Last Exile Discussion

[berserker916]

1. Why was Maestro able to control exile without Aru?
2. Why does Aru have the power to control exile?
3. So are the guild aliens or something?
4. Wtf happend to Deo when he got put in the chamber. Then why did he go crazy at the end and get himself killed.
5. What is the relationship between Maestro and Deo...other then they are siblings. Why does she seem to turn him into a slave?
6. Why did Deo's friend Luciora turn into dust when he said he was Deo's friend?
7. What is the Exile?
8. What is the Mysterion...is it a spell that activates Aru's powers?
9. How did the engineers suddenly appear at the checkpoints when one minute ago they were in the Grand Stream?

[freedoom]

6. Why did Deo's friend Luciora turn into dust when he said he was Deo's friend?


because of the ring maestro gave to him. earlier in the series(the auction episode at the end) she gave the ring to someone else and he also turned to dust.

[Briareos]

8. What is the Mysterion...is it a spell that activates Aru's powers?
As I understand it, the Mysterions/Mysteriums(?) are the actual keys to Exile(, and not the object that was up for sale in the auction). There are four called questions and four responses that only Alvis seems to know. Alvis is a direct descendant of one of the powerful Guild houses (the Hamilton family) that fled when or before Delphine took over. As evidenced by the fact that the Mark of Oath has been altered by Delphine to have a cohesive effect (i.e. someone with the mark -- see Luciora's forehead -- cannot go against Delphine herself directly), it's obvious that the Guild have the power to implant something in the body that can affect a mental-takeover. The Hamilton bloodline was probably infused with some sort of micro-machines that program family members to respond to the Mysterium phrases involuntarily. (This does not explain the Claudia response that occurs when Alvis hears part of a Mysterium from Dio early in the series. Although, maybe the Guild Units are derived from Exile class engine/system tech that have the same sort of programming, and perhaps contain artifacts of the Mysterium code.)

When the four Mysteriums are called out and Alvis gives the response to each one, a protection/activation level of Exile seems to be released or set in motion. When three are recited, the protective arms of Exile remain, and the ship itself seeks out a submerged device now frozen in a Deusis lake. Maybe the beam coming from the device provided power, navigation coordinates, or necessary operation instructions? Who knows? When all four have been recited, Exile can then be boarded and the Grand Stream is dispersed. (In fact, the Exile seems to use the Grand Stream as a front line defense.)

Here are the four Mysteriums and their responses which give many hints about the world of Prestair (sp?): Source: http://halo-productions.com/LastExile/

Elaclaire Mysterium:
"What lies beyond the sky..."
Alvis Reply:
"Leading the lost child back to the mother. EXILE"

Dagobel Mysterium:
"The wave that colors the earth in gold..."
Alvis Reply:
"The breath of spring that bringeth life. The wheat-covered earth."

Bashianus Mysterium:
"The path of the angel's descent..."
Alvis Reply:
"Thou art the path of the great winds. The Grand Stream."

Hamilton Mysterium:
"What lies beyond the memories..."
Alvis Reply:
"The place where everything comes from and everything returns to. The blue planet."

9. How did the engineers suddenly appear at the checkpoints when one minute ago they were in the Grand Stream?
More time must have passed than you think. Obviously they traveled by Vanship to the refueling destinations. I’ll have to watch the ep25-26 again, but I’m pretty sure that there are gaps in time not shown, especially since they switch Vanships so many times. They are switching ships instead of refueling, which would take precious time. I’m sure that the trip (to Deusis) took hours, which leaves plenty of time for the technicians to reach their designated switch points. As I recall, none of the Silvana’s technicians was at the very first checkpoint (the floating fuel station from ep1).

[Hao Asakura]

Who is the guy with a child in the ending? He looks exactly like Moran, but isn't he suppose to be dead during the gun fight in enemy's ship?

[FinFangFoom]

Who is the guy with a child in the ending? He looks exactly like Moran, but isn't he suppose to be dead during the gun fight in enemy's ship?

Sorry I can't remember names, but I thought that too at first but then I figured that it was that one guy whose brother they meet at the beginning that gives them that girl then dies.

[Hao Asakura]

Sorry I can't remember names, but I thought that too at first but then I figured that it was that one guy whose brother they meet at the beginning that gives them that girl then dies.

U meant the guy is Ralph Wednesday's brother????
I just double checked Ep17 and 26 again; and I don't think the one u mentioned resembles the guy in the ending.
Maybe Moran just haven't died yet since it still can be seen that the Dusis girl (forgot her name) is standing along with one kid and Alvis at the ending; meanwhile that Moran-guy looked-alike is holding another kid showing him the Immelman Turn.
So...it could be Moran and that Dusis girl married thus having 2 kids :eyespin: :confused:

[Briareos]

Moran is indeed alive. Go here (http://www.anime-kraze.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1544) if you want evidence. In the scene where we thought Moran died, Dounia was probably crying because this was her first battle and she lost many comrades. She also could have mistakenly thought that Moran was dead (having no medical experience). Either way, it was obvious that we were supposed to think he was probably dead.

The children are probably war orphans from either Deusis or Anatoure (or both). There has been a great deal of death all around. Since Claus and Lavi are orphans themselves, it makes perfect sense that they would open their home to other orphans and enlist the help of Tatiana, Alistia, Moran and Dounia, and use the fields around the house to grow wheat and livestock to feed them all.

[IPv6]

But the question is: Was he supposed to survive from the beginning, or was it planned to let him die, but they decided otherwise before making the last episode?
After all he never reappeared after his "death scene" until this last moment, and this scene could have easily been put into the episode afterwards.
there was probably no point in showing whether he is alive or not since the major ending battle was coming up.

[NenMaster]

thanks this has also cleared something i wanted to know as well.

[PocariSweat]

Baka! Don't you recognize a model II Mecca-Moran when you see one?

Remember Moranitronics Corp. (TM) for all your Moran simulacra needs. (now running our fall special - buy a Moran and get your first medal of safe return free!)

[Sepiraph]

Well Moran was shoot in his last battle, but it doesn't mean that he died.

Here are my questions:

What exactly did the EXILE do after the four Mysteriums were recited? As far as I can tell, beside removing its defensive mechanism and display some funny colours, all it did was get rid of the Grand Stream and maybe change the weather pattern. Was it really necessary to go through all that trouble to do that? EXILE itself doesn't seem to hold any true power. Also it was never really explained how the Guild was so more technologically advanced than the others.

[PocariSweat]

Also it was never really explained how the Guild was so more technologically advanced than the others.

I think everyone (including the Guild) had actually degenerated over time - forgetting much that their ancestors knew. This isn't unexpected - high technology relies heavily on existing infrastructure to maintain itself and these were colonists who presumably left their home world behind. For example, say a group of people today were isolated on an island with no outside contact - even if they came well supplied and knew about such things, how many do you think could build a computer when the existing ones broke?

I think the Guild just hadn't degenerated as far as the rest. I could guess that they may have been decended from the techs or scientists of the original colony ship's crew, and over time horded their know-how to gain control over the others and keep them ignorant.

My question own question is were is the FIRST exile? :)

[Lord Raiden]

I've finally gotten around to watching Last Exile (man the OP just kicks **!!) and I've got some questions.

1. What kind of engine does the Vanship's have? Is it a pulse jet, or something else? 2. How do the vanships and the other vessles float?
3. Am I seeing things or do they rely on steam a lot? Am I to assume that they don't have gunpowder in their world and therefore rely on steam as an accelorant for their weapons?
4. WTH is that star shaped android ship?
5. What is the relationship between Clause and Ravey? Are they siblings? Partners? Dating each other? Or something else? (btw, Ravey is Cute. :love: :D)

[Asakura_Y0h]

I've finally gotten around to watching Last Exile (man the OP just kicks **!!) and I've got some questions.

1. What kind of engine does the Vanship's have? Is it a pulse jet, or something else? 2. How do the vanships and the other vessles float?
3. Am I seeing things or do they rely on steam a lot? Am I to assume that they don't have gunpowder in their world and therefore rely on steam as an accelorant for their weapons?
4. WTH is that star shaped android ship?
5. What is the relationship between Clause and Ravey? Are they siblings? Partners? Dating each other? Or something else? (btw, Ravey is Cute. :love: :D)

I'm not saying I'm the most knowledgeable person to answer your questions so if others could point out the mistakes, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.....

1. Its something that uses a technology not of our world... that's for sure.... Even their fuel is not something that exists.... which also answers question no. 2.

3. I don't think its steam but their fuel does rely on water alot....

4. The star shaped ship comes from the 'guild' of which they are aliens who probably came to earth to rule over the humans ..... (if this is earth) and from there they gave part of their ship technology to the humans which explains why their fuel and the way the vanship floats is hard to explain in real terms..... its not exactly an android ship but more like a mini mecha that's in the shape of a star so its still operated from the inside by one of the guild people....

5. Clause and Lavi are both kids of two best friends........ as in both clause and lavi's fathers were vanship pilots with Lavi's father being the navigator.... they both were very close and lived together since Lavi did not have a mom (whether she died or something I can't remember).

So both Clause and Lavi grew up together and were like siblings until they were older and I think in the animation there was some indication that they did sort of like each other..... but at the end it was understood that they managed to lie happily ever after together whether married or not I have no idea.... they're just together

Hope this helps

[Briareos]

As to where Last Exile is taking place...

This spoiler is revealed at the end of the series if you are paying enough attention to gather the clues scattered throughout the series. I would finish watching LE before reading this.
It's not earth. The world is called "Prestair" or Prestar" and it's more like a space-bound constructed colony (i.e. the Plant colonies in Gundam Seed). You'll see it from space (via Exile) at the end of the series. The hour-glass shaped drawings that show up at various points in the series are either maps of the Grand Stream, or drawings of Prestair. Anatare and Deusis seem to be located at opposing ends of the hour-glass shaped colony.

If you're wondering why it looks like there is nothing above the nations but sky: In the beginning of episode one the Sylvana exits the grand stream. When it does so, it passes into blue sky through some sort of field. This "field" seems to not only hide the grand stream from view; it also perpetuates the illusion of a blue sky and seems to seal off each end of Prestair from the effects of the Grand Stream.

Exile doesn't so much create the world as it does help to maintain it. It's a colony ship -- I suspect it was one of many -- that was used to transport people from the home world (the blue planet, probably earth) to Prestair. This last remaining Exile apparently contains the technology to repair and maintain the colony. Even the guild seems to have lost the ability to maintain Prestair over the years, if it was indeed their job initially.

I feel that it was originally the Guild's job to transport people to Prestair, and that the people of Anatare and Deusis just settled on either side of the "hour-glass". As time went on, the Guild seemingly took advantage of the fact that everyone was dependant on their knowledge -- that is if they weren't doing so all along. As the generations went by, people forgot where they even came from and a great deal of technology was lost by the Guild through lack of use and lack of necessity.

[guynextdoor]

most of ur questions can be answered as u watch the show

[sperry]

1. What kind of engine does the Vanship's have? Is it a pulse jet, or something else? 2. How do the vanships and the other vessles float?
3. Am I seeing things or do they rely on steam a lot? Am I to assume that they don't have gunpowder in their world and therefore rely on steam as an accelorant for their weapons?
4. WTH is that star shaped android ship?
5. What is the relationship between Clause and Ravey? Are they siblings? Partners? Dating each other? Or something else? (btw, Ravey is Cute. )

Most of this has alreayd been answered, but here I go anyway...

1 & 2. The Claudia engines, well, can't really be described using our technology. The Guild gives them to the people of Anatore and Dusis, and they can be pulled out at any time.(As you see later on)

3. I don't really know...

4. You'll see later on. They're the Guild equivalent of Vanships, except much more advanced.

5. Really good friends, the best of. I think Lavi liked Claus, but I don't believe Claus thought of her as anything more than his best friend.

[Lord Raiden]

Thanks for the info guys. Those tidbits went to explaining a LOT in the series. Now it's making a lot more sence. Before I was totally confused as ****. Now this makes a whole lot more sence. I like it. :D

[Lord Raiden]

Wow, finally finished up the last of this, and all I gotta say is that this series has to rank as my #1 all time favorite. It's no wonder it got licenced. That's got to be the most well done anime I've ever seen. The ending was perfect and so much more. I kinda wish they would have explained some things a bit more, but there was enough told and enough hinted at to pick up everything. So I was happy with it.

Too bad they don't make more anime like this one. I have like zero complaints with this one. Definate two thumbs up. :)

[choowee]

i always expected that there would be some resolve in the relationship between claus and tatiana.... what really happened in the desert? did i miss something?

[Go-lytely]

i always expected that there would be some resolve in the relationship between claus and tatiana.... what really happened in the desert? did i miss something?

That was my big problem with the show. They hinted at a lot of romantic relationships with Claus and the other girls but never explored any of them. Then again, there was a lot of character development that they never really explored.

[Keen]

The whole world seemed to be created artificially, so basically everyone were aliens. Probably after the humans settled on this planet, they divided into the different groups, with the guild as the group which kept most of the technology/knowledge.Unnecessarily complex. Humans live happily on Earth. Guild invades. Humans fight, but lose to the Guild's better tech. Guild places EXILE on Earth to help dominate the planet. MUCH TIME PASSES. Last Exile happens, and EXILE is removed. Its effects are removed with it.

