Simoun

[Iskandar Taib]

Simoun
Episode 02: "The Blue Spring"

I've revised the episode 2 synopsis. I'm reposting it rather than editing the old one in case anyone wants to compare to see how embarrassingly far off I was in a couple of places....



Just watched episode 2 last night.. :heh:



Meanwhile, at the Mage Pool, a group of cadets watches Neville
practice. One comments on how beautiful Neville looks, which prompts
Eri to walk over to them and tell them to take a good look: the Simoun
is controlled by the mind and soul as well as the body, and so Maaju
practice isn't just about learning how to draw the right line. The
cadets recognize her dress: she's dressed in civilian clothes, as if
leaving the ship, and Eri wonders aloud if this will be her last time
watching Neville's beautiful patterns. As Eri peers into the pool at
Neville, she recognizes the Maaju that Neville is practicing: it's
the Emerald Ri Maajon from the recent battle.

You know, at the end of the first episode, when Neville dived into the pool, I thought she was jumping off the ship to kill herself..http://www.egpworld.com/forum/emoticons/rofl.gif And I was expecting Aeru to swoop down and save her before the big splat...

[Futaba-chan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK


On the bridge, Guragief and Anubituf confer. The missile attack is very inaccurate, and doesn't represent a serious threat to the ship. Anubituf asks if Chor Tempest is still hors de combat. They are. Neville is in no shape to look after them, and the chor is in terrible shape.

Alti shows up early for Maaju practice, and finds Aaeru and Kaimu already there. Alti is surprised to find Kaimu at the pool -- she had looked for her in their room earlier. Aaeru asks the two why they didn't volunteer to fly together on the same Simoun, and is surprised to learn that they tried it, but weren't able to make their Simoun fly because they weren't able to muster the required loving feelings between auriga and sagitta. That's why they broke up and paired with other Sibylla.

Aaeru points out that while Arcus Prima once concerned itself primarily with studying the Ri Maajon, the Simoun Chor now have to fly into battle instead. She adds [あたしはこのシインがぜんぜんわかりません。それは困るですね。].

"I'm not going to leave the ship," she concludes.



In the hangar, Wapourif and Morinas are looking over one of the Simoun (it's time for Morinas' familiarization lesson), as a flight of Simile buzzes around Arcus Prima on a training flight. Morinas gushes over how much fun flying looks, and wishes she could take up the Simoun that the two are examining. Wapourif answers that Morinas couldn't take the Simoun up by herself anyway -- it takes two paired Sibylla to fly one. As Wapourif explains this, Morinas takes a closer look at the Simoun, wiggling her derriere in his face as she does so. Wapourif blushes, aroused by Morinas' body.

Morinas interrupts to ask when Wapourif went to the Spring. It was two years ago, he replies. Morinas gets to her point: it felt weird when Wapourif and Floe interacted that morning, and she wants to know why. Wapourif explains that he and Floe had been lovers when he was still a Sibylla. It's a natural outcome when functioning as a pair depends on strong emotions... but it makes it rather awkward to be around her now.



On the forward observation platform, Neville and Paraietta stare out at the passing scenery. [Neither face is visible, and the voice actors sound alike, so it's a little hard to attribute lines to characters at first here.] "Shall we go to the pool?" Neville is hestitant -- she doesn't have a pair, and doesn't want to choose a new one yet.

Parietta gets to the point: Amuria was always a strong member of the team, loved by all, and Parietta understands just how important she was to Neville and how much Neville is hurting. She understands why Neville went to the Spring, and why she came back. But Amuria is gone.

Neville flashes back to the battle: their desperate kiss in the middle of the Argentine air fleet, the attempt at the Emerald Ri Maajon, Amuria's warning not to look in the Argentine pilot's eyes, and the explosion and its horrible aftermath. Neville closes her eyes, lost in thought.



More missiles explode harmlessly in the wilderness around the ship as the Chor Tempest Sibylla take some time to relax. Limone reads a book in the library and snacks on some potato chips (or their Daikuurikan equivalent), Rodoraemon braids her hair, and Floe takes a shower.

Eventually, it's time for the 3:00 training session in the Mage Pool. Floe asks Morinas to pair with her, adding that pairing in the Mage Pool is a quick way to bond with someone, and they even sometimes become lovers... she abruptly cuts herself off, realizing that she has said too much.

Rodoraemon points out that Neville hasn't showed up yet. Limone speculates that Neville probably doesn't need the practice anyway, but Parietta is certain that she'll show up. Floe sticks her foot in her mouth again, blurting out that it's too bad for Parietta if not.

Time passes, and Neville still doesn't show up. The Sibylla mutter about what to do in her absence, until Limone points out that Neville returned from the spring and chose to continue as a Sibylla of her own free will. Parietta and Rodoraemon agree: she'll come.

One by one, the Sibylla plunge into the Mage Pool. The practice is a disaster: despite the individual flying ability of its members, Chor Tempest isn't functioning at all as a coordinated unit. The Sibylla get in each others' way, and Morinas loses her confidence entirely after a particularly harrowing near miss. Limone wonders aloud if they're really the elite Chor Tempest, given the overall bad feeling permeating the pool. Aaeru is philosophical: what can they do? Bad feelings or no, they still have to fly.

At that moment, the Sibylla look up to see Neville standing at the rim of the pool, dressed in her Mage Pool flight suit. She looks down at the pattern in the pool: in its chaos, it resembles the Emerald Ri Maajon. "You're here with me after all," Neville says aloud, and dives for the bottom of the pool. The Sibylla all follow her, and the Chor promptly sorts out its coordination problems and creates a beautiful set of Maaju patterns.



Missile after missile continues to bombard the countryside around the Arcus Prima as Chor Tempest practices. In the late afternoon, a lone Simoun limps back to the carrier, trailing a plume of smoke. It crash lands on the starboard flight deck, and Wapourif's maintenance crew runs to pull its pilots from the burning wreckage. "How can we protect these youngsters like this?" Anubituf wonders aloud.

As the bombardment continues, Arcus Prima flies away, trailing smoke from the burning Simoun.


END OF EPISODE

[Futaba-chan]

You know, at the end of the first episode, when Neville dived into the pool, I thought she was jumping off the ship to kill herself.

I wasn't sure whether they naturally had the power to fly, if that was the normal method for leaving the ship, or if she was leaping to her death, although the spiral and smoke trail seemed to imply that it wasn't just an uncontrolled plummet. I also wondered if it was some highly unorthodox way of boarding a moving Simoun in mid-air....

[Futaba-chan]

Now that's a dilema. I really liked Amulia but I usually don't like characters miracuoulsy coming back to life.

My pet hypothesis: the black hole in the sky in the Emerald Ri Maajon looked like it led somewhere -- either it's a mechanism for space travel, or it's opening a gate to another dimension, depending on whether the underlying explanation is science or magic. And the legend specified that the Sibylla who performed it went elsewhere, to where the Tempus Spatium is. And Amuria's body wasn't found -- her cockpit was wrenched off the Simoun as it spun out of control in the vicinity of the collapsing hole. So if she's still alive, Neville and Aeru will find her when they succeed at the Emerald Ri Maajon and travel through the gate that it creates.

(And did you mean Mai-HiME, rather than Mai-Otome? The latter didn't have any cringe-worthy resurrections, but the former certainly did.)

[Iskandar Taib]

My pet hypothesis: the black hole in the sky in the Emerald Ri Maajon looked like it led somewhere -- either it's a mechanism for space travel, or it's opening a gate to another dimension, depending on whether the underlying explanation is science or magic. And the legend specified that the Sibylla who performed it went elsewhere, to where the Tempus Spatium is. And Amuria's body wasn't found -- her cockpit was wrenched off the Simoun as it spun out of control in the vicinity of the collapsing hole. So if she's still alive, Neville and Aeru will find her when they succeed at the Emerald Ri Maajon and travel through the gate that it creates.



If so, then our narrator from the first episode might be there, too.. :heh:

[Futaba-chan]

If so, then our narrator from the first episode might be there, too.. :heh:


No, we saw him die... his plane disintegrated, his goggles cracked, and his body was shredded by the force of the explosion. R.I.P.

OTOH, perhaps the Tempus Spatium also regulates the afterlife....

[Yui from Okinawa]

<Choir Capt>
Shimun Choir in Shimurarclm Imperial princess country.

It shot by 01 episodes on the invasion of Argentum Nation Corps, and it annihilated.
Afterwards, it was formed again by the replenishment soldier.

<Call Lbol>
Shimoun Choir that belongs to Arcs Prima.
The corps is divided into two and it takes charge of the patrol duty at daytime and
night between call The Tempest's being not able to act.
The member is Vura another 11. (Total is 12)

[wrex_japan]

<Choir Capt>
Shimun Choir in Shimurarclm Imperial princes country.

It shot by 01 episodes on the invasion of Argentum Nation Corps, and it annihilated.
Afterwards, it was formed again by the replenishment soldier.

Is the enemy nation called Argentum? I thought I heard something like, "Shou-koku."

[fignae]

Great work on this thread, people. Should have checked back sooner.

