[Matrim]

Spoiler for reply to Simon's post:

Yes, I am well aware of the obvious comparison with Haibane Renmei, which I think I mentioned even prior to this episode. I was dissapointed in pretty much the same way by Haibane Renmei - emotional climax with plot resolution very much in the background. I just don't like theorising about books or films after I have seen/read the end - there is no way to determine which theory is right, after all. That does not mean I won't have fun discussing various loose ends here, I will just be a bit dissapointed that there are so many loose ends. I would have been really disappointed by such an ending had Simoun been a plot driven series. I think I need a rewatch to appreciate Simoun fully but right now it's in my top 10 anime series and being able to discuss it in such a great detail here really enhanced the whole viewing experience.

I don't think Aaeru and Neviril were actually on the Arcus Prima.

That does make sense - if those two were able to go back to the time of their friends, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for them not to visit at least some of them, if anythnig to assure them that the eternal shoujo are alive.