A calm before the storm episode as the war with the Republic draws close to its climax. It’s nice to see the episode start off with Tanya trying to rationalize her actions in the previous episode. What may not be apparent from the anime is that Viktoriya has a tendency of coming up with reasons that make Tanya’s actions seem like tough love as opposed to being efficient and ruthless. In that regard, I recommend watching the Youjo Senki shorts as they do a better job fleshing out the cast overall. Here, we have Viktoriya rationalizing to Grantz that Tanya was the one taking all responsibility for the mission while in actuality, Tanya made her subordinates do the dirty work to ensure her hands were as clean as possible but even she seems in doubt. It does remind me of the question asked during war college on who the responsibility lies in regards to war crimes. Based on that the responsibility would rest with the one who gave the order, she shifts the blame onto her superiors despite drafting up the very same policy that would justify killing noncombatants in a occupied urban environment.
I found it rather macabre for Wickya and Grantz to share in a laugh when a soldier was in agonizing pain only a few feet away but after-credits scene comes along and reveals that soldier was suffering from food poisoning by eating a rotten potato. It a bit of dark humour as food supplies were often low and potatoes can be dangerously poisonous as they belong to the same family of plants as the deadly Nightshade. Basically, when a potato starts sprouting it will have elevated levels of Solanine and this stuff can destroy you even with small amounts. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, burning of the throat, cardiac dysrhythmia, nightmares, headache and dizziness. It goes without saying that someone ingest enough of this poison, they are going to have a bad time and die. The recent Youjo Senki short even goes into detail with this very same matter. Honestly it’s rather shocking to know that a foodstuff I have been eating my whole life could potentially kill me in the wrong circumstances.
It is rather nice to see Tanya having trouble for once. Members of her battalion are dying, the return of the mad scientist has her being blasted into the enemy headquarters and the defeat of the republic can likely only mean the world war escalating into a greater conflict. There was one moment this episode which had me rather confused. During a war scene it showed a cut to black when Tanya was hit with artillery. This suggested that the ever so invincible Tanya was finally injured on the front lines. However when Tanya is shown later she doesn’t have a single scratch on her and thing continue as usual. I would have liked to see her a little worse for wear as she’s nearing overpowered status. Otherwise the final parts of the episode suitably make the launch of the V1 rockets epic as Tanya once again curses X for throwing her into this situation. Considering how this battle is being built up, I think we will be seeing the return of Anson Sue and possibly the first person to give Tanya a real hard time.
I liked how Tanya declares the General Staff as her center of faith for its rationality etc, but then we have the scene of the two tops honchos sharing maniacal laughters about their stress levels :p I.e is Beign X that much worse from the supposedly rational men Tanya believes in? You know this anime has an issue. It tried to balance the fun and thinking factor by giving to much fun. But if they wanted to go full out there are some themes there, beyond theism vs. atheism or the goodness of god, that are pretty cool to explore.
Personally I prefer it as underlining ideas as it could get far too preachy if it delved into theism and atheism. You would need someone like Gen Urobuchi to make the exposition pieces and philosophical debates compelling. There is also the issue that to go more into it would compelling the writing to choose a side and leave less to interpretation.
I rather like the ambiguity in looking at this series take on the concept. For one while god did put Tanya through this struggle, the very idea was Tanya’s in the first place. Tanya blames him for all her misfortune but when you think about it, god only prods things into motion when Tanya shifts it into gear. Her misfortunes can just as easily be pinned on her as much as god.
And here is this episodes historical context post!
https://ospreypublishing.com/blog/hindenburg_line_100/