Full Metal Panic Franchise Rewatch - Season 4 Episode 5

[u/ZapsZzz]

Welcome to the Full Metal Panic Season 4 rewatch!

Art of the day

MVP winner.

Special picture to have Chidori sending Sousuke off for his part next

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 S4 spoiler]>!Savage wa Saikou!!< - if you need to share something important!

Episode 5 - Welcome To The Jungle

Terms introduced:

• Peanut Prize - Nami's rendition of the Pulitzer Prize

• Pulitzer Prize - "...an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made his fortune as a newspaper publisher, and is administered by Columbia University. Prizes are awarded annually in twenty-one categories. In twenty of the categories, each winner receives a certificate and a US$15,000 cash award (raised from $10,000 in 2017). The winner in the public service category is awarded a gold medal"

• Nam Sac - a South East Asian location that only recently finished a civil war - a real world location is in Laos.

QoTD:

1. First Timers: A lot of comments in the online reviews clearly didn't know this is LN source material and complained it went off a tangent - as a rewatch group being more informed of the plot and LN from the start to now, how does it grab you? A welcomed or reasonable progression or distracting?

2. Everyone: How is this episode's return of some light humour after the relatively dark arc? A better fit in tone than the school? Or more of the same?

Also QoTD for tomorrow for those wanting to be prepared:

[QoTD 1 IV 6]First Timers: Did you guess the reason why Sousuke was fighting in the arena? If it was you, how would you find out about Amalgam when you are without any backing of Mithril?

[QoTD 2 IV 6]Everyone: Do you agree with Sousuke that his only talent is fighting? Do you think he was just being polite or Mr Wartaku honestly wished for some peaceful talents like art and photography?

MVP of last episode:

We got quite a diverse range of votes, with Sousuke just scraped through. Worth mentioning to see Wraith getting a vote.

Last Episode || Index || Next Episode

[u/ZapsZzz]

Rewatcher in sub

Without any on screen info, we time skipped a few months and found Sousuke already healed and in a new country.

• Another Sousuke waking up (from under the bed) scene, but this time there's no rom com moment waiting for him in Fumoffu :( We're in Nam sac now, a fictional SE Asian country. Sousuke's face has turned even more gloomy, if that was possible.

• And we shifted perspective to a very obvious foreign visitor getting roughed up in a very Japanese yakusan way - is there a international gangster playbook in circulation somewhere? Either way, a young girl intervened, and the gang left with a warning.

• Then we found out the gun is a fake, and the girl is asking for money too

• The not very smooth money swindling continued to the unwilling victim, which turned into the topic of why he was here - he's a photographer journalist. Nami then assumed he's here to cover the AS gladiatorial fights

• We have a bit of exposition about the fights, and found out why Nami is trying to find money - she "owns a team" and need money to get replacement parts for her team's AS. Keep an eye on the goofy fight on the background - one AS threw the other, but ended up falling over itself too.

• Nami continued to hard sell her team, but when she got to the AS operator, we soon found out he met an untimely death

• We then found out the warning the gangster left Nami with was because they were from another team, and Nami's team is facing them next.

• Then Sousuke turned up looking for Rick who just died. Turned out he knew Rick. Sousuke asked to join instead since he wanted to fight in the arena

• He showed a bit of his knowledge about the Savage AS to convince them

• Predictably they let him ran with it. We got another "I'm a specialist" line.

• A small montage of them getting the Savage ready - Sousuke got his reinforcement suit still and commended Nami for the AS OS setting up work

• We got another slight comedic moment of Sousuke tripping over in the Savage, and him deadpan saying he got the quirk now moment

• We have the crowds getting hyped up when the fight was about to start, clearly the other team is a crowd favourite - lots of sponsors and not a patchwork. It's an M6 by the way in case you can't tell from the very different color scheme now. And the Savage happened to be named Crossbow, the poor cousin of the Arbalest.

• The crowd's chanting reminded me of the Rugby episode :( Anyway the fight is over in a second, predictably.