I would love to know what Aeru and Rimone think of the enemy soldier's speech, if they're moved, or how much of his tone they get. The very fact that they appear unconcerned creates a gulf between the viewer's knowledge and theirs -- the pain that they cannot feel haunts us instead, because we sympathize with them. The same goes for the Argentum. We understand them; they do not understand each other. Hence the audience gets a double helping of pain, which I personally feel results in a tremendous, heartbreaking force. (Sorry about analyzing something most people haven't seen, but I truly thought it a masterstroke.)

Since much of the pathos in episode 4 is created by the difference in language, is the key to peace the learning of each other's tongue, or is that too easy an answer for the world of Simoun? Yeah, speculating, but I really like how we don't know what is coming next.

Does anyone know what the viewer ratings have been for Simoun?

[Futaba-chan]

Is the enemy nation called Argentum? I thought I heard something like, "Shou-koku."
"Shoukoku" (礁国) is a kind of country, not the name of a specific one. The full name of Argentum is "Argentum Shoukoku" (アルゲントゥム礁国). The characters use "Shoukoku" and "Kyuukoku" to refer to Argentum and Simulacrum the way we might refer to "the Empire" or "the Republic" or "the Kingdom."

[Futaba-chan]

I would love to know what Aeru and Rimone think of the enemy soldier's speech


As far as I can tell, they don't understand a word of it.



We understand them; they do not understand each other. Hence the audience gets a double helping of pain, which I personally feel results in a tremendous, heartbreaking force.


That's an interesting point -- my initial reaction to the episode was that they had undermined the humanizing effects of having the Argentine pilot narrate Episode 1 by making Argentum such obvious bad guys. (I had wondered whether Argentum would turn out to be a republic with a bad population problem and few resources, and Simulacrum an authoritarian, highly stratified society. Neither seems to be the case.) But now that I think about it, the soldier is shown to be clearly a victim rather than a monster, for whom we feel sorrow.

I'm extremely impressed that Simoun understands the concept of non-consensual gender identity imposed by society, let alone making it the chief object of horror in a work of mainstream entertainment.

[Futaba-chan]

Blogging AMG, Blood+, Kiba, Simoun.... (http://wrexgrafix.com/anime/blog/)
Ooo, another Simoun blog! Thanks for posting the link... you answered a couple of dialogue questions that I was having in trying to write my own Episode 4 synopsis....

[Futaba-chan]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-old-1.jpg
The possibility of defector in the Argentum nation:.either of the ancestor of Aael or her all or other-parent?

Now that's an interesting possibility....


Aael said at Episode 4, "Anyway, our speaking contents won't be understood to Enemy because the Language is different"
But When Aael was chopped off Tesa of the enemy aged soldier, Even in her pitiless character, anything doesn't seem to throw tears for the enemy who doesn't understand circumstances.
"Aael seem to throw tears for "an aged enemy soldier", but anyone who knows that true reason...."
Aael ,It might have been ..enemy's language.. ..understanding.. made in reality...


It's true that that's possible, but I didn't see any evidence for it. It's just as likely that those were simply Aaeru's true feelings of compassion for the dead -- any dead, friend or enemy. Aaeru may not be quite so one-dimensional as "pitiless" makes her sound. Or she could simply have been crying over how horrible the situation was. When was the last time that you had to dismember a dead body, clean gore out of your car, and look after a child, all at once?

Related to the question of how much of a hard-bitten combat veteran Aaeru is, did it seem to anyone like they chickened out at the last minute from having Aaeru have to kill the Argentine soldier with her knife?


Her village is in a frontier near the southern part ,in a word, to the front.
There can be a mixed blood possibility with other races.


The whole "southern front" business raises a couple of questions:
Where exactly is Argentum, anyway? In episode 1, it was made to seem that they were located across the ocean. Is there a land connection between the two countries?
...and if there is, what other forces besides the Simoun does Simulacrum possess? It's been flatly stated on screen that the Simoun are Simulacrum's only real defense, but is that the literal truth or is that just because they're the only force powerful enough to compensate for Argentum's overwhelming advantage in numbers?http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-old-3.jpg


The related reason does in ..Aael.. combat there, and it grows up and the nature like the male of ..wanting sex decision.
That Argentum nation try is compulsorily lucky to a man, and it is village coming from in a near southern part, and if father or mother is a defector, and it is a so-called half where Imperial princess nation of her, Arel will be ..reason.. lucky to the front from the Argentum-nation the done country it including the crying meaning. the child of the coming defector
Isn't if which of parents the enemy alien, the soldier of the enemy nation....what.. ..whether say.. ..solving..?
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-old-4.jpg

You're asking whether at least one of Aaeru's parents may have been a refugee from Argentum who wanted his or her child to have the choice of which gender to be? That sounds like a very reasonable suggestion. Is there something, either in the dialogue to one of the episodes, or on the creators' blog, that supports this?

[Kaoru Chujo]

Does anyone know what the viewer ratings have been for Simoun? Unfortunately, yes. A poster on 2channel posted ratings for the first two weeks of the season for a number of shows. I'll repeat them from the Nana thread where I posted them first.

Except for Nana, all the better-rated shows the post gave us are early-evening shows, rather than late-night ones, but Simoun is fairly low even for late-night. It dropped from 0.9 to 0.3 from week one to week two. As Bluwacky said in the Nana thread: "Presumably all the weird jargon and the lack of real fanservice put all the horny lesbian fanboys off."

Partial first 2-3 weeks Oricon ratings from 2channel (2 weeks for most shows, some shows started a week earlier):

ＮＡＮＡ　　6.2　5.6
Simoun　0.9　0.3 (my favorite other than NANA and Suzumiya Haruhi)
Gintama　5.6　5.1
Ouran Host Club　2.1　3.0
Air Gear　　 2.3　1.5
Love Game CHU　1.3　0.9
Spider Riders　0.9　1.1
Inukami　 1.5　1.6
．ｈａｃｋ／／Ｒｏｏｔｓ　1.0　0.7
Zegapain　2.2　2.3
Witchblade　1.5　1.7
Fushigiboshi no Futagohime　 4.0　4.4　3.1
Shoujo Changeum　5.3　6.3
Futari wa Precure Ｓｐｌａｓｈ Ｓｔａｒ 7.7　8.2　7.8
Kiba　　　 2.0　2.8　3.5
Digimon savers　5.6　6.3　5.9
Onegai My Melody 5.6　4.6　6.4
ＡＲＩＡ　Ｔｈｅ　ＮＡＴＵＲＡL　1.6　0.9　2.1
School Rumble 2 1.8　1.3　2.3

Oricon (http://www.oricon.co.jp/ranking/aran/) posts the top ten free, but for deeper info we depend on someone with access to the paid info posting on 2channel.

As for what I said about favorites, I think I rate my three favorites as Suzumiya Haruhi, Simoun, and Nana, in that order.

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 4: "Nearby War" (近い戦争)


We open with a series of flashbacks in the mind of an Argentine soldier: enormous fleets of airships, factories and refineries belching smoke, military men looking out the window at this scene, and a hand covered in blood -- all against a blood-red sky. The soldier, in Argentum's traditional mask and goggles, hiding in the woods at night near a shack in the mountains, somewhere far from the polluted nightmare city shown in the flashback.



Arcus Prima is docked at the Citadel to take on supplies. Anubituf and Guragief are conferring in Anubituf's office, when they notice a Simoun launch through the office window. They're surprised that a Chor Tempest Simoun has launched -- none are currently scheduled.

The pilots are Aaeru (auriga) and Morinas (sagitta). Aaeru tells Morinas that she loves to fly a Simoun, and asks her if she's never done it before. She hasn't, and is a bit nervous. Aaeru is impatient: that they haven't done any Ri Maajon yet, so why not try one now? As the rest of the chor watches from the enclosed forward park, she launches without any further discussion into Ri Maajon A. "Aaeru's really doing it!" Floe cheers.

Unfortunately, Morinas can't keep up with Aaeru's flying, and their Simoun quickly spins out of control. Aaeru manages to recover the craft just as it dips its tail fin into the estuary, but the ship zig-zags onto a high-speed collision course with the Citadel as Morinas fumbles with her controls. At the last minute, Aaeru manages to pull the Simoun up, and the two wind up buzzing the flight deck right as Guragief steps out onto it to evaluate the situation. The Simoun's tail fin misses his head by less than a metre.

In her darkened quarters, Neville sits alone, lost in a funk of severe depression.

Aaeru and Morinas land to face a highly annoyed Guragief, with Morinas clinging to Aaeru for support. He chews them out: they are an
embarrassment to Chor Tempest, which is supposed to be the best. Aaeru replies that they needed to practice, so what's the problem?
Guragief sourly points out that they could have taken a Simile (training craft) instead.

Paraietta bursts onto the flight deck, twice as angry as Guragief. She demands to know why Aaeru was offering prayers without permission. "I wasn't praying," Aaeru responds, "I was training for battle." Paraietta raises her hand to slap Aaeru, who angrily asks Parietta what gives her the power to do so -- after all, she isn't the Regina. Parietta responds that until Neville shows up, she's acting in her stead. Morinas slyly asks Parietta if she and the Sibylla Aurea are involved. Guragief sighs as Aaeru stalks away past him and into the hangar.



