Shangri-La – 09



Now these really are the episodes that show why this series rocks. There’s just so much going on, it’s mostly building up, and yet it’s still intriguing and compelling, it cleverly uses things from past episodes, while also progressing forward with its plot. My biggest fear was for Kuniko to go emo, but even taking that into account I have faith that she’s strong enough to pull herself past this and grow even more.

I love how at first, the tunnel Takehito and the other members of the Metal-age was used as a cute gimmick in order to keep them busy, and yet in this episode it actually became relevant to the plot again when Kuniko wanted to rescue the rest of the inmates. While it may have been a bit extreme to kill all of them off like that, it definitely made impact: with it, the creators really show that they’re not going to pull any punches and that Kuniko has been majorly underestimating her opponents.

The fight at the beginning of this episode also rocked, especially Momoko vs. Sayoko: two sadist who take on each other. It was overall a very well coordinated fight: it showed a lot of things at the same time while never staying too long at one point. If the creators can keep this up we’re in for a very good second half. I’m also interested to find out what in the next episode, Momoko’s impact on Atlas will be, including the revelation who she actually was for Mikuni.

And there was so much more going on in this episode. The revelation of what exactly Hiruko is also was awesome: it’s basically a possessed schoolgirl in Atlas. Karin also has major troubles with her own Medusa, who seems to have taken a random nap, only to awaken again in this episode, but much more aware of his surroundings, it seems.

The one issue for this series is of course going to be whether or not the series can come together in the end, but that’s of course the thing with any series with a huge setting like this one. I’ve seen quite a few people label it already with a “Gonzo Ending”, but really, are Gonzo’s endings really that notorious? I can actually recall quite a few endings from Gonzo-series that were really, really good. Of course they’ve had their shares of disappointing endings, but that’s the case with any studio. I’m actually much more wary about Bones’ Endings (rushed ones) or Sunrise ones (overly epic ones).

And on a final note: I’m liking the soundtrack of this series more and more. After Phantom, it’s definitely my favourite soundtrack of this season, and you can hear that a lot of effort went into producing it. It’s really varied and every piece seems to be different and complements the series perfectly.

Rating: **
Really well told episode: there’s always something going on but nothing dragged or rushed.

5 thoughts on “Shangri-La – 09

  1. *_*

    YOU MAKE ME MORE EXCITED TO WATCH IT! OMG!

    I was supposed to watch it hours to go but for some reason there’s somethign wrong with my streaming again T_T crunchyroll hates me recently. I only saw the first few minutes, and it doesn’t want to continue anymore.

    roar.

    sorry for ranting ^^;

    anywayz, I wish Kinuko won’t be going emo as well. I think she’s a strong character so hopefully she can move on.

    I’m loving how this series is doing so far. please don’t let me down again this time Gonzo *_*

  2. After the last several episodes, this one seems so straightforward as it moves the plot along and weaves more of the disparate threads into its fabric.

    Sayako is a bit creepy for my tastes, otherwise the scenes between her and Momoko would be some of the highlights of the season. I also liked Mikuni’s self-centered expression of her concern for the injured Mi-ko: “She’ll panic if she awakens and I’m not there for her to see!”

    They play yet another game with the viewers’ expectations by turning Takehito’s mission from disbelief-tangling plot-element to joke to bringing it back into the plot in a credible fashion.

    It’s 24 episodes? I’d thought it was 12, but it seems I was wrong (that’s a relief — it’s hard to see how the ending could be anything other than a rush, otherwise).

  3. I had thought that Ryouko’s order to massacre the girls was just a whim: now I’m wondering if it was all part of a meticulous plan to force Kuniko to go emo …

  4. Perhaps the blog author comparing it to Guin Saga actually made me have unrealistic expectations this series would actually be good.

    Maybe I should have known with its schoolgirl protagonist it was going to be shite. Not that I have anything for girls being the main characters – Battle Angel Alita IS awesome and they really should make a full anime of that instead shite like Shangri-La – what a waste of money and talent.

    The only saving grace is Momoko groping the men – hilarious.

    Anyone else thinking this anime is trying far to hard to be clever and quirky; It certainly ain’t no “Genius party”. Who wants to explain the shinto torii gates? Oh and the occult possession girl thing Lord Hiruko – so obvious I mean we’ve had everything else right.

    I was disappointed that Kuniko didn’t kill herself with guilt, would have saved the world this travesty.

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