What a magnificent and incredibly well-executed finale! Seriously, it’s awesome to see that the building up of the entire series has paid off so well. The fight against Rarunga was definitely one of the most exciting long fights I’ve seen in a long while, and seeing the actual climax of the entire series work out so well was in one word awesome! At this point, I’m very well inclined to call Seirei no Moribito a successful experiment, and I definitely hope that it set the standard for more future anime to come.
Even though the fight against the ever-increasing population of the Rarunga already was awesome, the definite highlight of the episode was the egg finally being born. Chaggumu felt so much like a mother at that time, and the inclusion of the insert-song worked brilliantly. It’s a strange family-situation between Barsa, Tanda and Chaggumu, but that only makes it better.
All that’s left now is the aftermath, which is probably going back to the overall mood of the midle episodes. It’s going to be interesting to see which path Chaggumu will decide. Will he decide to become king, or will he stay with Barsa? It could be interesting, though I think that this episode closes off the awesomeness of this story.
Then there’s still the matter of the other books in the series that this anime was based on. If I recall correctly, the author wrote a bunch of other … no Moribito-books. It would be awesome to see these animated as well at some point. Let’s hope for the best.]]>
Category: Finished Series: Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction
Toward the Terra – 23
Interesting. The final part of Toward the Terra is going to be political. Instead of going in an all-out battle, this episode featured negotiations between the humans and the Myu. Because of this, it isn’t as emotional as the previous episode, but I’m quite interested in how the creators were planning to end this series. The episode ends with Grand Mother, finally showing herself, and I wonder what she’ll be adding to the ending.
The best moment of the episode was when Terra finally appeared, though. It’s become one huge desert, how’s that for a disappointment! It seems that it’s still habitable, but only a few humans can live there, and it was a brave decision of Jomie to keep advancing, even after having seen this. He’s really evolved into a great leader.
The negotiations happen in a huge tower, which probably provides one of the few habitable environments. Perhaps this was handled a bit too quickly, either that or it was me, not paying attention. Before the negotiations happen, Physis visits Keith, asking what Blue’s last words were. Overall, I couldn’t follow most of the talking due to my limited Japanese, unfortunately.
There’s only one episode left. All that’s left to hope now is that the creators haven’t shot themselves in the foot with their planning, and don’t end up rushing the final episode. I’m not expecting anything, and I’ll assume that the best episode of this series will be episode 22. Making a good anime is one thing, but ending it well is an entirely different story. I’ve seen magnificent series with just mediocre endings (Escaflowne and Mahou Shoujotai come to mind), and it really takes something extra to make it original, not predictable and still satisfying. If I had to make a quick guess, then I’d say that out of all the shows I’ve seen up till now, only half a dozen ended up with a great ending, and that isn’t much. Most series either turn mediocre or just good, but way below the overall quality of the series.]]>
Saiunkoku Monogatari – 57
Ah, finally. After five weeks of absence and recaps, Saiunkoku Monogatari finally returns with episode 57. Oh, how I’ve waited for this series to return; but first: another recap!
So… yeah.
There’s nothing much to say. While it’s awesome to see Shuurei back, a recap remains a recap. Thank goodness there were a few minutes of new material, which featured hilarious banter between Ryuuki, Shuuei and Kouyuu, but that’s all. I was also too lazy to take new screenshots, so those who paid attention will notice that I recycled a few from previous episodes.]]>
Seirei no Moribito – 24
I’m nearly speechless. This episode was quite straightforward, but the incredible attention to detail in both the graphics as the storytelling made it an awesome watch. This episode was really good in portraying everyone’s involvement, even though I didn’t understand some of the dialogues. Still, this series has featured episodes that were a lot more difficult to understand. This either means that my Japanese is getting better, I’m getting more familiarized with the story, or the dialogue as simply been simplified. I think it’s one of the latter, though.
