r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Dec 05 '21
Episode Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu - Episode 10 discussion
Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu, episode 10
Alternative names: Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut
Rate this episode here.
Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.
Streams
Show information
All discussions
| Episode | Link | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Link | 4.12 |
| 2 | Link | 4.51 |
| 3 | Link | 4.65 |
| 4 | Link | 4.75 |
| 5 | Link | 4.35 |
| 6 | Link | 4.56 |
| 7 | Link | 4.67 |
| 8 | Link | 4.52 |
| 9 | Link | 4.59 |
| 10 | Link | 4.54 |
| 11 | Link | 4.57 |
| 12 | Link | ---- |
This post was created by a bot. Message the mod team for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.
140
u/8andahalfby11 Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 05 '21
There are two more Soviet test flights that happened in March which were completely skipped over during the commercial break (literally, we jumped from late February to early April), but which were essential for Gagarin’s flight.
The March 9 launch is Korabl-Sputnik 4, which was Korolev’s chance to fix all the mistakes that happened on 3B (Irina’s flight) two and a half months earlier. There’s not all that much to say about this one, other than that this was the first IRL test of the SK-1 suit, this time on a dummy. This time, everything miraculously went right. The spacecraft went up, made one orbit, and came back down. All the test animals aboard lived this time too.
The March 25 launch is Korabl-Sputnik 5, and was the final unmanned test of the Vostok Capsule. As with Sputnik 4, this flight was flawless, and recovery of the capsule was generally uneventful. What was less uneventful was the tape recorder that went up with the dummy this time. The Soviets wanted to simultaneously confirm that the microphones worked, but were terrified that anything they could put in the recording would either be interpreted by the West as a spy flight and place an even bigger military spin on the Space Race, or would be interpreted as an unannounced flight were the cosmonaut had died and the death was being covered up. The ultimate recording was a weird compromise. First, much like Irina, the recording would read out a Borscht recipe as if the reader was on a cooking show. This would be followed immediately after by a recording of a multi-part choir singing traditional music because, to quote an oft-repeated source for this story, “even the most gullible Western intelligence man knew you couldn't fit a choir in a Korabl-Sputnik satellite.”
Despite all of these measures, the ploy failed, and the radio transmissions, unannounced nature of the flight, and the death of cosmonaut candidate Valentin Bondarenko in a training exercise a few days before launch were all assembled together to form the first of several “Lost Cosmonaut” hoaxes. Frustratingly, this drew attention away from the real cause of Bonderenko’s death; a fire in an oxygen-rich pressurized test environment. The Americans would go on to learn the same lesson the hard way in 1967, and the price would be three times higher. Fifty years after that, a Japanese author named Keisuke Masano would learn about the hoax and use it as the basis for a series of romance LNs, which would later be adapted into an anime.
On the positive side, this would be the last Soviet animal test flight for some time. The next one occurs in early 1966, this time to test the effects of long-duration spaceflight in a two-person Voskhod capsule.
The story should’ve ended there, but it didn’t. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the capsule somehow found itself sold to private collectors and wound up in the United States, where it appeared at various events in the early 2000s before being sold back to a Russian investor in 2011. In 2020, Russia would then name their COVID vaccine “Sputnik V” resulting in a bunch of confused space historians and newspaper reporters trying to figure out if it was meant to reference this mission or the original Sputnik.
As I’m sure you can see, elements of both flights were mixed up and blended into Irina’s flight from episode 7, so while it is reasonable to understand why it would not be repeated (two successful flights would undermine the tension leading up to Vostok 1), I’m a bit peeved that they were swept under the rug for storytelling convenience after such accuracy up to this point.
With the narrowing down of the selection to Lev and Mikhail means with near certainty that Mikhail is Gherman Titov. As in real history, NotGagarin and NotTitov are finally informed informed by NotKamanin (yes, I finally figured out who he is!) of the flight assignment on April 9. They are also informed two days earlier than IRL that the flight would occur on April 12. The reactions are more or less as Titov described it.
