(L) Sora no Woto

[NinjaYali]

Originally Posted by Midonin

I think that all this scapegoating and glorifying of violence and "machismo" from the anti-moe crowd is ridiculous in the worst sense of the word.

Oh, no I'm not anti-moe since I also liked 'even worse moe' shows like K-On but I lean strongly towards 'violence and machismo'. Come to think of it, Fidel Castro autobiography and US Marines history on same shelf? Match made in hell. If they wanted cute moments, I think they should have tried making it 100% that. And as I mention before trying to put music with military barely worked most of the time and the dialogue just got dodgy. In short, SOW was an interesting experiment but not a completely successful one

Violent women are bad? Mate, according to me the most feminist thing a woman has done would be what Lyudmila Pavlichenko did. Not only that but it deserves glorifying because thanks to violence she did a great patriotic duty by helping to keep the Germans out. A moe-fied Lyudmila? Now that would be a awesome show. And she's a sniper and snipers are awesome. However...communist, female, russian sniper is godly.

The scapegoating and this alarmist "prediction" of how the industry will turn out does not sit well with me.

Was that in reference to me? Oh come on, as if you couldn't tell I was joking.

[NinjaYali]

"machismo"

Machismo bad?

Son, you seem to be suffering from Hippieritis.

You need a dose of Patton.

Spoiler for So inspiring, you'll pierce the heavens:

"Be seated."

Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle.


You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, every one of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.


You are not all going to die. Only two percent of you right here today would die in a major battle. Death must not be feared. Death, in time, comes to all men. Yes, every man is scared in his first battle. If he says he's not, he's a liar. Some men are cowards but they fight the same as the brave men or they get the hell slammed out of them watching men fight who are just as scared as they are. The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared. Some men get over their fright in a minute under fire. For some, it takes an hour. For some, it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood.


Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base. Americans pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men. Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and probably more so. They are not supermen.


All through your Army careers, you men have bitched about what you call "chicken shit drilling." That, like everything else in this Army, has a definite purpose. That purpose is alertness. Alertness must be bred into every soldier. I don't give a fuck for a man who's not always on his toes. You men are veterans or you wouldn't be here. You are ready for what's to come. A man must be alert at all times if he expects to stay alive. If you're not alert, sometime, a German son-of-an-asshole-bitch is going to sneak up behind you and beat you to death with a sockful of shit! There are four hundred neatly marked graves somewhere in Sicily, all because one man went to sleep on the job. But they are German graves, because we caught the bastard asleep before they did.


An Army is a team. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don't know any more about real fighting under fire than they know about fucking! We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world. Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons-of-bitches we're going up against. By God, I do.


My men don't surrender, and I don't want to hear of any soldier under my command being captured unless he has been hit. Even if you are hit, you can still fight back. That's not just bull shit either. The kind of man that I want in my command is just like the lieutenant in Libya, who, with a Luger against his chest, jerked off his helmet, swept the gun aside with one hand, and busted the hell out of the Kraut with his helmet. Then he jumped on the gun and went out and killed another German before they knew what the hell was coming off. And, all of that time, this man had a bullet through a lung. There was a real man!


All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters, either. Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain. What if every truck driver suddenly decided that he didn't like the whine of those shells overhead, turned yellow, and jumped headlong into a ditch? The cowardly bastard could say, 'Hell, they won't miss me, just one man in thousands.' But, what if every man thought that way? Where in the hell would we be now? What would our country, our loved ones, our homes, even the world, be like? No, Goddamnit, Americans don't think like that. Every man does his job. Every man serves the whole. Every department, every unit, is important in the vast scheme of this war. The ordnance men are needed to supply the guns and machinery of war to keep us rolling. The Quartermaster is needed to bring up food and clothes because where we are going there isn't a hell of a lot to steal. Every last man on K.P. has a job to do, even the one who heats our water to keep us from getting the 'G.I. Shits.'


Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like rats. If not, they will go home after this war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed more brave men. Kill off the Goddamned cowards and we will have a nation of brave men. One of the bravest men that I ever saw was a fellow on top of a telegraph pole in the midst of a furious fire fight in Tunisia. I stopped and asked what the hell he was doing up there at a time like that. He answered, 'Fixing the wire, Sir.' I asked, 'Isn't that a little unhealthy right about now?' He answered, 'Yes Sir, but the Goddamned wire has to be fixed.' I asked, 'Don't those planes strafing the road bother you?' And he answered, 'No, Sir, but you sure as hell do!' Now, there was a real man. A real soldier. There was a man who devoted all he had to his duty, no matter how seemingly insignificant his duty might appear at the time, no matter how great the odds.


And you should have seen those trucks on the rode to Tunisia. Those drivers were magnificent. All day and all night they rolled over those son-of-a-bitching roads, never stopping, never faltering from their course, with shells bursting all around them all of the time. We got through on good old American guts.


Many of those men drove for over forty consecutive hours. These men weren't combat men, but they were soldiers with a job to do. They did it, and in one hell of a way they did it. They were part of a team. Without team effort, without them, the fight would have been lost. All of the links in the chain pulled together and the chain became unbreakable.


Don't forget, you men don't know that I'm here. No mention of that fact is to be made in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell happened to me. I'm not supposed to be commanding this Army. I'm not even supposed to be here in England. Let the first bastards to find out be the Goddamned Germans. Someday I want to see them raise up on their piss-soaked hind legs and howl, 'Jesus Christ, it's the Goddamned Third Army again and that son-of-a-fucking-bitch Patton.' We want to get the hell over there." The quicker we clean up this Goddamned mess, the quicker we can take a little jaunt against the purple pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too. Before the Goddamned Marines get all of the credit.


Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get the bastards who started it. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we can go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. And when we get to Berlin, I am personally going to shoot that paper hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler. Just like I'd shoot a snake!


When a man is lying in a shell hole, if he just stays there all day, a German will get to him eventually. The hell with that idea. The hell with taking it. My men don't dig foxholes. I don't want them to. Foxholes only slow up an offensive. Keep moving. And don't give the enemy time to dig one either. We'll win this war, but we'll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans that we've got more guts than they have; or ever will have. We're not going to just shoot the sons-of-bitches, we're going to rip out their living Goddamned guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy Hun cock suckers by the bushel-fucking-basket.


War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shoot them in the guts. When shells are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt off your face and realize that instead of dirt it's the blood and guts of what once was your best friend beside you, you'll know what to do!


I don't want to get any messages saying, 'I am holding my position.' We are not holding a Goddamned thing. Let the Germans do that. We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy's balls. We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all of the time. Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy. We are going to go through him like crap through a goose; like shit through a tin horn!


From time to time there will be some complaints that we are pushing our people too hard. I don't give a good Goddamn about such complaints. I believe in the old and sound rule that an ounce of sweat will save a gallon of blood. The harder WE push, the more Germans we will kill. The more Germans we kill, the fewer of our men will be killed. Pushing means fewer casualties. I want you all to remember that.


There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this war is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, 'Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana.' No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, 'Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Third Army and a Son-of-a- Goddamned-Bitch named Georgie Patton!'


"That is all."

[Midonin]

No, I just find that we live in a world where the computer, not the club, is the way of information. The genders are starting to even out. Except for some people who are stuck about a century in the past. It's no longer necessary, and is in fact kind of pointless, to kill something just to become a "man". Which is why I found the people saying they wanted a theoretical second season with "more war", when that would go against the entire point the show was trying to make.

[Proto]

Machismo bad?

Machismo, at least in its Spanish origins has a pretty negative connotation since it stands for male chauvinism.

[NinjaYali]

Originally Posted by Midonin

No, I just find that we live in a world where the computer, not the club, is the way of information. The genders are starting to even out. Except for some people who are stuck about a century in the past. It's no longer necessary, and is in fact kind of pointless, to kill something just to become a "man". Which is why I found the people saying they wanted a theoretical second season with "more war", when that would go against the entire point the show was trying to make.

Okay fair enough.

