(L) Innocent Venus

[Dernhelm]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Apropos episode four, I found the little exchange between Jou and Gora funny.

Spoiler:

Gora: "You crybaby!"
Jou: "Crybaby?"
Gora: "Yeah! When you took that thing off, there were tears streaming down your face!"
Jou: "Ah, that. It always happens when I wear this [armored suit]."

He doesn't seem to be fazed about the issue. ;;

i was just about to say, 'he seems pretty nonchalant about it' till i read the last line of your post. i didn't notice it before, but it means the same right? XD that's quite quirky of his almost dead character XP

[kuromitsu]

Yeah, one would think there's some terrible secret behind it that makes him all dark and angsty. Instead it's just "ah, that always happens, dunno why." xD

[Dernhelm]

LOL, perfectly said! he just earned even more cutie points! XD

[Guido]

What I liked most about the episode was the music which was tense, and it reveals a complex web of relationships between the protagonists and antagonists entangled with each other.

The facts.

Spoiler:

1. Toraji hijacked the 'Isshin' and made believe that it was lost in action.

2. He and Leni shared a relationship most likely an intimate one.

3. Toraji is a former Phantom. He knows an inside knowledge about Gladiators, the political skirmishes within Phantom, Venus, and may have an idea what Drake is up to with Venus.

4. Speculation: Toraji could have been the former chief officer of the Phantom's Anti-Terrorism Squad before Steve but was later reassigned to the 'Isshin' which was the anticipated goal he planned at the time.

5. Speculation: Most likely Leni recommended Toraji to be reassigned as member of the Isshin.

Steve and his unit report to Leni who she in turn reports to Drake. Toraji has had to be in the past Steve's superior, making him Leni's underclassman.

Drake must have known that Leni and Toraji shared a mutual relationship but was not enthusiastic with the idea for Toraji being relocated to the Isshin. At those times Drake must have known that Torajii was an unstable element and continues to do so long after the latter's treason.
Drake's eyes expressed a disapproval condemnation towards Leni when the Isshin was lost, signaling his dissapointment for her.

Toraji stole the stage.

Spoiler:

Jo couldn't lay a hand on him. He has finesse coupled with a carefree demeanor, but Torajii knows how to get serious without losing his focus and stay cool.

Expected from a former Phantom. Steve was toppled off literally with a katana against his throat and had his movements blocked out; Torajii tamed him fairly quickly.

I thought that the pirates were going to be done for by Steve and his crew but show their resilience to stay alive, and of course, it helped very much that Jo and Jin where on the same boat to work their way out against their former comrades.

It surprises me that Jo alone was able to handle knife guy and tarot guy at the same time. Those two are the most ruthless, blood-thirsty members of Phantom, and I was right that all of them know by hand Jin and Jo. Tarot guy holds a rival grudge against Jo, but unlike knife guy, he's able to keep his composure and not letting his bloodlust get the best of him, from what I observed.

My twist speculation is that Tarot guy has an obsessive liking for Jo in that he desires to slice and chop off parts of Jo's anatomy.

While we haven't seen yet Jin in street fighting, no doubt that he stands on equal ground with Jo piloting the Gladiator.

Spoiler:

For the effect, the military in the previous episode mention that average pilots can't stay longer inside the Gladiators due to physiological and psychological side-effects.

Jin's face turned once inside the Phantom may be due to a physiological effect, interesting because in Sokyuu no Fafner the pilots undergo changes in their psyche when piloting inside the Fafners save for Kazuki.

However, Jo's tears is an ambiguous effect shrouded in mystery, because the camera closes on Toraji looking at Jo crying, and he's slightly impressed but also weirded out. When the camera closes on the captain's face he has no idea what's wrong with Jo, like it's his first time seeing that the Gladiator produces that reaction on the pilot.

I pretty know nothing as why Toraji let Jin and Jo go scot-free with Sana, but one thing was made certain that the pirate never treated Sana as a thing but a girl.

Spoiler:

The only line that I did understand when he spoke to Jin was he would protect that girl (ano ko), not handing her to Phantom.