[xro]

Unnecessarily complex. Humans live happily on Earth. Guild invades. Humans fight, but lose to the Guild's better tech. Guild places EXILE on Earth to help dominate the planet. MUCH TIME PASSES. Last Exile happens, and EXILE is removed. Its effects are removed with it.

Sorry, you're leaving out important story elements,
first, as could be seen from the dusis imigration capsules, dusis lies beyond the grand stream, the grand stream lies beyond the sky, so obviously, the two countries are in each others sky. That theory is confirmed in Ep 26 when we actually get to see the world of "Last Exile" from Space (when everyone is on the exile and in space). It is a hourglass-formed world, apparently spinning at to create gravity.
So, it can't be Earth !

However that leads to the next question, we learned that the world of "Last Exile" was about to break down and that they missed their last chance to repair it. From the Bridge of the Exile you can see them leaving.
Then, where they f*** are the afterwards ? did they find their new world ?

[Briareos]

Anatare and Deusis both have their own section of the hourglass. The Grand Stream separated the two ends by making it very difficult to traverse the thin part of the hourglass. That's why the migration capsules were needed. Maybe the Guild separated the two "countries" with the Grand Stream long ago so that they could divide and control the surface dwellers? Pitting the two countries against each other is one way to keep the focus away from a rebellion against the Guild, and thus a good reason for the Meistro to stop Claus and Lavi's fathers from delivering the peace treaty.

The house they're in during the end credits is Claus and Lavi's parent's house, so I'm pretty sure they're back in the hourglass. Exile apparently has the tech level to repair the colony (Prestair), perhaps automatically. "The wave that colors the earth in gold...The breath of spring that bringeth life. The wheat-covered earth." This myterium probably refers to the Exile's ability to repair or run the weather machines of Prestair. A good machine should produce a spring-like climate good for growing the needed food resources. The word "earth" here is referring to the ground, not our home planet. The fields of wheat you see are the formerly green fields that surrounded Claus and Lavi's parent's house.

"What lies beyond the memories...The place where everything comes from and everything returns to. The blue planet." Alternately, one could argue that the blue planet of this mysterium is indeed Earth (although this isn't necessarily true -- This human civilization may have evolved in some far away galaxy long ago. Or better yet, it could be an alternate universe -- which would explain the Greek lettering). At the least, it's referring to the "Homeworld" of Prestair's inhabitant's. Perhaps they did load everyone up on Exile and "warp" back to "the blue planet". I really doubt it though. Can you imagine the task of rounding up two entire continents worth people? I guess it could be done little by little...

[stormy001_M1A2]

My understanding is

1. EXILE is terraforming colony ship sent to change Prestel into habitable Earth like planet

2. Guild is originally engineers to operate the EXILE but grown into a political power as time goes by. Each family represent a specialty, for instance Hamilton is weather control specialist and the engine supervisor on Silvanna etc

3. Alvis Hamilton has encoded DNA to acitvate the weather terraform machiney within the EXILE. It is uses voice recognition technology

5. EXILE few away after completing the terraforming Prestel and persumably few back to Earth or some other wait to be colonized planets in faraway places

6. With the death of their matriach, the present Guild is like a chicken without a head.

7. Delphine wants make sure Prestel remain at her grasp by creating unstable envoirnment. By depriving humans below of basic needs, it is easy to control them.

8. Chivilarous war code is designed so both sides did not destroy each other too much to sustain a form of lower control on the humans below

9. EXILE did not complete the terraforming in the past for some reason, so that is why there is perpetual storm known as Grand Stream. Perhaps a infighting in the Guild that preclude the conclusion of the terraforming?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

My only gripe is plot holes like where is Guild's vastly superior fighter craft to ward off Alliance's vanship assault in last few eps?

Just some musings.

[Sugetsu]

Based on animeinfo's top 100 anime list, I have purchased Last Exile's DVD. But, I have been watching 9 episodes so far and the story is going nowhere. In fact I still don't know what last exile means. The action is pretty boring. The characters are not original at all. The story is very slow. And there are some parts that are supposed to be very emotional but I just don’t get the point. For example in episode 6 when Ravey starts crying because she doesn’t want to be in the ship and then comes that little girl hugs her and starts saying Ravey! Ravey! ... What was so terrible?
-_-;; Or perhaps they are just too emotional for my taste… The only good things so far have been the video and sound quality.

So when is it going get fun? or perhaps 9 episodes were supposed to be enough to show how good this anime is? If so this not my cup of tea and I have wasted 85 dollars!!!!!!

Please, I don't want to waste my money :( Can anyone tell me what the fun parts of Last Exile are so that I can watched this anime with higher expectations once again? I DON’T WANNA WASTE MY MONEY :(

[Unmei]

Based on animeinfo's top 100 anime list, I have purchased Last Exile's DVD. But, I have been watching 9 episodes so far and the story is going nowhere. In fact I still don't know what last exile means. The action is pretty boring. The characters are not original at all. The story is very slow. And there are some parts that are supposed to be very emotional but I just don’t get the point. For example in episode 6 when Ravey starts crying because she doesn’t want to be in the ship and then comes that little girl hugs her and starts saying Ravey! Ravey! ... What was so terrible?
-_-;; Or perhaps they are just too emotional for my taste… The only good things so far have been the video and sound quality.

So when is it going get fun? or perhaps 9 episodes were supposed to be enough to show how good this anime is? If so this not my cup of tea and I have wasted 85 dollars!!!!!!

Please, I don't want to waste my money :( Can anyone tell me what the fun parts of Last Exile are so that I can watched this anime with higher expectations once again? I DON’T WANNA WASTE MY MONEY :(

The story will develop rather slow and u will learn what EXILE is in like the late 10's episodes...Later on, u get to see some vanship racings and vanship fightin. U get to see one kiss scene and then you find out more about the captain of the ship. blabla, basically nothing exciting i think. Kind of a tragic ending, some people die. The show wasn't great...lol sorrie there just wasn't a lot happening in this anime

[Sugetsu]

The story will develop rather slow and u will learn what EXILE is in like the late 10's episodes...Later on, u get to see some vanship racings and vanship fightin. U get to see one kiss scene and then you find out more about the captain of the ship. blabla, basically nothing exciting i think. Kind of a tragic ending, some people die. The show wasn't great...lol sorrie there just wasn't a lot happening in this anime

:(

Are there any other more encouraging reviews please... :(

[PSX]

its a decent anime i suppose, its got quite some plot but you probably wont enjoy it as much if youre more of an action type of person, Last Exile concentrates more on the story and its just one of those animes where they just sit around and talk

[kaevne]

i thought it was really good. its not as much the story as it is the style of which they do the story. it goes slow but gets better as it goes.

[boneyjellyfish]

:(

Are there any other more encouraging reviews please... :(

Since you've already formed your own opinion on Last Exile, you probably wouldn't agree with mine (http://boneyjellyfish.com/index.php?showID=101).

[Sugetsu]

Since you've already formed your own opinion on Last Exile, you probably wouldn't agree with mine (http://boneyjellyfish.com/index.php?showID=101).

That's a good try :) But I dissagree with you on the fact that each of characthers are Unique. None of the characters surprises me.

Well, I guess I gonna watch the other episodes to see how it goes.

But until now I don't understand how this anime is ranked #1 in anime info.

[FinFangFoom]

Personally I loved Last Exile since I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I love the strong influance of star wars throughout the series. But yeah, if you don't like it so far your probably not going to change your mind.

[Lord Raiden]

I'm really curious how anyone could hate Last Exile. Personally I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Only one thing. Don't dive into the middle of the series and expect that you'll like it from one episode. Reason being, each episode builds onto the next and the next and the next. You step in the middle and you'll hate it. I know this from experience. First time I checked it out, I tried to watch Episode 5 and after 15 minutes of suffering I deleted it.

Went back several months later and started from the beginning like I should have and when I got to EP 5 I not only liked it, but I loved it and it all make such a huge amount of sence, and it seemed to get better. Last Exile is not one of those series you can just drop into the middle of and actually enjoy. Think of it like a murder mystery. IF you don't start from the beginning, you'll end up missing too much and you will end up hating the show.

[boneyjellyfish]

Personally I loved Last Exile since I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I love the strong influance of star wars throughout the series. But yeah, if you don't like it so far your probably not going to change your mind.

Agreed. Much like Azumanga Daioh, it really is a love-it-or-hate-it type of anime.

[Muir Woods]

Animenfo's Reviews are not always reliable. Their list of top 100 anime is experimental, and the fact that fanboys inflate the review average so much by writing quick fake reviews. It's no longer #1 anymore. The top 5 animes are constantly in battle with each other for the top spot (due to fans inflating reviews of their favorite anime). So far Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien is winning...

My views on Last Exile: Good, but not great. No one can deny the fact that its animation is top stuff. The story doesn't make sense for me. Somehow I walked away not as "fulfilled" as I hoped. Maybe the ending is to blame?

[wao]

I also thought it was good but not great. Had its good moments, but also suffered from a fair amount of cliche. Good job keeping the fanservice to a minimum, seeing its Gonzo ;) (I don't really care much for fanservice.)

The ending did seem a bit rushed though... and the only emotional part that made me anything like that would have been the fireworks scene. Even that wasn't really moving ;). Also Alvis annoys me greatly.

My favourite character would have to be Alex. :P

I wouldn't have bought the Last Exile DVDs personally... and like someone said, don't think animenfo has the best reviews, a lot of them are from fanbois who aren't very objective. ;)

You might find the Kenshin OVAs on the top of hte list, now that actually is good! Kekekeke, plug plug plug.

[Asakura_Y0h]

Well.... for me I suppose this is a proven case of the charts not always being right cause they may only represent the opinion of 60% of the anime watchers if not less..

But my opinions of last exile is this....I thought it was a rather slow moving anime as compared to some others but it did have quite a good storyline... with lots of people dying... but the thing is that unless you're in to the whole emotional thing I doubt that you would enjoy it much because so far the people who have watched either ended up crying at some point or maybe feeling really worked up with it...

so unless you're slightly on the sensitive side... i doubt you'll enjoy it much

[Sugetsu]

I'm really curious how anyone could hate Last Exile. Personally I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Only one thing. Don't dive into the middle of the series and expect that you'll like it from one episode. Reason being, each episode builds onto the next and the next and the next. You step in the middle and you'll hate it. I know this from experience. First time I checked it out, I tried to watch Episode 5 and after 15 minutes of suffering I deleted it.

Went back several months later and started from the beginning like I should have and when I got to EP 5 I not only liked it, but I loved it and it all make such a huge amount of sence, and it seemed to get better. Last Exile is not one of those series you can just drop into the middle of and actually enjoy. Think of it like a murder mystery. IF you don't start from the beginning, you'll end up missing too much and you will end up hating the show.

As I said before I have watched 9 episodes so far (well 11 now) and that means from episode 1 to 11. But still... I don't see any improvement. Well, this is definetely not my cup of tea. I gues I'll watched anyways since I spent money on it.

As for the emotional part I'm currently watching Rose Of Versailles which is very emotional and I'm much more interested in it than in Last Exile. Oh well..

[Gaara11]

As for the emotional part I'm currently watching Rose Of Versailles which is very emotional and I'm much more interested in it than in Last Exile. Oh well..
Man, that is so wrong. You can't be comparing the two. There is a reason why Last Exile is in the top 3 in Animenfo(like that matters). What I'm saying is Last Exile is popular because it is that good. I thought it was just hyped so much but when I saw it, I was like WOW! It's always your choice whether you want to continue or not. :)

[krusher]

Yes, people have things called opinions and they arent always the same...

[EliteJounin]

Based on animeinfo's top 100 anime list, I have purchased Last Exile's DVD. But, I have been watching 9 episodes so far and the story is going nowhere. In fact I still don't know what last exile means. The action is pretty boring. The characters are not original at all. The story is very slow. And there are some parts that are supposed to be very emotional but I just don’t get the point. For example in episode 6 when Ravey starts crying because she doesn’t want to be in the ship and then comes that little girl hugs her and starts saying Ravey! Ravey! ... What was so terrible?
-_-;; Or perhaps they are just too emotional for my taste… The only good things so far have been the video and sound quality.

So when is it going get fun? or perhaps 9 episodes were supposed to be enough to show how good this anime is? If so this not my cup of tea and I have wasted 85 dollars!!!!!!

Please, I don't want to waste my money :( Can anyone tell me what the fun parts of Last Exile are so that I can watched this anime with higher expectations once again? I DON’T WANNA WASTE MY MONEY :(

What are you talking about man?!?! The whole series is good. Maybe you'll have to watch the first two or three to get interested in it. But its all good.

[a_nevels666]

What are you talking about man?!?! The whole series is good. Maybe you'll have to watch the first two or three to get interested in it. But its all good.

I myself haven't really seen Last Exile (...yet, I might later) but what I did see didn't interest me all that much. My first impressions could be wrong, but even if is good, then that doesn't neccesarily mean everyone will like it. Different people like different things.

[kamij0]

Yes, people have things called opinions and they arent always the same...