But as for me, I think you can tell I have a strong respect for the military and for what they do I can't think of anything other then calling them becoming great men for helping fight the enemy and for the concept of the motherland. Although at the same time I admire military strategists and tacticians for being able to successfully come up with a good plan and implementing it. As for gender equality? I'm cynical about that.

Although by more war, the main reason is that I want a little more background as to what the fuck happened. You know, big light show of the apocalypse. Misaimed Fandom?

[Proto]

There's a very fine line between respecting their work and glorifying them beyond the necessary evil a military is for any nation.

BTW, I feel that the past war and the pre apocalypse world here is more like a mood setter. Nothing more than a way for the authors to create the setting they feel its best for expressing their message. Maybe a little less subtle version of Yokohama Shopping Log.

[Ghostfriendly]

Although by more war, the main reason is that I want a little more background as to what the fuck happened. You know, big light show of the apocalypse. Misaimed Fandom?

Certainly hope we get some details of the past in the DVD ep, but the background would still do its job without it.

The best thing about this series was how it combined the liveliness of peace with the despair of war, convincing on both sides. A better series would show that while music and human spirit can really do incredible things, sometimes it isn't enough and you have to find a way to live with war as well, until we find something that gives a perfect peace.

[Bikerider]

I don't see any second season for this show. It's story is pretty much told. A prequel season / series has possibilities. But I don't see it being with these characters. Perhaps with previous stationed "maidens"

[NinjaYali]

Originally Posted by Ghostfriendly

Certainly hope we get some details of the past in the DVD ep, but the background would still do its job without it.

The best thing about this series was how it combined the liveliness of peace with the despair of war, convincing on both sides. A better series would show that while music and human spirit can really do incredible things, sometimes it isn't enough and you have to find a way to live with war as well, until we find something that gives a perfect peace.

Peace? I think the way it had to end with harem pope getting his way says it all.

But really, if they at least tell me the one last bit about the big bird and how it came about then I'll be happy.

[Sparvid]

Rewatching earlier parts again:

I'm a bit disappointed that Kanata introduces herself to the soldiers on the train. I would've liked to see a prequel episode where she's a part of their squadron for a short while, learning the basics of military life, and being the enthusiastic, optimistic newcomer / little sister / mascot to the older, war-tired veterans.

Filicia mentions that Kanata and Kureha's early interaction with each other reminds her of when she first met Rio. That would've been fun to see.

Kureha insisting on there being no such things as ghosts fits with her later statement that the dead go to heaven never to return, before we learn about her parents fate... And there's no explanation for the ghosts.

Noël's reaction to being called a murderer by Seiya, with the knowledge of the Reaper =
Want to learn more about the Professor though. Noël's "I was there"-comment on Filicia's battlefield experience is never really explained. Maybe it can be interpreted/translated in other ways. Getting the weapons plant working doesn't mean that she needed to be at the frontline.

They never got around to getting an official loader to the tank. Kanata is in the loader position during both the exercise and at the end, where she doubles as communicator, with Aisha sitting in the communicator seat.

I'd like to see a longer epilogue, with Aisha visiting the fortress again

[K3cT]

I just finished this series and I can only say... give me back my 6 hours! Anyone else noticed that the show pretty much took a nosedive to crap territory after episode 7? It's just jarring to see that the producers seemingly unable to decide what they want to tell the audience with Sora no Woto. Such a shame really as the show has an interesting premise and godly music.

[Raiga]

Random thought, but when's the first DVD episode chronologically? Was it between 5 and 6? *forgets*

Anyway, that part in episode 8 when Naomi's like, "Kanata how did you find out about the distillery the girls had going?" and Kanata's like, "Ehh... I'll tell you later" and they never explain it for the rest of the series? I was thinking maybe that's a continuity nod to the first DVD special episode, where they'll explain how she found out...

I hope I'm not stating the obvious...

[Raa]

Originally Posted by K3cT

I just finished this series and I can only say... give me back my 6 hours! Anyone else noticed that the show pretty much took a nosedive to crap territory after episode 7? It's just jarring to see that the producers seemingly unable to decide what they want to tell the audience with Sora no Woto. Such a shame really as the show has an interesting premise and godly music.