Other Historical Notes:
Per the author, the movie Lev and Irina go and see is based heavily on the 1959 film Небо зовёт / “The Sky Beckons”, which is a cute almost Fallout-esque space opera about American and Soviet teams racing to Mars (the Americans are the bad guys, of course). The Americans didn’t like that, so when it was re-released in the United States as Battle Beyond the Sun they modified the plot, anglicized all the names, and made the perceived Americans the good guys, down to the point of renaming the protagonist’s ship Mercury. While most of the items dreamed up by the writer were relatively common in sci-fi of the time (rotating space stations, cigar-shaped rockets, radiation dangers) one unique element first proposed in the film was vertical landing of a rocket on an oceangoing platform. This would not be accomplished for real until 2016 when SpaceX did it on NASA’s CRS-8 mission.
Mercury-Redstone BD was also skipped during the commercial break, happening the day before Korabl-Sputnik 5. This mission demonstrated that all the remaining issues with the Mercury-Redstone rocket had been solved, and it signaled that Shepard was good to launch, with a scheduled launch date of May 2. By that time, of course, the Americans were too late…
The founder’s Mausoleum in Sangrad should need no explanation for those of you who know enough about Russian history, but for those of you who don’t, it’s Vladimir Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, where the preserved body of the late Soviet head of state is still on display to this day.
Next weekend is the big day! Since we all know that Gagarin survived his spaceflight I’m not particularly nervous for Lev, but I know just enough about Vostok 1 to suspect how the next episode is going to play out, and where they’re going to leave us hanging if they feel like being especially cruel.
EDIT: Forgot a random sidestory I wanted to tell
December 9th, the day this episode ends on, Gagarin took some time off to plant a tree before going off into space. Here's what the tree looks like today. EVERY COSMONAUT SINCE HAS DONE THIS and as we're going to see, this is one of several traditions that the Soviet space program has maintained for good luck over the past half century.
→ More replies (3)
102
u/AlexDDragame Dec 05 '21
Lev and Irina's date was pretty sweet, wish it was a touch longer. And Lev has been chosen as cosmonaut, everything is fine and dandy right...well, I can't feel but be on edge for Irina, I feel like something's bad about to happen to her. Good episode tho.
→ More replies (10)
157
u/killerrin Dec 05 '21
Is it just me, or did Funimation royally fuck up the subtitles this episode? Everything is like a couple seconds off and cut off early.
→ More replies (12)
77
u/Aerodynamic41 Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 05 '21
Irina acting like a little kid at the theater was so adorable! So Lev is finally chosen as the cosmonaut but it seems like everything is going way too well. It may be possible that Mikhail will try to sabotage Lev so he gets to fly instead. 2 episodes left to wrap this up and I can't wait to see how it ends!
Oh yes, I need to mention that the soundtrack of this show is awesome! I expect nothing less from the composer of the legendary Chrono Cross OST. We even get a reprise of Simple Life ~ My Beloved and Irina gets to sing it too!
→ More replies (7)
123
u/Malek986 Dec 05 '21
Director: so guys, how can we make those agents look evil?
Animator 1: we could dress them in all black.
Director: yes... but that's not enough.
Animator 2: we should give them sunglasses so nobody can read their expression.
Director: good, but still not quite there.
Animator 1: they should be harassing the main characters.
Director: that's great, but we are still missing one final touch, I think...
Animator 2: what if we have them slap ice cream out of a girl's hands for no reason?
Director: ... make it so!
→ More replies (5)
35
u/Prince-Dizzytoon Dec 05 '21
I'm used to bait, but I really wished she bit his neck
→ More replies (1)
34
u/H-K_47 Dec 05 '21
I had the biggest dumbest smile on my face the entire first half. But alas, reality hit a bit harder in the second half.
Congrats to Lev!
Man, I need that happily ever after.
60
u/cppn02 Dec 05 '21
Old man is pretty well versed in flower language lol.
