(L) Chevalier D'Eon

[wao]

Wargh, I don't know why I continue to watch this even though I'm too damn lazy to actually properly figure out what's going on. Seriously, I think I should have listened carefully right from the start... episode three looked fun and interesting as usual, what with

Spoiler:

Durand being traitorous and all and Louis XV of all people suddenly appearing at the end in front of Lia's casket

but ... I still don't know what's going on. Maybe I should try remembering people's names and their relationship to each other first... bah. I give up :P I suppose I can continue saying that the show is surprising me with the high production values... The drawings are very close to the designs and very clean-cut, and there still was some smoothly-animated action. Of course there is some huge amount of animators working on it... in-betweeners included. Maybe it's vaguely got to do with the fact that like with the first 2 or so eps of IGPX, Studio Ghibli's doing some of the in-between animation? (They've been doing it for all the episodes so far...) And next episode looks like the same quality as well. Though I'm more impressed by the excellent background art, I love the colours they use!

[Aniki Meiski]

This series is looking more like Berusaiyu no Onmyouji. I might blog this later is the subs are getting very tardy.

Spoiler:

Durand is not traitorous. He secretly works for the King to recruit D'Eon into the King's secret service.

[wao]

Thanks for the clarification. Well, that shows how much attention I was paying... but it makes sense with the appearance of somebody at the end and that hilariously dramatic... I don't know what you call it, sword-stabbing? Exclamation? I wonder when we'll see Robespierre...

[lommm]

yeah

Spoiler:

Durand let Beumarchais go so he would lead them back to the real culprits, D'Orleans and crew

what time on sturdays does this show air in japan??

[wao]

7:00 pm. on WOWOW. Speaking of WOWOW, I'm disappointed that it seems like certain raw groups have decided to stop releasing raws of another current WOWOW show... but oh well. (EDIT: Duh, it's beacuse there's a break in the broadcast. Never mind.)


I think WOWOW must have told I.G. to bloody well put in effort into this anime which is why it looks so much better than Blood+ and XXXHolic. Or maybe they saw Ergo Proxy and said "if that sort of stuff is allowed, we'll show them we can do better" or something.

[lommm]

i think it has a lot to do with the director
he was series director of hunter x hunter and one of the directors of ruruoni kenshin

plus i think the novel and the mangas were pretty popular

and i think they know the european setting will be easy to sell to other countries (France maybe ) so they want it to look good

and Louis XV's France is probably very fun to draw and tempting for good artists

i wonder how much of this animation is staying in Japan and how much is going to Korea?

[wao]

So far none of the key animation has gone to Korea, and only a little of the in-betweening has gone to Korea (but like I said there are tons of studios doing them for the three episodes so far, including Ghibli of all things).

The same can't be said for XXXHolic where entire episodes had their animation outsourced. Oh well. I guess the director is the type who commands a good production budget just like Goro Taniguchi, who always gets these high-budget projects... Or perhaps he just chooses the high-budget ones Because in this case, looking at the list of animators, it's not like he collected a bunch of great animators (ala Noein 12), but more like the existing folks at I.G. suddenly decided to put in a lot of effort and make it really shiny. Sounds more like a high budget in the end. Oh whatever.

While I think the designs are awesome and are a pleasure to draw - in the sense that it looks good when completed - it's rather hard to draw quickly, isn't it?

[lommm]

it's all about an assembly line

think henry ford

lots of people doing little small drawing tasks in assembly line fashion means they get it done faster than we can imagine

which is still impressive for the quality of eps 1-3 (here's hoping it does start slipping like ergo, though dif studio)...actually IG kept up the quality all the way through gitssac, maybe this willl be the same

_____________________
on a plot note,

Spoiler:

i wonder what the actual villains for D'Eon will be like... i mean, he has 21 episodes left and they already figured out that the gargoyles can be stopped by just pulling off the Hommes Optere neclaces. i wonder if D'Eon::Lia will be fighting more with Beuamarchais, St Germain, and Robespierre? even at that, D:L just cut off beaumarchais' fingers and put an end to that fight, so St Germain and Robespierre are going to have to pull out some crazy black alchemy or something for there to actually be fights... either that, or those guys will actually have to pull out swords and fight a la Teillagory and Durand.

*EDIT* I'm going to start calling him D'Eon when he's himself and D:L when he's posessed because writing out "D;Eon when he's posessed by Lia" is too much... we can't call D'Eon "D" because it will be confused with Durand, so D'Eon is fine, i suppose

[wao]

I think they'll also try an emotional approach - appealing to his feelings for certain things, or holding people hostage or whatever. (Actually it's just an excuse for me to say I don't see much of an use for Anna at the moment... but then again, she could be D'Eon's spy in the Palace... keep an eye on the Queen?)

