Short Synopsis: Casshern and Lyuze get attacked by a mysterious robot-duo.
Episode Rating: 8,5/10 (Awesome)
ZOMG, two full episodes, dedicated on nothing but Lyuze! Oh, how well this series makes use of it. This episode was simply awesome. There was surprisingly little dialogue between Casshen and Lyuze, but that’s also what made this episode so beautiful: the two of them didn’t need a lot of dialogue in order to develop the bond between them.
Speaking of beautiful, I think that the screenshots already gave some indication, but I absolutely LOVED the visuals in this episode. It felt like every single shot oozed with style, and there wasn’t even a single frame that didn’t impress me. Madhouse truly did a terrific job on animating this episode.
Anyway, about Lyuze: it turns out that my theory of love bringing immortality is wrong: Lyuze still rusts in this episode, though what’s interesting is that even though Casshen bleeds again in this episode, we never see him regenerate himself like he did a number of episodes ago, so the source of his immortality is still pretty much unknown. However, Casshern and Lyuze officially became a couple in this episode. It turns out that the entire previous episode was building up to that moment.
Then there are the two guest-characters who appeared in this episode: the female robot and her friend. It’s strange: I loved the two of them, even though we learn hardly anything about them. Their development really is minimal: they come from out of nowhere, attack, and disappear again. They only appear for what… three minutes? And yet they’re fully fleshed out for them to work. We know that they’re strong, care about each other and are obsessed with not dying.
New episode on Monday? Wth?
Everytime Casshern and Lyuze gets some “alone time” someone just pops up and gets in the way. And where the hell’s the kiss?
In your imagination. We all know Casshern’s secretly got a thing going for Ringo.
But hey, feel free writing an alternative ending once the series end. Fanfic sites almost exclusively EXIST for that reason.
Anyway, gels, looking forward to the subbed variant, I’m still at 18 because my Japanese abilities are non-existent. Can’t imagine the amount you’ve watched to understand raws without taking classes.
The visuals are nice, but what’s with Lyuze taking up two episodes? Didn’t she decide that she loved Casshern last week? and I agree with CASSHERNxLYUZE, where’s the kiss? I guess they are saving the best for last.
@TCoFA:
Honestly, I don’t really care anymore if Casshern has romantic feelings for Lyuze or not. This episode just tells me that the people behind the series are going to be major asses regarding the romantic aspect of Casshern and Lyuze’s relationship. The only proper end or climax for this episode is a kiss between Casshern and Lyuze, especially after the previous episode’s build-up. Instead, we get Lyuze kissing Casshern’s “stigmata” (they’re really pushing the “Jesus Casshern” thing).
As for that thing about Ringo… well, you’re certainly not the first person I’ve encountered who sees it from that angle. I guess, that’s why Ringo is there with Casshern in the opening. Wait, that’s Lyuze.
Casshern said that both Lyuze and Ringo have become special to him. It is understandable that Casshern would feel affection towards Ringo as she has always had kind words for him; but Lyuze has done nothing but nag him about how the Ruin is all his fault. He has no reason to have such good faith towards Lyuze, and yet he has. “In my imagination”? Sure.
@ TJ:
If it was going to happen, it should have happened in this episode. It didn’t, and I doubt it ever will.
I’ve just seen the subbed episode, and seeing the visuals along with the dialogue I could understand reminds me of why I shipped about CxL, and had so much faith in it. It makes me want to go on shipping.
Like in the previous episode, it wasn’t as bad when I can understand what is being said. I really should stop commenting after having watched only the raw.
I still intend to see this series to the end. But as for the shipping, I’ll cut back on it. Casshern and Lyuze make… no, ARE a great couple. Not so much as until I saw the subbed vid, but I still think that the people behind the series “just didn’t handle it as best as they could”.
I guess, my beef with how things turned out is that; when Lyuze finally develops feelings for Casshern (and realizes it), she starts ruining and develops some major self-esteem issues. What better way to put romance in the back seat than to make her realize that she’s suffering from “robot cancer”, right?
It somehow worked ok though, as Casshern became a source of hope and comfort for her. But, is that it? I hope not. I doubt that there’ll be another “CxL episode”, but there’s certainly a need for one.