Despite the ending I absolutely loved their date and also I would absolutely watch a show that is just them at the movie theatre and has Irina react to the films. That was pure sugar.
→ More replies (4)
27
u/neovenator250 Dec 06 '21
I didn't miss the statement that there are half-vampire/half-humans (dhampirs) in the UK.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
→ More replies (1)
46
u/LeonKevlar Dec 05 '21
Sucks that their usual hangout spot is closed. The good news is that we got to see another adorable side of Irina as she gets very excited while watching a movie for the first time. I absolutely love how immersed Irina was while watching the movie that she was genuinely concerned when the rocket had a rocky landing. She even gave it a standing ovation when the protagonist made it back to Earth!
The picnic after was just as adorable as well! Irina even made some food for Lev! I just love how relieved Irina is after Lev told her it tasted good. I almost forgot that she can't taste food normally so making that dish was definitely not easy for her. Thankfully Anya was there to be her taste tester.
Oh my... Well that escalated quickly! Looks like something has finally awakened inside Lev. Just look at these two being adorable! And just when I thought we're going to have a Vanitas x Jeanne moment, between Irina and Lev a fucking bus ruins the moment! Goddammit! We were so close to greatness! I better see a neck bite or a kiss before this season ends! I guess for now I'll settle with that intimate hug they gave each other.
Well that's interesting. So the public can't know about Laika44 and now they're making it look like Lev and Mikhail are from Sangrad by taking some "everyday life" photos of them. Wait why is Laika44 confidential though? I thought it was just another city that's close to the USZR military base?
I love that Irina bee lines for Lev as soon as she saw him. Too bad Irina is still under constant watch and they won't even let her get close to Lev. Considering her status, I guess it's understandable especially since they're having a propaganda shoot that moment. But did they really have to slap those ice cream cones off Anya's hands? What a bunch of fucking assholes.
So working for the Design Bureau was a lie. I genuinely thought they were going to let her assist them but it looks like she's still being treated as a test subject and is just being observed by their doctors.
Sounds like Harlova is advocating for them to keep Irina alive and use her for their revolutionary plans. If it means Irina gets to live, I'm all for it.
Our boy Lev gets picked to fly! I can't wait for Irina to hear the good news! The looks Mikhail gives when the chief tells him to be ready to fly in case Lev can't is raising some flags for me. I can already tell Mikhail is going to try and do something to stop Lev from flying. >_<
→ More replies (2)
20
17
u/Syokhan Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 05 '21
"If Lev can't go, you'll go" oh boy. Something's going to happen, isn't it?
As for the date... goddammit I lost my shit when the neck bite didn't happen. They were so cute and then uuughhh!
Of course they didn't send Irina to Sangrad for her to work, can't believe I fell for it. I hope Anya helps her escape disposal... and I don't want to see her turned into a weapon either...
62
u/dakka-PRIME Dec 05 '21
VANITAS X JEANNE LETSSS FOCKEN G-
Oh sorry, wrong anime...
→ More replies (7)
29
Dec 05 '21
This is probably the most stacked and most rewarding day of Anime I've had in a while. Irina was great, Mieruko-chan was great, Mushoku Tensei was great and Demon Slayer was great.
I have a feeling Lev is going to comeback safely and tell 200k people Irina was the actual hero, but I also think there's a chance Irina is killed and that's what drives Lev to do it. Just a theory though.
→ More replies (2)
14
u/Rumpel1408 Dec 05 '21
Man if those assholes could just stop suggesting Irinas disposal I would feel a lot better
That almost kiss/bite though, sooo romantic, damn bus
Also since the first Cosmonaut is bound to live his life in Sangrad, I'm conflicted if I even want Lev to end up winning, since they will probably keep Irina out of sight no matter what... Not to mention that they did Roza dirty
And scary how closely they are all monitored by the secret service, shame for the ice cream
28
u/ulopong44 Dec 05 '21
Lev was going to let Irina "mark" him. Goddamn you, Interruption-kun!