Morinas follows Aaeru into the hangar to tell her that she's forgotten something: she's supposed to kiss her pair after the flight to thank the Tempus Spatium. Morinas puckers up, but Aaeru isn't buying it. Morinas tries again, asking whether the kiss that they shared earlier when they launched was so bad. Aaeru regards Morinas suspiciously for a moment before noticing Wapourif standing before her. She apologizes to Wapourif for having created extra work for him, but Wapourif replies that if the Sibylla never flew the Simoun, he and his crew would be out of a job. Aaeru slinks away, looking sheepish.

Morinas and Wapourif discuss the absent Aaeru. "Cold, isn't she?" asks Morinas. Wapourif replies that Aaeru is like a little kid... but at least she has a pretty face. Morinas sidles up to him flirtatiously and adds that Aaeru's flying was amazing.



Floe and Rodoraemon are sharing a drink in the ship's cafe when Aaeru enters. Floe bounces over to Aaeru and gushes about how amazing her flying was. Mistaking the pair's out-of-control flying for an actual Ri Maajon pattern, she asks which Ri Maajon they did.

Rodoraemon asks Aaeru to please stop pulling crazy stunts like the one that everyone just witnessed. Aaeru impatiently asks why she should. Everyone from the other three chor thinks badly of Chor Tempest -- they look terrible.

Kaimu replies that in that case, all she can do is offer her prayers and wait for her turn to go to the Spring. Alti mentions that she'll probably become a man when her time comes, and Kaimu finally lets out that she plans to do so as well.

Aaeru can't believe her ears, and asks the other Sibylla if they really feel that way and are okay with not participating in the battle. Before anyone can answer, Chor Ribbon flies past the cafe windows, on their way home from that day's patrol. Floe notices them, and points them out, which prompts Aaeru to go and try to do something about the current situation.

As she is leaving the cafe, she runs into Limone. Limone asks Aaeru if she was trying Ri Maajon A. "You're a little saint for figuring that one out," Aaeru replies. Limone is troubled: if they can't even pull off a simple Ri Maajon, then are they really worthy of calling themselves Chor Tempest?



Aaeru pounds loudly on Neville's door demanding that she come out at once: the war is heating up. Neville replies that she hates war, and that the Sibylla are just priestesses of the Tempus Spatium. Aaeru loudly demands that Neville come out and get back to work, but Neville refuses: she isn't coming out. She tells Aaeru that she isn't going to pair with her, either. Dejected, Aaeru, gives up and returns to her quarters.

Aaeru is sitting glumly on her bed, when another Sibylla enters. It is Bura, from Chor Ribbon, and she's Aaeru's new roommate. Aaeru tries to bond with her over their shared role as an aurgia, but Bura coldly cuts her off, and flops exhaustedly onto her bed, saying that she's very tired. Chor Ribbon has been flying patrols day and night while Chor Tempest has been slacking off back on the ship.

Bura's words goad Aaeru into action. Remembering Limone's words from earlier, Aaeru tracks her down in the library, where she is reading a book and snacking on another bag of chips. Aaeru is dressed in her flight suit, and she tells Limone that she wants to see how well she flies. "So c'mon!" she adds, and drags Limone down to the hanger by main force.



As Wapourif watches, the pair taxi a Simoun out to the flight deck. It is the dinner hour, so no one will see the two of them leave on their flight, Aaeru explains. As for food, the two of them can eat from the large backpack full of sweets that Limone carries wherever she goes. Limone is hesitant, but Aaeru climbs across to the sagitta cockpit, returns the backpack, and quickly kisses her. The two fly off into the moonlight.

"What kind of Ri Maajon are we going to do?" Limone asks. "Which one do you like?" Aaeru replies. Limone suggests the Silver Ri Maajon,
which pleases Aaeru -- but they'd better be careful about it, in case they run into the enemy. Limone is taken aback by the talk of battle,
but concedes that it's likely that they'll have to face it soon.

Limone interrupts to point out a downed Simoun lying in the forest below. Aaeru is surprised to see it here -- Chor Cup's fatal battle was far from here, so it couldn't have been one of theirs. Limone suspects a trap, but Aaeru replies that if it is, it's a chance to learn more about the enemy.

As Aaeru and Limone land to investigate, they are watched by the Argentine soldier from the first scene... who is tracking them with his rifle. "They're coming!" he says to himself. "This will be my final tri--" but before he can finish, he lapses into a coughing fit.


COMMERCIAL BREAK

つずく...

[Futaba-chan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Many thanks to wrex_japan for sorting out the first scene.


Floe has discovered Aaeru and Limone's unauthorized sortie, and tells the rest of Chor Tempest about it as they relax in the cafeteria after supper. Rodoraemon is shocked, as Limone was supposed to be her pair. Morinas jokes that she got dumped, too. Rodoraemon denies that Limone has dumped her.

Bura and another Chor Ribbon Sibylla are in the cafe drinking at the bar. They say to each other, cattily, "It looks like Chor Tempest will fall apart... thus we'll get busier." Kaimu asks Neville if they should report Aaeru and Limone's unauthorized flight, adding that if they don't bring them back, the entire chor will be held responsible. Nevril answers coldly, "Just let them be. If they want to fly, we'll just let them."

On the bridge, Guragief tells Anubituf that Arcus Prima will be ready to resume operations in the morning. Anubituf asks him just what sort of priestess Aaeru is. Guragief is silent for a moment, then replies that Aaeru has a good reason for being there.



Out in the forest, Aaeru and Limone climb down from their cockpits to investigate the downed Simoun. They quickly discover that it is a crude fake: panels on a wooden framework. The Argentine soldier surprises them, and quickly overpowers Limone. Aaeru, angered, attacks him, but is herself overpowered. He lands with his hand on her breast, and is astonished to learn that his enemy is a pretty teenage girl.

The soldier flashes back to his memory of Argentum: he volunteered to travel to Simulacrum to uncover the secret of the Simoun as his final act before dying of a terminal illness.

The soldier binds Limone and Aaeru's arms with rope, and lights a campfire. When the two Sibylla regain consciousness, the soldier is sitting in the auriga cockpit of their Simoun, attempting to get it to lift off to fly it home to Argentum. Aaeru and Limone try to explain the futility of his task to him: only a priestess who hasn't gone to the Spring and chosen a sex can fly a Simoun, and it takes two of them. Only Aaeru and Limone can fly the Simoun out of there.

Hearing their words but not understanding them, the soldier stomps over to Aaeru and Limone, demanding information... but they can't understand him, either. Suddenly, he doubles over, coughing violently. He rips off his helmet and throws it to the ground, revealing his gaunt face and wild eyes to the two captive priestesses. He props himself up against a tree to recover his strength.



Aaeru and Limone confer as to what to do next. Aaeru is determined to escape and get the Simoun out of there. Argentum dearly wants a Simoun: it's the best flying machine in the sky. So Aaeru plans to escape and get it back.

As the soldier watches, Aaeru and Limone continue to talk. All of Aaeru's friends from back home have gone to the Spring by now. Only Aaeru has stayed away. Limone asks why, and Aaeru doesn't have an answer... except that if she had, she wouldn't be here now. She plans to be the best Sibylla of all, and that demands that she not go to the Spring.

The soldier, not realizing that he is touching on the exact topic of the Sibyllas' conversation, asks them rhetorically what it's like to be neither a man nor a woman. He himself never had that choice: the Argentine war machine scooped him up when he was very small, and made him into a man through hormones and surgery so that he could be a soldier. What would it have been like to have had a choice?

His musings are interrupted by another attack of the disease that is slowly killing him, and he vomits up blood. Limone has compassion for him, but Aaeru is busy cutting through her bonds with a knife she's managed to extract from a hidden pocket somewhere.



When the soldier interrupts his own meal to offer Limone a part of his rations, Aaeru strikes. She kicks him onto the campfire, and begins to run for the Simoun, but the soldier grabs her by the ankle. Limone makes it back to the airship, but the soldier runs to the cockpit ladder, pulls Limone away, and climbs into the auriga cockpit again. He fires repeatedly at Limone, but misses. Aaeru and Limone run into the woods and take cover.

The soldier again tries to lift off, but to no avail. "Fly, damn you!" he shouts. "Why won't you fly?" When Limone pokes her head out to investigate what he's doing, he pulls out his rifle again and draws a bead on her... then thinks better of it. Enemy or no, he can't kill a pair of innocent little girls, and his time is up. There's nothing further that he can do now. His illness returns with a vengeance, and he vomits blood into his lap.

Aaeru and Limone, crouching behind hard cover outside the clearing, discuss the soldier and his efforts. Aaeru is baffled by his stubbornness, as it's obvious that there's no way that he can get the Simoun off the ground. Limone adds that the soldier is selfish, and that the Argentines seem like bad people. Aaeru vows never to let the Simoun be captured.



