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ba-ku-ma-tsu ki-ka-n-se- damn, these words are so big
Episodes 14 & 15: Kanna. ;_;
What with the fixing of broken sandals and the feeding of starving orphans, I'm starting to think our main character is truly a wonderful guy.
Episode 16: Ah, it's the old story of shoujo versus shounen again. Boys have to train for their powers while girls get theirs magically. Boys have to prove they're worthy, girls aren't worth even that - their power comes from the outside, not from the inside. Go, Kakunojo. Go, Iroha. Go, Japan.
Hijikata: *two thumbs up*
+ I find myself growing fonder and fonder of Youjirou with each passing episode.
Episode 17: For the last four episodes, Enomoto has been hiding in his room, examining his fabulous teeth from the reflection in the window.
Youjirou: *watching potential war*
Kakunojo: Hey, wanna help me train to fight?
Youjirou: I'm trying to concentrate on the war.
Kakunojo: Well, I'm trying to concentrate on you. CHAAAAARGE!
Youjirou: *headpalm*
Cannons: BOOOM.
Kakunojo could be kind of cool if she decided that she wanted to learn how to fight because it's useful or because she likes it, not as an excuse to get closer to a man.
Also, I find myself pondering on the naming of the chess piece characters. I can't remember who, exactly, was what, but is there any reason for Queen to be Queen other than her being female? Because, really, Kanna seems to be closest to being the Queen of that side of the chess board. Uh, not that I'm suggesting a name change for him. (...Would that make the Queen Mother King?) [edit episode 18] Rook, huh. I guess his fighting method is forward enough. I thought it'd be the big guy with the hand-bombs, but he's actually more tricksy in battle.
Episode 18: ...Yeah, I hate the way Soutetsu knows eeeeeverything. He needs a moustache so that he can caress it while marvelling how everything's going just as planned. Though I have a sneaking suspicion it's less that he knows, and more how the show handles it that I hate.
I have problems with Queen's character & clothing design. I have nothing against her character (or rather her lack of character), but her design looks like she just jumped out of some magical girl series. The other chess pieces, while not much better off, have the advantage of wearing pants, and also of not wearing modern eye glasses.
Putting myself in Kakunojo's shoes I see how she feels that she must follow Youjirou. It's important (or at least it could be important) because of deeper reasons than merely following this one man, it affects her whole person, it's a sea change, it shapes her life. This doesn't excuse her and the show itself for being so annoying, ridiculous and goddamn generic about it.
...LOL SHE STABBED HIM.
....and of course it starts to rain.
Episode 19: Aww, the servant boy (whose name I probably should remember) has never seen a WOMAN before.
It'd be interesting if someone, for once, dealed with loss of a close one not with tears and grief, but complete... rejection, blankness. Too much information.
"Ma'am, your husband has fallen in battle." "*blank stare*"
...
"It's been two day since she heard the news, is she still acting as if nothing has happened?"
...like that.
Sorry, series, insert songs just don't work in this type of a show.
It would also be interesting if a character's singing would at least once be treated as an unwanted distraction instead of that one point of beauty and calm still lingering in this world, gather 'round to listen to her (never him) sing! Damn, woman, some people are trying to do work around here.
It's always, always a female that defends the value of healing and protection. In real life this is perfectly agreeable - pacifism rules! - but in fictive medias a girl has these needs. (These needs, too. These, also.)
Episode 20: It's odd that, in the hospital, Kakunojo is the one on top of the situation instead of the good doctor.
...I realise that most of my ramblings revolve around bitching about Kakunojo, but what else is there to comment on? I still don't know what the story is aiming for. The rest is battles. Nice, strong swing there, Hijikata-sama. A charming hue of red in your eyes this evening, Enomoto-sama.
An interesting focus on the inner workings of the main character, for once.
Episode 21: What a total drunkard this whathisface (Kuroda Ryousuke), pouring his own sake.
Army dudes: But who would go there?
Hijitaka: I will do it.
Me: ...If you smile that all-knowing smile now, Soutetsu, I swear I'll somehow find a way to punch your teeth in.
(That said, he seemed sort of surprised.)
Hijikata has the sort of charismatic personality that pulls at least this viewer in. Good thing he's a prominent side character.
I know of kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers, and drivers speeding their cars into obstacles, but this is the first time I've seen a SUICIDE SHIP. FULL STEAM AHEAD.
Curse you, Hijitaka, for denying me my suicide disemboweling! (That was pretty touching actually.)
