So, I expected that the mysterious girl at the end of the previous episode would set the actual plot of this series in motion. The timing and mystery around her character seemed just right at this point in the series. What I did not expect however, was that we’ve suddenly got ourselves a princess among the main cast.
Obviously the show wants to go somewhere with this, but with this episode I can’t yet say exactly what. It also doesn’t really help that that princess has been very mysterious about what she actually wants of the Bentenmaru, causing her to actually stow away, leaving everyone around her behind. That’s not something that princesses are known for.
So this episode was mostly clever building up. I admit that the creators did find a good excuse to somehow have her appear at school, especially considering how half-assed these reasons usually are. As by the series standards: she feels very natural as a princess: you can see that the way she acts is princess-like, but at the same time she also just feels like a normal girl. I also liked how the first person who Marika suggested to escort her was Schnitzer. The creators are really building up this guy as the lovable tough guy of this series.
Another big mystery of this episode is why the princess was allowed to board the Bentenmaru while it was known that they would head into a combat situation. Again, a princess is about the last type of person that you’d want to bring there. It probably has to do with whatever she wants from the Bentenmaru.
Rating: * (Good)
Did you mean toward the end when they came to meet the 5 ships? It was because those ships are related to the princess and they were supposed to meet her. What is anomalous is the heavy escort that accompanies their ship though but they don’t qute expect to fight.
This is my favorite show of the season. Even though the characters wear silly outfits, I feel that the characters are the closest thing to actual real human beings I have seen this season. No moefied annoying little girls running around (exile) or some stupid fanservicey stuff (DxD) or some yet-wimpy-male lead (gc)the only other show that is pretty much on the same level with taking its viewers seriously and not thinking that were all 17 year old Otaku living in an apartment surrounded by figurines is Another. We definately need more shows like this. What the princess said as well during that conversation seemed to be some form of social commentary on the moe otaku pandering trend in anime (for those that caught it) this show is just wonderful. . .hell I don’t care if nothing happens, the characters are written wonderfully
I get the feeling we are going to have six episode arc adapatations of the books. Feels about right length wise.
*Like Haruhi
I love this show. It is by far my favorite this season.
This episode, the plot advanced in a really clever way, despite the fact that nothing “super epic” happened. Some shows, like Guilty Crown, try to make the story interesting by making every episode completely over the top, and they usually cause the opposite effect.
I also agree with the other comments about the characters. We actually have girls acting like RATIONAL HUMANS instead of being there purely for fan-service. I am totally excited to root for these girls on their journey.
Finally, the show actually has interesting development in terms of the characters. The girls, including the main character, aren’t just “natural” experts at everything. I hate when shows make children better at everything automatically. This show has the wisdom to make the captain talented but not TOO good at first.
“Another big mystery of this episode is why the princess was allowed to board the Bentenmaru while it was known that they would head into a combat situation. Again, a princess is about the last type of person that you’d want to bring there.”
Last Exile II’s General Vasant seems to think differently.
Last Exile II’s General Vasant seems to think differently.
*Last Exile II spoilers* Without Sara actually being there, Orang would not have defected and, assuming the alliance somehow was able to capture the fortress (rather unlikely), Sadri would not have agreed to a ceasefire. Her presence lends legitimacy to Vasant’s Alliance. Without her, it’s Vasant who could be seen as the rebel force to be put down with impunity by Luc’s forces.
In Moretsu’s case, the princess got caught up in the op before they found out a whole lot about the unknown combat situation, for one thing. Too many unknowns about what exactly the situation was. And she was the one who called for information from her home side so it makes sense for her to be there to collect it. You might say it was a calculated risk, given that the Benimaru can handle three escort ships on it’s own easily.
The “Princess in the Cargo Hold” is a long-standing Star Trek trope. Some are stowaways, some are in stasis; some are true royalty, others are just princess’like’; some come with a retinue, some come alone. But it’s nothing unusual. I’m liking its use here so far. It was also a nice way to formally introduce the crew.
Perhaps she’s not really a princess? Maybe, she’s an ‘enemy’ (in quotes because there /are/ no enemies so far) spy?
Reminds me a bit of Last Exile, with all the princess shenanigans, but who knows? Maybe the princess will prove to be the most ~bodacious~ of them all.