Toraji was a Phantom, but maybe by the time he desserted in treachery Jo and Jin were made members.
This could explain why Jo and Jin do not recognize Toraji, and neither he can relocate their faces quite well.

The other thing that I comprehended was that Toraji told Jin about the person who might know about Sana.
That person is shown in the next episode's preview. I think that he knows what's Venus, and I'm not expecting he will give the answers to Sana's origin.

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by Guido

Spoiler:

4. [I]Speculation: Toraji could have been the former chief officer of the Phantom's Anti-Terrorism Squad before Steve but was later reassigned to the 'Isshin' which was the anticipated goal he planned at the time.

Spoiler:

In fact, he was Leni's predecessor as Phantom's deputy commander. As for what he was doing on Ishin... It seems to me there's a kind of arms race between Phantom and the government/military, and that's why both parties are doing their best to develop arms and equipment to outdo the other and thus gain more power.

Originally Posted by Guido

Toraji stole the stage.

Totally. It's a pity that we probably won't be seeing him for some time... ("I'm doing well, ain't I! ^o^)/")

Originally Posted by Guido

It surprises me that Jo alone was able to handle knife guy and tarot guy at the same time. Those two are the most ruthless, blood-thirsty members of Phantom, and I was right that all of them know by hand Jin and Jo.

Well, Jou IS supposed to be the best of the best... But I liked that even though Jou and Jin were doing very well fighting the four psychos, the balance of forces wasn't that much off - Jou & Jin were greatly helped out by Toraji when the Ishin submerged and the Phantom mechas couldn't follow them. (Phantom are stupid, though. If they're hunting for a submerging ship why don't they bring along a submarine?)

Originally Posted by Guido

My twist speculation is that Tarot guy has an obsessive liking for Jo in that he desires to slice and chop off parts of Jo's anatomy.

Well, he is voiced by Fukuyama Jun... He does disgruntled uke very well. xD But nah, I don't think that's the reason behind it, IV is not that kind of show. (Though, who knows?)

Originally Posted by Guido

Spoiler:

Jin's face turned once inside the Phantom may be due to a physiological effect,

Spoiler:

Dunno. I think it's mainly due to the fact that he is a soldier, after all. He may have a gentle side to him, but when it comes to fighting, it's bye-bye Mr. Gentle Brother and welcome Overprotective Angry Brother. Of course, the effects of piloting a Gladiator may also have something to do with it, but I think those should greatly depend on one's personality.

Originally Posted by Guido

I pretty know nothing as why Toraji let Jin and Jo go scot-free with Sana, but one thing was made certain that the pirate never treated Sana as a thing but a girl.

He didn't tell Jin either, but apparently he recognized Sana's importance and he was content with how Jin and Jou protected her.... and I guess he has other things on his agenda at the moment. He let them go on the condition that they take Sana to a man (probably to the one who's shown in the preview) who will help them protect her. Although, as he told Hee-Jin, this doesn't mean that he trusts Jin, so I'm sure he'll keep an eye on them. Maybe that's why Gora tagged along.

Originally Posted by Guido

Spoiler:

Toraji was a Phantom, but maybe by the time he desserted in treachery Jo and Jin were made members.

Spoiler:

Well, seeing that he's 7 years older than both Jin and Jou who had no idea who he was, or what the ship was, I think he must've deserted way before Jou and Jin even joined.

[Guido]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

He didn't tell Jin either, but apparently he recognized Sana's importance and he was content with how Jin and Jou protected her.... and I guess he has other things on his agenda at the moment. He let them go on the condition that they take Sana to a man (probably to the one who's shown in the preview) who will help them protect her. Although, as he told Hee-Jin, this doesn't mean that he trusts Jin, so I'm sure he'll keep an eye on them. Maybe that's why Gora tagged along.

This is the idea I wanted to convey but could not find words to fit the description.

Toraji most likely is also keeping an eye and ear on whatever filthy business Drake is scheming to. So, he cannot handle all the burden with the military, Phantom, the Gladiators, the plundering, and Sana all at the same time.

Yes, I did understand that Toraji neither trust nor feels particular familiarity towards Jin and Jo, but he acknowledges first-hand that both desire to protect Sana's welfare at all costs.
But it's also interesting to bring forward that Toraji not even holds any animosity or grudge towards the two of them.