Anyway, the thing that Gakai found out in the previous episode was that the lake isn’t the place where the egg is going to hatch. Chaggumu is heading for the real place, and the majority of the episode is spent on finding him, when they suddenly run into Rarunga, who’s also searching for him. There’s a high emphasis on tracking in this episode as well, and because of that, you could actually see the subtle trails that Chaggumu left behind.
In any case, Tanda finds out a way to defeat Rarunga, who turns out invulnerable to physical attacks: drink the dew of the water lily-like flower that we saw Chaggumu grab. Apparently, that one forms the link between the real and the spirit world. And with this, I realize the significance of the episode where Saya was ill: that one was meant to explain this principle. With this, they manage to kill Raruga, but there seem to be two of them, or perhaps even more.
I know that this description didn’t do this episode justice. The thing I really liked was how almost every person in it felt so real. People are smart, and think like real human beings. At least, more real than in 95% of all other anime. Don’t expect the fight against Rarunga to top episode three, though. While it looks beautiful, it just lacks the adrenaline of that episode. I think it’s safe to assume that the best fight of the series was showed in that particular episode. But after all, fights aren’t everything. ;)]]>
Toward the Terra – 22
Oh my god. Just when you thought this anime couldn’t get any better it surpasses itself! This episode was utterly, utterly incredible. Obviously, spoilers are going to follow. Do not read this entry if you have yet to see this episode.
This episode really blew me away, and it also convinced me that Toward the Terra is going to make it into my top-10 favourite anime ever. It’s just that good.
This episode was all about Keith, Tony and Matsuka. It starts with a small recap, after which we switch Keith and the commanders of the human fleet. Matsuka notices that something is wrong with Keith, but can’t quite put his finger to what it might be. He then retreats to his chamber, with Matsuka following him after being warned not to get used by Keith too much by the sub-commander.
Matsuka asks why Keith let him live, despite his belief that every Myu is a monster. Keith merely replies that he did this to fight monsters with monsters. When Matsuka asks what’s going to happen to him once the Myu are defeated, Keith merely answers that he’ll dispose of him as well.
Tony, meanwhile, has become infuriated with Keith’s new plan of using fellow Myu as a hostage near Jupiter, so he goes out on his own to stop Keith. Jomie meanwhile decides to head straight toward Terra, though he plans to save one ship and the three remaining Myu in order to save the space-station containing the Myu.
Matsuka meanwhile finds out why Keith is acting weird when he accidentally touches him: SAM DIED! God dammit! That’s why he gave Keith his toy: he probably knew that he didn’t have much time anymore. Keith immediately orders him to leave, which leaves him unprotected for Tony, whom Matsuka notices too late to come in action.
Tony introduces himself and tries to strangle Keith, as a revenge for his comrades who died. He makes sure to do it slowly, which turned out to be a grave mistake, as it allowed Keith to actually call out for Matsuka, and Matsuka to go berserk. This power allows him to become of equal level as Tony, so he decides to not waste time anymore and kill Keith while he still has the chance. Matsuka, however acts as a human shield for Keith, dying in his place. Tony retreats, suffering because he just killed one of his own kind.
Seriously, that was incredible. I’m amazed at the ease at which the past few episodes have made me cry. Also take a note when Keith was unconscious and struggling for his life: both Sam and Shiroe flash before his eyes, but he can’t reach both of them: both have failed to save him. And then Matsuka appears, and easily manages to grabs his hand and pull him back. It’s awesome to see that Matsuka has finally received his moment of recognition; he died like a true hero.]]>
Seirei no Moribito – 23
Finally, after twenty-two-and-a-half episodes, the climax of Seirei no Moribito has finally started! Finally, spring has come, and finally Rarunga shows itself. In the next episode, we’ll finally learn whether Seirei no Moribito’s unique style of storytelling can be considered a success or not.
Most of the episode was pretty easy to understand, but there was one twist involving Dakai that I had trouble with. It seems that Shuga’s discoveries of a number of episodes ago were wrong, but I couldn’t quite catch what was so wrong about it, and why it was so incredibly urgent.