Also I think you can refer to D'Eon possessed by Lia as Lia!D'Eon like they do in lots of fandoms when they refer to alternate version of people (like mad!Train or.. or pissed!Atori?) Though I guess it doesn't matter eventually. Okay, I think I shall get out of here before I devolve into discussing really superficial details like I tend to do...

[lommm]

dunno if anyone watched ep04 yet, but they amped the blood up again...

Spoiler:

first off, i think we had our first main character death... Beumarchais ate it at the hands of D'Eon:Lia... actually, in ep03 DL cut off his fingers on the left hands, and now DL chopped off his entire right hand and upper forarm... then DL stabbed him in the left shoulder in what appears to be a clean death move, going for the heart...

now, Beaumarchais' blood spelled something in French, but I can't entirely make it out... can any of the French lurkers on here please help me out?



also, it looks like their going to make Robin like Katsushiro in Samurai7 or Kai in Blood+.... you know, constantly struggling with himself over whether or not he has what it takes to kill a man... in this ep, he lets Voronzoff get away because he can't bring himself to shoot him in the back... last ep it was Durand (though that's a good thing because DUrand is one of the heroes)

also, the queen explains the skull and nqm to the 4 M's... at least to a certain extent... and we see that Teillagory was who taught Lia how to use a sword and how to fight...

[Aniki Meiski]

Spoiler:

Poor Caron, the one who wrote Figaro, his French is not quite correct. Its should be Gloire a la France not Gloire a France.

[MrProphet]

Damn, I so want to watch this finally. If only I had the time...

EDIT: And what the hell... Beaumarchais!? THE Beaumarchais? That is so weird!

[wao]

Could someone explain what precisely the Queen was saying to the 4 Musketeers about NQM and whatnot? (In a spoiler tag of course) I wish I had the time to go and re-look/rehear it properly but hey, the holidays ended (and I'm being bleeding lazy) I probably wont' get an answer though but hey...

[lommm]

well, i made some screens and a summary... aniki and others, feel free to cerrect my summary if i got something wrong, or to fill in the blanks...

screens and summary (broken up for ease of reading since i don't use blogspot like aniki ) --

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Episode 04 opens with a descent down adark and winding staircase to some unknown dungeon. We hear a man screaming. It is Beaumarchais. We see the interior of the dungeon. The torturer beats Beaumarchais with a cat’o’nines as D’Orleans, St-Germain and Voronzoff look on. Blood splatters on D’Orleans, who tells the torturer to stop and leave. St-Germain writes "Lève-toi pour me défendre (Rise to defend me)" on Beaumarchais' back with alchemy. Later we learn that when St-Germain does this, Beaumarchais becomes a kind of "Conscious Gargoyle." Basically, he's a super Gargoyle who can kind of think for himself, though he remains totally under St-Germain’s control (Think Gluttony in FMA).

Meanwhile at Lia’s tomb, Duc de Broglie and King Louis XV present the Four Musketeers with some papers that proclaim them to be members of Le Secret du Roi. Louis walks forward and touches D’Eon’s lips. He remarks that D’Eon de Beaumont really does resemble Lia de Beaumont. This may be meant to imply that Louis XV also had an affair with Lia, but it is non-specific. Broglie then gives D’Eon his own cross, just like the one Lia left him (which proves that Lia was part of Le Secret du Roi).

Later at Versailles, the Four Musketeers discuss what to do and what they have learned. D’Eon is looking off into the distance, not paying attention. Finally, D’Eon decided that they should use the Cross to talk to the Queen.

Outside, the Marquise de Pompadour is mouthing off about how much she dislikes the Queen and making some handmaids laugh, when the Queen walks up behind her. The Marquise is startled, and almost forgets to bow. The Queen gently chastises Pompadour. After the Queen walks away, Pompadour complains to St-Germain.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Moments later, the Four Musketeers wait on the steps for the Queen’s procession. Robin is nervous and Durand tries to reassure him. The Four Musketeers bow as the Queen passes, but D’Eon cannot resist looking up to meet eyes with Anna.

A short while later, the Four Musketeers are in the Queen’s chambers and she explains NQM, belle’s skull, and Lia’s spirit possession on D’Eon to the group. Teillagory has a flashback to D’Eon’s possession the previous night, and then to teaching Lia swordplay while D’Eon studied his books.

Outside Versailles, St-Germain gets on his carriage and leaves. We see that the footman he left behind is the alchemized Beaumarchais. St-Germain tells him to take care of D’Eon.

Later that evening, at a different palace or chateau, the Four Musketeers watch through the window from outside as Voronzoff sells furs to bourgeois ladies.

