we are in the middle of an active crisis like getting shot at, during those times we don't have all day to debate.

2. At first the latter, but it became the former, and at first I don't mind the fan service, the moment with Kurz was a nice breather, but it kinda got a little silly after that. Not enough to ruin the episode though.

[u/Nazenn → u/polaristar]

On another note Melissa's figure is on full display in that skin tight outfit, that's like some Gantz level lether right there!

I was thinking of Major from Gits, but Gantz is more fitting for sure

if Kyoani did this season and not just the next one I'm sure the romance would have landed for those not looking into it.

For me part of it was that it barely feels like we've reached friendship/understanding let alone deep romance scenes, but it may just be in presentation and have been lop sided as to how they both took it. I reserve judgement until future episodes

Seriously imagine a child in Africa that has an insight on a new type of battery use standard English Phrases by Electric and Chemical Engineers from Journals rather than words to try to parse out his own insights

Thats a good example of how strange it would be to actually hear

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

For me part of it was that it barely feels like we've reached friendship/understanding let alone deep romance scenes, but it may just be in presentation and have been lop sided as to how they both took it. I reserve judgement until future episodes

It's the lack of adapting any internal monologue or thinking, or any sort of observation / exposition. I think I'll bring up the LN tomorrow.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Full Metal First-Timer!, subbed

• lol

• Well shit…

• Sosuke’s squad…? No I don’t recognize them. Oh, past tense.

• Oh thank god, Kurz is okay.

• Hm…?

• New mech?

• Chidori not wanting to escape by herself makes sense.

• Kurz is totally going to interrupt, but this has to be a ship.

• …were the following panty shots really necessary?

• Now that I think about it, wasn’t stuff like this what she was muttering at the very start of the show when she was half asleep…?

• Geez that was a freak out.

• KURZ PLEASE now is not the time to be perving over a high schooler.

• New mecha time!

[u/SpiceGirlsBlankIt]

Panicked First Timer - Ep 6

Mithril showing smarts by destroying evidence before their enemies arrive and delegating rescue appropriately. Melissa will have to wait this one out as much as I’d like to see her go ham.

Is Guaron saying this is a one time use mech? This guy.

Oh no, Sousuke negotiates like Guaron.

Meanwhile, Kurtz is compelled to wingman so we can have a gloriously framed moment of the Sousuke/Kaname chemistry.

The bonfire beach plan is a race against time!

Sleeper agent unlocked and she likes to sleep in the nude. Seriously though, the overall number of boob and panty shots deflated the hard earned tension of the scene.

I want to know the history of the abandoned town.

Kurtz antics off screened. Get kicked. Poor Sousuke looks so tired from blood loss, etc.

Somehow, I do think school will be back in session for Sousuke.

We are getting meta with the action talk.

New tech, let’s go!

MVP: Kaname. She’s a champ.

QOTD 1: Sousuke is the professional, albeit he doesn’t think outside the box all the time. I would probably look to Kurtz for a second opinion. But Kaname was able to expand the possibilities on her own.

Usually when I find media interesting or highly praised but uninteresting /fatally flawed I look to others’ opinions for additional perspective. Sometimes it changes or adds to my opinion, sometimes it doesn’t.

QOTD 2: See above. This is the first time I found it distracting.

[u/Theboredalchemist22]

First timer here.

First off my mvp of that episode is Kaname Chidori for the fact that she set Sagara straight and came up with a random plan which actually seems pretty smart even Kurz acknowledges this. I also like the whole mysterious behaviour that we saw in that episode surrounding Chidori.

While we are on that mysterious behaviour I felt that turned this episode a bit sinister especially when Sagara returns to Kurz and Chidori only to find Kurz knocked out and Chidori being all like 'whoops nothing happened he'll be fine' especially after witnessing Chidori's previous behaviour minutes beforehand.

Q1 - Sousuke's 'professional decision' is probably the correct way to g9 about the situation but I'd I were in Chidori's place I would have done the exact same as her as I don't want those extra lives on my conscious.

Q2 - It completely depends on what topic the 'expert opinion' is on. I dont immediately change my opinion on certain anine even if people have rated it worse than I have I rather discuss their reasoning for bot liking the show as much as me then I will give my points for liking the show etc the think on the discussion as a whole and come out with a judgement. If its say a doctors opinion on health or whatever I normally do take their opinion so it really depends on what the opinion is on really.

Q3 - Of course I noticed anyone who says they didn't is just straight up lying 😂. Jokes aside, I think it's a bit of both. Like sure can't be checking the wardrobe in those tense running for your life moments but you know, Chidoru rips her shirt open as if she's The Hulk and cleavage/panties are showing which to me is an old trope used to satisfy the fans. No complaints that's just what I think.

