Blogging this series has shown me that I’m very selectively punctual. While I promised that I’d blog this series weekly, this entry has had more than a week delay, apologies for that. Blogging this series has been an interesting experiment, but in the end I don’t think that I can blog a series that has already been fully released consistently and at this point, I think I’ll just end up marathoning the two Banner of the Stars, instead of blogging them weekly. I know it’s something that’s completely in my head, but still.
In any case, a great episode. It was very intriguing. This episode showed a completely different side of the Abh: the elitist and racist one. This episode rocked in the way that it slowly revealed the exact stance of the Baron that Jinto and Lafiel ended up at. This episode showed how great this series is at building up: that final shot of Lafiel smiling was a very powerful one.
And the emotions: anime is often a medium of overacting, but this show is different. The subtle emotions of the characters show exactly how they feel, and yet no attempt is made to make them over the top, apart from perhaps those nameless maids.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Since you said this serie had your attention to blog it, I had watch it in marathon. Do it!
The Abh are definatly not racist, that baron is the only one. On the other hand, every Abh is indeed very elitist.
It’s probably better to marathon and just do a series review. Seems like trying to blog the series is a chore and bores ya a bit. You may have more to say in a series review rather than a weekly blogging.
Yeah, I marathoned this series a few months ago, and it was a viewing pleasure. There were some problems with it, especially when you get into the sequels, but I think its best watched at 3-4 episodes a time.
I also agree that a marathon would be better for this series, if only because of its length.
But one suggestion… review each of the “seasons” on its own. They’re given different titles for a reason: they are totally separate series. They may have the same characters, but their individual stories and focuses (and so pesonal enjoyment) will be different for each.
Crest: The initial meeting and journey of Lafiel and Jinto
Banner I: The focus turns more towards strategy and warfare, and basically how they must win an impossible battle
Banner II: Focuses on their mission on the prison planet
Banner III OVA: Focuses on Jinto’s return to his homeplanet, and wraps-up the Stars Chronicles.