When morning comes, Aaeru and Limone spring their plan. Limone waves her arms and shouts to cause a distraction, while Aaeru hefts a stout club that she has improvised from a tree branch. When the soldier fails to respond, Aaeru dashes across the clearing to the Simoun, only to discover to her horror that the soldier is already dead, having succumbed to his illness during the night.

Limone joins Aaeru, and the two try to extract the dead soldier from the auriga cockpit. Unfortunately, rigor mortis has set in, and Aaeru's impatient shouts at the corpse to let go of the controls don't help the situation at all. Limone suggests that Aaeru just give up, and wait for someone to find them, but Aaeru is adamant. She can't possibly let anyone know that she let herself be captured by the enemy. She orders Limone to run away from the Simoun, and begins the gruesome work of sawing the dead soldier's hands off with her knife.

As the sun rises over the vicinity of the mountain cabin, Aaeru finally succeeds at extracting the dead soldier from the cockpit. As she lifts him out, she loses her balance, and falls painfully to the ground along with the corpse. She shouts impatiently for Limone to come, but the younger girl is crouching behind a bush, crying.

Eventually, the two kiss and make up, in order to activate the Ri Maajon gem to get the Simoun off the ground. Limone is shocked to find blood on her hand... and on closer examination, discovers that most of the cockpit area, including the Ri Maajon gem, is covered in it. The Simoun lifts off into the morning sky and flies away.



In the hangar aboard the Arcus Prima, Aaeru apologizes to Wapourif for getting the Simoun dirty, and volunteers to wash it herself. Wapourif tells her that he'll do it, but she is insistent. Limone runs off to fetch a hose.

Guragief and the rest of Chor Tempest file in to confront Aaeru and Limone. Guragief tells Aaeru that the priestesses aren't just allowed to take the Simoun out whenever they feel like it, and asks her to stop doing it without permission. This time, Aaeru is contrite. She apologizes, and she and Limone scrub the Simoun clean as the sun comes up.


END OF EPISODE

[wrex_japan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK

I got stuck in one spot in this half of the episode; can anyone fill in the gist of the three lines that I couldn't decipher?


Floe has discovered Aaeru and Limone's unauthorized sortie, and tells the rest of Chor Tempest about it as they relax in the cafeteria after supper. Rodoraemon is shocked, as Limone was supposed to be her pair. Morinas giggles that *her* pair is out there, too.

Bura and another Chor Ribbon Sibylla snark at Chor Tempest as they drink at the bar. "You're not flying again?" "You must be just sooo busy."

[What do Kaimu and Neville say here?]

On the bridge, Guragief tells Anubituf that Arcus Prima will be ready to resume operations in the morning. Anubituf asks him just what sort of priestess Aaeru is. Guragief replies that she's like a dragon, which is just what they need.


I believe you've got the rival Chor snide remarks and Guragief's comments a bit wrong there. First, Morinas jokes that she got *dumped* too, and Rdoraemon says not about being "dumped." The other Chor pilots actually say, "It looks like Chor Tempest will fall apart... thus we'll get busier." Kaimu asks if they should report this (Aeru and Rimone flying unauthorized). She says if they don't bring them back, the entire squad will be held responsible. Nevril answers coldly, "Just let them be. If they want to fly, we'll just let them."

When Anubituf asks about what kind of priestess Aeru is, Guragief doesn't really answer, which makes Anubituf ask an unspoken question, and Guragief says, "If I can say it clearly, she has a reason... of why she's here." ("Riyuu" = reason, "ryuu"=dragon)

[Yui from Okinawa]

The First reason add more proofment

Aael said at Episode 2
"I'm was traing Sybulla in the front in the southern part".

Moreover, the guess that it is a near southern part works out the front the hometown village in two step logic
(It is not easy ..practice life.. to think about in a place extremely far from the village in the hometown) because of there are one story matter



http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Aaels-odd-eyes.jpg

[fignae]

Unfortunately, yes. A poster on 2channel posted ratings for the first two weeks of the season for a number of shows. I'll repeat them from the Nana thread where I posted them first.

Except for Nana, all the better-rated shows the post gave us are early-evening shows, rather than late-night ones, but Simoun is fairly low even for late-night. It dropped from 0.9 to 0.3 from week one to week two. As Bluwacky said in the Nana thread: "Presumably all the weird jargon and the lack of real fanservice put all the horny lesbian fanboys off."

That's a depressingly low number. It's even behind ．ｈａｃｋ／／Ｒｏｏｔｓ, the oh-so boring anime I'm following only out of curiosity. Sigh. Asked because it seemed like a very bold choice on the production's part, and people who are watching fansubs are expressing disinterest, so I'm not sure if it's possible to suck in new fans after what I thought was a mindblowing episode 4. Ah well we'll see.

Oh, and that should be "Love Get Chu", not "Game".

[Kaoru Chujo]

That's a depressingly low number. It's even behind ．ｈａｃｋ／／Ｒｏｏｔｓ, the oh-so boring anime I'm following only out of curiosity. Sigh. Asked because it seemed like a very bold choice on the production's part, and people who are watching fansubs are expressing disinterest, so I'm not sure if it's possible to suck in new fans after what I thought was a mindblowing episode 4. Ah well we'll see. Oh, and that should be "Love Get Chu", not "Game".Yeah, it depresses me, too. Maybe Simoun will find an audience as time goes on, and as the DVDs are released. I remember that one of the cast referred to Simoun as an "experimental" show. It's not the first time that I've found myself in a drastic minority. My own opinion of Simoun is in my reviews of favorite new shows (link in sig).

Maybe the problem is that guys like SF and girls like relationships and too few people like both. As I said before (http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=536696&postcount=180), I tend to like SF by women, maybe because it does include more about relationships.

The name of that other anime (http://galgame.jp/anime.html) is RabugetCHU Mirakuru Seiyuu Hakusho. I think rabuge is short for "Love Game". So I think the title means: "Love Game KISS Miracle Seiyuu White Paper." I have no idea what "white paper" means in this context, but I've seen it used this way before. That show is based on a cell-phone game. I just saw episode 4, and enjoyed it, but the show isn't really very good. I think the game company is called RabugetCHU (http://galgame.jp/) (Love Game KISS).

[Matrim]

What a low rating... And the rating dropped from 0.9 to 0.3 after this amazing first episode. Well, you can't argue about personal taste but I am quite puzzled by these numbers. I guess most yuri fanboys switched to following Strawberry Panic instead. :)

[BiZz]

What a low rating... And the rating dropped from 0.9 to 0.3 after this amazing first episode. Well, you can't argue about personal taste but I am quite puzzled by these numbers. I guess most yuri fanboys switched to following Strawberry Panic instead. :)


We can follow Simoun AND Strawberry Panic! ;)
But is there a problem to have a low rating ? I hope not. :(

[fignae]

I remember that one of the cast referred to Simoun as an "experimental" show. It's not the first time that I've found myself in a drastic minority. My own opinion of Simoun is in my reviews of favorite new shows (link in sig).

I do believe I've read your review, and enjoyed it too. And hurray! I was hoping it would be experimental. This way the show's less likely to take a sudden nosedive into cliched conventions.

The name of that other anime (http://galgame.jp/anime.html) is RabugetCHU Mirakuru Seiyuu Hakusho. Rabuge is short for "Love Game," I believe. I think the title means: "Love Game KISS Miracle Seiyuu White Paper." I have no idea what "white paper" means in this context, but I've seen it used this way before. That show is based on a cell-phone game. I just saw episode 4, and enjoyed it, but the show isn't really very good. I think the game company is called RabugetCHU (http://galgame.jp/) (Love Game KISS).

I'm watching Rabuge for the portrayal of the hardships of being a seiyuu, though it isn't really showing much of that at present, heh. Thanks for the info on the title, and for the correction too! "Based on a cell-phone game" amuses me. :D

[Guppy]

Guragief and the rest of Chor Tempest file in to confront Aaeru and Limone. Guragief tells Aaeru that the priestesses aren't just allowed to take the Simoun out whenever they feel like it, and asks her to stop doing it without permission. This time, Aaeru is contrite. She apologizes, and she and Limone scrub the Simoun clean as the sun comes up.

About this part - my Japanese isn't that hot, but is that really what they said? The way I heard it, Guragief was surprised to find the pair cleaning the Simoun themselves, and commented that Aaeru was starting to act more like a miko - Aaeru's response is a noncommittal "Sa..." Then she apologises - but without turning around or looking up, so it seems more like she's apologising to the Simoun...

[wrex_japan]

About this part - my Japanese isn't that hot, but is that really what they said? The way I heard it, Guragief was surprised to find the pair cleaning the Simoun themselves, and commented that Aaeru was starting to act more like a miko - Aaeru's response is a noncommittal "Sa..." Then she apologises - but without turning around or looking up, so it seems more like she's apologising to the Simoun...

Yup, Guppy's correct. Aeru says, "Gomen, sonnani yogoshichatte," which means, "Sorry to have dirtied you so much." In other words, she's apologizing to the Simoun vessel.

