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#961 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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I mean, given that Simone takes up like 80% of the episode, with Kendo Boy being barely there and Kanako not getting fleshed out until next episode, I wouldn't say the episode was about the group as a whole, really.
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#962 |
Hates Fun
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 61
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I wouldn't either! I meant Kanako.
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useless inflammatory comment Last edited by Name; 10-24-2024 at 05:08 PM.. |
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#963 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 13: The Red Sword in Love ![]() I felt this one was primarily saved by the way that it ended. The episode focuses on Benio; the RA who up until now was known as Scarlet Kiss, the girl who could control people by kissing them. We get the backstory not only on her, but also her two friends who help form Filament, her section of the Glittering Crux Brigade. And if you don't know who they are, well, they were among the first Cybody users beaten by Takuto. The overarching theme of the episode is examining how people might fight to regain what they feel they've lost. Whether it be the ability to pilot a Cybody, family honor, or even just interest in a hobby. As well as how obsession over perceived loss can be rather detrimental overall. One fear I had throughout the episode was that it was going to try and paint Benio as sympathetic, or elsewise someone to feel sorry for. But to my surprise, it didn't. It simply showcased what her motivations were and didn't make any attempt at hiding all of her negative qualities. This in turn made her eventual development, which tied into the ultimate lesson of the episode, all the better. Basically, it boils down to learning from the punches life throws at you; Either in terms of how to overcome, or to simply let go of something long gone and find a different means of moving forward. And if you wanna primarily go by this episode in itself, it's a major reason why Takuto and Sugata are as strong as they are. Takuto can adapt to whatever situation he finds himself in, and Sugata has been learning to not let his past or family name confine him. But as I said, the primary focus is Benio, and while she does have her own theme, I struggle to think of a single time I ever heard it play in-show. Thus, I instead present the theme of Filament, the group that she leads, which has played a few times throughout the show. It captures the general vibe of all three of its members rather well I feel. And you know, it helps that the battle theme remix of it is so good too. Anyway, I won't say the episode is out and out perfect, but I did overall respect it for what it gunned for.
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#964 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 14: Ayngott's Eyes ![]() How fitting that this is the episode I watch on the same day I'll later be going to see Venom 3. I think this episode also serves to kinda showcase what I meant when I compared Star Driver to Power Rangers back when this rewatch started. It really is in the overall structure of this one. Most of the episode is school life stuff. With Mizuno and Takuto being cast in an upcoming school play wherein they share a kiss scene, and that suddenly becoming the talk of the entire town. It's to the point that the far more serious matter of the repair of Ayngott, Marino's' Cybody, almost feels like an afterthought. But yet it's the climax of the episode and what more directly connects to the show's' overarching plotline. Both in terms of progressing it and deepening a mystery with Marino. Power Rangers has often done the same sort of thing with its plot structure so as to always be able to fit in its staples such as the Megazord action(something I've noticed alot of "fans" have either forgotten or not picked up on). Yeah, you'll never see content as racy in Rangers, but Star Driver still embodies the core of the whole "school life meets superheroics" ordeal that made the PR franchise what it is. This episode is also what brings in the second opening sequence for the show, "Shining Star" by 9nine. And I'll be honest, I almost entirely forgot about this OP, and having now seen it again, I entirely get why: It is very stock anime. Both in terms of song and animation. Other than the visuals containing a pretty key spoiler, almost nothing about either especially stands out; especially not in comparison to what came before it. Neither are bad, but they're definitely a major downgrade from before. Overall, this episode was a nice way to kick off our second half. The mystery with Marino is very interesting, and the episode in turn showcases that this show has the ability to deliver on its plot threads in a very cool way, and thus, the introduction of even more of them is not unwelcome.
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#965 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 15: The Maidens of the Seals ![]() Marino can only protect Mizuno so much. The whole episode is basically the worst day that Mizuno could possibly have, with no one able to save her. She realizes that Takuto doesn't feel for her the same way that she does for him, her abusive mother suddenly returns to the island, and worst of all, she discovers that her being a Maiden means she has no real way to escape. While the episode almost entirely pure suffering, what makes it works so well is just how likable Mizuno has been up to this point. I really feel for the poor girl because she's never once been annoying, overbearing, or otherwise an unlikable character to me. So seeing her get put through the ringer hurts, but in a good way. And of course, there's that final shot at the end, which signals a great change coming for everyone who's a part of this conflict. Like before, since we did the second opening last episode, we'll do the second ending today, and it's overall a bit of an odd trade off. The song is "Pride" by SCANDAL, and as a song, I like it more than the previous ED. But on the other hand, the visuals of the first one were not only better, but they fit the song that accompanied them alot more. So I guess technically the first ED wins? Anyway, it's clear that the twins' story is coming to its climax, and I very much look forward to it.