IMO , the exciting part is where silvanna got involved in action.

[semmel]

I'm really curious how anyone could hate Last Exile. Personally I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Only one thing. Don't dive into the middle of the series and expect that you'll like it from one episode. Reason being, each episode builds onto the next and the next and the next. You step in the middle and you'll hate it. I know this from experience. First time I checked it out, I tried to watch Episode 5 and after 15 minutes of suffering I deleted it.

Went back several months later and started from the beginning like I should have and when I got to EP 5 I not only liked it, but I loved it and it all make such a huge amount of sence, and it seemed to get better. Last Exile is not one of those series you can just drop into the middle of and actually enjoy. Think of it like a murder mystery. IF you don't start from the beginning, you'll end up missing too much and you will end up hating the show.
Who would be stupid enough to start an anime serie in the middle ? ;)

[Ranko]

I just got the Disc for the holidays and i love it, it probaly goes with the fact that i'm majoring areospace engineering, it's a gonzo anime all the gonzo anime's i've seen so far accept peacemaker have made me yell for more.


-Gabe

[shinobu4ever]

i thought the whole last exile series was superb from start to finish first 5 episode were a little slow but you have to keep watching to get the whole feel to the show

it ended perfect

[hunterx]

I always thought it was overrated. Most people think it is beautiful and yea it is to a certain extent but the story is boring and predictable. it's is certainly not as great as the ratings suggest

[Don Eunuch]

I don't hate it, but I don't like it enough to buy it. The story didn't do much for me, its interesting at first but gets boring.

[guynextdoor]

i like it, but that doesnt mean u would. another man's meat is another man's poison, bla bla bla..

that's just how it is, so in this case, majority of the ppl here like Exile (me included) but of course there are a few exceptions. the story builds up every ep and the visuals rock, but the story is a bit lacking in a few areas but nevertheless very unique. just my 2 cents :)

[wao]

(This ought to be the right forum as Last Exile's been on DVD so far...)


Ok, there's this really big fan of Last Exile on this other forum, he's coming very close to attaining fanboi-status... and he's really annoying me, then he goes and says this:

..."On additional research, it was Top 5 for a long time in Japan. Claus was a high placer in best male character polls. And Last Exile is outselling everything on DVD at the moment in the US and here in Australia."...

I wouldn't be surprised if this simply was what he wanted to believe. o_o What would be in the Top 5? I'd expect those long running trademark series like Doraemon and Sazae-san and that stuff... not Last Exile! And in "high placer", does anyone NOT think this probably means #90 on the top 100? Because somehow I just don't see it... maybe it's just because everyone keeps saying that Last Exile was rather rushed at the end because there just wasn't enough popularity for it?

Also, about the Australia thing, does anyone have confirmed stats about it? Because if all of that was true then I'd be somewhat interested. I know for a fact it's a favourite of many people online who mostly live in America etc. ... but in Japan, what is it like?

(I will personally bow down in thanks if kj1980 spares time to write a post because he'd probably know best about the Japan thing.)

Thanks so much! And please, do type the "you lazy f***, go search it for yourself on google, somebody close this thread" posts, because I kind of deserve it. :D I really should go search but maybe if more people knew... meh ^^:

[brightman]

I think he's referring to Last Exile being top 5 in some magazine anime polls... Because it happened to be a late night anime airing on the smallest major Tokyo regional network (TV Tokyo) and attained TV ratings of less than 1.5 (as opposed to say, Sazae-san's 18.0's)...

Plus it dropped off pretty quickly, for example in the Newtype polls I think it was only up in the top 20 anime listing two or three times. Unlike say, Gundam Seed.

[kj1980]

Like I said on a different thread, the "Top 5" stuff depends on which sample the poll taker decides to take from.

I seriously doubt "Last Exile" would be considered as one of the best anime ever created for the Japanese population as a whole.

Let's take the States for example. If one were to poll the entire population of the United States on the best animation, the top rankings would definitely go to Disney animation from the late 1940s to the early 1950s - when Disney made animations with stories that were actually good, like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." If you reduce the sample size to say..."Gen X'ers and Gen Y'ers), it will most likely be "South Park" or "The Simpsons."

Perhaps the reference that person was using was a poll targeting a sample of people like us (i.e.: Newtype Magazine, Animage, etc.) Then, of course it will be skewed towards animes that a "normal person" will/cannot watch.

Then there is the issue when "Last Exile" was being shown.
"Last Exile" was shown on TV Tokyo every Wednesdays at 25:30-26:00 (Thursdays 1:30AM-2:00AM). The two things to point out here is that:
A. TV Tokyo . Out of all the major [VHF] stations, TV Tokyo (Channel 12) is the most dimunitive. Many animes that are targeted toward otakus are/were shown on TV Tokyo (i.e.: Slayers, Neon Genesis Evangelion, etc.). The reason? TV Tokyo has the cheapest time slots compared to other larger TV stations. And, it gets even more cheaper if it shown late at night...which will go on to...
B. Wednesdays at 25:30-26:00 It is in the middle of the week at 1:30-2:00AM. Unless you happen to really love anime, most people will be asleep. Kids have school and adults have to go to work the next day. Only anime otakus watch anime with such a late night showing.


So to answer you question: " know for a fact it's a favourite of many people online who mostly live in America etc. ... but in Japan, what is it like?"

The answer will be...something similar to America. It was a good anime that was worth watching by anime otakus....but to the Japanese populace as a whole, it is not even worth mentioning as no anime can beat the popularity of "Doraemon" and "Sazaesan."



Question: what is a "fanboi-status?"

[wao]

Ahhhh! ^_^ Thank you so much, kj1980! That was seiously very helpful, thank you so much...

Well, a TYPICAL "fanboi" would be people who

1. Love something to death even though they can never give proper reasons
2. Never have a single thing bad to say about the anime they like, oh no, not even an obviously bad part that proper fans would also point out...
3. Also love to flame other anime.
4. (Usually) cannot spell (therefore fanBOI.)

A generalization I know... but there are some people I consider fanbois when they start gushing on and on about an anime without trying to look at it from a different point of view. And the point about THIS particular person is, he actually has watched rather little anime compared to the usual fan (not saying otaku)... And he's pretty misinformed, heck, in another post he thought Shingetsutan Tsukihime started in 2004 just because he saw the torrents for it only recently. :rolleyes:

Thank you very much for the information anyway, kj1980 and brightman! Now I shall go and pwn this guy... XD

[Sabin]

Call me a fasnboi if you wish but i would easily put LE in my personal top 5. Personally i think its a shame that a show as good as this was got such a poor time slot.

[frowndog]

Call me a fasnboi if you wish but i would easily put LE in my personal top 5. Personally i think its a shame that a show as good as this was got such a poor time slot.
Not to start an argument or anything but LE had a decent storyline that had promise at the start. Then it introduced character after character and situation after situation and then it... ended. :(

I personally found the whole Mysteriums and EXILE thing very anti-climatic

[FinFangFoom]

Last Exile is a top 5 anime for me also. But I attribute it to LE's strong Star Wars influance, which is the top movie series for me also.

[LVO]

I just saw the commercials on the TV a few minutes ago.

Last Exile will premier on TechTV's anime block, Anime Unleashed, March 8th through March 13th from 10pm to 11pm Eastern.

I never got a chance to watch the subs, so I look forward to catching the dubs on TV. You can read the whole article >>HERE (http://www.techtv.com/animeunleashed/story/0,24330,3604400,00.html)<<

[Briareos]

LE, what a fun ride that was (is). Good (non ground-breaking) series that lets you do some thinking on some monor questions related to the world. (i.e. There's room for interpretation at specific points throughout the series.) Very entertaining IMO.

It's worth noting that they're only going to show eps 1-13, and won't actually finish airing the show until the eps are finished with the dub process (2005). Interesting choice.

The dub in the preview sounds fairly good as far as dubs go (although they only play a few lines of dialogue -- and please don't start another "dubs are evil" string in this thread, I think we're all well aware that dubs are a love it or hate it thing by now.).

[orochidp]

BWAR HAR HAR!
I'm here to re-start a age-old battle!

IMO, some anime's dubs are vastly better than their subs. SUCK ON THAT!

[GHDpro]

Afaik, Geneon plans to have all of Last Exile on DVD by the end of 2004.
So the 2005 for completing the dub doesn't make sense. But of course
that may still mean that at the current moment the dub for 14-26 isn't ready yet.

[Renaissance Otaku]

This is the first time I've seen a bad review of this show. I've been over to the Anime Unleashed forums and they seem to be positively drooling over this show. I've seen some episodes and fail to see what's great about it. But then, I'm not big on CGI hybreds anyway. That and I hated Blue Sub 6, and wasn't fond of Hellsing, so I'm not big on Gonzo, having only liked Full Metal Panic and maybe Vandread. I just don't see the point of blending two things that just don't go together. It is refreshing to see that not everybody thinks this is the greatest show ever which most boards lead one to believe. I'll see the rest of it and see. The hype and pacing also killed Witch Hunter Robin for me, its trying to kill LE as well.

[Kain]

Sugetsu, I hate to break this to you, but if you dont like it after
9 episodes.... well... chances are you wont grow to like it.
Later there is more action and such, but still the "feeling"
in last exile remains the same.

Atleast I liked it alot, Well, thats my opinion atleast :)

[cf18]

Sell your discs. The later eps are not getting any better. This show is really bland.

[frowndog]

When is it supposed to get good?

Honestly? It doesn't

I mean, the graphics were all Gonzo and cool and all but it was just too darn disappointing for me... just IMHO though

[brandonyoung77]

Please, I don't want to waste my money :( Can anyone tell me what the fun parts of Last Exile are so that I can watched this anime with higher expectations once again? I DON’T WANNA WASTE MY MONEY :(

My general rule is if a show doesn't hook me by the first disc(usually about 4 episodes), then I probably won't like it.

Last Exile is only 26 episodes long, and you are already 9 episodes into it. If you don't like it now, you probably won't like the rest of it.

Just count the series as a loss and try to resell your discs.

My view on Last Exile were that it was an average anime, not spectacularly great, but not horrible, either.

--Brandon Young

[Go-lytely]

Last Exile had a lot of promise when I started watching it but it ended up as a below average anime for me. There were a few problems I had with it. The Lavie and Claus characters were boring and uninteresting. Even after you find out about their backgrounds it didnt change my opinion of them, unlike Full metal alchemist which has excellent characterization. The people I did like such as Sophie, Mullin and his girlfriend were never really expanded upon. I thought the series would make a turn around once they hinted at a love triangle but that part of the story never went anywhere. The show ended up as just a bunch of planes flying around.

[Tabiree]

Recently got DVD 2, DVD 1 seemed somewhat slow but 2 (atleast episodes 5 and 6) really caught my attention. The Quality of the video and animation was pretty outstanding, everything just seemed so right

[Renaissance Otaku]

I watching it on Tech TV right now(they just love it over there"It will blow you away"). Well, it isn't. The dubs by the books, the CGI doesn't justify itself, and I'm still too annoyed by everyone saying it "will earn all otaku's respect, with Gonzo going down as one of the best studios" Until Gonzo ditches the crutch and makes something that doesn't stand on how cool its cgi looks.

[festosis]

I tried to watch Last Exile before it got licensed on fansub and I could not get into it. I just didn't apeal to me at all and the show was dark and had an overall brown look to it. Then the r1 dvd's came out I heard that it had an anamorphic widescreen transfer so I checked it out and my jaw dropped. I have a 16:9 hdtv with a progressive scan dvd player and it looked absolutley beautiful. Watching this series any other way does not do it justice, I mean I am hooked. Just the visiuals by themselves would make me buy this whole series plus the story is pretty good and the music is enjoyable. While some of you might not be able to I suggest watching this series in its 16:9 anamorphic glory it is just simply amazing. Also like some one else said watch from the beggining and let everything develop.

[Tabiree]

Just watched episodes 7 and 8.

Wow

[-|(aGe-BuNsHiN-]

I have a question on the last episode.

Where was the exile actually going and who were all those children in the last 5 mins or something. Unless im mistaken, it looked like each female character got a child.....

[Superchop]

I have a question on the last episode.

Where was the exile actually going and who were all those children in the last 5 mins or something. Unless im mistaken, it looked like each female character got a child.....

children? in the last few moments of the ep it showed Lavi and Claus...the 2 shooters that fell in love (i think they might of had a child but i don't remember all too well) but other then that...i can't think of any other children

As for Last Exile itself...I don't really remember...someone else can explain better then me...I would try to explain it..but i could be completely off and just look dumb

[-|(aGe-BuNsHiN-]

in the last episode, there were like 4 children. Tatiana and Alis were teaching two kids how to pilot vanships, 1 was next to Aru, and the other was on top of Moran's head.

[-|(aGe-BuNsHiN-]

so errr.....does anyone know?

[Superchop]

the 2 in the vanship are probably just students they're teaching...

the one on moran's head is his child...

and since i still haven't bothered looking at the final ep i'm not sure about the last...i'll edit this post or post a new one once i look at it

Edit: Moran might of been a busy little beaver and had 4 kids....or a couple might belong to Lavi and Claus....it doesn't really say how long it's been since the Last Exile incident...so i doubt anyone really knows who they belong too...for all we know they could also just be some neighbors of theirs....

