[DreamSword]

Episode 2: The Challenge of the Glittering Crux Brigade

"Gravity Phi" by Aqua Timez is the song I most associate with Star Driver.

That might be slightly surprising to read, given how much I talked up "Monochrome" with the previous episode, but it's true.

Not only does the song fits the overall spirit of the show best, but the imagery of the first opening sequence that goes along with it continues to stand out in my mind even now, nearly 15 years later.

And speaking of iconic imagery.

This episode is primarily about giving a bit of expansion as to what the deal with the Glittering Crux Brigade actually is and what they're about. And the "Glittering Star!" salute is very much a part of that to the point that it actually became a bit of a meme amongst anime lovers back when the show was airing.

And while their plan is relatively simple: Allow the Cybodies to be able to move in the real world so they can take over, man do I gotta note how much I love their overall aesthetic. I imagine younger viewers would see it all as a Persona 5 ripoff, but the idea to combine the playing card motif with that of masquerade balls and court jesters was done here first, and man do I dig it.

Outside of that though, well, let's just say that if Takuto's' absolutely fabulous transformation sequence in the first episode didn't tip you off that this show was very LGBT+ friendly, episode 2 all but yells it at you with many of the character interactions. Southern Cross Academy is filled with many a horny teenager, and on in particular ships Takuto and Sugata, with the former not seeming to mind in the slightest.

We're also introduced to the Drama Club, which houses the primary defenses against the Glittering Crux, complete with a cute mascot as their Vice President. Tauburn is also noted to be special as it's a Phase 3 Cybody, with the exact specifics of what that means being left in the air for now. And Sugata can summon something even more powerful than that if he so chooses, but is determined not to. Again, some nice foreshadowing done here that I totally didn't pick up on during my first watch.

Overall, the episode really is just a sort of extension to the first, to the point that I think for newcomers, watching the first two episodes as one big special would probably be best for getting into the show as both combined basically do give you all of the basics as to what you're in for with Star Driver. Mecha action, high school drama, and lots of fabulousness. Wrap all of that up in some really great looking animation and there you go.

Oh, and the motorcyclist is a virgin. This was important information that the episode itself needed subtitles to tell the audience. Top class.