[MrProphet]

Personally, I don't care about the ratings. As gratifying as it is to know that many others share your preferences, it's not an absolute necessity. I've been writing in the Eureka 7 thread when pretty much nobody visited it here and the shows ratings were quite abysmal, and I've done it gladly.

It doesn't matter if the Japanese people like it or not. As long as I like it, I'm following the show. After all, each one of us here is watching it for our own sake, not for the sake of someone else we must please. 8)

The ratings only play a role when a long-running show is shown in prime-time. Long-running shows are costly as they are, and prime time slot makes them even constlier. Thus, if the show is not generating enough ratings (and thus, not enough advertising revenue) it can be cancelled. Prime time is a coveted time range and if the show is underperforming, there is no need to keep it there. But, to repeat myself, it only happens to long-running shows. Simoun shouldn't be able to generate more than 13/26 episodes and it runs late at night.

So, who gives a hoot, really?

[Kaoru Chujo]

In general, MrProphet is right. If we like the show, it doesn't matter if anyone else does. But there is one thing: the more people who watch a show, the more shows like it will be made, and the more work by the members of the cast and staff we will see.

I did check out 2channel to see how much attention it is getting there, among the otaku, and it's faring better: it's toward the top of the mid-ranking shows. By number of threads (i.e., thousands of posts):

Suzumiya Haruhi 94
Higurashi 28
Utawarerumono 13
Inukami 10
MagiPoka 10
Ouran Host Club 10
School Rumble2 10
.hack//Roots 9
Simoun 9
Aria – The Natural 7
Gintama 7
Strawberry Panic 7
Witchblade 7
Zegapain 7
Black Lagoon 6
Air gear 5
Miracle Seiyuu 3
Nana 3
Xxxholic 3
Good Witch of the West 2
Saiunkoku 2
Yume Tsukai 2

The most interesting thing to me here is how low Nana is among the otaku, compared to how big the overall audience is for it.

[Yui from Okinawa]

The birth of all human-beings as the woman, and to a constant age the world where it is decided whether like the woman or it is a man and to exist. Then, how do it give birth to a child naturally, and the doubt of the selection of the character and the relation to birth is caused.
If it is one-side, and Shimuon Sibylla.

Aael said
"I'm neither not a man or woman. "

Even if the effect of the female hormone "Estrogen" that there is an expression reaches, the doubt of selecting the woman as the living thing again ..birth ability.. is caused.

- hypothesis A- (a lot of theories)
When they goes to fountain and sex is fixed, and it starts and the birth ability is caused. It is not possible to give birth if sex is not fixed.
Only the effect of Estorojen as the girl.

-hypothesis B- (small number of theories)
The Fountain, and the change to the man is begun only by the person who selects a man.
Therefore, it matures as it is as a woman, and birth is also possible if it leaves the society when the fountain is refused and it lives.

-Exercise (drill)-
She goes to the fountain, "Halconna". has become a male .(Man: "Halconf ")
However, it turned out the pregnancy of the girl ("Neviril") ahead of that by the ter and conduct doing with the partner.


-hypothesis A-
It is started to go to hypothesis- A , fountain, generates the birth ability, and
this exercise is impossible.


-hypothesis B-
It is possible to give birth to the amount to be fertilized and to have conceived only by the change's with the male hormone (androgen) starting even if it went to hypothesis B fountain and a man was selected till then.
However, the fertilization thereafter of the change to the man is stopping temporarily impossible by working of the Progesterone- hormone. The male hormone is activated to prolactin professional's decrease and substitution as soon as birth and the suckling end and the change to the man restarts.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-02_fountain-a.jpg

[Simon]

I love love love the music from the series, especially Utsukushii Kereba Sore De Ii, and I can't wait for the soundtrack album to become available....
The Tempus Patium has noted your prayers to the sky: Animate (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043114) list OST 1 as coming out 2006-06-21 (no listings on Amazon, CDJapan or the official site (http://www.simoun.tv/products/index.html) yet).

I'm pleased they're saying OST 1, because four episodes in there already seems to be too much good music for a single CD (my credit card isn't so pleased, but it'll just have to cope).

If we like the show, it doesn't matter if anyone else does. But there is one thing: the more people who watch a show, the more shows like it will be made, and the more work by the members of the cast and staff we will see.
And that matters. As much as we admire the talented people who make anime happen, they can't do it unless the grey men in suits are willing to fund them :(

As fans we need to consciously think about where we put our energy and our yen, and support shows we believe in. If anything, the ratings we're seeing for Simoun just make me care more about doing my bit to promote it (which includes putting my money where my mouth is when the merchandise comes out). Maybe I'm just too fond of the show to be objective, but I don't believe the low numbers are due to any lack of quality - instead, they just prove that here's an anime brave enough to go in its own direction. We need more shows like this!

(I'd also like to think the numbers show that Simoun fans are a refined elite, but then I did admit to watching Joshikōsei a few pages back...)

The most interesting thing to me here is how low Nana is among the otaku, compared to how big the overall audience is for it.
Isn't Nana practically "mainstream" after the success of the movie? Maybe that explains both those facts.


And now for something completely different, I spotted these Simoun production drawings (http://www.rinkya.com/twview.pl?url=http://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/85870308) up for auction on YJ. According to someone who buys that sort of stuff, they're probably a collection of photocopied sheets that the studio distributes to its animators (I guess the red stamp on the cover sheet is a non-disclosure warning).

What's interesting is the text next to the Aeru line-art. Even just reading the kana I can make out シムーン・エクエア ("Simoun Equea"?) and the phrase ネヴィリルのメイト ("Neviril's mate"). I'm not sure what the former refers to, but the latter makes me wonder if パル really is "pal" rather than "pair" - in Commonwealth English at least, "mate" means friend just like pal does. Perhaps they changed it at the last minute to avoid people assuming something more mammalian?

[fignae]

The pilots are Aaeru (auriga) and Morinas (sagitta). Aaeru tells Morinas that she loves to fly a Simoun, and asks her if she's never done it before. She hasn't, and is a bit nervous. Aaeru is impatient: that they haven't done any Ri Maajon yet, so why not try one now? As the rest of the chor watches from the enclosed forward park, she launches without any further discussion into Ri Maajon A. "Aaeru's really doing it!" Floe cheers.

I can't see where Aaeru says that she loves to fly. Morinas asks her if she still wants to continue, and Aaeru replies with, "Only by riding a Simoun together can we learn whether we make suitable partners, isn't it Morinas who said that?"

Aaeru and Morinas land to face a highly annoyed Guragief, with Morinas clinging to Aaeru for support. He chews them out: they are an embarrassment to Chor Tempest, which is supposed to be the best. Aaeru replies that they needed to practice, so what's the problem? Guragief sourly points out that they could have taken a Simile (training craft) instead.

Futaba-chan, I like how your synopses are interpretative and not just factual, but this I want to disagree with. :) I don't think Guragief looks "highly annoyed" here. Annoyed, maybe. Looks like the barest sign of anger to me. (Similarly, I don't see Morinas as clinging on for "support"; she's hanging on to Aaeru's arm flirtatiously, looking quite secure and content.) Guragief says that before the new members arrive, Chor Tempest should lie dormant. The next remark is harsher, a little sarcastic; she can borrow a Simile (?), and he'll give her permission for this, but on the whole it's mild for someone who's in a high position and nearly died a moment ago. I take the tack that Guragief isn't being as strict as he could be -- perhaps because of their sacred position? I also think he secretly approves of Aaeru's rebellious attitude. The expression when Aaeru stalks past may be a slight smile, and the sigh, a sort of fond resignation.

Qualifier: Kuwashima Houko fan speaking. :heh:

Morinas tries again, asking whether the kiss that they shared earlier when they launched was so bad.

I read that as "If it's me [Morinas], is it so bad?" The difference being, does Aaeru want to kiss someone else.

Wapourif replies that Aaeru is like a little kid... but at least she has a pretty face.

Hmm, neither of my subs mentioned pretty face. "Karakau" = "揶揄う" = to make fun of. In full, she's still a little kid, you don't have to make fun of her.

As she is leaving the cafe, she runs into Limone. Limone asks Aaeru if she was trying Ri Maajon A. "You're a little saint for figuring that one out," Aaeru replies. Limone is troubled: if they can't even pull off a simple Ri Maajon, then are they really worthy of calling themselves Chor Tempest?

Rimone's on the arrogant side, isn't she? Not "saint", though, but "genius". Whoops, in Rimone's case, "prodigy".

