Howdy of us, and welcome again to Unsuitable Each Time. Right now I’m desperate to dive again into Star Driver, as we dispense with college competition theatrics and surge onwards in the direction of our grand finale. As anticipated, our final episode featured the forged’s long-awaited competition efficiency, which turned out to additionally function the car for conveying the Southern Cross legend which set this complete Cybody state of affairs in movement. There have been tragic betrayals, heartfelt declarations of affection, and even a short look by what gave the impression to be an precise alien, right here briefly controlling Sarina with a view to ask Takuto the important query: will he use the ability of the Cybodies for egocentric, harmful means, or just for love?
These revelations had been definitely dramatic, however frankly, in addition they fell completely in keeping with the story as articulated to date. There was at all times going to be some spark of the supernatural that gave Southern Cross this energy, and even throughout the tales of Toshio and Sugata, we’ve already seen how the story of the Cybodies is an everlasting, round battle, every era weighing the tasks of custom towards their private needs for energy or freedom. That is additionally removed from the primary time Enokido has tethered thematic or contextual revelation to the theater; frankly, after his work on Utena and FLCL, I’d have been shocked if this play didn’t supply some type of narrative bombshell. As fellow long-time collaborators with Kunihiko Ikuhara, Igarashi and Enokido each perceive how theater and anime are adjoining artwork varieties, every serving as best vectors for heightened feelings and imaginative aesthetic pageantry, every asking us to search out the human and common within the fantastical and melodramatic. With the stage now set for Takuto to craft his personal legend, let’s see the place this story goes!
Episode 23
“Emperor.” Aw shit, looks as if it’s time for Sugata to make his play. And no shock both, given he simply realized that his attendants and Kate have secretly been managing his powers behind his again, and basically making a mockery of his destined union with Wako. After all, Kate solely desires to assist and be near him, however I in some way doubt he’ll see her actions in such a sympathetic mild
We open on the dojo, panning to a calligraphy print stating “Nothingness” earlier than revealing Takuto and Sugata prepped for apply. The print might be interpreted in a number of methods – both the “nothingness” or vacancy of sexual launch, the nothingness Takuto presently feels in the direction of his alleged confidants, or the nothingness of the female “different,” the shortage of a “factor” that Shakespeare was alluding to within the title “A lot Ado About Nothing”
“I ponder what it means to fall in love with somebody. The need to embrace her, or the will to manage her?” Sugata’s phrases are chilly and cynical, implying not solely that he’s by no means been in love with Wako, but in addition that he can not see love as a union of needs, solely an imposition on the opposite
“Are you looking for a vulnerability by releasing a barrage of phrases, Grasp?” In response, Takuto swiftly defuses his statements, framing them as deliberate nonsense meant to disrupt his focus – an expression of their rivalry, not a real articulation of Sugata’s emotions
And so Sugata raises the stakes of their prior wager: “if you happen to beat me, I’ll offer you Wako.”
Some fascinating symbolism of their stances and weapon preferences. Sugata holds his single sword straight forward, basically embodying the masculine phallus or “King’s Pillar,” whereas Takuto holds two swords outwards along with his arms huge, as if to embrace his opponent
“Technically I gained as we speak, and you understand it.” “You failed to complete me off.” “Come on, it’s simply apply.” “I’m reproaching you in your carefree angle.” Takuto at all times tries to be light along with his opponents, which Sugata interprets as an absence of conviction or seriousness
The 2 proceed to articulate the distinction of their philosophies, with Sugata preferring a “rigidity that may cope with all conditions” (extra phallic undertones) the place Takuto prefers flexibility
As is regularly the case, it takes Sugata instantly framing this disagreement by way of defending Wako for Takuto to get critical
And out within the corridor, one other of Toshio’s work, which Takuto at this level regards with inherent mistrust. Every of them slotting into their roles throughout the cycle
After which, a brand new portray arrives – this certainly one of Sugata himself. Sugata instantly connects the dots, telling Takuto that “it appears I’ve met your father.” Proper, we nonetheless haven’t had the confrontation between Takuto and Toshio! Given Toshio’s clear need to take care of his grip on the Cybodies, and subsequently on the ability of youth itself, I can’t think about he’ll gracefully settle for the existence of an inheritor who’s the correct age for these adolescent contests
Neither Takuto nor Wako are shocked by this, which I recognize – they’ve been following the identical dang story we’ve. Wako instantly guesses Toshio’s agelessness is because of his 1st Section, with Takuto follows up by admitting he’d suspected his father was a member of Kiraboshi for fairly a while
“It’s such as you, nevertheless it’s not you. I sense a horrible type of libido.” Toshio can solely paint what he sees: the caged ladies he covets, and reflections of himself