[Bindibadgi]

I don't think enough time passed for anyone to have a child... my guess is that they were just war orphans...

Yea, they still look around the same age and Sophia looks still "raw" after Alex's death in another scene even though he's been buried. People, kids (?) sometimes tend to aggregate together like that after war - ive seen it really happen in the papers n stuff.

Also - apart from Moran; they are all a little young to have kids, no?

[guest]

So Claus ends up with Lavi, sort of obvious from beginning, and Sophia ends up with Alex? That’s appropriate, actually. Who end up with Tatiana (Katiana?)? She is kind of difficult, isn’t she? And who end up with Alis? Can’t believe a girl like her hasn’t got a boyfriend yet, considering she is a very nice girl and is always surrounded by guys.
Can someone confirm these? Thank you.

[Superchop]

So Claus ends up with Lavi, sort of obvious from beginning, and Sophia ends up with Alex? That’s appropriate, actually. Who end up with Tatiana (Katiana?)? She is kind of difficult, isn’t she? And who end up with Alis? Can’t believe a girl like her hasn’t got a boyfriend yet, considering she is a very nice girl and is always surrounded by guys.
Can someone confirm these? Thank you.

All of my suggestions were just leading to the fact that we don't have enough information to determine who's kids they are but in a way i still think the one on Moran's head is his kid...even if it's not...like i said they could be neighbors, students, as The Small One said they could be war orphans...so there's really no point in wondering all too much about that since you finished the series...and to me it finished in a very good way and doesn't leave much unexplained (as far as i can remember)

Claus and Lavi are best friends and they continued to be best friends...Tatiana and Alis (that was her partner wasn't it?) were best friends also so we saw them together at the end...and as for Alex....since someone said it before there's no point in putting spoiler tags...Alex died, so no one got with him

[Bindibadgi]

All of my suggestions were just leading to the fact that we don't have enough information to determine who's kids they are but in a way i still think the one on Moran's head is his kid...even if it's not...like i said they could be neighbors, students, as The Small One said they could be war orphans...so there's really no point in wondering all too much about that since you finished the series...and to me it finished in a very good way and doesn't leave much unexplained (as far as i can remember)

Claus and Lavi are best friends and they continued to be best friends...Tatiana and Alis (that was her partner wasn't it?) were best friends also so we saw them together at the end...and as for Alex....since someone said it before there's no point in putting spoiler tags...Alex died, so no one got with him


I agree with this pretty much completely - Claus and Lavi were like brother and sister. You werent told "who got with who" because after war people change, you dont know what happened to their personalities and social interactions after that. We dont even know if Sophia took up her Empress position and reunited the civilsations? Or what happened to the silvana now there was no war?? Lots of questions.

[Briareos]

Yes, there are things left open for personal interpretation -- which in a way is good because it makes you think about what might have happened afterwards.

However, none of the questions that are left open are important ones to the story of Last Exile, they're side notes that pale in comparison to the overall battle for freedom that occured. In the end, everyone's sacrifices pay off as good prevails. Who ends up loving whom for the rest of their lives is irrelevant. This was not a romantic comedy, it was a war drama.

[Bindibadgi]

Yes, there are things left open for personal interpretation -- which in a way is good because it makes you think about what might have happened afterwards.

However, none of the questions that are left open are important ones to the story of Last Exile, they're side notes that pale in comparison to the overall battle for freedom that occured. In the end, everyone's sacrifices pay off as good prevails. Who ends up loving whom for the rest of their lives is irrelevant. This was not a romantic comedy, it was a war drama.

Wow; "in a nut-shell"

Good post.

[The Undertaker]

It was #1 on Animenfo once

[Thany]

It was #1 on Animenfo once
This all depends of tastes.
If you like animes involving planes, you might like Last Exile.
I personally didn't like it much, but tastes from people differ.
So if you like those sort of stuff, just give it a try (it is out already, right?). :D
Note that since it is licensed it wouldn't be wise to ask a link for it :p

[krispydigital]

hmmm....i like aircraft and such but didn't like them in lastexile. They were wimpy looking and didn't look cool. but....i still liked the anime. was really good.

[Anime-King1]

What's so good about Last Exile to have such large fan based.

I've watched half of the anime. The animation are good, but I didn't think the storyline wasn't that compelling. Overall I think the series is alright, but I've been looking around and check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1345&item=5914922572

And then take a look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1345&item=5913496873


Goddam, is the autograph worth that much? seems like there is a lot of diehard fans out there and a lot of precious collectables. I am not a big anime collector, but WOW, their stuff sure sells! What do you guys think? :heh:

[artcrazy]

wtf are u talking about, Last Exile is a kick ass series, that's why their shit are worth the money!! :bash:
if u dont think its good, dats none of our business, its ur fault.

[arias]

I don't think too much of Last Exile but I must admit it had a very promising concept and excellent animation. It kinda broke down halfway through and became a convoluted mess, but for the first ten episodes, I thought I was watching something really special.

Anyways, that price fetched isn't suprising. :) We each have some artist or another that we "worship" :D

[Melazoma]

I don't think too much of Last Exile but I must admit it had a very promising concept and excellent animation. It kinda broke down halfway through and became a convoluted mess, but for the first ten episodes, I thought I was watching something really special.

Anyways, that price fetched isn't suprising. :) We each have some artist or another that we "worship" :DThat is the problem many people pointed out when voicing their dislike for Last Exile--a great concept derailed into a convoluted mess. Maeda Mahiro himself said in an interview that Murata Range had wanted to design an entire world, but wasn't able to do so because of the time constraint of a TV production. I suppose Murata's grand vision was not given enough time to be fully realized, resulting in the Last Exile we know.

[arias]

That is the problem many people pointed out when voicing their dislike for Last Exile--a great concept derailed into a convoluted mess. Maeda Mahiro himself said in an interview that Murata Range had wanted to design an entire world, but wasn't able to do so because of the time constraint of a TV production. I suppose Murata's grand vision was not given enough time to be fully realized, resulting in the Last Exile we know.

I fully agree. Such stuff happen to anime pretty often; like how Escaflowne was planned as a 36 parter but eventually ended up as a 29 episode series. Stuff was crammed and you notice the pace is pretty uneven. I believe Last Exile could have been really, really great.

However, we don't remember the could-have-beens ^_^ Only what are. :)

[Anime-King1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5914922572&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Check it out! :love:

[Goras]

I fully agree. Such stuff happen to anime pretty often; like how Escaflowne was planned as a 36 parter but eventually ended up as a 29 episode series.

Wasn't escaflowne 26 eps...or did I miss 3 episodes...? :confused:

[Guido]

I can't understand why some mean to LE such as a convoluted mess.

IMO, Last Exile possess beautiful, visual animation; elaborated, sophisticated characters; a depth plot; and embellishing settings & scenarios.

From my POV, Last Exile outdid Vandread in everything that GONZO until that time captivated the audience with not only animation but story as well.

IMO, Last Exile is GONZO's current masterpiece, however, I sure know that GONZO is preparing for an even bigger project that will outdo LE.

I'll just have wait and check the news.

[DangerousOne]

:(

Are there any other more encouraging reviews please... :(


I personally like animes that have more physical fight scenes on it. Big fan of swords/power/fist fights type of animes. I had to endure the first 10 episodes..I couldnt be arsed to watch them but watched them anyways. Later around 15+ I got really hooked into it. This is one of the animes that gives you that sort of mellow feelings at the end..if you ever played RPG's and you get to the ending you know what I mean, its kinda like your sad to see such a big adventure end.

Bad things about this anime is:

1- IMO one of the slowest starters, I never watched an anime that took so long to get me hooked.

2- The ending is not really very fulfilling, I know all that open to interpretation crap but when I watch a whole anime, watching all characters go through crap you just want a happy ending. I guess this was a happy ending but to me, too many were killed off at the end and too many unanswered questions.

Good things:

- Animation and music is great. I even put it unto jap version isntead of dub.

- Characters are very likeable. Alex Rou final scene was just too kickass, the music in japanese version just went with it perfectly.

- Once the plots kicks in, it kicks in HARD.

- IMO, one of my top 5 animes off all time. Up there with FMA & Kenshin.

[Forbin]

Old Dead Thread Bump!

Just wondering as I watched the whole series over the last week.

How did Dio beat Claus to the Grand Stream when Dio was in the hospital and Klaus had to use 3 Van Ships to get there?

Or is this another of those, the director didn't have time stuff.

[NoSanninWa]

How did Dio beat Claus to the Grand Stream when Dio was in the hospital and Klaus had to use 3 Van Ships to get there?
Well, Klaus as so far away that he had to use 3 Van Ships to get there! (Even though he did save some time refueling by switching Van Ships.) That gives Dio a bit of time since he was much closer.

[Forbin]

Well, Klaus as so far away that he had to use 3 Van Ships to get there! (Even though he did save some time refueling by switching Van Ships.) That gives Dio a bit of time since he was much closer.
Hmm?

I thought they were both in the same hospital?

[lavielove]

Or is this another of those, the director didn't have time stuff.

boss: production cost became higher,stop that crap already
team:yes sir, we'll let miracle to be happened in the anime right away and sell the art book.:heh:

[Spinner187]

Just finish watching LE and In my observations.

1.In the scene when exile gets rid of the Grand Stream, U can easily see the other continent up side down in the sky.

2. Looks like everyone got on the last exile and took off to another world. A lot of the main characters were looking down on the hour glass world from the exile.

3. #2 of my observations seems to be invalid, because it seems that clause and lavi and the rest of the gang are back at their dads' house with vanships and all. And the two musketeers are alive with kids(even tho everyone else doesn't seem to age).:eyebrow:

If anyone else got a opinion on the ending, I'm all ears

p.s. No one hooked up with no1 xcept the two muskeeters(can't remember their names), unless the manga said otherwise

[nixie]

I'm bumping this because I'm curious to know who came up with the story concept of Last Exile. Help, anyone? It's just such a shame not knowing the brain(s) behind this brilliant series.

[d1no]

I'm bumping this because I'm curious to know who came up with the story concept of Last Exile. Help, anyone? It's just such a shame not knowing the brain(s) behind this brilliant series.

I was wondering the same thing myself, that was such a BEAST series.

[Ziv]

I found this on wikipedia
There is a scene depicted in the series' official artwork showing Claus, Lavie, and their friends living on the farm turning and smiling at an individual stepping into the frame with them. Though all that can be seen is one foot and a waving hand, the individual appears to be wearing Dio's Guild uniform.

Can anyone confirm this, because there's also the scene where the Silvana is taking off from on top of exile and you can hear Dio say "Ascending!"

[Sonhex]

...
Can anyone confirm this, because it sounds like they're trying to say that Dio survived.

It's the cover to the R2 DVD volume 6. Shows Dio's shadow and the reaction of the gang.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/sonhex/lastexile6.jpg

... there's also the scene where the Silvana is taking off from on top of exile and you can hear Dio say "Ascending!"

I thought that was Sophia's voice?

[Ziv]

It's the cover to the R2 DVD volume 6. Shows Dio's shadow and the reaction of the gang.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/sonhex/lastexile6.jpg
Thanks for the confirmation!
I thought that was Sophia's voice?

No, it's definitely Dio's voice but with an echo-ey effect.

[Sonhex]

No, it's definitely Dio's voice but with an echo-ey effect.
Wait, this is ep 26 around 15:21s yes?

[Ziv]

Wait, this is ep 26 around 15:21s yes?

yup. I just listened to it again and it's definately Dio.

[Ziv]

3. #2 of my observations seems to be invalid, because it seems that clause and lavi and the rest of the gang are back at their dads' house with vanships and all. And the two musketeers are alive with kids(even tho everyone else doesn't seem to age).:eyebrow:

Wikipedia says that the kid Mullen is holding is his girlfriend's little brother.

[lommm]

so that's in case of some sequal or ova? or just because Dio dying is way too depressing, so they stick that in at the last minute??

[Sonhex]

yup. I just listened to it again and it's definately Dio.

Odd.To me it just sounds like Sophia saying 'fujou!' confirming the order the Guild engineer gives and then the Silvana ascends accordingly.

[Ziv]

Odd.To me it just sounds like Sophia saying 'fujou!' confirming the order the Guild engineer gives and then the Silvana ascends accordingly.

Well I know the english dub has Dio's voice. I listened to the japanese version and it does sound kinda like Sophia but Dio does have a pretty high pitched voice too.


Also: Has Gonzo or whoever wrote the story ever given a comprehensive list of which characters represent which chess pieces or did they decide to just leave the metaphor limited to what's revealed in the episode titles? The episode titles designate Dio and Lucciola as rooks, Sophia as a pawn (until she gets promoted to a queen), and Delphine as a queen. I'm willing to bet that Claus, Lavie, Dio/Lucciola, and the Silvana are part of white's army while Delphine and the rest of the guild are black based on the fact that the Silvana makes the first move in the first episode, and white always goes first. I'm also willing to bet that exile is the black king since the show ends with its capture. I'm not sure about Claus though. The white king is either Claus or Alvis since in the episode "Castling Lucciola" Lucciola was protecting Claus, Alvis, and Dio, and we know Dio is a rook. It would make more sense for Alvis to be the white king though, since so much of the story is focused around protecting her.