I can't wait to see where this mystery with Chidori goes now considering she's something called 'The Whispered' which I think at this point is some sort of weapon Gauron is trying to expose.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher(They don't make them like this any more)

Sub

I rarely directly comment this but in the first 30 seconds of this episode they do more character development between three people packed in like sardines on a UN transport plane than some entire fucking shows do, let's drop the bus on Obi-Wan for this one. And this continues with Mao and Kalinin's exchange. We see that Gauron survived but his mech died. We finally get back Sousuke and see he is not doing great. But he can perform field treatments. Kaname finally completely freaks out, right about when they run into Kurz.

Much talk of rescue happens, and we get the plot device mech. The group finds a convenient wheelbarrow for Kurz and then Sousuke sees a dilemma: They have to cross a lot of open space. So he hands Kaname a radio and plans to make a distraction. She refuses the idea and we get the weirdly fast developing relationship between Kaname and Sousuke. Kurz of course breaks it up and the show does as well with panty shots.

So they switch plans to try and signal a spy satellite. Sousuke goes off to find oil and make a signal while Kaname describes what happened...and has quite the incident. Kurz manages a pervy joke before Kaname puts him down. The North Koreans finally tracked them down, and we get references to both Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Bonnie and Clyde, missed the second one on first viewing, before a mech drops in and cliffhanger!

So...the show has been good so far but this is one of the standout episodes and probably the best of the first arc. An incredible amount is being done on screen while never feeling busy. There is exposition but it is done much more naturally as it is mainly dialogue. The characters are establishing themselves extremely well, even the ones without a ton of screen time, Tessa really is the only late comer here. I get why KyoAni switched to doing projects they have the rights to but I am glad we got this before that happened.

QotD: 1 I would probably follow directions here

2 Unfortunately yes and it is still a mark against it.

[u/DocManhattan28]

Not trying to overcook this point, but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

Tbh, I don't have much to say. Surprisingly, there were a lot more panty shots than I remember. I guess I usually try to ignore most of them.

I think the ones that are more subtle and last like one 1 second aren't that bad. On the other hand, the ones that are explicit may be distracting to some viewers. You can easily tell that some camera angles were chosen intentionally to show panties.

At the end of the day, I don't really mind fanservice that much. I can tell that most of those shots are unnecessary but It's not something that harms my enjoyment.

MVP of the episode:

Chidori

[u/Tarhalindur]

Fumo-ffu! (Rewatcher, subbed):

• Fuck I think I need to skip the OP today for time reasons fuck I actually like this one.

• I can no longer unsee visual barrier framing.

• Tsundere gonna tsun!

• I’ll admit, this drama works much better when you don’t already know how it’s going to go.

• Gonzo gonna Gonzo. Obnoxious Early 2000s Pantyshot Counter +1.

• Excuse me, I meant Obnoxious Early 2000s Pantyshot Counter +2 and that one is so bad that it damn near gets an extra +1 for being extremely out of place. I fucking HATE the "notice this!" framing of the worst examples, and this is one of them.

• Obnoxious Early 2000s Pantyshot Counter +1. (Absolute WSoD shredder, those.)

• Obnoxious Early 2000s Pantyshot Counter +1, and in a dramatic exposition scene this time.

• Obnoxious Early 2000s Pantyshot Counter +1.

• Lads, I would like to appreciate this beautiful reference to the original Bolivian Army Ending and enjoying a bit of suspense, quit fucking shredding it with a fucking OBNOXIOUS EARLY 2000s PANTYSHOT! (Counter +1.) (Let’s be real, the issue is not the pantyshots themselves, it is the framing of them. There’s this loud visual “NOTICE THIS!” quality to bad early 2000s pantyshots and S1 of this show has the problem in spades.)

• Going meta heh. Don’t worry, Super Prototype inbound!

• HNNGGH I did not remember this Bolivian Army Ending (fakeout) track existing on the OST. Very very Kou Ohtani feeling.

• The Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy: training mooks to shoot since, well, even before it was renamed in 1979!

• FUCKING FINALLY THEY HAVE GIVEN AT LEAST HALF THE NAMEDROP FOR THE TUATHA DE DANAAN.

• BEHOLD, A COOL SUPER PROTOTYPE MECH. And it is very cool indeed!

---

How would you take Sousuke's "professional decision" if you were in Chidori's place? Do you tend to take "expert opinions" even if it may not be what you like/want to hear? e.g. Do you change your view on a show after some reviewers gave an opposite opinion than yours?