Back at Versailles, Anna looks out the window while worrying about D’Eon. The Dauphin wakes up and asks what wrong with her. He jumps on her lap and cheers her up. Somewhat misunderstanding the situation as children often do, he tells her that she is so beautiful that she doesn’t need to worry because is sure to like her. She smiles and tickles him.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Later that night at a pub, Durand and Teillagory are still following Voronzoff. This time their plan is to be in the pub while Voronzoff is drinking with lot of ladies (who maybe prostitutes). So as not to arouse suspicion, the two Musketeers order several pints of ale and talk loudly with the barmaids. (My second favorite screenshot this episode is of dirty old man Teillagory staring at the barmaids’ breasts lol.) Durand challenges Teillagory to a drinking competition, but before Durand can start on his first pint, Teillagory finishes three and wins the favor and praise of the barmaids. Durand is impressed.

Outside the pub, Robin and D’Eon watch through the window, perhaps because they are two young to be in a pub without arousing suspicion. Robin complains that the other two are drinking and not doing their job, but D’Eon reassures him that Durand and Teillagory know what they are doing. The two junior Musketeers stop paying attention and talk about Le Secret du Roi. D’Eon tells Robin that he might not be ready, because he will have to kill people in the name of the King. Robin puts his hand on his gun and proclaims that he can do it. They notice through the window that Durand has dropped one of his pints on the floor, the signal that Voronzoff is leaving.

Voronzoff leaves the pub with three buxom ladies. (He like variety, because he takes a blond, a brunette and a redhead lol.) D’Eon and Robin watch him from a distance, waiting for the opportunity to follow him. But up on the roof of one of the building, the alchemized Beaumarchais is watching them with deadly intent. As the junior Musketeers follow Voronzoff, Beaumarchais runs along the rooftops, following D’Eon. Back on the street, Voronzoff stops walking and fishes through his pockets. He produces a bag and tells the ladies he has some beautiful necklaces for them. They giggle.

Back in the alley, Durand and Teillagory join D’Eon and Robin. Durand tells them they will split up. Durand and Teillagory follow Voronzoff while D’Eon and Robin split up to try to get around in front of Voronzoff. Voronzoff hails a carriage and just as Durand and Teillagory come around the corner, the carriage pulls away. Durand and Teillagory runs down a different alley to try to head off the carriage.

As D’Eon runs through a different alley, Beaumarchais appears at the end of the street and blocks his way. Beaumarchais draws his sword and tells D’Eon to prepare to die. D’Eon draws his sword, and immediately Lia tries to take over.

Meanwhile, Durand jumps over a tall wall. He tells Teillagory he will catch him, but the old man jumps away from Durand and hits the ground running. Durand is baffled and impressed that an old man can move better than he can.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

Back in the alley, D’Eon fights the possession. He is not able to defend well against Beaumarchais because he is also fighting Lia.

Durand and Teillagory find the carriage sitting still. Thinking they will catch Voronzoff making love to his prostitutes they fling the doors open, only to find that the women are dead and Voronzoff is gone. Just as Teillagory notises the “H:O” necklaces, the brunette gargoyles wakes and attacks Durand. Durand throws himself out of the trap, but the gargoyles do not follow. Durand shows Teillagory all three of the “H:O” necklaces that he snatched in that brief instant. Teillagory is impressed with Durand’s speed (I like their relationship).

Beaumarchais forces D’Eon in to a completely defensive position, but Lia forces a few wild swings (which the animators highlight with a neat affect that looks like blood flying through the air off the sword) and beats Beaumarchais back.

Finally, we see where Robin has been. He was the only one who found Voronzoff. Robin chases him to a long narrow alley where Voronzoff cannot dodge a gunshot. Robin draws his pistol and tells Voronzoff to stop or he will shoot. But even with a clear shot, Robin cannot bring himself to shoot the man, and Voronzoff escapes. Robin slumps his shoulders and leans against a wall, feeling disappointed in himself.

Shortly thereafter, D’Eon is doing well against Beaumarchais when he slips on some garbage and falls. Beaumarchais has him at sword point. D’Eon has a flashback to when he told Bernice that he would do anything to avenge his sister. Back to present, Beaumarchais tells D’Eon that he cannot stop the group of alchemists. Beaumarchais lift his sword, yells “Die!” and swings down to kill D’Eon.

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

But Beaumarchais’ right arm, still holding the sword, flies through the air and his the wall above their heads with a bloody splatter. Lia has overtaken D’Eon and cut off Beaumarchais’ arm. Beaumarchais screams wildly and drops to his knees. Lia/D’Eon stand and drives the sword deep into Beaumarchais upper left chest as Beaumarchais screams in pain. Lia/D’Eon pulls the sword out and blood pours all over the ground as Beaumarchais slumps over. Then the purple alchemy magic leaves Beaumarchais’ body, as his blood spells the words “Gloire* à France (Glory in France)” on both the ground and the wall. (*Aniki Meiski says that should be “à la France” for proper grammar.) He dies.