[Reoako_Neko code213]

Last Exile was currently airing last year on G4, but for some reason before the anime could get done they cancelled it and put up Rah Xephone. But Last Exile is a very good anime about These People name Lavi and Cloud and how they ride there Banshee together. Ofcourse the story gets deeper than that but I'll let you look it up for yourself. If you know about it already, then lets talk about it. Last Exile is like .... Fantasy at it's finest if you ask me. You discide what it is to you. Later

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/reoako/meme.jpg

[Gloomshade]

Just some information that might clear up some questions on the ending. The boxed set comes with diagrams inside the CD case coverings on the important ships in the anime. The last CD case shows some additional information on the Exile that isn't specifically mentioned in the show. The general gist is thus:

Exile was originally developed to transport people from Earth to Prester. (I also think Prester is a artificial colony as noted earlier.) From the time until its discovery the Exile has been sealed in the Grand Stream. All of its systems are automated requiring neither pilot nor directions to arrive at Prester. The system is programmed to only require the input of the Alvis' activation code in order to return to Earth. Furthermore, after returning to Earth, Exile can travel to Prester and back again to Earth without any assistance.

This sorta implies that the "colonists" of Prester can choose to return to Earth and maybe that scene from the anime showing the Prester colony in space suggests some of the cast making that very voyage. All the talk about Claus and the rest being gone and then returning may also be an indication of this. Of course it's just speculation. Of course what is found on Earth or why the colonists left is never really mentioned.

[Ziv]

Those pictures of that Alvis model reminded me of a question that's been bugging me: Why doesn't Alvis wear any pants?! Seriously! She just runs around in her underwear and a Silvana uniform blouse. I don't get it... :confused:

[Lost]

^ She's young. It's okay to run around in underwear when you're young. :heh: That figure is lovely btw. The shading on her Silvana uniform is awesome. It started off my figurine collection.

I found this on wikipedia

There is a scene depicted in the series' official artwork showing Claus, Lavie, and their friends living on the farm turning and smiling at an individual stepping into the frame with them. Though all that can be seen is one foot and a waving hand, the individual appears to be wearing Dio's Guild uniform.

Can anyone confirm this, because there's also the scene where the Silvana is taking off from on top of exile and you can hear Dio say "Ascending!"
OMFG! Can this mean... Dio's alive?! Oh god. Please, please let it be an OVA. /ranting Fanboy.

Sigh, Dio was so much to me - especially in the way he treated Luciola. Seeing him reduced to the state he was in by the end was heart wrenching.

Also, thank you, Gloomshade for that piece of information.

so that's in case of some sequal or ova? or just because Dio dying is way too depressing, so they stick that in at the last minute??
I'll have you know that scene pretty much made my day, nay, my week. I don't care if they stuck it in without reason, it was just such a great sense of joy to know that the both of them could finally be united in love - it would have been too sad, far too sad, if Mullen didnt come out alive.

//I so need to rewatch Last Exile.

[CrimsonOkami]

I can't exactly remember the first time I watched last exile but I do know that something about it made it memorable, and upon watching it in it's entirety I realized what it was. Certainly in my mind Dio Elaclaire made the show for me.

Upon the title's close I can't say I really cared about anyone except for Dio. His quirky sometimes sociopathic behavior coupled together with his bizarre and seemingly innocent cuteness made him quite endearing.

But aside from him I found that the animation and the rest of the cast could be engaging as well, especially when the show opted for a small bit of humor and and the occasional intriguing clevorness it sprouted form the main plotline.

During the times between vanship action, war and the occasional amusing yet appropriate gag, I found myself anticipating the return of my favorite lunatic to the screen.

So although I realize everyone's opinion may not be alloted with mine and I recognize that at times there could be segments of yawn inducing boredom,('Etude Lavie') I avidly enjoyed Last Exile from start to finish and readily recommend it to others as well.:)

[CrimsonOkami]

so that's in case of some sequal or ova? or just because Dio dying is way too depressing, so they stick that in at the last minute??

Perhaps it was never intended for him to die. I had never really though about it before until someone from another forum brought it up but maybe when Dio said "It's not my time to die." (or something like that, ya know when Lucciola was saying that if the Silvana goes down so will he) perhaps it was forshadowing that his surviving that plummet had been their intention all along. Or maybe not, who knows.

But still, a part of me did think he'd live after falling from his ship since for one he's probably got a much higher tolerance for stuff like that as opposed to regular humans and that because the guild's fortress is located in the grand stream (it appears to be) there's probably guild flying through there all the time which was the explanation (or so i've heard) for his survival, that he got picked up when he fell by a guild ship.

[Lost]

But still, a part of me did think he'd live after falling from his ship since for one he's probably got a much higher tolerance for stuff like that as opposed to regular humans and that because the guild's fortress is located in the grand stream (it appears to be) there's probably guild flying through there all the time which was the explanation (or so i've heard) for his survival, that he got picked up when he fell by a guild ship.Actually to me, he "died" once he had been cruelly inducted into that ceremony by his sister; and also when he basically when mad because of it and losing Luciola.

[DanielSong39]

Just finished watching the show; loved the blend of action, suspension, and drama - this will show will definitely make my list of favorites. Best show of 2003?

Somewhat of an open-ended ending, but they did resolve the conflict between the Disth, Anatoray, and the Guild - and also explained the deal with the Exile (albeit poorly). So our beloved characters get to live in a new world, free of the Guild's tyrannical rule...

As for the unresolved romantic entanglements - not sure what the makers intended, but I'll take a stab at it:

Sophia - looks like our favorite XO is still pining for Alex and isn't quite ready to give her heart to Vincent. As for Claus - she most likely sees him as a seduction target; she seems to enjoy getting him flustered but isn't likely to pursue the matter any further.

Tatiana - she has a soft spot for Claus, and develops a crush on him - but it doesn't go anywhere, and she seems content to let it die.

Alister - not seeing the shoujo-ai implications; probably only sees Tatiana as a friend. Ethan (one of the mechanics) seems interested in her but it's clearly one-sided.

Dio - MAJOR shounen-ai implications. Obviously attracted to both Lucciola and "Immelman" - sadly, it all ends for him much too soon...

Lavie, Claus, and Alvis - This is where it gets interesting. There are many clues that point toward an eventual Alvis-Claus pairing. In every critical situation Claus chooses to protect Alvis, even when it places Lavie in danger. Claus refuses several opportunities to leave the Silviana with Lavie, preferring to stay with Alvis each time. And it gets more and more apparent in the later episodes... the time he becomes imprisoned by the Guild to be with Alvis... Lavie and Tatiana's conversation, where Lavie fears she is growing apart from Claus, and Tatiana's comment that Claus is flying to a place that neither of them can reach... Episodes 22 and 23, where Claus and Alvis spend half the time in each other's arms... all the soft glances sent Alvis' way... the visit to Claus and Lavie's old home... and to top things off, Alvis' stint as a navigator, and calling Claus "sleepy-head" while banging on the pot... all seem to point in the same direction; Alvis is gradually replacing Lavie's presence in Claus' life. Heck, the end of the OP has Tatiana and Alvis (but not Lavie) running toward Claus, while the end of the ED has Alvis holding onto Claus' arm.

As for Lavie, she obviously has a good chance and Claus cares for her quite a bit. But it's not going to be easy; their last conversation was telling - Claus likens his relationship with Lavie with the relationship between their fathers; his eyes give him away. Claus will never forget about Lavie and they'll always be together in the sky... but if she wants more, she may be headed for a major heartbreak.

[TinyRedLeaf]

I first watched Last Exile on TV, and was so enthralled by it that I promptly went out to buy the series. :)


Sophia - looks like our favorite XO is still pining for Alex and isn't quite ready to give her heart to Vincent. As for Claus - she most likely sees him as a seduction target; she seems to enjoy getting him flustered but isn't likely to pursue the matter any further.


Hmm...Alex is dead. Sophia may be heartbroken about it, particularly since she indirectly "killed" him, but I think she's ready to move on. I interpreted her final salute to Alex as her tribute to the best Captain she has ever served, hence, "I will always be your first officer." As for Vincent, I didn't detect any sparks between him and Sophia. They come across as good friends, and nothing more.


Alister - not seeing the shoujo-ai implications; probably only sees Tatiana as a friend. Ethan (one of the mechanics) seems interested in her but it's clearly one-sided.


Lol, many people seem to read the Tatiana-Alister relationship "that" way. I don't think it's necessarily a romantic relationship. Rather, it seems to be a very strong platonic one instead. Bear in mind that in the context of Last Exile, a very strong bond exists between pilot and navigator. The implication seems to be that they need to think and act as one in order to pilot a vanship. So, the "bond" between Tatiana and Alister may very well be nothing more than that -- very strong camaraderie.

So, I don't think that Ethan's affections would necessarily be "one-sided". In any case, we don't know the outcome, so you're free to write fan-fiction any way you'd like. ;)


Dio - MAJOR shounen-ai implications. Obviously attracted to both Lucciola and "Immelman" - sadly, it all ends for him much too soon...


My, my. You do have a fondness for yaoi/yuri fiction don't you? :p

Again, there are plenty of implications in that direction, but I don't necessarily agree with all of them. In my opinion, Dio had a "unique" upbringing that makes him a bit weirder than most. I don't think he was "attracted" to Lucciola in that way, but probably saw him more as a pet, best friend, confidant and able navigator. Given his lack of real friends, it's not altogether surprising that he expresses "friendship" with Claus in an uncomfortably familiar way -- he doesn't know any other way to behave.

Japanese mangaka/animators are very fond of subverting mainstream definitions of friendship and sexuality, in contrast with most other countries in the world, so frankly, I wouldn't read too much into the way some relationships are portrayed. But of course, I could also be very wrong. My "radar" doesn't work very well that way. :heh:


Lavie, Claus, and Alvis - This is where it gets interesting. There are many clues that point toward an eventual Alvis-Claus pairing.


Interesting. I feel that within the context of the series, there are no real hints of any such relationship. But then, you clearly interpret the scenes differently, so I can't really say that you're wrong either.


As for Lavie, she obviously has a good chance and Claus cares for her quite a bit. But it's not going to be easy; their last conversation was telling - Claus likens his relationship with Lavie with the relationship between their fathers; his eyes give him away. Claus will never forget about Lavie and they'll always be together in the sky... but if she wants more, she may be headed for a major heartbreak.


In my opinion? Claus is just your typical shounen blockhead who is so committed to his craft (flying) that he doesn't notice the people around him. :p

So will Claus and Lavie be friends or lovers in the end? Who knows? All we do know is that they remained very committed to each other, and the rest, as they say, is up to our imagination. :)

[frustra]

i just finished this series, and boy, was I amazed. Amazing animation combined with interesting characters and concepts = win.

[B14ckrose]

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd133/homelesshomo/th_52e7ea65.jpg (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd133/homelesshomo/52e7ea65.jpg)

Still confuses me

[Xellos-_^]

In my opinion? Claus is just your typical shounen blockhead who is so committed to his craft (flying) that he doesn't notice the people around him. :p

So will Claus and Lavie be friends or lovers in the end? Who knows? All we do know is that they remained very committed to each other, and the rest, as they say, is up to our imagination. :)

Well Claus does notice sophia very much :D especially after the kiss and when she was in that revealing outfit :D so he is not a complete blockhead.

[DanielSong39]

Maybe Claus just doesn't see Lavie as a woman? Maybe she'll just have to settle for having Claus as her buddy and find someone else to love. I'll give her an A for effort but sadly it looks like she will fall short. I'm somewhat surprised to see Lavie hold up so well; it has to be a real blow to her pride to be ditched so many times - for an 11-year-old girl, no less. Heck, even seeing him with Sophia or Tatiana can't be as bad as what she's experiencing.

[Xellos-_^]

Maybe Claus just doesn't see Lavie as a woman? Maybe she'll just have to settle for having Claus as her buddy and find someone else to love. I'll give her an A for effort but sadly it looks like she will fall short. I'm somewhat surprised to see Lavie hold up so well; it has to be a real blow to her pride to be ditched so many times - for an 11-year-old girl, no less. Heck, even seeing him with Sophia or Tatiana can't be as bad as what she's experiencing.

Can't blame Claus for that one. I don't see Lavie as a woman either. Plus the fact that they were raise together like sibling (no non-blod related sibling j/ks) . It is not too far a stretch to see that Claus sees Lavie as a family/friend/partner but not anyone on the romantic side. Personally I am rooting for Tatiana, it is always fun to see the ice queens melt :p

[golthin]

Can't blame Claus for that one. I don't see Lavie as a woman either. Plus the fact that they were raise together like sibling (no non-blod related sibling j/ks) . It is not too far a stretch to see that Claus sees Lavie as a family/friend/partner but not anyone on the romantic side. Personally I am rooting for Tatiana, it is always fun to see the ice queens melt :p

Well, if you guys look at the end, it seem to me like they have one those multiple wives system in place at the end with Clause and the musketeer guy. There were 4 children and two of them looked like they belonged to the musketeer couple. two of them seem to belong to Tatiana and her navi. So now it is up to your imagination to decided who was the father. El didn't seem to have gotten much older.