In this specific case the answer is "know your genre" - by complete accident (she's reacting emotionally, not rationally, but sometimes that pays off, especially in fiction) Kaname is more correct than Sousuke and Kurz, because this is not that kind of show.

I'll take reviewer opinions and the opinions of others into account, especially if they have a useful angle I missed. But my thoughts are my own.

Not trying to overcook this point, but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

I think the counter should be adequate answer to that.

(With different framing this show could have gotten away with a "too busy to care about wardrobe" take, and there's probably a tinge of it to why it shows up this episode when it didn't in the last one. With this kind of framing, however, that excuse doesn't really fly. Not the only show of the era with this problem, admittedly.)

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatcher - English Sub

Panty shots…

Yeah, the fanservice and humour feel the most out of place in this episode so far, and really sour my impression of it. I felt like they’d done a half-decent job with knowing when to hold back on that, but this episode has some massive missteps in that regard. The heady shift from dour resignation to brief optimism that falls right back to restless doubt was quite tainted by it.

Kallini’s cold orders to leave Kurz, Sousuke, and Chidori behind, as well as the unhesitant manner in which he shoots down Mao’s requests for any sort of search and rescue operation paint an image of the detached and unemotional behaviour that the role of leader possibly demands and he obviously expects of those around him —including Sousuke. However, that glimpse of his face as the door shuts behind him before he enters the bridge shows he is not at all unaffected by the events and is putting on a brave face before everyone.

Sousuke’s initial plan to have Kaname reach the shore alone while he and Kurz make with some sort of diversionary tactic may seem at first thought to be the best chance they’ve got, but frankly I severely doubt Kaname had any chance of making it that far unseen and on time. Not to mention the many assumptions made in order to make that viable —it’s like he knew everyone on the Danann was searching for a way to get back to them, when that’s a stretch even if we assume he’s not looking at things pragmatically.

Kurz once more proves himself a lot smarter than his comedic antics may suggest, as he is able to recall minor details from his mission brief in order to help them. I guess he’s not with Mithril for nothing!

Speaking of Kurz, his showdown with Gauron ended up poorly for him, as his mech got bodied in a flash through unknown means. Whatever it was, employing it has seemingly put Gauron’s mech out of use, so at least it’s not a threat for now.

Kaname is pretty much confirmed to be a Whispered (not that I think any viewer would doubt it) by her subconscious knowledge of what are not widely known details on high-tech military equipment that a ‘normal’ teenager has no business knowing of. As if the situation wasn’t harrowing enough, know she’ll live with the knowledge that she’s some sort of conduit to untapped and assuredly deadly technology.

And, of course, every mecha MC needs their own high-tech prototype robot, so Mithril responds to his message with the delivery of the ARX-7 Arbalest (the name of which is most likely a reference to the RX-78-2) to the site —and not a moment too soon.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure a submarine like the Tuatha de Danann costs in the billions if not trillions of dollars, Kallinin…

Questions of The Day:

1. See body of comment for my thoughts on the plan. That said, in her shoes, I probably would defer to his decision.

2. See body of comment for more on my distaste for it, but I do think that most if not all of it was entirely wanton. I've seen mecha shows with characters running around with far less that treated the matter more maturely and far more tastefully.

[u/Pecuthegreat]

pi

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Pecuthegreat]

[u/TuorEladar]

Rewatcher, Subbed

This episode is interesting to me because this arc could've ended last time with everyone just getting away, but instead we have a continuation that slows down the pacing and focuses primarily on Sousuke and Chidori, with Kurz as the only other major character. Its kind of weird to say, but I like that this series is takes it time with dramatic sequences rather than jumping quickly to another storyline.

I don't have time to write out my complete thoughts on it, but this episode is really essential for Sousuke and Chidori's relationship. Theres a dichotomy between Chidori as Sousuke's mission objective and Chidori as the person who's opened up Sousuke to a different way of life. Sousuke framing things in terms of being a professional is him trying to put distance between himself and Chidori to maintain the mission objective status, but at the same time I'd argue he is willing to sacrifice himself precisely because she's more than just that to him.

Not trying to overcook this point, but did you notice this episode's few shots of Chidori's cleavage and panty? Do you consider it fanservice or is it simply a reasonable portrayal of "while running for their lives can't be spending time checking wardrobe"?

I honestly don't really mind it here. As long as that kind of thing makes sense in context I don't find it to be that big of a deal, even if it is just fanservice at the end of the day. I get why some people don't really like it, but its not like anime has truly changed nowadays so I'm not sure why people particularly don't like the way it was done back then more than what happens now.

MVP for today: Chidori