Though the majority of the episode was of the same antics I have been complaining about in previous episodes, it’s nice to see Sidonia get back to what it does best. Dire situations and sci-fi mecha action. Izana being pushed into the role of scouting with a new weapon has to be the best path for her character right now. At the moment her existence is mainly to derail the plot with her crush on Tanikaze but now we finally see her being put to use. Her new mental controls are giving her more value on the battlefield and now has the potential to become more than just Tanikazes Harem member. The scene was tense and while we all knew something was going to go wrong, its still exciting just waiting to see exactly what will. With each fight Gauna are growing more and more dangerous. With Tanikaze and Tsumugi out of the battlefield, this could be Izana’s moment to shine and I am all for it.
One thing that bugged me however was the girl that Izana likely replaced. While Tanikaze was checking out the new weapon, a woman started mocking him. Saying how disposable they were compared to the hero of Sidonia. I had no problem with what the girl said to him as there is truth to it and considering that she was getting sent out on a mission with a high chance of death it’s perfectly understandable for her to lash out to golden boy Tanikaze. My issue with it was her walking away laughing like a witch. I wonder why they felt they needed to add that last detail to make her seem more in the wrong. What she said to Tanikaze wasn’t wrong, it’s true that he wasn’t being sent out to scout because he’s more valuable as a poster boy for the war effort and that they were being sent out because they are more disposable. All things considered, her anger was fairly justified. So why is she laughing like a saturday morning cartoon villain? If that laugh was removed she would be a more realistic and morally grey character. But it’s almost as if they went out of there way to make her obnoxious.
Other than that, it’s very much the same story. The show teases a pairing up of Izana and Tanikaze but honestly I see her chances to be slim. Have all the romantic getaways and fake confessions you like, it will not improve your chances. But Izana is not quite as hopeless as Yuhata. Honestly just for unpredictability I would like it if Tanikaze went for such an unconventional choice as Yuhata. The one who has the highest chances, despite my problems with it on many levels, is Tsumugi. Its crystal clear that she has feelings for him, what with taking a mecha pilot for a hellish joyride after him making fun of her missing her “boyfriend” and Tanikaze seems to harbor a certain fondness for her. Not to mention her connection to his first crush. But unless she gains a more human body I can’t help but look at their relationship with a raised eyebrow. I mean how would you even…I think I do not want to continue that trail of thought. My interest in Tsumugi’s future plot involvement has dissipated just as the conflicts I thought would have higher focus have. But Kunato looks to be creating a new Chimera and that could prove interesting. Next week I hope that Izana can have her moment of badass and finally become something more than Tanikaze’s secondary wife.