This is where I run out of steam. Figuring out about the tags expended much brainpower, and I fear I still got it wrong. Let me know if I'm violating forum conventions. ^^

[fignae]

Too tired to squint at Japanese characters right now so I'm just leaving the links here. A two-page magazine scan of Aaeru and Eri. Probably contains no new information.

http://i3.tinypic.com/ws0nxh.jpg (from here (http://www.xera.org/usrbbs/jvn123/files/jvn1231003.jpg))
http://i3.tinypic.com/ws0olu.jpg (from here (http://www.xera.org/usrbbs/jvn123/files/jvn1231004.jpg))

[Kaoru Chujo]

Too tired to squint at Japanese characters right now so I'm just leaving the links here. A two-page magazine scan of Aaeru and Eri. Probably contains no new information.
http://i3.tinypic.com/ws0nxh.jpg (from here (http://www.xera.org/usrbbs/jvn123/files/jvn1231003.jpg))
http://i3.tinypic.com/ws0olu.jpg (from here (http://www.xera.org/usrbbs/jvn123/files/jvn1231004.jpg)) I haven't read the whole thing, but already there is one piece of new info　from the left-hand column on Eri's page: Daikuuriku is divided into well over a hundred countries. Shimurakurumu Kyuukoku (Simulacrum Palace Country) is a small, mountainous country without seas. And besides Argentumu Shoukoku (Argentum Reef Country), there is one other country called Purunbumu　Reikoku (Purunbum Ridge Country). At least that's literally how things seem to translate.

[Futaba-chan]

I can't see where Aaeru says that she loves to fly. Morinas asks her if she still wants to continue, and Aaeru replies with, "Only by riding a Simoun together can we learn whether we make suitable partners, isn't it Morinas who said that?"

I got that bit wrong; I'll update the copy that was posted to reflect this.


Futaba-chan, I like how your synopses are interpretative and not just factual, but this I want to disagree with. :) I don't think Guragief looks "highly annoyed" here.


Hmm, certainly not "highly." "Annoyed," perhaps? "Wry?"



I read that as "If it's me [Morinas], is it so bad?" The difference being, does Aaeru want to kiss someone else.

Another spot that I'll go back and correct; thanks!


Hmm, neither of my subs mentioned pretty face. "Karakau" = "揶揄う" = to make fun of. In full, she's still a little kid, you don't have to make fun of her.


Oh! Okay... I misheard that as "kawaii kao".



Rimone's on the arrogant side, isn't she? Not "saint", though, but "genius". Whoops, in Rimone's case, "prodigy".

Thank you so much for the feedback... my Japanese is very limited, and I'm really glad for any help from anyone who understands the dialogue better. I'd appreciate it very much if you'd be willing to correct my mistakes in further synopsis attempts as the season progresses.

Did I make any errors in episode 3?

[Futaba-chan]

About this part - my Japanese isn't that hot, but is that really what they said? The way I heard it, Guragief was surprised to find the pair cleaning the Simoun themselves, and commented that Aaeru was starting to act more like a miko - Aaeru's response is a noncommittal "Sa..." Then she apologises - but without turning around or looking up, so it seems more like she's apologising to the Simoun...
Thanks! I'll correct the synopsis to reflect this.

[Futaba-chan]

Maybe I'm just too fond of the show to be objective
There's something special about this series that I'm still trying to put my finger on. I enjoyed Kashimashi, for example, but Simoun has really grabbed me in ways that other series haven't. I feel like Simoun is its own fandom, and not just a part of being a fan of anime in general....

Isn't Nana practically "mainstream" after the success of the movie? Maybe that explains both those facts.
There just isn't quite so much to say about Nana as there is about Simoun. It's a very well-done shoujo drama, and I'm enjoying it, but it doesn't ask the questions or propose the intriguing possibilities that Simoun does, and it doesn't make you think as much. Miyazaki once said about the Nausicaa manga that he was trying to make something more substantial that wasn't just manga that you'd read while slurping soba noodles. Simoun is like that, too, while Nana goes well with soba.

We don't have to mull over why the two Nanas chose to be female, or speculate about whether the Shinkansen is powered by the engineers kissing each other, or try to figure out the structure of the Tokyo government. And we know how to romanize "Tokyo," "Black Stones," "707," and so forth....

[Futaba-chan]

- hypothesis A- (a lot of theories)
When they goes to fountain and sex is fixed, and it starts and the birth ability is caused. It is not possible to give birth if sex is not fixed.
Only the effect of Estorojen as the girl.

-hypothesis B- (small number of theories)
The Fountain, and the change to the man is begun only by the person who selects a man.
Therefore, it matures as it is as a woman, and birth is also possible if it leaves the society when the fountain is refused and it lives.
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-02_fountain-a.jpg
That's another very good unanswered question. I think that hypothesis A is probably correct. Among other things,

when the Spring has turned Eri into Erif, Onashia tells him that the Spring has granted him adulthood. That's still ambiguous enough to allow for hypothesis B, but it sounds like it's saying that visiting the Spring makes one an adult... and therefore fertile. The Daikuurikans certainly seem to have developed as female before going to the Spring, including secondary sexual characteristics, and Eri explicitly says that she has been always female up to the point of her conversation on the train with Neville... but that doesn't necessarily include fertility.

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 4: "Nearby War" (近い戦争)

Many thanks to wrex_japan, Guppy, and fignae for catching mistakes in the earlier draft. Please don't hesitate to point out other mistakes -- my Japanese is very weak, and part of the reason why I'm doing this is to force myself to learn more.


We open with a series of flashbacks in the mind of an Argentine
soldier: enormous fleets of airships, factories and refineries
belching smoke, military men looking out the window at this scene, and
a hand covered in blood -- all against a blood-red sky. The soldier,
in Argentum's traditional mask and goggles, hiding in the woods at
night near a shack in the mountains, somewhere far from the polluted
nightmare city shown in the flashback.



Arcus Prima is docked at the Citadel to take on supplies.
Anubituf and Guragief are conferring in Anubituf's office, when they
notice a Simoun launch through the office window. They're surprised
that a Chor Tempest Simoun has launched -- none are currently
scheduled.

The pilots are Aaeru (auriga) and Morinas (sagitta). Morinas is
nervous; Aaeru reminds her that it was Morinas' idea to try flying
together. Aaeru is impatient: they haven't done any Ri Maajon yet, so
why not try one now? As the rest of the chor watches from the
enclosed forward park, she launches without any further discussion
into Ri Maajon A. "Aaeru's really doing it!" Floe cheers.

Unfortunately, Morinas can't keep up with Aaeru's flying, and their
Simoun quickly spins out of control. Aaeru manages to recover the
craft just as it dips its tail fin into the estuary, but the ship
zig-zags onto a high-speed collision course with the Citadel as
Morinas fumbles with her controls. At the last minute, Aaeru manages
to pull the Simoun up, and the two wind up buzzing the flight deck
right as Guragief steps out onto it to evaluate the situation. The
Simoun's tail fin misses his head by less than a metre.

In her darkened quarters, Neville sits alone, lost in a funk of severe
depression.

Aaeru and Morinas land to face an annoyed Guragief, with Morinas
clinging to Aaeru for support. He chews them out: they are an
embarrassment to Chor Tempest, which is supposed to be the best. [Or
was he saying something about Tempest doing ceremony together instead?]
Aaeru replies that they needed to practice, so what's the problem?
Guragief sourly points out that they could have taken a Simile
(training craft) instead.

Paraietta bursts onto the flight deck, twice as angry as Guragief.
She demands to know why Aaeru was offering prayers without permission.
"I wasn't praying," Aaeru responds, "I was training for battle."
Paraietta raises her hand to slap Aaeru, who angrily asks Parietta
what gives her the power to do so -- after all, she isn't the Regina.
Parietta responds that until Neville shows up, she's acting in her
stead. Morinas slyly asks Parietta if she and the Sibylla Aurea are
involved. Guragief sighs as Aaeru stalks away past him and into the
hangar.



Morinas follows Aaeru into the hangar to tell her that she's forgotten
something: she's supposed to kiss her pair after the flight to thank
the Tempus Spatium. Morinas puckers up, but Aaeru isn't buying it.
Morinas tries again, asking whether kissing her is so bad. Aaeru
regards Morinas suspiciously for a moment before noticing Wapourif
standing before her. She apologizes to Wapourif for having created
extra work for him, but Wapourif replies that if the Sibylla never
flew the Simoun, he and his crew would be out of a job. Aaeru slinks
away, looking sheepish.

Morinas and Wapourif discuss the absent Aaeru. "Cold, isn't she?"
asks Morinas. Wapourif replies that Aaeru is like a little kid, and
that there's no need to tease her. Morinas sidles up to him
flirtatiously and adds that Aaeru's flying was amazing.



Floe and Rodoraemon are sharing a drink in the ship's cafe when Aaeru
enters. Floe bounces over to Aaeru and gushes about how amazing her
flying was. Mistaking the pair's out-of-control flying for an actual
Ri Maajon pattern, she asks which Ri Maajon they did.

Rodoraemon asks Aaeru to please stop pulling crazy stunts like the one
that everyone just witnessed. Aaeru impatiently asks why she should.
Everyone from the other three chor thinks badly of Chor Tempest --
they look terrible.

Kaimu replies that in that case, all she can do is offer her prayers
and wait for her turn to go to the Spring. Alti mentions that she'll
probably become a man when her time comes, and Kaimu finally lets out
that she plans to do so as well.