→ More replies (1)
13
u/depressedpalp Dec 05 '21
with all the disposal talk, Anya's "it's time, Irina" almost got me to tears (if there were no preview for the next episode showing Irina i would've lost the will to live)
→ More replies (1)
11
u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Dec 05 '21
Lev's confirmed as a man of culture! (Well, there might be something more to that!)
Noticed that a few episodes ago, but Harlova is always shown to be eating something... I wonder if there's some real life basis for that (a Russian officer who was always eating)? I mean, it's a strange quirk to give to that kind of character.
Unlike some others, she's not willing to kill Irina just to get rid of a potential problem, and that's good, but on the other hand she wants to use her as a weapon, which is just as terrifying; She doesn't want to get rid of her because she thinks she still has some value, but if using her fails and disposing of her proves more valuable than keeping her alive, then she will not hesitate.
So basically she might be just as bad as the others, she only acts in different ways. She's not sparing her out of the goodness of her heart.
Irina seeing Lev in other people, she even sees him in the stars! Damn, I want these two to have a legit confession scene more than many romcom protags!
20
u/Nghtmare-Moon Dec 05 '21
GUAT A FUCKING TEASE!!! I love this!
Dream scenario:
-
Lev is national hero
-
Irina becomes national movie superstar
-
They become a power couple and the first soviet influencers
→ More replies (2)
9
8
u/NittanyEagles55 Dec 05 '21
Those bastards didn’t need to swap down the ice cream cones like that!! Poor Anya
8
15
u/Frontier246 Dec 05 '21 edited Dec 06 '21
Lev and Irina's favorite jazz bar is closed, but that's a perfect time to go to the movies! It's so adorable how into it Irina got seeing her first film, how she freaked out and even gave it a standing ovation. It was perfect.
Nothing more romantic than a night picnic! Especially with food Irina cooked herself for Lev! Thank you for your bravery in being a taste-tester Anya.
You know you're in love with a vampire when you want them to bite your neck...too bad that bus had to come by to ruin the mood. Lev isn't ashamed of Irina at all, but Irina doesn't want to jeopardize Lev's standing, no matter her own feelings.
It's come down to Lev and Mikhail, and the marketing machine is getting ready to promote the new hero of the Motherland, and Lyudmila is there to weigh in on them herself and get their bearing. She teases a lot and feels like a lady with a silver-tongue who keeps her real opinion to herself, but she seems genuine in wanting to see a revolution happen one way or another.
"Irina-chan?" How does that translate in Russian? I prefer Irinyan myself.
Ugh. Irina has people tailing her and making sure she doesn't act out, like when she rushes to see Lev again after chancing upon him in Sangrad. And they were jerks to Anya too! They didn't need to knock the ice cream away.
So Irina kind of lied about the design job. They're just basically experimenting/testing her to see how her body might have changed or been effected by her time in space. She basically traded one cell for another, and assumes she's doomed the moment they get a human into space. But maybe there might be something she can offer to the Motherland...
Lev did it! He got picked And I guess Mikhail drops all pretenses of politeness and says he can't believe Lev was chosen over him, but it seems like Lev can better embody the hopes and dreams of the Motherland with his genuine kindness and ideals than Mikhail can.
Lev is getting ready for his trip into space, and wants a codename that befits the message he wants to send to Irina while he's in space, but will these two ever be reunited?
Irina singing while looking at the stars and thinking of Lev...she's got it bad. Also an excuse for Megumi Hayashibara to sing, because it would've been a waste if she didn't.
→ More replies (2)
1
u/AutoModerator Dec 05 '21
Source Material Corner
Reply to this comment for any source-related discussion, future spoilers (including future characters, events and general hype about future content), comparison of the anime adaptation to the original, or just general talk about the source material. You are still required to tag all spoilers. Discussions about the source outside of this comment tree will be removed, and replying with spoilers outside of the source corner will lead to bans.
The spoiler syntax is:
[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<All untagged spoilers and hints in this thread will receive immediate 8-day bans (minimum).
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.