I think he's right now trying to fit all the puzzle pieces revolving around Sana and what Phantom plus the militia covet from Venus. Toraji knows well that Jin is more than capable to handle and decipher the clue that is Sana, henceforth, let them go only to perform that task for him.
Lately, I guess Toraji and his crew will return to retrieve Sana right under Jin and Jo's noses.

[kuromitsu]

Just listened to the latest radio drama... and it seems that the four Phantom psychos (well, two psychos and the rest ) hold an old grudge against Jin and Jou, from the time when they were still in Phantom. Jin and Jou apparently kicked their behinds in a fight. (I don't want to say more, in case it all turns out to be a spoiler or something.)

[Guido]

By chance anyone knows the names of the other three Phantom guys, aside from Steve's?

Reading that post about the radio drama, then my hunch did prove correct after all. Jin and Jou quite managed an excellent job to make enemies out of everyone at Phantom.

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by Guido

By chance anyone knows the names of the other three Phantom guys, aside from Steve's?

The big hulking one is Riki, Tarot Guy is Chin-ran (the kanji mean "blue wolf") and Knife Guy is Kyoushirou (it means something along the lines of "insane death" - subtle, isn't it).

[C.A.]

Hmmm I have a question here about KissSubs' subs:

I noticed that for episodes 1 and 2, the XviD versions are larger than the h264 versions.

While episodes 3 and 4 are the other way round.

IV 01 XviD = 167.3MiB
IV 01 h264 = 225.82MiB

IV 02 XviD = 167MiB
IV 02 h264 = 225.87MiB

IV 03 XviD = 225.44MiB
IV 03 h264 = 166.97MiB

IV 04 XviD = 225.55MiB
IV 04 h264 = 166.98MiB

Besides filenames, I have no idea how to differentiate XviD and h264 files. Anyone knows why these file sizes have switched? Did they name those files wrongly at some point? Either from the start or after episode 2. Or is there another explanation?

Which files are really XviD and which are h264?

[Skane]

Nothing is wrong with the files. It was explained on their forums. They decided to switch the filesize from the 3rd episode onwards.

[C.A.]

Hmmm I see, thanks.

I downloaded the XviD versions at first because their filesizes were smaller. I think I'm going to delete all of them and redownload the h264 versions now.

[i0td]

Originally Posted by C.A.

Hmmm I have a question here about KissSubs' subs:

I noticed that for episodes 1 and 2, the XviD versions are larger than the h264 versions.

While episodes 3 and 4 are the other way round.

IV 01 XviD = 167.3MiB
IV 01 h264 = 225.82MiB

IV 02 XviD = 167MiB
IV 02 h264 = 225.87MiB

IV 03 XviD = 225.44MiB
IV 03 h264 = 166.97MiB

IV 04 XviD = 225.55MiB
IV 04 h264 = 166.98MiB

Besides filenames, I have no idea how to differentiate XviD and h264 files. Anyone knows why these file sizes have switched? Did they name those files wrongly at some point? Either from the start or after episode 2. Or is there another explanation?

Which files are really XviD and which are h264?

Actually, I've downloaded KissSub's version of the series as well. The h264 versions for eps 3 and 4 are each only ~167mb. You can verify with MediaInfo the codecs used and all.

As for the latest episode of this series... Quite the bit of action. The graphics and music continue to amaze me too, even the CG. At the onset, it looked as though the Phantom team was unstoppable and that the Ishin ship was as good as sunk. But don't miss Jin's debut in his Gladiator suit . And Toraji and his crew put up quite the fight too.

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

and it seems that the four Phantom psychos (well, two psychos and the rest ) hold an old grudge against Jin and Jou, from the time when they were still in Phantom. Jin and Jou apparently kicked their behinds in a fight.

I definitely want to see more face-to-face action between the two duos now that you've mentioned this.

[Skane]

Originally Posted by i0td

~
But don't miss Jin's debut in his Gladiator suit .
~

Jin already piloted his Gladiator in the first episode. As a matter of fact, if you have been keeping score, Jin has killed/injured more enemies than Jo so far.