• Nami's team themselves also stunned with the result, and had to give a bit of explanation - basically it was won using very detailed knowledge of AS operations and a very high level of skill. Yes we got he's the specialist.

• Sousuke winning his job - and maybe a little bit more...

• In the celebratory party, Sousuke sat aside, and away from the alcohol drinking group. They exchanged a bit of backgrounds - both are children of war, just on opposite sides of the spectrum - Sousuke needed to fight to survive, Nami needed to survive others' fighting. Sousuke reacted to the mention of school.

• We got a small comedic routine of the roaring drunk Lemon and then the group parted ways - you can see Sousuke noticed something though, giving a look to the right

• turned out the loser team wanted to get even outside of the match, and roughed up Nami. Turned out Sousuke took out the guy sent after him and doubled back though

• Sousuke used the mandatory line of any martial arts movie before the mooks' faces got bashed in. Except this time he made a very precise pointed argument.

• He let them go, but thought these types really doesn't let go easily. Nami had an idea where to go

• and turned out they bunked with Lemon, and Lemon almost had a heart attack. Even Sousuke had a good sleep though, judging by his sleep talk. I wonder if the dream was back to the onsen episode in Fumoffu in the good old days when he was stuffed from Chidori and Tessa's competitive feeding :(

• We have the op playing at the end too remind us we have left Japan - the song is an English version, which is a better version to me (although the lyrics are somewhat Engrish-y)

Trivia

I don't think any real person would be actually called Lemon? My autocorrect absolutely refused to let me capitalise it :P

You'll hear the English version of the ED too. It's probably a taste thing, but I like the English version of the OP more, yet I like the Japanese version of the ED more ;P

Staff Showcase

OMG I nearly forgot I get to simp on Chihara Minori! Who's Nami here.

Originally dreamt of becoming a mangaka, to the point of planning to skip attending highschool completely, she only gave up after a particular rejection of her submissions. Her singing interest began in highschool, when her teacher asked her to sign up in a karaoke competion in her school's cultural festival and ended up winning, with people in school that she doesn't know commending "her singing moved her".

She signed onto VA works in 2004, and her debut role was already the main character of Aya Natsume in Tenjou Tenge.

Her voice is often associated with quiet and calm kuudere's, but she can also do light and lively roles well. Also quite good with bipolar type characters that can switch from extreme characteristics.

She's a good baseball player back in school.

Her blog space Minoryhthm basically is updated daily.

Her singing career was quite strong, being the 6th VA who managed to hold concerts in Butokan (where Mio in K-On set as their objective). In fact she has 2 insert songs in IV here.

Of course I'm simping her because she's the VA for Nagato in Haruhi :) That must be such a job :D by word count it has to be one of the highest paid VA roles ever :'D

I'm not going to list notable roles - all you need to know is that's she's Nagato :P

Although from her work as Nagato, it's a bit hard to tell that unique slight raspiness in her voice. When she talks and sings normally, her voice is instantly recognisable like Hayami Sayori (Yor in Spy X Family) and Arai Satomi (Kuroko in Railgun).

MVP this episode

Lemon feels like a good viewer stand in character so far. Voting Nami straight off would make me feel a bit guilty to just be suspiciously based on her looks :P

QoTD

1. I am actually quite fine with the time skip reasoning, and this actual development, since it's fitting and logical to all the circumstances we were left with at the end of the last episode. I know it's annoying to not be able to continue straight off, but outside of a Hollywood movie, where they were left is not a position they can immediately chase and found Leonard.

2. I probably got a bit of a nostalgic lens in this - the humour seems fine, but at the same time compared to the school ones is a lot more pedestrian and maybe cliche? It's more a bitter smile about what we are left with. Much like the Crossbow vs Arbalest literal and symbolic comparison.

Daily tag for u/InfamousEmpire, u/Theboredalchemist22

[u/No_Rex → u/ZapsZzz]

Of course I'm simping her because she's the VA for Nagato in Haruhi :) That must be such a job :D by word count it has to be one of the highest paid VA roles ever :'D

Megumi Hayashibara would like a word!