Aaeru can't believe her ears, and asks the other Sibylla if they
really feel that way and are okay with not participating in the
battle. Before anyone can answer, Chor Ribbon flies past the cafe
windows, on their way home from that day's patrol. Floe notices them,
and points them out, which prompts Aaeru to go and try to do something
about the current situation.

As she is leaving the cafe, she runs into Limone. Limone asks Aaeru
if she was trying Ri Maajon A. "It's just like a prodigy to figure
that one out," Aaeru replies. Limone is troubled: if they can't even
pull off a simple Ri Maajon, then are they really worthy of calling
themselves Chor Tempest?



Aaeru pounds loudly on Neville's door demanding that she come out at
once: the war is heating up. Neville replies that she hates war, and
that the Sibylla are just priestesses of the Tempus Spatium. Aaeru
loudly demands that Neville come out and get back to work, but Neville
refuses: she isn't coming out. She tells Aaeru that she isn't going
to pair with her, either. Dejected, Aaeru, gives up and returns to
her quarters.

Aaeru is sitting glumly on her bed, when another Sibylla enters. It
is Bura, from Chor Ribbon, and she's Aaeru's new roommate. Aaeru
tries to bond with her over their shared role as an aurgia, but Bura
coldly cuts her off, and flops exhaustedly onto her bed, saying that
she's very tired. Chor Ribbon has been flying patrols day and night
while Chor Tempest has been slacking off back on the ship.

Bura's words goad Aaeru into action. Remembering Limone's words from
earlier, Aaeru tracks her down in the library, where she is reading a
book and snacking on another bag of chips. Aaeru is dressed in her
flight suit, and she tells Limone that she wants to see how well she
flies. "So c'mon!" she adds, and drags Limone down to the hanger by
main force.



As Wapourif watches, the pair taxi a Simoun out to the flight deck.
It is the dinner hour, so no one will see the two of them leave on
their flight, Aaeru explains. As for food, the two of them can eat
from the large backpack full of sweets that Limone carries wherever
she goes. Limone is hesitant, but Aaeru climbs across to the sagitta
cockpit, returns the backpack, and quickly kisses her. The two fly
off into the moonlight.

"What kind of Ri Maajon are we going to do?" Limone asks. "Which one
do you like?" Aaeru replies. Limone suggests the Silver Ri Maajon,
which pleases Aaeru -- but they'd better be careful about it, in case
they run into the enemy. Limone is taken aback by the talk of battle,
but concedes that it's likely that they'll have to face it soon.

Limone interrupts to point out a downed Simoun lying in the forest
below. Aaeru is surprised to see it here -- Chor Cup's fatal battle
was far from here, so it couldn't have been one of theirs. Limone
suspects a trap, but Aaeru replies that if it is, it's a chance to
learn more about the enemy.

As Aaeru and Limone land to investigate, they are watched by the
Argentine soldier from the first scene... who is tracking them with
his rifle. "They're coming!" he says to himself. "This will be my
final tri--" but before he can finish, he lapses into a coughing fit.


COMMERCIAL BREAK


Floe has discovered Aaeru and Limone's unauthorized sortie, and tells
the rest of Chor Tempest about it as they relax in the cafeteria after
supper. Rodoraemon is shocked, as Limone was supposed to be her
pair. Morinas jokes that she got dumped, too. Rodoraemon denies that
Limone has dumped her.

Bura and another Chor Ribbon Sibylla are in the cafe drinking at the
bar. They say to each other, cattily, "It looks like Chor Tempest will
fall apart... thus we'll get busier." Kaimu asks Neville if they
should report Aaeru and Limone's unauthorized flight, adding that if
they don't bring them back, the entire chor will be held
responsible. Nevril answers coldly, "Just let them be. If they want to
fly, we'll just let them."

On the bridge, Guragief tells Anubituf that Arcus Prima will be ready
to resume operations in the morning. Anubituf asks him just what sort
of priestess Aaeru is. Guragief is silent for a moment, then replies
that Aaeru has a good reason for being there.

[Many thanks to Wrex for editing this scene.]



Out in the forest, Aaeru and Limone climb down from their cockpits to
investigate the downed Simoun. They quickly discover that it is a
crude fake: panels on a wooden framework. The Argentine soldier
surprises them, and quickly overpowers Limone. Aaeru, angered,
attacks him, but is herself overpowered. He lands with his hand on
her breast, and is astonished to learn that his enemy is a pretty
teenage girl.

The soldier flashes back to his memory of Argentum: he volunteered to
travel to Simulacrum to uncover the secret of the Simoun as his final
act before dying of a terminal illness.

The soldier binds Limone and Aaeru's arms with rope, and lights a
campfire. When the two Sibylla regain consciousness, the soldier is
sitting in the auriga cockpit of their Simoun, attempting to get it to
lift off to fly it home to Argentum. Aaeru and Limone try to explain
the futility of his task to him: only a priestess who hasn't gone to
the Spring and chosen a sex can fly a Simoun, and it takes two of
them. Only Aaeru and Limone can fly the Simoun out of there.

Hearing their words but not understanding them, the soldier stomps
over to Aaeru and Limone, demanding information... but they can't
understand him, either. Suddenly, he doubles over, coughing
violently. He rips off his helmet and throws it to the ground,
revealing his gaunt face and wild eyes to the two captive
priestesses. He props himself up against a tree to recover his
strength.



Aaeru and Limone confer as to what to do next. Aaeru is determined to
escape and get the Simoun out of there. Argentum dearly wants a
Simoun: it's the best flying machine in the sky. So Aaeru plans to
escape and get it back.

As the soldier watches, Aaeru and Limone continue to talk. All of
Aaeru's friends from back home have gone to the Spring by now. Only
Aaeru has stayed away. Limone asks why, and Aaeru doesn't have an
answer... except that if she had, she wouldn't be here now. She plans
to be the best Sibylla of all, and that demands that she not go to the
Spring.

The soldier, not realizing that he is touching on the exact topic of
the Sibyllas' conversation, asks them rhetorically what it's like to
be neither a man nor a woman. He himself never had that choice: the
Argentine war machine scooped him up when he was very small, and made
him into a man through hormones and surgery so that he could be a
soldier. What would it have been like to have had a choice?

His musings are interrupted by another attack of the disease that is
slowly killing him, and he vomits up blood. Limone has compassion for
him, but Aaeru is busy cutting through her bonds with a knife she's
managed to extract from a hidden pocket somewhere.



When the soldier interrupts his own meal to offer Limone a part of his
rations, Aaeru strikes. She kicks him onto the campfire, and begins
to run for the Simoun, but the soldier grabs her by the ankle. Limone
makes it back to the airship, but the soldier runs to the cockpit
ladder, pulls Limone away, and climbs into the auriga cockpit again.
He fires repeatedly at Limone, but misses. Aaeru and Limone run into
the woods and take cover.

The soldier again tries to lift off, but to no avail. "Fly, damn
you!" he shouts. "Why won't you fly?" When Limone pokes her head out
to investigate what he's doing, he pulls out his rifle again and draws
a bead on her... then thinks better of it. Enemy or no, he can't kill
a pair of innocent little girls, and his time is up. There's nothing
further that he can do now. His illness returns with a vengeance, and
he vomits blood into his lap.

Aaeru and Limone, crouching behind hard cover outside the clearing,
discuss the soldier and his efforts. Aaeru is baffled by his
stubbornness, as it's obvious that there's no way that he can get the
Simoun off the ground. Limone adds that the soldier is selfish, and
that the Argentines seem like bad people. Aaeru vows never to let the
Simoun be captured.



When morning comes, Aaeru and Limone spring their plan. Limone waves
her arms and shouts to cause a distraction, while Aaeru hefts a stout
club that she has improvised from a tree branch. When the soldier
fails to respond, Aaeru dashes across the clearing to the Simoun, only
to discover to her horror that the soldier is already dead, having
succumbed to his illness during the night.

Limone joins Aaeru, and the two try to extract the dead soldier from
the auriga cockpit. Unfortunately, rigor mortis has set in,
and Aaeru's impatient shouts at the corpse to let go of the controls
don't help the situation at all. Limone suggests that Aaeru just give
up, and wait for someone to find them, but Aaeru is adamant. She
can't possibly let anyone know that she let herself be captured by the
enemy. She orders Limone to run away from the Simoun, and begins the
gruesome work of sawing the dead soldier's hands off with her knife.

As the sun rises over the vicinity of the mountain cabin, Aaeru
finally succeeds at extracting the dead soldier from the cockpit. As
she lifts him out, she loses her balance, and falls painfully to the
ground along with the corpse. She shouts impatiently for Limone to
come, but the younger girl is crouching behind a bush, crying.

Eventually, the two kiss and make up, in order to activate the Ri
Maajon gem to get the Simoun off the ground. Limone is shocked to
find blood on her hand... and on closer examination, discovers that
most of the cockpit area, including the Ri Maajon gem, is covered in
it. The Simoun lifts off into the morning sky and flies away.



In the hangar aboard the Arcus Prima, Aaeru apologizes to
Wapourif for getting the Simoun dirty, and volunteers to wash it
herself. Wapourif tells her that he'll do it, but she is insistent.
Limone runs off to fetch a hose.