Durand, Teillagory, and Robin find D’Eon, who is covered in blood and looking lost. Robin is first happy to see D’Eon and then realizes something is wrong.

Back at D’Orleans’ chateau, Voronzoff and St-Germain tell D’Orleans what has transpired. D’Orleans is impatient, but St-Germain attempts to reassure him. Instead he angers him further. The two men leave D’Orleans, whom we hear yell in anger and smash some pottery or glass. Outside in the walkway, St-Germain and Voronzoff have a brief conversation that suggests they are the true villains and do not need D’Oreleans.

Back at Versailles, Duc de Broglie looks on as Louis XV signs a letter that is written in German. I can’t read enough of it to translate it right now. But I speak German and it’s definitely in German.

[Secca]

I just start watching. I'm so amazed with the animation. It looks so pretty. And the fencing fight, wow!

The story was pretty engaging too. Haven't seen anything this good since Gankutsuo. ^^

[lommm]

i've taking a fair amount of fencing over the years and the animation for those fights has been spot on accurate


ep 05 airs tomorrow (today) .... it something about D'Eon going to another town to investigate further... and either he or Durand runs into Robespierre... that's all i know right now... will post screens and such after I watch it

[Secca]

Originally Posted by lommm

i've taking a fair amount of fencing over the years and the animation for those fights has been spot on accurate

It looks really hard, you guys must have incredible reflex to be good at fencing. ^^;;

Kinda curious about the swords tho, what kind of swords are they? rappier? Is it different with saber?

[lommm]

are you asking about swords used in modern fencing (foils) or are you asking about what weapons Duran and Teillagory were fencing with?

If it's modern you're asking, just look up fencing on wiki... basically, there's the foil... a rapier, a sabre, and an epee. these are used for different styles and different sets of rules. the differences have largely to do with the edge of the blade. Standard fencing like you'd see in some US and many Euro high schools and colleges, and in the Olympics, has no real cutting edge. It's smooth down the length of the blade, either rounded or four sided (kind of squared) and the actual sharp part is the tip. But that has a ball guard on it so it stops on the surface and does not go in the body for the kill. You can see good fencing in two movies that I can think of right off the top of my head. Rob Roy with Liam Neeson and Tim Roth is generally considered to have the most realistic swordplay in any movie. Roth uses French style rapier, Neeson a Scottish broadsword. At the end of the movie when they fight, Roth stabs Neeson about twenty times or so, causing massive internal bleeding. But all it takes is one clean hit from the broadsword and Roth is quartered. The other movie is called The Duellists by Ridley Scott. That's all about fencing. Stars Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine. They are using something more along the lines of what we see in Chevalier.

Now if you're asking about Chevalier, I think they're either using an Epee du Soldat or some type of sabre. The Epee was the standard issue sword for the French army all through Louis XV and XVI. THe épée: Narrow round, double-edged or triple-edged French sword heavier than a foil with bowl-shaped guard used for dueling and fencing. Full body armor was almost totally out of fashion, so people used small, quick swords that could stick the opponent many times rapidly. Generally they went straight for the heart. There's a movie called Vatel with Tim Roth and Depardieu where four men attack one man and they all four hit his heart within just a few seconds. But they are using rapiers, a long, narrow French sword lacking a cutting edge, often with swept-, basket- or cuplike hilt, used in the 16th and 17th centuries for thrusting. The sabre, has onecutting edge down the length of the blade, which is usually curved. I haven't noticed anyone using curved blades yet. So it's lightweight, and you can either stick or slash.

THe writing down D'EOn's blade was if I remember correctly quite common in France, but I thought it was more under Napoleon.

That'sall I can think of. I'm sure someone else (possibly from France) could tell more about the swords.

BTW, it's not that I remember sword fights in movies that well, just that those theree films were used as examples in a class I took on fencing.

[ephemeral]

umm... maybe this isn't the right place to ask about this... if it isn't then i'm very sorry. i was just wondering is episode 1 the only one which was translated and subbed? i mean, there are already 4 realesed in raws and they're quite old, have all the translating groups dropped this project? ._. everyone talks about the next episodes, do you watch them in japanese? ._.

[Secca]

I got that impression too, with a narrow sword like that, you can probably go between the ribs without getting stuck after. Do massive bleeding on vital organs.

About D'Eon sword. The design looks really fancy, very different from the other knights. ^^ And he embeded his sister cross. ^^;; Is that his family heirloom? He seems came from a noble family. Or is it just a knight standard?