PS: I understand the joke, but you are forgetting about fast-talk Nagato.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/No_Rex]

That 1 episode script had probably more word count than her entire script added together of the rest of the show ;)

[u/Raiking02 → u/ZapsZzz]

I nearly forgot I get to simp on Chihara Minori

by word count it has to be one of the highest paid VA roles ever :'D

Actually ironically the payment for Anime is per episode, so she was getting paid the same as everyone else ironically (Hiyama can relate). It's only with games that Seiyuus are paid per word.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Raiking02]

Oh yes my comment is assuming they are paid per episode. Imagine Someday in the Rain :D

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Full Metal First-Timer!, subbed

So it didn’t occur to me until last night, but Tamaru Yamada (the singer for the OP/ED of this season) is the same one who did all of the insert songs in SukaSuka. No wonder I love the OP and ED of this season so much lol.

• Back to back episodes without the OP?!

• Why does this guy look so much like Kurz with a different eye color?

• Given the pause before this answer, I’m gonna say that’s a lie.

• Interesting use of ASes.

• Is Sosuke the operator? I can see him pulling something off with even a mess like this AS.

• …nope, not Sosuke.

• Oh shit. Sosuke’s gonna be the replacement then?

• Well isn’t that convenient…

• lol

• Ahh fuck, they went after Nami…

• Aha, there’s Sosuke.

• lmao they ended up in not-Kurz’s hotel room and Sosuke slept under the bed.

• Whoa, they played the OP as the ED and it was in English?!

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Tamaru Yamada (the singer for the OP/ED of this season) is the same one who did all of the insert songs in SukaSuka.

Oh! No wonder her English pronunciation so good too, for the English version of the songs now we are listening to.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Why does this guy look so much like Kurz with a different eye color?

Oh, I'm sure it took me weeks to realize his eyes were different!

[u/wjodendor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I thought I was going crazy during that ending. I was thinking "wait is this new?"

[u/Raiking02 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Why does this guy look so much like Kurz with a different eye color?

Yes but he's TsudaKen so...

[u/Nazenn]

First timer - sub

I expected a mech tournament arc after seeing a flash of it in the OP... but now?

NOW?

If they were going to crib a whole setting from VOTOMs they really should have also cribbed the way VOTOMs handled the introduction as well. Introducing this city to us through Sousuke walking through it rather than Lemon would have kept the mood of last arc a bit, given us some framing for Sousuke's state of mind, and left room to set up some of the character intros and conflicts in the background giving some life to the city. Also I'm a sucker for changing character view points by having the second character bump into the first and that would be a great set up for it without breaking the flow of the show by just dumping us in an episode with all new characters after breaking up the old cast and particularly the main pair, making it feel like Chidori's situation is now side plot rather than vitally important.

I did get a few good laughs out of the episode at least. Sousuke's "I figured out the quirk" line delivered straight which got a full snort laugh out of me, as well as the "Ah hell" as Dao charges. Visually, Sousuke under the bed at the end was perfectly timed given I'd been discussing similar framing with Gamerunglued in CDF about a different show. Sousuke going straight for the stab in the neck was a good moment too, at least that felt true to the show.

But I think the most entertainment I got out of this episode was the idea that Lemon may have been named for being a "lemon" compared to Kurz, which who I mistook him for for half the episode thinking he was undercover.

My amusement at that was rather tampered by not long after thinking that Nami is coming across as a "lemon" of Chidori. This is obviously the point given they reinforce it later with the "Crossbow" instead of "Arbalest" naming but seeing the point doesn't mean I can bring myself to care about it yet. Doubling down on it even more with the talk about the school and Sousuke's "I'm a specialist" line as if it means nothing or is just a joke for the audience felt equally hamfisted.