This post has gone on for way too long. THE END, FOR NOW.
What with the fixing of broken sandals and the feeding of starving orphans, I'm starting to think our main character is truly a wonderful guy.
Episode 16: Ah, it's the old story of shoujo versus shounen again. Boys have to train for their powers while girls get theirs magically. Boys have to prove they're worthy, girls aren't worth even that - their power comes from the outside, not from the inside. Go, Kakunojo. Go, Iroha. Go, Japan.
Hijikata: *two thumbs up*
+ I find myself growing fonder and fonder of Youjirou with each passing episode.
Episode 17: For the last four episodes, Enomoto has been hiding in his room, examining his fabulous teeth from the reflection in the window.
Youjirou: *watching potential war*
Kakunojo: Hey, wanna help me train to fight?
Youjirou: I'm trying to concentrate on the war.
Kakunojo: Well, I'm trying to concentrate on you. CHAAAAARGE!
Youjirou: *headpalm*
Cannons: BOOOM.
Kakunojo could be kind of cool if she decided that she wanted to learn how to fight because it's useful or because she likes it, not as an excuse to get closer to a man.
Also, I find myself pondering on the naming of the chess piece characters. I can't remember who, exactly, was what, but is there any reason for Queen to be Queen other than her being female? Because, really, Kanna seems to be closest to being the Queen of that side of the chess board. Uh, not that I'm suggesting a name change for him. (...Would that make the Queen Mother King?) [edit episode 18] Rook, huh. I guess his fighting method is forward enough. I thought it'd be the big guy with the hand-bombs, but he's actually more tricksy in battle.
Episode 18: ...Yeah, I hate the way Soutetsu knows eeeeeverything. He needs a moustache so that he can caress it while marvelling how everything's going just as planned. Though I have a sneaking suspicion it's less that he knows, and more how the show handles it that I hate.
I have problems with Queen's character & clothing design. I have nothing against her character (or rather her lack of character), but her design looks like she just jumped out of some magical girl series. The other chess pieces, while not much better off, have the advantage of wearing pants, and also of not wearing modern eye glasses.
Putting myself in Kakunojo's shoes I see how she feels that she must follow Youjirou. It's important (or at least it could be important) because of deeper reasons than merely following this one man, it affects her whole person, it's a sea change, it shapes her life. This doesn't excuse her and the show itself for being so annoying, ridiculous and goddamn generic about it.
...LOL SHE STABBED HIM.
....and of course it starts to rain.
Episode 19: Aww, the servant boy (whose name I probably should remember) has never seen a WOMAN before.
It'd be interesting if someone, for once, dealed with loss of a close one not with tears and grief, but complete... rejection, blankness. Too much information.
"Ma'am, your husband has fallen in battle." "*blank stare*"
...
"It's been two day since she heard the news, is she still acting as if nothing has happened?"
...like that.
Sorry, series, insert songs just don't work in this type of a show.
It would also be interesting if a character's singing would at least once be treated as an unwanted distraction instead of that one point of beauty and calm still lingering in this world, gather 'round to listen to her (never him) sing! Damn, woman, some people are trying to do work around here.
It's always, always a female that defends the value of healing and protection. In real life this is perfectly agreeable - pacifism rules! - but in fictive medias a girl has these needs. (These needs, too. These, also.)
Episode 20: It's odd that, in the hospital, Kakunojo is the one on top of the situation instead of the good doctor.
...I realise that most of my ramblings revolve around bitching about Kakunojo, but what else is there to comment on? I still don't know what the story is aiming for. The rest is battles. Nice, strong swing there, Hijikata-sama. A charming hue of red in your eyes this evening, Enomoto-sama.
An interesting focus on the inner workings of the main character, for once.
Episode 21: What a total drunkard this whathisface (Kuroda Ryousuke), pouring his own sake.
Army dudes: But who would go there?
Hijitaka: I will do it.
Me: ...If you smile that all-knowing smile now, Soutetsu, I swear I'll somehow find a way to punch your teeth in.
(That said, he seemed sort of surprised.)
Hijikata has the sort of charismatic personality that pulls at least this viewer in. Good thing he's a prominent side character.
I know of kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers, and drivers speeding their cars into obstacles, but this is the first time I've seen a SUICIDE SHIP. FULL STEAM AHEAD.
Curse you, Hijitaka, for denying me my suicide disemboweling! (That was pretty touching actually.)
This post has gone on for way too long. THE END, FOR NOW.