I really abhor romance fetishism. Casshern SINS isn’t about romance. If all you care about in any story is who ends up with whom, you probably need to get laid or something. By the way, Lida has damn fine boobies and a booty to boot.
What I liked the most about this episode is how it connected to the previous one.
Ep 18 Lyuze reflected on her past and how it affects her now. How she lived for her sister, and how her life was shallow, only seeking revenge, aiming to have it concluded after it took place.
Ep 19 Lyuze reflected on her future and finally realizes her love for Casshern and that she wants to keep on living, in a superbly-executed fashion.
Also cheering on a for a kiss!
I’ve really enjoyed the last few eps in particular, especially the small moments where they show the relationship between Lyuze and Casshern building slowly. 18 and 19, of course, have moved things to a new level…but for those who are looking for a kiss, well, I have something to say to that:
The relationship they have doesn’t seem (to me) to be one built on passion…it’s one built on trust, mutual dependance, and affection. Which, when you mix it all up can often equal love…a love that is very strong and enduring, but not necessarily one that has to be renewed with bouts of intense physical passion. Sharing a glance, the touch of a hand…these strike me as far more intimate and powerful moments between these two characters than swapping robo-spit.
I’m putting shipping behind me… but what the heck.
@ Kurisu:
It isn’t? I guess that’s why the opening theme is a love song; and several things in it (that really don’t have to be there) are underlined by male-female attraction, and, sexual and procreative themes.
I need to get laid? Yeah, maybe. But seeing your comment about “Lida”, it looks like you need it a hell lot more than I do.
@ Lisa:
I guess. I remember Dio’s clutching of Leda’s wrist speaking much more strongly to me than their not-so-passionate kiss.
I agree that sex and passion don’t necessarily make a strong relationship. In fact, a relationship that’s founded on sexual desire and physical attraction, and the passions involved therein, have a tendency to be on the fragile side.
But, that doesn’t mean that those things have to be ruled out altogether. Lyuze clearly has such feelings towards Casshern, and Casshern has no problem touching Lyuze. I just don’t see why this episode has to go by without a kiss between them. It’s like, it’s something that was just waiting to happen, and it didn’t.
Y’know, the episodes I liked best about this series were the ones with the first human Casshern met, the singer and the painter. They have an incredible sort of strength to them. They made the world feel more real. I could sit through an entire season of those kinds of episodes.
This thing isn’t going for the big money and that gives the developers more freedom to work with. Now what you consider beautiful and what not differs with the person, but you can’t look at a picture and say “I think it would be better if it had more yellow.” with your argument being: “What? I like that colour!”
It doesn’t contribute anything to the picture at all. In the same way, the romance doesn’t contribute anything to the big picture in Casshern SINS. It’s not an anime about love, it’s an anime about a decaying world. There’s some romance in it but the series wouldn’t suffer at all if they took it out.
As for the Ringo-comment, that was obvious sarcasm (for more examples see Kurisu’s comment on Leda). I think multiple people have been trying to provoke you and have been quite successful at it.
Lastly; I’m amused by the fact you’re actually trying to make an argument out of the opening. 80% of all songs in existence are about love. If you ask me, the main emotion Casshern feels throughout the series is guilt (see; numerous outbreaks and monologues).
That pretty much concludes my point of view.
Hence I said “…(that really don’t have to be there)”. But it’s there.
Kurisu’s comment about Leda didn’t come across to me as sarcasm. What it seemed to me was the kind of “overt oggling/raving at attractive females and female body parts” that some guys “have to do”.
I agree that Casshern Sins isn’t about romantic love IN GENERAL. But, romance definitely makes its presence known in the series. Didn’t I say “underlined”?
In any case… if you don’t like it, fine. It’s there regardless.
Casshern sins is about syffering and trial. But love could build the entire series. Don’t you want more of the show? What they’ll need 2 do if lyuze dies of ruin is mae another branch of the show. What do you think of that? Answer please! And sorry if I have bad writing and wording. I’m new to this.
Let me get an other voice in this grid lock. Casshern SINS definantly isn’t about romance, it’s about guilt and suffering. CASSHERNxLYU, you are right. But I think that having a enough intimacy to really show their feelings will bring in those romace smooshes. Think about it, add that, and the whole situation grows. Don’t take away the strong yet small moments either. Plus, if you keep Lyuze, you can evolve the enitre thing! Take that into consideration.