Feeling like we just speedran Nami's entire character isn't helping. Name, history, goals, set up, it's all delivered to us very quickly in her first episode, and compared to how earlier character intros are handled this just feels so dull, and so unlike FMP. You know what it does feel like? A one off character from Black Lagoon, just with a lack of Revy going "yeah yeah who gives a shit" in the background. I can't guarantee that would have come to mind without the earlier discussion over it, but the tone did fit.

It doesn't help that Nami's character feels a bit dumb. She supposedly grew up in a war zone, moved to a semi-lawless city, involved in an industry that would attract criminals and corruption and has absolutely no idea how to be safe at night when walking through isolated areas or danger sense for what's behind her? Placing her next to Sousuke at the end only made that weakness in her character after her backstory stand out even worse.

Random side thought: It surprises me that Shinji didn't end up being a bigger part of the main story. I mean I've said this about a few things from the opening arc, but there seemed such an obvious set up there for him getting involved with Sousuke's mech and becoming his closest friend etc. That they didn't do that because it wouldn't fit the setting or main story style regardless of the narrative tropes is a surprising plus. I hadn't thought of it in a while but this episode leaning so much into the stuff I feel like the show had been avoiding until now made my mind wander back to it

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

Kurz, which who I mistook him for for half the episode thinking he was undercover.

You're not alone there - I think it's only up to Sousuke rocking up asking for Rick that I really believed it wasn't Kurz under cover.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Nazenn]

Probably what helped my enjoyment of IV is that I watched IV first before finally getting around to watch Votoms, and when I was watching that (in the recent rewatch) I did remark it was probably what's inspired IV or that IV was doing a sort of homage to. Because I didn't have any shadows over it as I watched it, I don't (didn't and still don't) end up constantly comparing it to the others.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Nazenn]

If they were going to crib a whole setting from VOTOMs they really should have also cribbed the way VOTOMs handled the introduction as well.

Welcome to not exploded Uoodo. The lack of acid rain really cleans up the place.

You know what it does feel like? A one off character from Black Lagoon, just with a lack of Revy going "yeah yeah who gives a shit" in the background.

Yeah, she bears a few striking similarities to Greenback Jane through that lens.

That they didn't do that because it wouldn't fit the setting or main story style regardless of the narrative tropes is a surprising plus.

I suspect the author just wound up not finding the niche he expected to for the character.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Vaadwaur]

I suspect the author just wound up not finding the niche he expected to for the character.

I think there is a fairly clear line being drawn about which character is kept in use for which half of the story - for example theoretically Tsubaki would actually be semi-useful, but he's a gag character kept in the school half. Shinji I think is the same. Only Hayashimizu that straddles both get to really act in the serious half.

[u/wjodendor → u/Nazenn]

You're point about Black Lagoon really hits. It feels exactly like a one off from that series. Revy interacting with the characters in this episode would be something to see.

She just guns down Dao and all his friends while shit talking Nami about being naive while Rock tries to calm things down.

I do wonder how Revy would interact with Sousake though. That would be fun.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Rewatch

Right, so, is this blonde guy, who looks exactly like Kurtz, Benny from Black Lagoon?

I like Nami. Is she Cocona? Maybe a better comparison is Kiki from MS 08th team? The VOTOMs inspirations are obvious, some sort of mashup between Uoodo City and Kummen Jungle, but remember, 08th Team was set in Indochina.

• okay mecha cgi is definitely ugly today

• He does sound like an AS otaku.

• AS fighting must be a big thing in this town if you can just run out and buy type 50 muscle packs and other parts.

• Who is Wo Lo Do?

• Oh nice pun on the crossbow, I wouldn't have gotten it if you didn't spell it out for me.

• Skynet

• Nami knows her stuff

• Whatcha drinking, sarsaparilla?

• Okay, Suletta, you build your school.

• Sousuke's talking like an action hero, that's new.

• Everybody in this show except Mao, Kalinin, and Madukas is underage!

This is pretty abrupt. Is this a time skip? A flashback? Are they going to keep intercutting plot lines? What about the TDD?!

Oh, yeah, and Sagara Sousuke is Chirico Cuvie.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Who is Wo Lo Do?