Anyway, about the rest of the episode, it was definitely centred on Chaggumu. During the winter, he definitely grew up, his hair got a bit longer, and at the start of the spring, Torogai-shi returns and gives him a new outfit. This definitely symbolizes how he’s matured a little, and prepared himself mentally for the arrival of Rarunga. This is also the first time I’ve seen Torogai-shi talk so friendly to anyone, symbolizing that everyone is with him, and willing to protect him. In any case, the new Chaggumu looks awesome, and you just have to love it when he grabs both Barsa and Tanda’s hand. ^_^
Then the second half of the episode comes when the royal guard returns. It seems that they too decided to wait till spring, but they’re not inclined to do nothing about Rarunga’s arrival. They also come with a bunch of interesting plot-twists:
– Rarunga can’t stand fire, which is why all the guards are equipped with fire-weapons.
– (I hope I understood this one right)Rarunga is the father of the egg inside Chaggumu.
Chaggumu then walks on a lake, due to the eggs power. It’s at this point when Rarunga appears, he indeed is a water-seirei, and seems to attack with crab-like feet. It’s also here where the egg starts to get a mind of its own, and starts to take over Chagumu’s behaviour. First, we’re given the impression that it’s waiting quietly for Rarunga to come, but then it does start to defend itself by forming the barrier we saw in episode 1. It then runs away.
Yet again, I’ve got no idea how the creators are planning to end this. There are only three episodes left, among which the last one will probably be an aftermath. This means that this story will be resolved within two episodes, and I can hardly wait for it!]]>
Toward the Terra – 21
Excuse my fanboyism and rude language, but this episode was FUCKING EPIC!!! I never expected the first episode of the finale of this series to nearly surpass the previous highlights of this anime. The week-long break was worth it, because this episode was awesome beyond belief, and had me crying manly tears near the climax. Obviously, spoilers are going to follow.
The first half of the episode is still a bit of building up, focusing at Swena, who is still reporting, Toni, who doesn’t notice that Artella loves him and wants attention, Jomie, preparing to warp to Jupiter along with five battleships he snatched from the humans, Keith, preparing to defend Jupiter with his fleet consisting of Myu-proof weapons and Leticia and Jomie’s parents, being moved to a special ship near Jupiter.
But then, the plot really gets fired off again. You really should see it for yourself, and it’s no use describing it, but it was so incredibly exciting, a new and awesome background-tune got introduced and NO LESS THAN THREE natural-born Myu die, Artella included!!
With only three episodes left, Keith has threatened to use the Myu he has captured as a hostage, to make Jomie cooperate. Now it’s up to Jomie to make the right decision. The finale is promising to become awesome!]]>
Seirei no Moribito – 22
This episode concludes Barsa’s past, and further builds up for the arrival of spring and Rarunga. Barsa’s past continues to surprise me. Jiguro actually killed all of his assailants we saw in the previous episode, and this is the reason why Barsa refuses to kill, because Jiguro felt so bad about it afterwards. Surprisingly, Jiguro never got killed. He died because of a disease, five years ago. Especially that part went against all possible rules of anime up till now.
Afterwards, Chaggumu also decided to learn how to fight with a spear, so that he could protect himself. There’s more to that: this episode went really deep, but I doubt that my summaries will be able show that. Near the end of the episode, we also get our first hint that spring is coming: the egg transports Chaggumu’s mind to the spirit world, just like what happened to Tanda, a few episodes back.
I’m not sure how to explain it, but I really liked this episode. I’m really happy to see that Seirei no Moribito has managed to come together, after all the time it spent building up.]]>
Seirei no Moribito – 21
Finally: an episode of Seirei no Moribito where we know what to expect: Barsa’s past, and it doesn’t disappoint. Seeing young Barsa again was awesome, and like expected, the amount of detail thrown in was as excellent as the rest of the series.