[TinyRedLeaf]

^ The Earth is going to be re-populated with Mormons eh? :D (No offence to Mormons reading this.)

I think it's more likely that they've decided to adopt several children or orphans and raise them as part of a single household. I find it hard to imagine Claus and the rest as one big happy polygamous family.

[golthin]

^ The Earth is going to be re-populated with Mormons eh? :D (No offence to Mormons reading this.)

I think it's more likely that they've decided to adopt several children or orphans and raise them as part of a single household. I find it hard to imagine Claus and the rest as one big happy polygamous family.

That is why I hate those kind of endings, they leave it to the audience imagination. The only pairing was Mullin and the musketeer girl. Though that was a BIG suprise because I thought the guy was dead.

[ZODDGUTS]

Don't really see Claus ending up with Lavie he seem to see her as a sister/close friend. I also don't mind Claus ending up with Tatiana. Yeah it's a shame they didn't really adress the romance part of the series involving around Claus, hate that sort of open ended endings not answering about the possible relationships.

[arkxkra]

Just finish watch it today, what should I say, it is the one of the best anime i ever saw :D. No regret watching.

A lot people die in the series, but at the end is good/happy ending then ok for me. Although the ending didnt mention the relationship about Claus and Lavie, but this way of ending is good as well :).

One more thing, anyone can tell me what the diffrent of this two?
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Exile-Complete-Boxed-Set/dp/6303133185/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198649187&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Exile-Murata-Range-Complete/dp/B000A1IMGI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198649187&sr=8-2

[DanielSong39]

I think the girl with the best chance is Alvis, believe it or not.

Claus is fiercely protective of her, even to the point of ditching Lavie on a number of occasions - and Alvis has slowly been taking over a number of Lavie's roles.

Lavie will always be Claus's best buddy but Alvis will be his princess.

[xris]

One more thing, anyone can tell me what the diffrent of this two?
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Exile-Complete-Boxed-Set/dp/6303133185/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198649187&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Exile-Murata-Range-Complete/dp/B000A1IMGI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1198649187&sr=8-2
As far as I can tell, the Complete Box Set was released on 14th Dec 2004, contained extras such as mousepad and doll (or some sort of toy/figure) and has a retail price of $181.98. The Murate Edition Box Set was a cheaper re-release a year later on 4th October 2005 and priced at $99.98.

Both contain 7 DVDs with all the episodes.

I would say that Amazon has things mixed up, the price for the Complete Box Set is wrong (it was not $99.98) and I would be very surprized if they have it in stock, it was the Collector's Edition after all). I think only the Murata Edition is available.

You might be interested that it is available cheaper at other on-line shops, for example it only costs $62.07 from DVDPacific (http://www.dvdpacific.com/) and it appears to be in stock.

Last Exile: Complete Box [Range Murata Edition] (http://www.dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=677660).

Also note that since it's Geneon, its unlikely that any item "on-order" will ever be available again so make sure it is "in-stock" before you make an order.

[arkxkra]

I think the girl with the best chance is Alvis, believe it or not.

Claus is fiercely protective of her, even to the point of ditching Lavie on a number of occasions - and Alvis has slowly been taking over a number of Lavie's roles.

Lavie will always be Claus's best buddy but Alvis will be his princess.
this remind me of the ending song, the final part is Claus and Alvis together... :heh:..
but now who with who also nvm, as long as they together and happy forever... :D


As far as I can tell, the Complete Box Set was released on 14th Dec 2004, contained extras such as mousepad and doll (or some sort of toy/figure) and has a retail price of $181.98. The Murate Edition Box Set was a cheaper re-release a year later on 4th October 2005 and priced at $99.98.

Both contain 7 DVDs with all the episodes.

I would say that Amazon has things mixed up, the price for the Complete Box Set is wrong (it was not $99.98) and I would be very surprized if they have it in stock, it was the Collector's Edition after all). I think only the Murata Edition is available.

You might be interested that it is available cheaper at other on-line shops, for example it only costs $62.07 from DVDPacific (http://www.dvdpacific.com/) and it appears to be in stock.

Last Exile: Complete Box [Range Murata Edition] (http://www.dvdpacific.com/item.asp?ID=677660).

Also note that since it's Geneon, its unlikely that any item "on-order" will ever be available again so make sure it is "in-stock" before you make an order.

Thx for the info :D.
So the complte Box and Murate Edition is no diffrence, only the mousepad and doll extra?
actually i wish to get the japan version which release Nov this year, but the price omg for me :(.

[golthin]

Don't really see Claus ending up with Lavie he seem to see her as a sister/close friend. I also don't mind Claus ending up with Tatiana. Yeah it's a shame they didn't really adress the romance part of the series involving around Claus, hate that sort of open ended endings not answering about the possible relationships.

i was reading the entry in Tvtrope.com about childhoodfriends and they say that Claus and lavie actually end together and break the childhoodfriend trope. I myself call it Unconfirmed because even though Lavie had feelings for claus, he never show any interest for any of the girls romanticaly, Sophia was the closer he got to romantic involvement.

[DanielSong39]

Claus and Lavie are best friends and will remain so for life - it's not a coincidence that the show constantly draws analogies between them and their fathers. Claus' answer to Lavie at the end is telling in my opinion.

But on the romantic front, Lavie is in real trouble. Sophia will probably go for someone older (probably Vincent), but is still a fringe contender; Tatiana may make one more effort before giving it up for good; and age is Alvis' only handicap. Claus isn't quite ready for a relationship yet and it will be some years before he shows serious interest; this does not bode well for Lavie, as patience is not her strong suit...

[golthin]

Claus and Lavie are best friends and will remain so for life - it's not a coincidence that the show constantly draws analogies between them and their fathers. Claus' answer to Lavie at the end is telling in my opinion.

But on the romantic front, Lavie is in real trouble. Sophia will probably go for someone older (probably Vincent), but is still a fringe contender; Tatiana may make one more effort before giving it up for good; and age is Alvis' only handicap. Claus isn't quite ready for a relationship yet and it will be some years before he shows serious interest; this does not bode well for Lavie, as patience is not her strong suit...

sophia is not even a contender because she stayed in the old world as the empress, not everyone went to the new world. Anyway, this is one of those cases where you can only guess but you don't know what is going to happen. I rather go the mormon way and have claus spread his seed around.

[Guardian Enzo]

Well, I surely haven't thought about this one in ages. I was always pretty sure Claus and Lavie would end up together, though.

[arkxkra]

sophia is not even a contender because she stayed in the old world as the empress, not everyone went to the new world. Anyway, this is one of those cases where you can only guess but you don't know what is going to happen. I rather go the mormon way and have claus spread his seed around.

huh, so Claus and his friend at new world? I thought they go back to wher they are... =.=',,,

btw, who is the seiyu of alvis? i like her voice...

[golthin]

huh, so Claus and his friend at new world? I thought they go back to wher they are... =.=',,,

btw, who is the seiyu of alvis? i like her voice...

Didn't you see them in the ship? That is the new world that the Exile took them to, basically it is earth.

[arkxkra]

Didn't you see them in the ship? That is the new world that the Exile took them to, basically it is earth.

oic, actually that part i quite confuse :D

[Moonbase]

I haven't finished this series (only up to 17) but I've been told that the ending is horrible and ruins an excellent series.

Is this true? Without spoilers, can I just get a "poll" of who liked or disliked the ending?

[NoSanninWa]

The ending needs a little bit of interpretation. Some people don't like that. Personally I liked the ending and thought that it was a sweet finish to a really nice show.

Anyway, you'll finish the show in another 9 episodes so you hardly need a poll. You're almost there. Just watch the darn thing yourself. Then post back to let us know if you thought that the ending was thumbs up or down.

[yezhanquan]

LE was definitely one of Gonzo's better series. Oh and the seiyu. Morikawa Toshiyuki as a brooding Alex Rowe and Neya Nichiko as the scheming Maestro. Not a must-watch, I admit, but a good watch.

[Moonbase]

The ending needs a little bit of interpretation. Some people don't like that. Personally I liked the ending and thought that it was a sweet finish to a really nice show.

Anyway, you'll finish the show in another 9 episodes so you hardly need a poll. You're almost there. Just watch the darn thing yourself. Then post back to let us know if you thought that the ending was thumbs up or down.

I want to but I need to study for a midterm and this is question about the ending is destroying my concentration.

Note: STOP STARTING NEW ANIME RIGHT BEFORE MIDTERMS OH GOD WHY DO I KEEP DOING THIS

[NoSanninWa]

Don't worry about it, just watch all 9 episodes back-to-back and you'll be done in under 4 hours. Surely you can afford a tiny little 4 hour study break and then you won't have to interrupt your concentration anymore.

[Moonbase]

Don't worry about it, just watch all 9 episodes back-to-back and you'll be done in under 4 hours. Surely you can afford a tiny little 4 hour study break and then you won't have to interrupt your concentration anymore.

...but I watched the first 17 back-to-back today and I feel like I should do something else. :(

Ah, well. I'm gonna stop posting about this as I am horribly derailing the thread with my personal antics. Thanks for all the info you guys have given me, though!

[Shabazza]

I am currently at Episode 16 but there is one thing I don't get and which won't get explained any further I think.

What happened to the Deusis ships? There is that girl at episode 13 and she starts crying and stuff after seeing the ships going down (right?). But what really happened here?
And why did the Silvanna survive the fight against the Urbanus ships? I think she was going down and there was an explosion?

Since the story now sets it's focus on other things I don't think that my questions will be answered... any ideas about those plotholes?

[golthin]

The ending needs a little bit of interpretation. Some people don't like that. Personally I liked the ending and thought that it was a sweet finish to a really nice show.



Yes the ending is open for interpretation. In my opinion nothing was resolved in the love department. there are two schools of thought, the one that said it was resolved and the one that said it is open ended.

[Moonbase]

Yes the ending is open for interpretation. In my opinion nothing was resolved in the love department. there are two schools of thought, the one that said it was resolved and the one that said it is open ended.

I wouldn't say nothing was resolved. I'm pretty sure Lavie and Claus are together in whatever way 15 year olds can be together. Mullin is obviously with Dunya. Also, I don't want to sound like some immature teenager, but were Tatiana and Alister lesbians? I can understand having a trusted best-friend and co-pilot but Alister's reactions to Tatiana's temporary crush on Claus seemed odd to me, if she viewed the relationship as "just friends". There was a part in the end where the youngest mechanic made a comment to Alister before she took off with Claus and Al, and the same mechanic calls for Alister's help after the Chief put him in a headlock, but there seems to be ambiguity with their (Tatiana and Alister's) feelings throughout the anime.

[Moonbase]

I am currently at Episode 16 but there is one thing I don't get and which won't get explained any further I think.

What happened to the Deusis ships? There is that girl at episode 13 and she starts crying and stuff after seeing the ships going down (right?). But what really happened here?
And why did the Silvanna survive the fight against the Urbanus ships? I think she was going down and there was an explosion?

Since the story now sets it's focus on other things I don't think that my questions will be answered... any ideas about those plotholes?

You learn what happens to that crying girl and the significance of that scene pretty soon. It isn't a plot hole, assuming my interpretation is right.


Anyway, you'll finish the show in another 9 episodes so you hardly need a poll. You're almost there. Just watch the darn thing yourself. Then post back to let us know if you thought that the ending was thumbs up or down.

I like the ending, although I'm on the fence with how the deal with Luciola and Dio. I know about the artbook that states Dio is alive and was picked up by some random airship after the battle

Also, where in the anime did it give the name of the planet they are on?

[TinyRedLeaf]

What happened to the Deusis ships? There is that girl at episode 13 and she starts crying and stuff after seeing the ships going down (right?). But what really happened here?

It's been a long time, so my memory is a bit hazy. Are you referring to the the rockets/shuttles that Dunya saw? Those ships were carrying refugees from Deusis. They were fleeing the "ice age" that had descended on their country. The ships were supposed to get them to Anatoray via the Grand Stream. Unfortunately, none of them made it. Everyone died apparently. Hence Dunya's grief.


And why did the Silvanna survive the fight against the Urbanus ships? I think she was going down and there was an explosion?

The Urbanus squadron had the Silvana entangled. In order to break free, it shot down fragments of the dragon teeth, forcing the Urbanus squadron to disengage or risk being struck by the falling debris. I'm assuming that Alex timed the manoeuvre carefully so that the Silvana would not be hit by debris while it escaped.



Also, I don't want to sound like some immature teenager, but were Tatiana and Alister lesbians? I can understand having a trusted best-friend and co-pilot but Alister's reactions to Tatiana's temporary crush on Claus seemed odd to me, if she viewed the relationship as "just friends".


No, they are not lesbians. They are very good friends who happen to be pilot and navigator. Vanship pilots and navigators apparently share a very close bond, and it appears they must think and act like a single individual in order to fly a vanship effectively. So, when you add this relationship together with their existing friendship, it's not surprising that Tatiana and Alister became more than "just friends". But, no, there is nothing sexual in their relationship.