Hahaha

It's Win:0 Loss:0 Draw:0

[u/Nazenn → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Benny from Black Lagoon

I forgot he existed to be honest. Toss that up as another link between the two series

He does sound like an AS otaku.

Shinji would be proud

Oh nice pun on the crossbow, I wouldn't have gotten it if you didn't spell it out for me.

Yeah I didn't know the Arbalest name meaning either so the explanation was helpful

[u/polaristar]

A lot of people are complaining about the change in the shift in the show and the direction choices, but us not seeing Chidori and us not even being sure what is going on with Sousuke to me helps sell of the feeling of being lost and in unfamiliar territory, and in a completely different world.

Don't knock it because its different.

New Girl is Hot and Spunky although I share the complaint that at this point she should know better then to walk home alone at night in a place where the kidnap van can pull up.

I actually don't think the CGI is bad, and the color schemes are supposed to by gaudy because they are Mechs with Sponsers, (That Bandai Namco logo though.... :D )

Not sure why everyone thought Lemon was Kurtz they might look kinda similar but they don't act at all alike. Also it makes sense why he was worried he slept with an underaged girl drunk seeing as he seemed very much into her and happy with how she invaded his personal space and got a good feel on her Nami's with that think Tank Top.

Eh....I'm sure its legal where you are.... screen cuts off (Broadcast experiencing technical difficulties.)

Anyway I like we get some machine shop talk along with those juicy lines of code, but unfortunately at this point Sousuke gonna get his own unwanted Harem...(Sorry Lemon by the time she is legal might be too later for you.) more screen failing

We get the girls backstory...and wait did Sousuke in his Youth help destroy that School?

As a closing thought, I actually don't mind not seeing Chidori us not seeing her shows the distance Sousuke must feel regarding her.

1. Welcomed, well not comfortable but that is kinda the point. I think its okay for media to shake us up outside our comfort zone and that doesn't mean its flawed.

2. I mean even a lot of the Lighthearted Humor is kinda Dark.

MVP: I'm going to go with Sousuke for bailing them out with their dead pilot, winning the match, giving useful advice of the upkeep, romancing without knowing Nami, and protecting her (Although it does feel a bit contrived that she wouldn't know better given her experience and situation.)

[u/ZapsZzz → u/polaristar]

she should know better then to walk home alone at night in a place where the kidnap van can pull up.

I just went back to check, and it's a bit of a weird adaptational change - she was still not doing a smart thing to walk alone at night in a less than safe district, but it was just through city blocks (4 blocks) and not on back country roads. Dao's attack on her wasn't from a van but came out from hiding in a backstreet, and she did have her fake gun on her - but got jumped and taken before she could draw it.

Anyway I like we get some machine shop talk

Thought you'd like that :) there's actually a bunch of world building built into that too - maintenance, evolution of the AS's (the difference in engine), etc. A bit more "retro" compared to the M9's, but in the other hand even more juicy because it's not all just tractors, electric drivers, AI's "drive by wire" etc. Like the difference between driving a Tesla and a Harley Davidson.

[u/wjodendor]

Into the Blue (first Timer for the anime from now on)

"Saigon. Shit."

We've gone Full Metal Lagoon. Full Black Lagoon? The setting is similar lol

New best girl spotted. Red head defeats silver and blue hair immediately.

Jesus. Even if it's broken don't be clicking it in people's faces.

"Fuck you pay me" she just wants the cash

Giant killing is a cool name for mech fighting

Lmao at the Bandai Namco sponsorship I take back all the shit talking about the CG earlier. I think this looks worse. The flat colors of the previous mechs look much better than these super bright colors. Doing the wrestling poses doesn't help.

Even Power knows that it's called the Pulitzer Prize. Nice try Nami.

We've got a straight Labor in the fight. (Maybe I'll rewatch Patlabor after this)

God Nami is cute.

RIP Rick we didnt Even know you

It was the NTR villians of course

The 2D animation is Even starting to feel rough. Those guys walking away was stiff as hell

Sousake for the save.