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#966 |
Hates Fun
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 61
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Quote:
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useless inflammatory comment |
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#967 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 16: Takuto's Mark ![]() Takuto and Mizuno have more in common than things first appeared. Both were abandoned by their parents at a young age, and both struggled to regulate their emotions for a long while afterward, until a guiding hand inspired them. But wait, it was Marino who was affected most by her mother's' disappearance, wasn't it? And not Mizuno, who remained optimistic? Well see, the thing about is, Marino technically doesn't exist. Yeah, as it turns out, Marino is actually a piece of Mizuno's' psyche that got split off from her due to the trauma of her mother's' departure. It's why Marino is dedicated to keeping Mizuno stress free, and it also means that, technically, both girls are the West Maiden. So what's up with Takuto then? The guy has been almost nothing but cheery this entire show, right? Sure, but this is where alot of that subtle foreshadowing from earlier on in the show starts to come into frame. Head mentioned how Takuto was searching for his dad way back in episode 1, and Takuto is often seen staring at the painting of a young looking girl at Sugata's' mansion. It's all but outright stated that Takuto has been putting on a strong face for those around him, but even despite his own self doubts, he keeps going as a means of carrying on the legacy and dreams of a dear friend of his. Heck, he even took the kid's' catch phrase. And despite being initially shaken by the new power that the Glittering Crux have gained via breaking the Western Seal, these feelings are what allow Takuto to upgrade Tauburn to a new form, and win the day. I was originally going to highlight "Galactic Pretty Boy" here, as it's a triumphant theme that typically plays with emotionally high moments, and is infact used wonderfully in this episode. But alas, it seems that no one has uploaded it. So instead I highlight Head's' theme, which has notably been playing with the various scenes where he talks with Sugata. And let's just say that those scenes, combined with that fact that Head is a GPB himself, well, keen viewers might be queuing in on something right about now. Overall, this was a very emotionally powerful and satisfying episode that ends the current arc and gets us ready for the next one, and I really have no complaints about it.
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#968 |
Hates Fun
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 61
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Quote:
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useless inflammatory comment |
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#969 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 17: Vanishing Age ![]() Head's' true colors begin to come more to light as the Third Phase begins. The tone of this one is a bit weird, because sandwiched inbetween two bouts of rather serious and straightforward storytelling is a wacky beach episode. Not to say the beach aspect is out and out useless or anything, since it does establish the personalities of two new characters, but it almost feels out of place with the rest of the episode. Because really, the majority of the episode is about Head and how he pulls a coup to make his group, Vanishing Age, the leads of the Glittering Crux Brigade. They'll be the ones to not only try and take out Tauburn, but also attempt to break the seals on both the East and South Maidens at the same time. And while this is normally where I'd plug Vanishing Age's' theme, it hasn't been uploaded(the song from the PSP game is totally different). So instead, have "Glittering Star" which is a song that tends to just play for the Brigade in general, rather than any sort of specific group. Very theatrical in its sound, just as the group itself is in all that they do. This was overall very much a "first episode" to our current arc, but I did overall enjoy it. If nothing else, it was totally worth it just to see Takuto fire himself like a missile at an enemy Cybody. And yes, it turns out that even girls can be Galactic Pretty Boys.
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#970 |
Some guy. I'm alright.
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,941
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Episode 18: Keito's Morning and Night ![]() On the one hand, it's an interesting setup episode, on the other, it's clickbait. Because like, yeah, technically this episode is our first somewhat bigger insight into Keito, but at the same time, she's barely in it. Infact, a majority of the episode is actually more about Takuto learning more about the childhoods of Sugata and Wako and, granted, Keito is a part of that, but the title would lead one to believe that she's the main focus when she's so not. Heck, if we're to ignore the plot stuff, most of the episode is actually more school life antics involving the two new girls of whom I don't much care for. But thankfully I don't think the viewer is exactly meant to like them either given no other characters really do. As such, the song I chose this time around is "Temptation" which is another song that usually plays during more light-hearted moments; typically involving school life. Or a Wako fantasy. Or both. Still, for what it's worth, the few bits of insight we get into Keito and the mask that she wears are rather interesting, and they do make for a great building block for future episodes. I mainly just wish that the title of the episode was different. Oh, and I can't provide a screenshot here because it would break the rules, but let's just say that as "mundane" as this episode is in comparison to many others in Star Driver, it landed itself into meme status for a long time due to a very infamous line that the group doing the subs while the show was airing added to it. It's during the scene where Keito goes to check on a sleeping Sugata. If you know, you know. And sorry to say that the more modern subs do not include it.
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