Dunno about godly music, but the show was really promising, I stick to the end just to want my time back. So empty, all "meaning" would fill like 2 episodes...
It's a pity as potential was there...

[Proto]

Points of view. Personally I'm completely satisfied with the time I invested with this series. The series was never about showing the story of war in a devastated world, or the exploration of said devastated world, but the exploration of how human will survives in such conditions. Once you accept this or something equivalent as the premise of the show it becomes a ton more enjoyable. Trust me.

[Chainspell]

Originally Posted by Raiga

Random thought, but when's the first DVD episode chronologically? Was it between 5 and 6? *forgets*

Anyway, that part in episode 8 when Naomi's like, "Kanata how did you find out about the distillery the girls had going?" and Kanata's like, "Ehh... I'll tell you later" and they never explain it for the rest of the series? I was thinking maybe that's a continuity nod to the first DVD special episode, where they'll explain how she found out...

I hope I'm not stating the obvious...

Well I just hope they don't spend too much time on 'how' Kanata found out and more time on the real back story of the show which was what truly happened to humanity. That being said I'm hoping the extra episode isn't going to be all fanservice filler that will not bring closure to the speculations that made the show entertaining to some.

Not that fanservice is a bad thing...

Spoiler for Pic:

[Raiga]

Wait, is that a real screenshot? O___O Inoue Marina...?

[Midonin]

PSP game screenshot.

[Raiga]

Oh, so there's a PSP game... that is quite the character design. XD

[NinjaYali]

Originally Posted by Chainspell

Well I just hope they don't spend too much time on 'how' Kanata found out and more time on the real back story of the show which was what truly happened to humanity. That being said I'm hoping the extra episode isn't going to be all fanservice filler that will not bring closure to the speculations that made the show entertaining to some.

Not that fanservice is not bad...

Spoiler for Pic:

Damn you Natsuru!!! Filicia/Rio is not to be broken!!

So what is this, a yuri dating sim with Marina Inoue in another harem lead?

Also, strange over where I live they already have Sora no Woto out on dvd. Full season for 20 dollars. That was pretty damn quick.

The series was never about showing the story of war in a devastated world, or the exploration of said devastated world, but the exploration of how human will survives in such conditions. Once you accept this or something equivalent as the premise of the show it becomes a ton more enjoyable

True, it's about humans moving on. But it's also moving on after the apocalypse which played an important role in why the world is as it is now so I hope this aspect won't be completely forgotten in the ovas. Remember Survivors tv? They showed half the 1st episode about everyone dying before the rest of the season became about humans moving on.

Anyone else noticed that the show pretty much took a nosedive to crap territory after episode 7? It's just jarring to see that the producers seemingly unable to decide what they want to tell the audience with Sora no Woto. Such a shame really as the show has an interesting premise and godly music.

Episode 8: >_<
Episode 9: Meh
Episode 10-12: Fuck yeah.

Although they should have expanded this to a few more episodes. Maybe a Filicia and Rio episode? A bit more on Kureha's background and Aisha was inserted at the last minute. And maybe we'd get a bit more characterisation for Harem Romanian Pope.

The setting of this show is great and I like most characters (even if Kanata and Kureha annoy me), but the way it was written and the attempt to put so much into a short space of time played out for the worse.

[Hypernova]

Originally Posted by Proto

Points of view. Personally I'm completely satisfied with the time I invested with this series. The series was never about showing the story of war in a devastated world, or the exploration of said devastated world, but the exploration of how human will survives in such conditions. Once you accept this or something equivalent as the premise of the show it becomes a ton more enjoyable. Trust me.

+1

SnW is a special type of war series in that it doesn't show the horrors of directly (except ep7), nor is it about the fights. The show is about the aftermath and people who are left behind and how they find the strength to live on.

Originally Posted by NinjaYali

Also, strange over where I live they already have Sora no Woto out on dvd. Pirated Full season for 20 dollars. That was pretty damn quick.

Fix't