It's also a common cultural misunderstanding. Apparently in Japan, it's common for girls to form very close and intimate friendships while they are still in high school. Foreigners often see lesbian overtones in such relationships when none might exist.


I have always wondered though about the Silvana's status. It is apparently independent from Anatoray and Deusis, but Alex seems to have graduated from the same academy as Vincent and Sophia. How did Alex become the captain of such a powerful vessel? And why is the Silvana allowed to act independently?

As for the Urbanus squadron, they seem to be a special unit under the direct command of Anatoray's ruler. Could it be that the Silvana was meant to be the flagship of another special squadron, but it rebelled under Alex's command?

[Moonbase]

I have always wondered though about the Silvana's status. It is apparently independent from Anatoray and Deusis, but Alex seems to have graduated from the same academy as Vincent and Sophia. How did Alex become the captain of such a powerful vessel? And why is the Silvana allowed to act independently?

As for the Urbanus squadron, they seem to be a special unit under the direct command of Anatoray's ruler. Could it be that the Silvana was meant to be the flagship of another special squadron, but it rebelled under Alex's command?

I was of the view that Alex left the Academy because of losing Eunis (his wife at the time, forget how spell her name) or because he disagreed with how the Emperor was running the nation (ergo why he worked secretly with Marius). As such, I simply thought he pirated a ship and had the foresight to replace The Unit crew with Guilders sympathetic to his cause OR that he stole a ship with a sympathetic Unit crew.

I don't really agree with the Silvana being a special flagship theory but that's mostly because I didn't take that away from the anime.

Also, does anyone know the answer to my questions about the planet's name? It's really starting to bug me :(

[golthin]

Also, does anyone know the answer to my questions about the planet's name? It's really starting to bug me :(


It is earth! It is not said but it is implied because it is "the blue planet". It is obvious because they show a deer and in the Old world they don't deers. they call it the new world, even though earth is actually the old world.

[Moonbase]

It is earth! It is not said but it is implied because it is "the blue planet". It is obvious because they show a deer and in the Old world they don't deers. they call it the new world, even though earth is actually the old world.


Well, near the beginning of this thread, they were calling it Prestale or Prestair and I'm wondering how they got this. Also, how can the planet itself be Earth? In the end, we see it as some weird spindle formation thing with Exile flying around it. I think Exile either returns them to Earth or that it's terraforming the space station/planet that the anime takes place on for the majority of the time.

[TinyRedLeaf]

I'll take a risk and post without spoilers, since this is a completed anime after all. I'll spoiler it if I hear any protests.

Hmm, which planet are you referring to, actually? The "blue star" that the mysterions referred to is clearly Earth. For some reason, humans fled their home planet long ago, perhaps because of environmental disaster. Earth is now ready to be repopulated, hence the Exile's return.

The hourglass-shaped "space station" you're referring is where the entire story takes place. The Grand Stream is the storm at the centre of the hourglass. The Guild mothership floats in the centre of the storm. I don't recall if this world had a name. The Exile was leaving the space station in the final episode. Claus, Lavie, and the rest were looking at the world while on-board the Exile.

Not everyone left. Sophia and the Silvana's crew remained behind, along with some other people, it would appear. I think someone mentioned in this thread that the Exile can now fly between the two worlds, so they can still meet again should they want to do so.

[Moonbase]

I'll take a risk and post without spoilers, since this is a completed anime after all. I'll spoiler it if I hear any protests.

Hmm, which planet are you referring to, actually? The "blue star" that the mysterions referred to is clearly Earth. For some reason, humans fled their home planet long ago, perhaps because of environmental disaster. Earth is now ready to be repopulated, hence the Exile's return.

The hourglass-shaped "space station" you're referring is where the entire story takes place. The Grand Stream is the storm at the centre of the hourglass. The Guild mothership floats in the centre of the storm. I don't recall if this world had a name. The Exile was leaving the space station in the final episode. Claus, Lavie, and the rest were looking at the world while on-board the Exile.

Not everyone left. Sophia and the Silvana's crew remained behind, along with some other people, it would appear. I think someone mentioned in this thread that the Exile can now fly between the two worlds, so they can still meet again should they want to do so.

While I don't exactly disagree with the blue planet being Earth, the ending is kind of ambiguous to whether they are returning to Earth or the artificial planet they've been living on was restored to some "blue planet" state. Simply because of the rather unexplained ending, it could be that the "humans" destroyed their planet (the hourglass) but before it was too late, various Houses built Exile as a means of restoring it to a lush environment.

I myself am leaning toward the return to Earth theory but the terraforming one seems almost as plausible.

Edit: I just found the post containing info on the box art and other, officially released materials. If it says that Exile was a ferry, it was a ferry. Kinda a cop-out in my opinion as they didn't make it more clear in the anime's ending but I honestly feel better knowing what happened.

Edit 2: Where can I get the box set and the art book that contains all this extra info? Anyone know where I can order it?

[golthin]

Edit: I just found the post containing info on the box art and other, officially released materials. If it says that Exile was a ferry, it was a ferry. Kinda a cop-out in my opinion as they didn't make it more clear in the anime's ending but I honestly feel better knowing what happened.

Edit 2: Where can I get the box set and the art book that contains all this extra info? Anyone know where I can order it?

That art book and extra material is for people that can't deduce things from the anime. I had not doubt that the blue planet was earth after I watched the whole show. The only thing I found out from the art book was that the guy that fell was rescued by merchants.

[Moonbase]

That art book and extra material is for people that can't deduce things from the anime. I had not doubt that the blue planet was earth after I watched the whole show. The only thing I found out from the art book was that the guy that fell was rescued by merchants.

That's a little harsh. I don't think the anime made it definite that the blue planet was Earth. A return to a blue planet could have been a terraforming of the planet/space station they were already on. I also wasn't sure about who stayed behind after Exile was unlocked and that it was intended to be a ferry, carrying the populace slowly back to Earth. These were all things I came up with as hypothetical outcomes but the extra materials set it in stone.

[golthin]

That's a little harsh. I don't think the anime made it definite that the blue planet was Earth. A return to a blue planet could have been a terraforming of the planet/space station they were already on. I also wasn't sure about who stayed behind after Exile was unlocked and that it was intended to be a ferry, carrying the populace slowly back to Earth. These were all things I came up with as hypothetical outcomes but the extra materials set it in stone.

well, I guess my deductive skills are a few levels ahead of yours. :)

[Moonbase]

well, I guess my deductive skills are a few levels ahead of yours. :)

It's not about deduction. As I have stated, I thought of these as possibilities, as did many others on this forum. These details are simply never laid down as facts anywhere in the anime. Exile could just have easily terraformed the "planet" the anime takes place on just as it turned out to be a ferry ship back to Earth. Dio's death isn't clear at all in the ending; if you thought he survived falling out of the sky in a crashing Vanship, that is simply wishful thinking on your part. That same line of reasoning could find a loophole to allow Alex to survive but that didn't happen simply because the writers never said such a miracle would happen for him.

I liked not knowing exactly what Exile was but at the same time having the writers come out and say what happened is good, too.

[golthin]

It's not about deduction. As I have stated, I thought of these as possibilities, as did many others on this forum. These details are simply never laid down as facts anywhere in the anime. Exile could just have easily terraformed the "planet" the anime takes place on just as it turned out to be a ferry ship back to Earth. Dio's death isn't clear at all in the ending; if you thought he survived falling out of the sky in a crashing Vanship, that is simply wishful thinking on your part. That same line of reasoning could find a loophole to allow Alex to survive but that didn't happen simply because the writers never said such a miracle would happen for him.

I liked not knowing exactly what Exile was but at the same time having the writers come out and say what happened is good, too.

I still maintain my position, At the end of the show I knew that the planet was earth even though the name never was mentioned. It was said that it was the planet of origin from where Exile came, so the terraforming theory was out of the question. It was also mentioned that the planet was abandoned because it became unhabitable.

My point is that you didn't believe what you got from the show,while I believed my interpretation of the information given. you had doubts even though there were hints everywhere of what the planet was. Dio's death was another thing, At the end of the show I thought Gio was dead with the information given, but of course with the art book we find he survived.

It is the same thing with Claus and Lavie, some people say they ended together as a romantic couple, while some say that it was an ambiguous ending and nothing was really resolved.

[Moonbase]

Where in the anime did it say that the planet of origin was Earth? The only time I heard about it's origins were in the Mysterions:

* Poem: What lies beyond the furthest reaches of the sky?
* Alvis: That which will lead the lost child back to its mother's arms: Exile.

Leading back to a previous planet or previous state of existence? Ambiguous.



* Poem: What lies beyond the furthest reaches of memory?
* Alvis: The place where all were born and to where all will return: A Blue Star.

Returning to a planet where all were born or returning the planet to a healthy, blue state that it was originally (i.e. it was "born" a blue star but we messed it up with pollution/rapid expansion/something else humans do)? Arguments for both interpretations exist clearly.

I don't know where you got the idea that I don't believe in my interpretations. I seem to believe in 2 possible outcomes whereas you believed in 1.

[NoSanninWa]

Where in the anime did it say that the planet of origin was Earth?
Do they really have to tell you that the planet of origin is Earth? Earth IS the planet of origin. That is Earth's relationship to humanity.

Returning to a planet where all were born or returning the planet to a healthy, blue state that it was originally (i.e. it was "born" a blue star but we messed it up with pollution/rapid expansion/something else humans do)? Arguments for both interpretations exist clearly.It seems pretty clear that both interpretations are true.

[Moonbase]

Do they really have to tell you that the planet of origin is Earth? Earth IS the planet of origin. That is Earth's relationship to humanity.

I didn't readily assume that they were human. The Guild looks strange to me; they have pointed ears and pretty much lack sexual dimorphism in my opinion (other than Delphine, who is the only one I ever saw having breasts). One could argue it's just something that happens a lot in Japanese animation but Claudia, a planet that has scaffolding supporting it's land mass and the Grandstream (which I thought was a natural phenomenon at the time) all contributed to me thinking it was simply a human-esque race that didn't necessarily come from Earth.


It seems pretty clear that both interpretations are true.

That was my point. The anime's ending had enough supporting evidence for both outcomes. To say one could simply deduce which occurred in actuality is either wishful thinking or assumption. That's not to say I disliked the ambiguity; animes that make you think about their meanings are (by and large) superior to those that come out and say what is what. My sentiment regarding the extra info from the box sets is that I gained some comfort in knowing what the writers intended; I would have been fine if such materials had never been released.

[golthin]

Do they really have to tell you that the planet of origin is Earth? Earth IS the planet of origin. That is Earth's relationship to humanity.

It seems pretty clear that both interpretations are true.

Exactly, even in his argument he present proof! I really don't know what he is arguing about anymore. He is trying to argue that I was wrong believing the planet was earth, while it is a FACT that the planet was earth. He wants to make me believe that I was wrong thinking that the planet that they were going was earth, while it has been confirmed that it was earth. he said that I couldn't have know it was earth because it was never mentioned by name. Well, What can I do, I knew it was earth with the information and I was not the only one, I was not special, Many other people deduced that it was earth. Just accept it.

[Moonbase]

Exactly, even in his argument he present proof! I really don't know what he is arguing about anymore. He is trying to argue that I was wrong believing the planet was earth, while it is a FACT that the planet was earth. He wants to make me believe that I was wrong thinking that the planet that they were going was earth, while it has been confirmed that it was earth. he said that I couldn't have know it was earth because it was never mentioned by name. Well, What can I do, I knew it was earth with the information and I was not the only one, I was not special, Many other people deduced that it was earth. Just accept it.

I don't know how you read either of our posts but "It seems pretty clear that both interpretations are true" doesn't seem to support your argument at all, assuming both means terraforming and return to Earth. You use the word fact but it only became fact when the writers came out and said it. Without them, I'd still believe in either the terraforming or return to Earth theories.

I'm not trying to deny that it is Earth... just that the anime was ambiguous.

[golthin]

I don't know how you read either of our posts but "It seems pretty clear that both interpretations are true" doesn't seem to support your argument at all, assuming both means terraforming and return to Earth. You use the word fact but it only became fact when the writers came out and said it. Without them, I'd still believe in either the terraforming or return to Earth theories.

I'm not trying to deny that it is Earth... just that the anime was ambiguous.

Well, it is a FACT now. So my deduction skills were right. So why are you arguing? you didn't deduce it and thought it was a terraformed planet. Any way, your theory FAILED, My believe and deductive skills as well as those of many other people were outstanding! The important thing for me is that I was right!

[Moonbase]

Well, it is a FACT now. So my deduction skills were right. So why are you arguing? you didn't deduce it and thought it was a terraformed planet. Any way, your theory FAILED, My believe and deductive skills as well as those of many other people were outstanding! The important thing for me is that I was right!

I hope there was a rather thick layer of sarcasm in your post, I really do. I don't care who is right or who is wrong, only what the anime presented.

Your first sentence acknowledges what I've been trying to get at. It's a fact NOW, as in, AFTER the ending of the anime. You, again, misinterpret what I've been saying in your fourth sentence. I never once said that I thought the terraforming theory was the correct or only theory; I gave equal credence to BOTH interpretations UNTIL an external authority confirmed one of them.

