Yet another episode of building up, but really: that’s exactly what this series needs to be doing at one point. I watched this episode raw, so I probably missed quite a few things, but it’s always good to see an episode dedicated to fleshing out the side-cast. There’s plenty of time for the climaxes during the final episodes of the series and the movie, so I’m happy with how this show has turned out so far. It’s definitely the series with the most solid execution of the entire spring season, even though it’s not the most exciting one.
This pattern really reminds me of how brilliantly Mouryou no Hako turned out. Its middle part also had SO much building up, and yet it finished off with such an awesome climax, and Eden of the East is shaping up to become the same. This episode shows how Saki gets dropped off by Akira near her friends, so that she can introduce them to him. Among her friends are a female programmer and two NEETs, of which one has lots of resemblances to a hikkikomori. In a way, especially her male friends are exactly those targeted by Akira’s “saving the world” programme.
Also correct me if I’m wrong, but “Eden of the East” turns out to be Saki’s friends’ programming club. At the moment, I’m not sure whether Saki herself is also a computer geek, but she sure did befriend a lot of them. When the show started, I thought that it was some sarcastic reference to Japan, with all of the bombings and all. The theme of young people trying to find the place that they belong turns out to be surprisingly large for a series that first seemed like just a fascinating mystery-series. The “Eden” more means something like a heaven for NEETs.
Also, this episode sure gave an even more macabre image of the white-haired woman, as we learn that she kills her victims by cutting off their “Johnnies”. I really am not sure how a selfish bitch like her managed to escape the supporter for that long. My guess would be that she made some sort of deal with number one, who pretty much everyone suspects to be the supporter.
Rating: * (Good)
Building up and fleshing out the cast with still all-out excellent production-values.
*****EPISODE SPOILERS******
Um, WHAT? That crazy woman castrates the men she slept with?! O______o And the club’s title was rather odd. I, too, thought the series title had something to do with Japan’s current situation, but I guess not…? But then again, you never know with Production I.G (in a good way). I can’t wait to watch this episode later tonight!
Oh, and if there are any other groups subbing Mouryou no Hako, please do tell! ;_; I can’t find past episode 9 ANYWHERE. It’s killin’ me. D: D: D:
“Eden of the East” is supposedly a recycling club. That club room was full of used appliances of all kinds, with prices on them for resale. I’m pretty sure that Micchan (the younger girl) is their programmer. I think the idea is to make Japan more environmentally conscious — an Eden of the East.
Yeah, it’s frustrating not to have more Mouryou subs. Fortunately for some of us, at least there are Chinese subs.
7.5!? damnit psgels pick a system!
Marmoset: sorry! Power of habit.
Sorry but… I think Shiratori is a bit too disturbing… I wonder considering the director of the series seems to know movies well is she supposed to be inspired by the heroine in the Japanese movie by Oshima “In the Realm of Senses”. (Note I DO NOT RECOMMEND that film especially considering the graphic nature and sadism of the film which happens to NOT BE ACTED but rather DONE FOR REAL. Don’t EVEN consider IT EVER!)
I thought “Eden of the East” refers to the cellphone program they did o_o;;; *confused*
And ah, I think killing them off is the selfish bitch’s way of getting rid of killing NEETs while Akira’s way is changing them . . . or maybe I thought things wrong.
@Sapphire Pyro
They call the program “Eden”, but “Eden of the East” is the club’s name.
They started with a picture recognisation programm for garbage seperation but Saki introduced non-garbage infos. Other students somehow noticed and registered on the system, thats how it grew above the intended scale.
The hikikomori guy, Kasuga, says that the miss Bitch Supreme has already reached about 20,000 victims. So if you think about it… If the game’s been going on for like a year that’s a rather high johnny per day quota. I thought it was strange how (relatively) calm Kasuga and Kazuomi seem when they’re talking about it. I mean I don’t want the “OH SHIT REALLY” reaction, but just a stern, ready-to-go “wakatta” seemed a bit off… Maybe it’s because they’ve been through a lot already.
Oh and what’s most creepy about this anime is definitely Juiz, just… Accepting and fixing everything for everyone. I suppose it’ll turn out to be an AI or something – there’s a lot of things that make it seem like the Eden world’s technology is better – but still. Especially because she has a personality so she can talk to people, well, “emotionally” and all.
-I also watched this in raw, at a friend’s place though I’m doing it because I’m learning japanese… Just one problem, my comp is not-so-good (seven years old now I think) and I can’t find any other raws than the ones with CRAZY high resolutions. I can totally see why that is, but the subbers seem to be lazy and just integrate the subs instead of making it a layer of it’s own; maybe that doesn’t work for all the stuff they want to do, I dunno. Anyway! I want to get some sub-free, non-taxing episodes. You know anything about that?
Surreal: I know your pain, yeah. For a while I’ve also had to deal with a computer that just couldn’t play the HD .mkv and .mp4-files, which becomes really frustrating after a while. What you need is a .mkv file that isn’t incredibly huge, so have you tried out Frostii’s 480p releases?
Thanks for the quick response – I checked Frostii out and it does work! They’re super slow… But I guess I can live with being a week behind on Eden. Thanks!
The revelation of the true meaning of the title surprised me as well but at least you can figure out the general direction of the plot and the goals it has.
But the character beside Saki were a bit too serious and in some sense “smart” (I mean especially the over-serious and dramatic way the guys from that club talk). They really should have appeared sooner (but then the good pacing would have been disturbed…) because for me they were likeable (even when not really an image of realistic average people) and I fear after that episode they will again slip back in the background giving the spotlight fully back to Saki and Takizawa.
I thought it was fitting how they were so serious and over-dramatic. For someone to have these kinds of goals (Eden of the NEETs?) they’re bound to be pretty tight and defensive because everyone gives them weird looks and well, it’s obvious he really believes in his ideas and are serious about them. Hence the strange atmosphere when he’s talking about their club and tries to refuse Akira’s offer.
(still think it was over-done when they handle the “your-friend’s-wang-gon-git-cut” deal so calmly. unless it turns out they have experience with these situations)