[Powerman293]

Episode 9 of IBO was great, as usual. While this may be the slowest episode yet, I do think the closing of some story threads and foreshadowing made it a great episode. I have no idea what the hell that ceremony was, I presume it's Japanese since there were Japanese characters and the traditional big robes the guys were wearing, alongside kneeling next to a tiny table. Is it a Japanese marriage ceremony or was it something else? Whatever it may be, the main characters now have 4 mobile suits on their side instead of just Barbatos and the Graze. Also, Orga is now a family man.

I think the partying scene was one of the most humanizing scenes in the series so far. Orga admitting stuff while he's drunk, more talk of sexual frustration, a brotherhood and trust continuing to deepen. Orga has gotten a lot more vunerable or these past few episodes, and its great to watch. Now only if Mika will do the same. But it looks like there's flashbacks in the next episode so we may finally get an answer as to why Mika is so loyal or what Atra finds so damn attractive about Mika besides him without a shirt. Also, lol at Atra learning to be part of a harem.

The sexual frustration thing coming up again really makes me wonder what it will lead into. The younger boys saying women suck makes me think that they'll start to learn to respect women more as they interact with the Turbines. But it could also be my sneaking suspicion of Naze dying/sacrificing himself and leaving all his wives open to Tekkadan. Or maybe that one dude who keeps bringing it up will rape a girl or something. As if this series wasn't dark enough.

Also, all this talk of war makes me think this series may or may not get a second season depending on how it ends. Because it would be just disappointing if Tekkadan didn't reach Earth yet and war broke out and that was that.