Barsa grew up in Kanbal, a nation, mostly covered in mountain. Her father worked as some kind of doctor, or something similar. Her mother died early. At one point, Barsa’s father ended up angering the emperor, which resulted in him, sending people in to kill his daughter. Because of this, her father asked Jiguro, a member of the royal guard, to protect her. Much like how Chaggumu’s mother asked Barsa to protect her son. This time, however, Barsa had done no wrong, but she’d end up involved in his father’s punishment if she wasn’t taken away.
Jiguro saved Barsa just in time, and they left her birthplace. That night, they stayed in a cave, though a few days later, the first soldier, out to retrieve Barsa arrived. I’m not sure if Jiguro kiled the guy, but he definitely wounded him, breaking his spear in the process. Because of that, they entered a Yogo-village, and came to the blacksmith we saw in episode eight. He forged the spear we saw Barsa wield in the beginning of the anime.
Then, a while later, we see the couple of Barsa and Jiguro running again, and we see another assailant. This one, however, is a former friend of Jiguro: Takuru. An amazing fight follows, and there we see the flashback, shown in episode three, in which Jiguro kills a former comrade, and cries over his dead body.
Then, when they arrived in a new Yogo-town, Barsa learned the news of her father being killed. Jiguro then told Barsa all about it, why he was forced to take her with him, and what happened to her father. Because of this, Barsa asked him to teach him to fight. Jiguro refused, though. Fighting should be something for men. No matter how hard women trained, they’d never be as good as men (HAH!). After Barsa kept insisting, though, Jiguro changed his mind.
They hung out with a couple of what I assume to be low-class fighters after that, where Barsa got her first training. She turned out to be quite popular amongs the guys, and often she was the centre of attention. At one point, however, she went too far, when she started boasting about Jiguro’s fight against Takuru, after which he punished her, with the same intensity of Barsa in episode 19.
Then, they stayed with Tanda and Toroga-shi for ten years, in which Barsa lived with Jiguro peacefully, while training. Interestingly enough, at that time Torogai-shi had four pets, living on her head. I wonder what happened to the others. Ten years later, though, a group of six warriors found them. Barsa was forced to hide, so that Jiguro would be able to take all of them on. We see the episode end as he runs off in a direction, opposite to hers.
Even though I obviously missed a few details, I loved this episode. I wonder why it was necessary to continue the story in the next episode. Barsa’s background could be solved within five minutes or less by the looks of it. I wonder whether there’s some twist left to happen, or something similar. In any case, I now understand why Barsa is so intent on saving Chaggumu: because of Jiguro, who probably died heroically, trying to save her.]]>
Toward the Terra – 20
Interesting, yet another episode without Jomie. This one basically is the calm-before-the-storm episode, and its major purpose is to bring Keith to Terra with an army that can beat the Myu. He’s turned into quite a celebrity, by the way, and he now really is one of the highest ranked officials out there.
What’s interesting is Grand Mother’s interference. Am I the only one who thinks that she’s a bit too keen on helping Keith? I mean, she basically used her power to overrule any objection against Keith’s proposal of wiping out the Moby Dick. The eye she shows while doing that suggests that she actually has a human form. Is that in the same way as Mother Eliza, or is she a real woman, who controls everything behind the scenes?
Anyway, people have managed to make a weapon that can break through the shields of the Myu, and they’ve been testing them throughout the episode. Tony and his companions are going to have to face them, so the odds are starting to move against them. And what about Matsuka? I mean, his secret will come out, that’s inevitable. What’ll happen to him and Keith after this?
An interesting twist came when the episode started focusing at the girl we saw in the previous episode. I first thought that she was Swena’s daughter, but she turns out to be the new child of Jomie’s parents. I loved it when they started to compare humans and Myu with wolves and rabbits. Interestingly enough, the girl yet again turned out to be a Myu. The question remains: how will they contribute in the finale?]]>