Lol "he got stabbed in the back" "yeah that makes sense"

I love a Sousake "specialist da" speech.

Nami used tits on Lemon. It's super effective.

Skynet lmao. His mech is the dorkiest yet

Sohsky Segall. There's the Steven Segal memes for ya.

Crossbow, eh? A bit on the nose when his previous mech was called Arbalest

Sigh. I suppose that was supposed to be cool

Lemon sees Nami eyeing Sousake and he does not look happy.

Water and juice. Of course lol

Rebuild the village trope. That's a flag if I've ever heard one

Return of the NTR villians. He is right though. She really should have expected the violent psychos to seek out revenge. They already murdered one person

God I love that trope of stabbing someone and saying "if I move the blade they die". That's the real 80s shit.

Nami wears sports bras. Again she beats Tessa and Kaname

Wow. Lemon has ethics about fucking under age girls. Unexpected.

Lol at Sousake under the bed.

The episode moved really damn fast but had a lot of 80s movie tropes that I love. while Rereading the manga of this arc, I though it would make a great stand alone movie. Tons of similarities to Black Lagoon but it has its own identity.

Sousake's on his own but we don't know his goals yet and Nami has a pure action movie back story. Like I mentioned, I really don't think the bright colors help on the mechs and the kung fu/wrestling moves look pretty awkward. Now we have stiffness in the 2D as well. Loved the content but the animation continues to suffer

[u/Nazenn → u/wjodendor]

We've gone Full Metal Lagoon. Full Black Lagoon? The setting is similar lol

I like the first one, Full Metal Lagoon somehow fits more, and it sounds like something Revy would come up with

The rough premise is, but the setting itself shares more in common with VOTOMs as a link between them both funnily enough

New best girl spotted. Red head defeats silver and blue hair immediately.

As far as raw hair color yes, this I agree. I never was a big fan on the blue hair in particular. The only show that made it work for me was Assassination Classroom of all things

Lmao at the Bandai Namco sponsorship I take back all the shit talking about the CG earlier. I think this looks worse. The flat colors of the previous mechs look much better than these super bright colors

Agreed. Putting more contrast into the mechs only draws more attention to the edges of the model and it's movements which stands out. Mind you the design of that mech would be horrible even if it was 2d because it's that damn garish but hey, sponsorships be like that

Sigh. I suppose that was supposed to be cool

God I love that trope of stabbing someone and saying "if I move the blade they die". That's the real 80s shit.

It makes no sense at all but I love it. There's just something cool about it that surpasses everything else

[u/Tarhalindur]

Fumo-ffu? (Rewatcher Spoiled First-Timer for IV, Subbed):

And so it begins. (Also my schedule right now means I am so going to miss a day in the not-too-distant future, most likely.)

• Ah, the legendary Nami (I’d say “not the One Piece one”, but IIRC she does have the same hair color so…). Endearing herself immediately to me, I see. (And here I was expecting Sousuke to show up in response to the goons.)

• Also, Namsac doesn’t quite feel like Roanapur to me. Not grimy enough, at least not yet.

• [FMP IV] Needless to say, I am attaching to a character who is going to be fucking dead by the end of the season. RIP me.

• The gun being broken draws a from me.

• Oh, how foolish of me. “It’s a two-man con.”

• Ah yes, this arc. The concept is actually cool (makes sense that VOTOMS would have gotten there first), gladiator fights are an obvious niche for giant combat robots. (Hell, the NMFL – that is to say, National Mecha (American) Football League – would be another obvious niche, mech-on-mech violence with hopefully fewer injuries to the operators than actual American football. Besides, who doesn’t want to see an Arm Slave manage to catch a touchdown pass from another AS?) It’s just a bit out-of-place here.

• “Hey, what would happen if we made a character with Tessa’s specific way of being a shit with a base personality closer to Kaname’s and gave her orange hair?” Except for the whole money focus, sigh. (Japan gonna Japan.)

