The first DVD episode was a pointless side-story. This one wasn’t, though, and it’s very relevant to the series. It’s a much better ending for this series than episode twelve, but still leaves me bloody hungry.
Most importantly, the most burning question here was answered: where the heck does this series take place in. And I have to admit, the creators were shrewd here. I always thought that we really were somewhere in Switzerland where the Japanese somehow settled again in the past, but it turns out to be much simpler: The entire world was nuked and somehow the only piece of land that was spared was Japan. The French and the Germans then invaded Japan and started living there. Really, I like that idea.
But at the same time, this really convinced me even more: this setting is too good for 14 episodes. You can really see that the creators realized this a little too late, resulting into that disastrous twelfth episode. I know that I’m talking down on this series a lot, but it for me it really has become a textbook example of how one episode can just completely kill my enthusiasm and destroy my suspense of disbelief on a series.
The thing is, that the creators didn’t seem to know what they wanted to do with this series: if they wanted to explore their unique setting, they should not have chosen Kanata as the lead character, for that they needed someone more central to the plot. If they wanted to show the adventures of a simple remote army base, then the creators shouldn’t have tried to make this series epic: the princess backstory, the way that the war miraculously concluded in the main characters’ back yard, they were all pointless. Instead, we are here with a combination of both that just doesn’t fit and come together. The subsequent installments of Anime no Chikara really improved on this: Senkou no Night Raid clearly chose to explore its setting, while Occult Academy clearly chose to focus more on its characters. And despite a few annoying flaws, that really worked in their advantage so far.
I was pretty happy with this episode, though. It dropped all of the epicness for what it was and just focused on the girls again. I liked how they made very natural conversations with the townsfolk (and how we learned a bit more about Naomi), and how this episode focused on the dreams that all of the characters have…
…that we’re unfortunately never going to see realized.
Rating: * (Good)
>then the creators shouldn’t have tried to make this series epic
This. So much…
Well, I enjoyed the ending to this serie. It’s setting and atmosphere, along with the lack of over-dramatic character development still keep it in the top five for me, along with Book of Bantorra, Yojou-han and Sair-ya Goyou (and maybe Shiki).
Cuuuute episode. I just watch the show for its cuteness. The little references to deeper undertones are just the spice on top. The characters make this show what it is–excellent slice-of-life in an imaginative setting.
no kidding about being hungry for more. there’s this mysterious vibe that i get from this show. i hope there’s a way they can continue the series.
“The entire world was nuked and somehow the only piece of land that was spared was Japan. The French and the Germans then invaded Japan and started living there.”
Not quite as simple as it seems. Kanata was in Spain. No joke.
http://reliqueabandonee.blogspot.com/
Unless the ruins (and the entire city, as we see) got up and ran along with “Rome” to Japan, it doesn’t fit. But then again, the entrenched “ancient traditions,” old architecture, etc wouldn’t fit either–unless Japan colonized Europe. That would explain the school, dead soldier, and traditions left over before they were kicked back out.
Besides, if they were really in Japan, where would the nomansland be coming from? Perhaps Rio was pointing out Japan as the place she dreams of one day finding or something.
I dunno, things still don’t fit.