“All I can sense is the artist’s management over his topic.” Yep. Each Toshio composition is a jail
“Isn’t this the state of calm that can permit me to make the right determination in any state of affairs?” Takuto makes a giant present of being unfazed by this growth. Sleek work right here, furthering his argument with Sugata whereas concurrently emphasizing their closeness via the convenience of their banter
And in response to this provocation, Sugata responds along with his personal by asking Wako on a date
Charming Wako animation as she tries to relax earlier than the date
Oh my god Sugata, what are you carrying. Your shirt makes you appear to be a waiter at a cowboy-themed restaurant
Benio is outraged to listen to about this date. At all times good to listen to from her – and her place serves as a clear echo of Takuto’s, voicing his unstated frustrations via her stomping off in anger
“Since we’re not Drivers, how lengthy are we going to stick with Kiraboshi? Your membership supervisor confessed her emotions for you final week, didn’t she?” “Effectively, what about you? You bought a love letter from Mayumi.” The juxtaposition of questions emphasizes exactly what Kiraboshi represents – it’s only the knife’s edge of affection unfulfilled, of youth in full splendor, of ardour unconsummated. They’re not simply transferring previous Kiraboshi, they’re transferring in the direction of extra grownup relationships, the partnerships Kiraboshi members can solely lengthy for
“Nowadays you appear considerably uneasy when it’s simply the 2 of us.” It’s true, Wako doesn’t actually possess a pure rapport with Sugata. It’s not shocking; not solely has Sugata himself modified considerably, however the nature of their relationship is not certainly one of earnest childhood buddies. Their duties now cling too near them to ever be forgotten
Sugata probes her on her emotions in the direction of Takuto via a collection of escalations, resulting in him asking her if she desires to kiss. Her silence is reply sufficient, and he demurs, saying he was solely joking
In the meantime, Takuto’s asking himself the identical query as he watches a pair kiss in a film
And ultimately, he meets Toshio! Toshio begins in along with his standard mild-mannered evasions, and Takuto punches him straight within the fuckin’ face. Fuck yeah, Takuto!
“Simply as I believed, our solely alternative is to annihilate him.” Extraordinarily like Toshio in charge this on Takuto’s temperament moderately than his personal actions
Even the Kiraboshi Boys know they’ll not belief Head, and thus plan to make their very own remaining assault on Takuto
Ah, good outdated Cafe EATER. Takuto and Wako meet for a meal there after the date
Sugata truly urged this post-date date, seemingly inviting Wako to solidify her emotions and make her alternative
However then, zero-time! And this time he’s dealing with three opponents directly!
“By assuming the chance of Cybody regeneration, these three have at the least confirmed they’re braver than you.” “Good for them, being within the bloom of their youth.” Ryousuke nonetheless bitter in the direction of Toshio, and Toshio nonetheless unconcerned about something however his personal eventual victory
Good choreography for this battle, emphasizing the burden of those three heavy Cybodies in distinction with Tauburn’s grace and agility
Oh rattling, a beautiful lower of Tauburn’s missiles dancing and dodging his opponent’s projectiles. Nice smoke animation, pretty fluid motion taking their momentum under consideration
Oh no, Tauburn is pinned! The colour design properly emphasizes the drama of this second, along with his opponent’s imposing black Cybody basically blotting out the solar because it rises above Tauburn
“Some nugatory creed about defending the powerless has been drilled into his head.” Thanks for the commentary, Toshio
Sugata asks Takuto to let him aboard Tauburn, in order that he might be fired as a Tau Missile
Simply phenomenal poses, results animation, and impression frames as Takuto and Sugata dismantle their opponents
And having completed this outstanding job, Sugata instantly turns to Kate, ultimately main us into the continuation of the scene that concluded our earlier episode. C’mon, you two are a a lot better pair than Sugata and Wako ever had been!
Their assembly is outwardly a productive one, as we conclude on Sugata ultimately taking his place because the King, pilot of Samael. Kiraboshi!
And Accomplished
Ah shit, we’re actually in it now. This episode was clearly the final gasp of normalcy earlier than we ramp as much as the conclusion, that includes Takuto’s final battle towards the mundane Kiraboshi collaborators, his long-awaited collaboration with Sugata, and Sugata’s inevitable transition to the apex of Kiraboshi. All of the items have assumed their fated positions for the ultimate battle, with Sugata embodying this island’s conventional order within the guise of its destined ruler, and Takuto rebelling towards this order of the gods within the one Cybody assigned to capricious, compassionate humanity. Can Takuto forestall an apocalyptic unveiling of the Cybodies’ powers, as their final final phases threaten to interrupt freed from Southern Cross? And might he save his erstwhile pal, now ensconced throughout the conservative kingdom that has at all times been his meant future? I’m keen to search out out!
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