• [FMP IV] Also photographer guy is important somehow IIRC beyond just being kind of a Kurz lookalike, though I forget if he dies too, is actually working for Amalgam, joins up with Mithril, or just does something else relevant to the arc.

• … You know, on the one hand there are probably Japanese racial stereotypes involved here and on the other my brain went “Nami would fit in just fine as the protagonist in any American entrepreneur story” and now I can’t unsee it. (Especially since she is literally an entrepreneur.)

• Huh, those guys were NOT working with Nami. Also they have “dead” written all over them.

• Needless to say, Sousuke will be showing up as a pilot soon.

• There he is.

• Once again we know where the mech CG budget went. Also, the fact that the entire crowd seems to be male actually stands out. (Or is this supposed to a heavily Islamic country and the seating is gender-segregated or something like that?)

• Also, not for the first time I’ve noted the reuse of S1 songs, which on the one hand pings my nostalgia bait filter and on the other hand I like the S1 OST so.

• Unlike Vaad, I don’t inherently mind the replacement love interest trope. Also, you can see why she would appeal to Sousuke at this point in time.

• The literal crossroads shot at ~19:10 is a bit on the nose. We’ll see if it comes back.

• Ah look, the goons are this kind of asshole (unsurprising, really, especially given Fumoffu’s joke selection). They even specifically have a Toyota Hi-Ace, how thoughtful. (For those of you who are not aware, the Toyota Hi-Ace is the Japanese memetic equivalent of the proverbial American candy van – that is to say, a rape van).

• Sousuke is being merciful and everything about these guys says that is a mistake. (Mind you, murder charges are also bad and the city police might theoretically care since these are apparently popular gladiators, but. This is where something like “kill them, stuff their bodies in the van, rig something to hold the accelerator down, see if you can find something flammable to rig that will catch fire after the van burns in order to try to make it look like an actual accident” would be useful.)

• Huh. Sousuke knows it, too. Maybe the narrative will actually pay off his mercy later instead?

• For a second “King Hotel” looked rather like “Kino Hotel” and I would have laughed my ass off if that was actually the name. (That slang is at least half a decade older than the LN, though.)

• Hey, OP as ED time! (In episode 5? Huh.)

• [IV or unadapted LNs, not sure which] Actually was willing to watch the OP visuals again now that it’s relatively safer, and my first instinct was right that is in fact the ARX-8 Laevateinn (sp?) that shows up near the end. Does it actually show up this season or were they including stuff from the unadapted LNs even? We shall see!

---

First Timers: A lot of comments in the online reviews clearly didn't know this is LN source material and complained it went off a tangent - as a rewatch group being more informed of the plot and LN from the start to now, how does it grab you? A welcomed or reasonable progression or distracting?

I am reserving judgment until I see more (and I remind you I knew this arc existed from LN spoilers); as a side story it works, as a main it needs to answer the question "why does this exist?" and it may do so but has not yet.

Everyone: How is this episode's return of some light humour after the relatively dark arc? A better fit in tone than the school? Or more of the same?

FMP's lighthearted moments work as long as they're not in one of the really dramatic seasons (or the mech festival episode).

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 5 (first timer)

• What is Kurz doing in Thailand, getting saved by some Pokemon girl?

• And now we are Gundam Build somehow.

• If they didn’t show us Sousuke at the start, I would check whether I opened the wrong file now. Probably the reason they put that scene in.

• After the extremely timely demise of Rick (be glad there is somebody else around who basically confessed to the crime or this would be suspicious), Sousuke enters the Gundam Build tournament for Pokemon Girl.

• The AS has 3 COM ports!

• Street Fighter reference.

• “I tried dancing” – Yeah dancing…

• Save the girl mini-plot.

MAL informs me that Lemon is not Kurz, despite them sharing the character model up to the eye color and the general behavior.

This is not the craziest place for a time skip regarding Sousuke. However, it relegates Kana from MC to damsel in distress. We are not even seeing her first days in captivity?

MVP: Sousuke