|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools |
![]() |
#311 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,944
|
Episode #6: GAME OVER ![]() One of my most prized possessions is a keychain. I didn't have many friends growing up. And while certain kids were civil with me, I never felt like I could truly connect with anyone. That is until the sixth grade hit, where one day, out of nowhere, a kid suddenly appeared next to me as I was walking home from school and started talking to me. And we immediately hit it off. From that day on we hung out practically every day. He defended me from bullies. He helped me to realize my sexual orientation. And he helped me feel comfortable in my own skin for the very first time in my life. And he never did anything special other than be himself. But then the end of the school year started to approach, and he gave me some bad news. His family was moving away, so once the end of the month hit, we'd likely never see eachother again. Cell phones weren't nearly as common back then as they are now, and the city he was moving to was too far away to simply walk to. I think it might've been the first time that I ever felt heartbreak. But to help ease the blow, he gave me something to remember him by: A Pikachu keychain, which I still use to this day. In exchange, I gave him some Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. It's a small, simple thing, but the keychain is something that's helped give me courage and confidence over the years, and whenever I stop to look it over the memories we made together always come flooding back. And the friendship between Kuon and Hoshiai really has been the biggest highlight of this show outside of its stunts. Their backstory is explored in full here. That keychain that Kuon values? It's a friendship trinket that Hoshiai also has one of. The two grew up together and know one another in and out. And when all is said and done, they both figuratively and literally trust one another with their very lives. It's the sort of bond that sadly US society doesn't really ever cherish or talk about nearly enough, in my experience. Sure, there's other aspects to the episode like the extras never knowing what to do in a given shot, or how the room eventually erupts into an all out brawl, or Amo trying to fight the Horrors. But really, that's all minor in comparison to the two who are brothers in all but biological. The tragic fate that the Makai Order forces onto Hoshiai really did work at hitting me right in my feelings. The final phone call especially got me good, and while I won't say that the overall scenario is absolutely perfect, I am more than satisfied with it. This will most likely be my favorite episode in the show.
__________________
Last edited by DreamSword; 11-29-2024 at 09:45 AM.. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#312 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,790
|
If I had a nickel every time I saw a mid-season episode in which it involved a heartbreaking development between two friends, I'd have two nickels.
Except it'd be multiplied by the coincidence bonus of me binging Symphogear XV on the same week this episode aired. In which both episodes also end on a clipshow credits sequence of the two friends. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#313 |
Echoing Oni
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 10,600
|
Thanks for sharing that story. It's really amazing when you find a piece of media that manages to connect with you so precisely, isn't it?
Personally, I never warmed up much to Hoshiai; he was so obviously going to die that it didn't feel worth it to get emotionally invested in him. Couple that with finding Kuon to be one of the most boring characters on the show, I wasn't nearly as affected by this episode. It's actually because the character reminded me so much of elements of Kuon and Hoshiai that I pretty much immediately disliked Keiwa on Geats. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#314 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,790
|
Okay, slight joking with my personal experience with GARO VR aside.
That personal story was honestly incredible to read. It's honestly great that GARO VR ended up hitting those kinds of emotions for you. And it really is wonderful at how positively friends can impact you and how much it hurts when you end up parting ways without any easy way to keep up with each other. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#315 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,944
|
Quote:
If I had a nickel every time I saw a mid-season episode in which it involved a heartbreaking development between two friends, I'd have two nickels.
Except it'd be multiplied by the coincidence bonus of me binging Symphogear XV on the same week this episode aired. In which both episodes also end on a clipshow credits sequence of the two friends. Quote:
Quote:
Personally, I never warmed up much to Hoshiai; he was so obviously going to die that it didn't feel worth it to get emotionally invested in him. Couple that with finding Kuon to be one of the most boring characters on the show, I wasn't nearly as affected by this episode.
On the point of Kuon, I dunno, I disagree. Ever since we hit the mid 2000s, straight forward protags who are simply good people have become more and more rare to come by. That alone makes me appreciate Kuon. But in the context of GARO, it also makes him standout all the more when compared to most of the other main characters I've experienced in this franchise so far. Combine that with his genuine platonic love for Hoshiai and I warmed up to the two pretty quick. Quote:
It's actually because the character reminded me so much of elements of Kuon and Hoshiai that I pretty much immediately disliked Keiwa on Geats.
