[DreamSword]

Episode 8: Always Like A Shooting Star

Man this show so is pretty.

This episode is all about answering the question as to whether or not Sugata is mind controlled, and what exactly that answer means.

Turns out he's not, and his behavior up to this point has been a mixture of frustration at the life he was born into as well as his immense dedication to protecting Wako. For better and worse.

So of course, it all results in a clash between him and Takuto, in an effort to get through to and understand one another. Both have their secrets and their ideals, and they plan to go all out in displaying just how much drive -- how much "libido" -- it grants them.

This episode is also notable in that it's the first time we see all four maidens on screen at once. See, I've neglected to mention it up to now, but the North Maiden, the one who got her seal broken at the start of the show? Her name is Sakana, and she's been imprisoned by Head(the literal head of the Glittering Crux) up to now.

Every episode has featured her telling Head the story of "Sam." A hero of the Fish Planet who had to do some not so savory things in order to achieve his dream of sailing across the galaxy. And while each segment had something vaguely to do with the plot of the episode at hand, given this episode, it's not hard to see that the story also mirrors Head himself in some ways. And, on rewatch, there's a nice little bonus to it for way later down the line as well.

Thus I felt it only fitting to have the the North Maiden song featured here, as it's what plays during this story segments. It's a rather somber remix of Monochrome, fittingly enough. And it's all capped in this episode with Sakana now free of the Crux's' control, as well as the island. And she uses her newfound freedom to try and make a better life for herself elsewhere.

It's a rather high emotion and dramatic episode of Star Driver, all things considered. But really, the tense melodrama is what makes it all work. Yes, even the minute long scene of panting at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.