Go Jin, go!

[i0td]

Originally Posted by Skane

Jin already piloted his Gladiator in the first episode. As a matter of fact, if you have been keeping score, Jin has killed/injured more enemies than Jo so far.

Go Jin, go!

I really haven't been keeping track, so it actually comes as a surprise to me that Jin has been scoring the majority of the hits . I recall him taking down quite a number of soldiers using the team van, but other than that, Jo sporting his Gladiator has really been hogging the spotlight when it comes to combat with the enemy. I better write up a scoreboard too lol. That sneaky Jin...

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by i0td

The graphics and music continue to amaze me too, even the CG.

I'm not too keen on the 3D CG, but I agree that the music is amazing. It was the first thing that grabbed me in the show. Sometimes it reminds me of the music of Wolf's Rain. I'm eagerly waiting for the OST to come out.

Also, I love the ending song for some reason. It's such a nice song.

[i0td]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

I'm not too keen on the 3D CG, but I agree that the music is amazing. It was the first thing that grabbed me in the show. Sometimes it reminds me of the music of Wolf's Rain. I'm eagerly waiting for the OST to come out.

Also, I love the ending song for some reason. It's such a nice song.

I'm not saying the CG blended in that well with the artists' animation. (When does it ever really fit perfectly? ) However, I really liked the amount of detail that was put into creating the Phantoms. And for some reason, I feel this series with its (can't quite find the right word) "industrial" setting could actually do with some computer animation. Other than that, I would say that perhaps the strongest point concerning animation is how setting and background are drawn, so captivating like that found in Mushishi.

I've said it before, but the music, though not upbeat the way I usually enjoy it, really portrays the right moods at the right times and thus makes it very appealing indeed.

[Dernhelm]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Just listened to the latest radio drama... and it seems that the four Phantom psychos (well, two psychos and the rest ) hold an old grudge against Jin and Jou, from the time when they were still in Phantom. Jin and Jou apparently kicked their behinds in a fight. (I don't want to say more, in case it all turns out to be a spoiler or something.)

hey, hey. you know i'm keeping track of the radio show now just as you do. i don't mind the summaries you report (i'm not exactly well versed in the language yet, even though i've minored it) whether they'll be spoiler-laden or not. you can just put it inside spoiler tags to warn the other readers of this thread. ^^

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Also, I love the ending song for some reason. It's such a nice song.

nipponsei just sprung out the single ;P
i loved it too, from the very first time i've heard it.


other notes:
Steve seems to be the most levelheaded of the Phantom crew. kuromitsu, i'm not sure but was that him acting like the sergeant in the dramas?
there seems to be something very ominous about the ED picture... i can't quite tell yet.
KuroNeko seems to be of the worst subs ever. compared it through submarine lingo.

question, what does Oryo mean now? to Toraji anyway.

[AvianWing]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

Dunno. I think it's mainly due to the fact that he is a soldier, after all. He may have a gentle side to him, but when it comes to fighting, it's bye-bye Mr. Gentle Brother and welcome Overprotective Angry Brother. Of course, the effects of piloting a Gladiator may also have something to do with it, but I think those should greatly depend on one's personality.

Originally Posted by Skane

Jin already piloted his Gladiator in the first episode. As a matter of fact, if you have been keeping score, Jin has killed/injured more enemies than Jo so far.

Go Jin, go!

In the introduction, Jin is portrayed like a magician: slight of hands, making things appear and disappear. Moreover, he wears a mask with white on one side and black on the other. This is pure speculation, but somehow I get the vibe that he is the manipulative one wearing the facade of amiability. Kinda like the puppetmaster pulling the strings and see how things go >__>

I sounded like I'm delusional. I trust Jo more than I trust Jin.

Jin is just too good to be true.

[Sana chan]

Originally Posted by Dernhelm

question, what does Oryo mean now? to Toraji anyway.

My theory was that it was Hee-jin's Japanese name, through the whole thing where non-Japanese must adopt Japanese names when getting citizenship, but now that that's quashed with Ep4, my theory is that it's his mother's name