Short Synopsis: The second episode centres around Takashi Wako, as he gets to be the first to play the game. Good: Gosh…. that ending. Bad: Still no real bad points. Overall Enjoyment Value: 8/10 I never understood what people have against slow mechas. Okay, they’re less testosterone-inducing, but slow mechas are far more realistic than these fast ones. I mean, where do they get the energy to swing a sword of roughly 3000 kilogram along with the speed of 400 km/second? Anyway, before I start with the episode, I think it’s best to make a small list of the characters, as I just know I’ll forget their names if I don’t, especially with such a huge cast. Takashi Waku, he’s probably the most stereotypical character of the cast, but even he easily defied the clichés in the second episode. He’s impulsive, likes to say what he thinks, and he’s really good with football. He used to be in a top-team, though I think his father made him quit. Masaru Kodaka will probably cause a lot of conflict in the future, as he likes to get into arguments with others. I believe he was the one who tried to burn the crab in the previous episode. Kunihiko Moji is about the opposite, and he likes to be on the good side of everyone. He’s also one of the more mature members of the cast. Isao Kako is playful like Wako, but less innocent. Wako never really insults others, though Kako doesn’t really care whether he does or not. Daiichi Yamura is probably the most level-headed of the cast, I like him. Kanji Yoshikawa is sortof like a combination of Waku and Yamura. He’s carefree, though slightly mature at the same time. Jun Ushiro is your typical elitist, he regards himself above the others, and doesn’t talk much, and when he does, it’s without a lot of respect. Yosuki Kirie is an interesting character. He’s overweight and incredibly shy. Especially Kako likes to yell at him a lot. Now for the girls: Mako Nakarai hasn’t had a lot of screentime, and my memory is a bit fuzzy about her. More about her later. Aiko Tokosumi, the one with the blonde hair and the hat is one of the more talkative females. Probably one of the more normal ones as well, I like her somehow. Chizuru Honda seems a bit like a shy girl; with her my memory is fuzzy as well. The second episode was more about the boys than the girls. Takami Komoda has the most objections out of everyone. Judging from the OP, she has a really high status at school, and likes to play piano. I think she’s trying to keep her reputation the way it is. Maki Ano is the more care-free of the girls. She’s playful, but unlike Wako, she doesn’t try to force others, and unlike Kako, she never really insults others as well. Yoko Machi also didn’t really get much airtime in the second episode, but from what I remember, she’s also more level-headed, but she doesn’t like to be proven wrong. Kana Ushiro has been involved with this totally against her will. She’s the little girl, and she was just transported along with everyone else. It also seems that she’s Jun’s sister. Kokopeli was the reason the kids got involved with everything in the first place. I wonder if we’ll see him again, now that he disappeared. Koemushi (spelling?) took over Kokopeli’s role in guiding the children. He’s, to put it bluntly, completely arrogant. Chiasu is the mecha that’s been hiding in the sea, and that will be piloted by our characters. About the episode, like I mentioned above, it’s all centred on Waku. The episode itself was quite good, but I really liked the ending, in which Ushiro just pushes Waku off of the top of Chiasu, through the use of a simple joke. I can’t believe the first character has already died. At least, I assume he did, as so far, he seemed to be the main character of this story. I also can’t believe he just slapped his sister afterwards. I believe that that’s just a preview of things to come.]]>
wait till u find out the truth about his death. you will say “OH SHI-“. Actually get ready to be saying that a lot in this series. The plot twists are truly mind blowing awesome and quite depressing…
Chiasu, ehehe. I think in the manga, they write “Zearth” in romanji onto the wall or something (at least this name has some reference to the “Earth” which they are supposedly saving in the game.)
Sasa: that’s indeed quite possible. The “chi” from Chiasu stands for “chikyuu”, or “earth” in Japanese. I’m not sure if that’s the correct way to spell it, though, my Katakana is horrible.
Yeah that Jun…I REALLY don’t like that guy. Kana has to put up with so much abuse because of him.
ew you put their names backwards? no, don’t fall to the darkside.
on the site it’s Zearth maybe like “the earth”? and they fixed the word “gallery” lol
Names have always been tricky in Japanese, and I’m still not quite sure how to use them. I’ll just use their first names from now on. I’m not sure what name I’ll use for Zearth. It may be the official english spelling, it’s quite different from what I heard in japanese…
I am now marathoning this series, after Steins;Gate wrapped up last night and I saw you hyperlink it in your series review.
After the first episode I was skeptical. But after THIS second episode, I got the same feeling I had after watching the 3rd episode of Madoka Magica.
Did NOT expect Waku to die. That showed me this series is by far above all the other mechas besides the G.O.A.T. (Neon Genesis Evangelion of course). Raxhephon, Guren Lagan, Diebuster, or Star Driver come nowhere close.