I'm not trying to flame in this thread (despite what you or others may think) but do you know the difference between a theory and a fact? I'll agree that many people deduced a theory that it was Earth but to say that it was a fact before the writers set it in stone is illogical. Again, I'm not denying that there was a vast amount of evidence supporting the return to Earth theory as I myself favoured this over the terraforming one.

My point is this: I ENJOYED the ambiguity, I firmly believe such ambiguity does exist at the anime's end and that such questions regarding the planet have been resolved by what the writer's came out and said. I'm ending the argument now from my side because I don't think we'll ever agree or come to a comprise regarding the issue.

[golthin]

I hope there was a rather thick layer of sarcasm in your post, I really do. I don't care who is right or who is wrong, only what the anime presented.

Your first sentence acknowledges what I've been trying to get at. It's a fact NOW, as in, AFTER the ending of the anime. You, again, misinterpret what I've been saying in your fourth sentence. I never once said that I thought the terraforming theory was the correct or only theory; I gave equal credence to BOTH interpretations UNTIL an external authority confirmed one of them.



Nice way to take my words and turn them around. For me It was always a fact, for people like you who didn't get it when they watched the anime, it was a theory. I should have said that it is a fact now for people that didn't get it when the anime ended. Actually, I never heard this terraformed theory before you mantioned it. This is the first time I heard that people didn't get it that it was earth.

[NoSanninWa]

Now we're down to the "I'm right and you are wrong, yah-boo-sucks" phase of this discussion.

Arguing on the internet is a difficult thing because often you get to a point where your words simply cannot reach each other. Once you've stated everything you really have to say, you only have the option of telling each other that they just don't get it. You've both reached that point. Let it go.

[GiMpReLoAdEd]

Personally I loved Last Exile since I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I love the strong influance of star wars throughout the series.

Yh, i thought that, especially when they took out the guild ships with the vanship squadrens.... that reminded me exactly of when they destroyed the deathstar in star wars! I was soooooo similar!

[GiMpReLoAdEd]

Im sick of people slagging of the ending that doesnt resolve stuff! the mystery is

good, and as u guys have shown clearly generates discussion. I completely

understand the ending myself, and its pretty simple if u watch carefully...:D

[Reckoner]

Just finished the series, I give it a big thumbs up for anyone wanting to watch it. Although the two main characters get into typical anime emo mode at times.

[yezhanquan]

LE was one of the few Gonzo series which was really good, no least because it's done for an anniversary. Good cast, nice story. Let those Vanships fly!

[DanielSong39]

In the end the Guild is defeated, the two remaining nations make peace, and they live in the new world - the "Last Exile".

As for Claus, he doesn't end up with anyone.

That's my take on the ending; what's yours?

[yezhanquan]

In the end the Guild is defeated, the two remaining nations make peace, and they live in the new world - the "Last Exile".

As for Claus, he doesn't end up with anyone.

That's my take on the ending; what's yours?

Well, Exile is the vessel that ferries them between the two worlds of Prester (the original world; check the spelling) and Earth. From what I can remember, Claus and much of the gang chose to move to Earth, while others remained back at Prester.

[Mgz]

LE was one of the few Gonzo series which was really good, no least because it's done for an anniversary. Good cast, nice story. Let those Vanships fly!

but their 15th anniversary *cough*AFRO SAMURAI*cough* was pure crap, too Western :(

Last Exile is the Magnum opus of Gonzo, it is the 1st anime that I have watched of the internet fansub age (before I have to rent VHS or watch TV) :-/ . So I have strong emotional connection to the anime as well as Gonzo :cough: . In 5 years, whatever happened to the great Gonzo / Mahiro Maeda / Range Murata / Koichi Chigira :(

Gonzo - downsize from 8 to 4 anime / year
They have until March 31 2009 (about 3 months) to improve their financial report or face delisting.

Koichi Chigira : Brave Story (movie), some crappy kiddy story, seriously?
and Tower of DRUAGA series :rolleyes:

Range Murata : pretty much nothing major after Last Exile :( . He is coming back with Shangri-La, hopefully :-/

Mahiro Maeda : nothing worth talking about except Gankutsuou :-/

[strategos]

Funimation got the rights for the Last Exile. Man, I want to buy this dvds. NEvr had the chance to buy them when they were out.

[yezhanquan]

but their 15th anniversary *cough*AFRO SAMURAI*cough* was pure crap, too Western :(

Last Exile is the Magnum opus of Gonzo, it is the 1st anime that I have watched of the internet fansub age (before I have to rent VHS or watch TV) :-/ . So I have strong emotional connection to the anime as well as Gonzo :cough: . In 5 years, whatever happened to the great Gonzo / Mahiro Maeda / Range Murata / Koichi Chigira :(

Gonzo - downsize from 8 to 4 anime / year
They have until March 31 2009 (about 3 months) to improve their financial report or face delisting.

Koichi Chigira : Brave Story (movie), some crappy kiddy story, seriously?
and Tower of DRUAGA series :rolleyes:

Range Murata : pretty much nothing major after Last Exile :( . He is coming back with Shangri-La, hopefully :-/

Mahiro Maeda : nothing worth talking about except Gankutsuou :-/

They still have one more bullet in the gun: Kiddy Grade. Still, the second season is in limbo, although the movie versions of the first series seemed to do pretty well. And it seems that GONZO is not animating the second season. Hmmm...

[MikaMiaka]

8. Chivilarous war code is designed so both sides did not destroy each other too much to sustain a form of lower control on the humans below.

Thank you! I was wondering WTH they were talking about with "6 minutes left" and whatnot during the battles -- it made no sense, but this explanation makes perfect sense. I guess fighting is necessary to maintain society, and the battle at the beginning was just for fun.

I liked this series, though I almost dropped it at ep. 18 for some reason because I kinda forgot about it.

I wanted Alex to be a little less emotionally distant but alas, it did not happen. This series could have benefited from at least one true, deeply explored romance, but instead, it shied away from all of that and I wonder why.

They really weren't afraid to kill people now were they? It sucked that Alex and Dio had to die. Luciola sacrificed his life for nothing. Why did he put on that ring and turn to glitter? Could he not refuse? And I watched Alex kill Delphine like 3 times (I kept on rewinding) -- it was that rewarding just because that b*tch really really really needed to die. My hatred for her was pretty darn intense. I wish she would have begged for her life more. I'm probably really sadistic, but damn, I wanted a series of continuous stabbings into her heart. I think she got off too damn easy -- she utterly disgusts me. Ewww, she licks herself and her brother too much. *shudders*

And just for the record, I don't think that place is earth either. The Exile created that world (and humans created the Exile, probably after we destroyed our own planet), so it's almost like Escaflowne's situation wherein humans created Gaea.

Lavie annoyed me so much at first and Mullin is one fickle mofo, hah. :heh:

[yezhanquan]

Well, I think the story wanted to drive home the point that Alex was beyond any help. He exists solely to get rid of you-know-who. In fact, I think he'll kill himself if he had somehow survived.

As for Delphine, as Alucard would say, "she finally kicked the iron board".

[MikaMiaka]

^^Yeah, you're right about what they wanted to do with Alex. I was hoping that he would change, that somehow Claus would be able to get to him, even though there was no indication of this ever happening. I really liked Alex and ever since his introduction, I was hoping that he would share the stage with Clause as a main character but that did not happen (I usually go into every anime blind without even knowing who the main characters are.) His role was severely reduced, and I think this show could have benefited if his presence was around more.

[yezhanquan]

Well, as I see it, the series was the coming of age for Claus, Lavie, Sophia and Mullin. Boy becomes a man, girl matures, the lady becomes an empress and the fool becomes a man as well. Given that a new beginning dawns upon the survivors, I guess it works.

[MikaMiaka]

I'm not saying that it doesn't work, but I am saying that something is missing from this series -- I was just trying to put my finger on what it was that was missing. I'm thinking what was missing was Alex's presence and perhaps a solid romantic couple. This series could have been truly epic, but somewhere along the way, it faltered. I think this shortcoming is at the beginning of the series. This series somehow defies the norm in that it starts out weak and finishes strong. The last 6 eps are epic and grand.

But you are right in your assessment on which this series should be viewed -- it's a coming of age story for the two leads, more so for Claus.

[fict_ticious]

I didn't feel like Clause really got anywhere. The side characters were of greater interest.

[Veritas]

They really weren't afraid to kill people now were they? It sucked that Alex and Dio had to die. Luciola sacrificed his life for nothing. Why did he put on that ring and turn to glitter?

Dio didn't die. One of the official guidebooks said a passing ship picked him up. What bothered me about Lucciola is that Delphine died so he wouldn't have been pursued either. I'm certain the producers just wanted to show that Delphine really was a gnarly bitch and Lucciola had to be the sacrifice.

[yezhanquan]

Well, the couple in this series is
Mullin and that female soldier from the other side.

[MikaMiaka]

^^ Hah, I would hardly classify that couple as being the main romantic couple. Mullin would chase after anything that moves (what's amazing is that he does this without the audience thinking he's some kind of perv :heh:). He's like Sayid from Lost, completely in love with love. :p This series is not about romance, but even so, the shallowness of the romances they do portray is a flaw in the series. I mean, Sophia kissed Claus for goodness sakes -- it makes no sense at all.

@Veritas: Hmmm, that's interesting to note. But honestly, with the way it ended, there is no indication of his being alive. I guess official guidebooks are canon?

[yezhanquan]

I think Sophia/Claus was more mother/son than anything else. Still, if you watch the Japanese version, Mullin is Lockon...

[fict_ticious]

I think Sophia/Claus was more mother/son than anything else.
This really shouldn't turn me on, but it has.

[Guardian Enzo]

I think Sophia/Claus was more mother/son than anything else.

Thank God my mother never kissed me like that...

[yezhanquan]

It's like Setsuna/Marina from 00. Besides, as Empress, Sophia does have a lot of options. Getting into the ring with a childhood friend and fellow member on the Silvana is a little... troublesome.

[signorRossi]

@Veritas: Hmmm, that's interesting to note. But honestly, with the way it ended, there is no indication of his being alive. I guess official guidebooks are canon?

You remember Dio had this fancy flying suit full of Guild technology? There is actually a possible explanation how he could ...

[MikaMiaka]

This really shouldn't turn me on, but it has. I LOL'ed. XD At least we're honest.

Thank God my mother never kissed me like that... And thank god I don't blush furiously when my mom pushes her breasts in my face. :heh:

You remember Dio had this fancy flying suit full of Guild technology? There is actually a possible explanation how he could ...
How did I miss that flying suit?! LOL Well, whatever the case may be, I hope Dio stays sane and doesn't remember what he was forced to do.

[Theowne]

I don't know about anyone else, but when I started watching this, I found the Claus-Lavie partnership endearing, watched the part with the crashed pilot and thought, "So it's going to be a series about this duo and their ship on some adventure to complete this mission with the backdrop of massive war". I figured we'd see some strains and character development and then eventually see them work together to overcome some obstacle and have a happy ending.

And then I kept watching and my whole expectation kind of fell apart. Lavie was basically pushed into the background into some kind of "housewife" role and I didn't think Claus was extremely captivating as a lone character.....It also seemed like the writers wanted to emphasize that Lavie was a replaceable navi while Claus was someone extraordinary that everyone takes notice of. The character development with the new characters and the romance subplots felt kind of half-hearted. But maybe I was just disappointed by then at the change of tone.

Well, I must be an outlier since this anime seems so widely praised. I'm just not much for action sequences and like character-oriented anime, and I just didn't feel like it delivered on that front. The plot was okay but not so mysterious/captivating as to be compelling on its own.

[yezhanquan]

Note that it was Lavie who wanted to quit as Claus' navigator. She's a civilian at heart, and she couldn't stand the fact that Claus and her were becoming soldiers involved in a war. So, she "goes into the kitchen", so to speak. It's her choice and many respected that.

Also, I don't get the Claus = extraordinary part. I never thought of him as anyone special. If anything, Alex was the special one.

To me, LE's OP and ED were the ones which sealed the show for me, along with the seiyu cast. Listening to the then-rookie Saitou Chiwa is like hearing Hirano Aya in Kiddy Grade.

[Theowne]

Note that it was Lavie who wanted to quit as Claus' navigator.

Yes, but Last Exile is fiction and the writers decide what happens, so the writers apparently decided that the show would not be about Claus and Lavie which is what I was hoping for and looking forward to. I thought that it could have been a great anime that way, maybe a little like Castle in the Sky.

Maybe extraordinary is not the right word, but just the way that Lavie is a nobody while Claus grabs the attention of Sophia, Tatania, the Guild members, Alex....well, there are reasons but....yeah, I guess in the end I just didn't like how Lavie was thrown into the backburner for much of the series.

[yezhanquan]

Well, Lavie puts across the point that yeah, sometimes people just do not want to fight. Lavie has ideals about being a Vanship user, and those ideals do not involve using these ships as instruments of war.

As for Claus grabbing the attention of the ladies (and Dio), let's just say that they managed to get a little crap under the radar. Still, for almost all parties involved, company was hard to come by.