Quote:
Okay, slight joking with my personal experience with GARO VR aside.
That personal story was honestly incredible to read. It's honestly great that GARO VR ended up hitting those kinds of emotions for you. And it really is wonderful at how positively friends can impact you and how much it hurts when you end up parting ways without any easy way to keep up with each other. Friendship, platonic love, whatever term you feel like using... it's a cliche, but it really is such a beautiful thing, and something I do my best not to take for granted due to experiences like that one. I every so often wonder how that guy is doing. All I know for sure is that he apparently never took to social media because I could never find him on anything.
__________________
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#316 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,944
|
Episode #7: Friend ![]() I personally would've titled this one "Resolve" but hey, sure. Because that's essentially the overall theme of the episode: A reaffirmation of what drives each player to continue with the game despite everything. And of course, Kuon's' is the one that's the most sympathetic even if he's not entirely sure of himself at this point. And it'd be a tough situation for anyone who doesn't know the proper way to honor the memory of someone important. By contrast, the motives of everyone who's not the streamer are entirely simplistic or selfish. Fight for the sake of it. Fight to kill. Fight to reaffirm your delusions. And I think the show does a solid job at showcasing the intensity of these emotions while not making any one of them look glamorous. Speaking of character development though, I rather liked the scene where Kuon meets the Makai Alchemist from before, and tells her rather politely that he's not putting up with her nonsense again. Once again, it's a great reaffirmation of character. Kuon isn't about to let the memory of Koshiai be clouded in Inga again. Not after everything that's happened. It's also fun to see how the people running the game aren't even bothering with subtlety anymore. Both the previous "game" and this one are literally just "kill eachother so we don't have to." And you know, the masquerade has been totally broken at this point, so why even bother, right? Plus to it results in some more utterly sick wirework and stunts and this franchise is known for, so I ain't about to complain. Keep the fancy sword fights coming! If nothing else, I'm so glad that this show isn't boring.
__________________
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#317 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,790
|
I admittedly don't have much to say on most of these latter episodes.
But I am glad you're still enjoying this show. I do think VR tends to get dunked on a bit too much due to how wildly different it is from the standard fair. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#318 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,944
|
So far it certainly hasn't been bad! While I could see some issues people might have, especially those who grew to love the GARO formula, I think it currently stands as one of the better Death Game TV show.
__________________
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#319 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,944
|
Episode #8: Counter ![]() Now, see, this is the episode that I would've titled "Friend." It's also an episode that I feel works well enough, but it also sort of highlights the inherent weakness that shorter run shows tend to have. Because on paper, using Amo and his relationship with Kanata as a sort of contrast to Kuon and Hoshiai, and having that be an inspiration for how Kuon carries himself from now on is a great idea. In terms of execution though? Again, I think it works well enough, but I couldn't help but think about how I would've liked to have seen more backstory on both Amo and Kanata. And I get it, we only have 12 episodes, and the show has done a good job at prioritizing, but still. There's other bits and bobs with our other characters too, namely how Nagusuke steels his resolve in exposing the truth about Versus Road, and Takane falling deeper into their madness-induced despair. But it's relatively minor, especially given how Hyuga the serial killer finally gets cut down. While I could see some wishing that it would've been Amo who took him out, I do see the thematics in our biggest hero being the one to finally put an end to the most monstrous contestant. The momentum certainly doesn't stop there though, since the guy who seems to be the big bad(although part of me says it's actually the Redhead Alchemist) is revealed to have been someone who tried to become Garo and failed. So I am absolutely intrigued in learning more about him and why he's doing his best to cover the armor in Inga. See, Geats? You can still make terrible people into interesting characters. Just takes a small amount of effort.
__________________
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#320 |
Alias: ZeroEnchiladas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,790
|
Yeah, Versus Road definitely has a lot on its plate for being a 12 Episode season, especially since unlike a few of the others in GARO, it's not using any pre-established setting or characters.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:33 PM.
|