Guragief and the rest of Chor Tempest file in to confront Aaeru and
Limone. Guragief tells Aaeru that the priestesses aren't just allowed
to take the Simoun out whenever they feel like it, and asks her to
stop doing it without permission. Seeing Aaeru and Limone cleaning
up, Guragief adds that Aaeru seems to be acting more like a priestess
now. Aaeru is noncommital at this, but apologizes to the Simoun. The
two Sibylla continue to clean out the gore as the sun rises.


END OF EPISODE

[Simon]

Couple of quick things while I'm staying up to wait for ep 5... First is a new six-minute interview (http://character.biglobe.ne.jp/special/simoun/cast_interview.html) with Niino Michi (Aeru) and Takahashi Rieko (Neviril), available as streaming WM. Second, my CD singles arrived today - I don't know if it's a first-pressing bonus or standard issue, but they each come with a nice jacket illustration (OP (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/otaku/simoun/simoun_op_single.jpg), ED (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/otaku/simoun/simoun_ed_single.jpg)). It's interesting to see the girls looking so feminine, and the ED art makes me appreciate what a cute nose Aeru has :)

(Although the artwork is from the back of the package, I notice it was prominently displayed in this Akihabara store (http://www.akibablog.net/archives/img/2006-04-30-211.html) on Sunday.)

[Kaoru Chujo]

I love this show. From the first strains of the OP, I am in a beautiful -- and terrible -- world.

Is it the story? Yes. In eps1-2, I thought the death of Amuria was being taken too easily, and that Neviril was a bit plastic. Wrong on both counts. Is it the look of things? Definitely yes. Is it the Simoun? Yes, again: who are you, besides being Korean, Jin Seob Song? (He/she was the mecha designer.) Is it the music? Another definite yes. Is it the characters? For sure. Because of the world they grow from, they are unique. Is it the voice-acting? Yes, once again in part because of the world/story they speak in. Simoun 05 “White Solitude”

Corps Tempest is out on patrol again. They see a group of enemy fliers and attempt a Ri Maajon pattern to destroy it. But Rimone, who is flying sagitta with Aaeru, freezes again, and the Ri Maajon fails. But another pair performs a pattern that destroys the enemy.

Back on the mother ship Arcus Prima, the captain, Anubitōf, and the commander of Simoun, Guraghief, ask the senior Sibylla, the aptly named Dominūra, to fly with Corps Tempest and try to bring them back to usefulness. She is not optimistic, but agrees to try. When Corps Tempest returns, she is there to meet them.

She tells Rimone that she will fly with her, instructing her to just follow her orders. Rimone goes to Aaeru to ask her what to do, but Aaeru refuses to give her any orders, and says brightly that she will accept it if Rimone decides to break up their Pair, that all the decisions are hers. Rimone thinks of the horrible episode in the forest with the enemy fighter. And she also thinks back to when she was a little child and loved the sight of the Silver Ri Maajon, and was praised (by her mother?) for her ability and told she would make a great Sibylla.

Rimone sees Neviril and speaks with her, asking her if she doesn't get into a Simoun because she is afraid. Neviril says no, but that she cannot give Rimone strength. Dominūra comes and takes Rimone to the Maju Pool for practice, where they swoop beautifully through the air, Rimone following Dominūra.

When they next go out on patrol, Dominūra tells Rimone to fly auriga with her as sagitta. Only that pair and Aruti/Furoe are on this patrol. After initial wobbling, Rimone gains control of the Simoun. They fly into a snowstorm, and come upon an invading force of tanks rolling through the snow, and are fired upon. Aruti/Furoe perform a Ri Maajon that destroys a force of tanks. Dominūra tells Rimone to do one, too, but Rimone again freezes. Rimone recalls a time during practice when her Simoun clipped another and threw a Sibylla to her death. Meanwhile, on the Arcus Prima, the other members of the Corps are disturbed that the patrol is overdue.

Back in the snowy wastes, Rimone is still in trouble. Then Aaeru/Rodoreamon show up. Rimone recalls Aaeru telling her that she has to decide things for herself. Rimone decides: they will do the difficult and powerful Silver Ri Maajon. Dominūra shouts that it is too difficult. But Aaeru says “aye, aye” and off they go. Aaeru's attitude gives Rimone confidence. They proceed to perform the Ri Maajon, a beautiful and powerful pattern that destroys all the enemy tanks like an atom bomb. Dominūra is startled at the tremendous skill of Rimone. We end on the way back to base, with a view of Aaeru's easy joy. Dominura and Rimone seem so good together, maybe because of the mother-daughter feeling. I knew Dominura was going to appear in this episode, and I expected not to like her. But I do, despite her arrogant forcefulness. Her approach to Rimone seemed to help. And their flight together in the Pool was somehow moving. I don't know why. Probably the music contributed. And I am now officially used to Noto Mamiko as Rimone. I still hear her as her, but she got the right emotions across to me. And the Silver Ri Maajon is beautiful. And Neviril, I know you will come to love Aeru. Who wouldn't? She has such clarity, warmth, and joy in her. By the way, I notice that there are rather poor reviews of this show over at animenewsnetwork.com. I'm about to add my review. Perhaps others who like the show might take a look? And I have added Dominūra to my characters page (http://hashihime.atspace.com/simoun_chars.html) and have added a picture and details to the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simoun_%28anime/manga%29).

And I have a suggestion for the spelling of Guragief's name: Guraghief. In this episode, Anubituf says it, and the "g" is clearly hard, not soft like a "j". My earlier mistake. I've changed it on my characters page.

Dominura is played by Yukana (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=952), the VA who was Tessa in all the FMP series, and also played Eri in this one.

[Matrim]

I love this series! I didn't get most of what was happening in this episode and yet I totally loved it. What's wrong with me? :) And thanks for the summary, it was really helpful.

Dominura is mighty cool and seemed a very suitable mentor for Rimone. I sure did not expect Rimone's confidence to break early on in the series but it seems she managed to overcome this trial with flying colours. And Aeru is more and more likable. I really wish I could take back my words that she reminded of me Arika from Mai-Otome.
The battle was exquisite, poetry in motion, just what the series needed after a few setup episodes. And since I seem to be be just raving with praise, my minor complaint woudl be that I would like to see Neville back in action soon.

[Futaba-chan]

I would like to see Neville back in action soon.

If the anime and the manga are following the same continuity, it may be a while -- the manga is happening at a time when Mamiina (who we haven't met yet, other than in the opening credits) is flying with Chor Tempest, and Neville still isn't flying then. (And is still brushing Aaeru off, even though they've become roommates.)

If the anime and manga are in separate continuities, all bets are off, although getting Neville to fly again is clearly a major plot arc, and resolving it would likely be a key turning point in the overall series.

[Futaba-chan]

And I have a suggestion for the spelling of Guragief's name: Guraghief. In this episode, Anubituf says it, and the "g" is clearly hard, not soft like a "j".


The dying auriga from Chor Cup in episode 1 also pronounces his name with a hard 'g'. (The fansub mistransliterates his name as "Kurakia.")

[Futaba-chan]

Is it the Simoun? Yes, again: who are you, besides being Korean, Jin Seob Song?
My one annoyance about the Simoun (and the Simile, too) is that the helical motors don't appear to be attached at all! When the Simoun are parked, characters climb over them, bang on them, and so forth, as if they were solidly connected. That pushes my "willing suspension of disbelief" button a bit. One of the things that I always respected about the various Macross series, for example, is that they always took care in their mechanical design to come up with something plausible.

I could buy that there's some mysterious force -- gravity control, for example, or magnetic fields -- operating on the helical motors, but if that's the case, shouldn't there be play in them? And more to the point, shouldn't they fall off completely if the Simoun is destroyed, and whatever force was suspending them no longer operates? It's an unusual and pretty design, but how is it really supposed to work?

On the other hand, I absolutely love Arcus Prima....

[Kaoru Chujo]

My one annoyance about the Simoun (and the Simile, too) is that the helical motors don't appear to be attached at all! When the Simoun are parked, characters climb over them, bang on them, and so forth, as if they were solidly connected. That pushes my "willing suspension of disbelief" button a bit. One of the things that I always respected about the various Macross series, for example, is that they always took care in their mechanical design to come up with something plausible. I could buy that there's some mysterious force -- gravity control, for example, or magnetic fields -- operating on the helical motors, but if that's the case, shouldn't there be play in them? And more to the point, shouldn't they fall off completely if the Simoun is destroyed, and whatever force was suspending them no longer operates? It's an unusual and pretty design, but how is it really supposed to work? On the other hand, I absolutely love Arcus Prima.... I just looked at the first part of ep3, where Morinas is looking at the Simouns. At around 4:05 in my raw, you can see a dark armature that passes in from the right-hand side of the picture into the space between the Helical Motorises. When the HM spins down, perhaps that comes in and grabs onto some part of the superstructure of the motor, maybe the larger golden curved spokes. Or something like that.

I actually have more problem with the Arcus Prima, because although I take for granted that there is some kind of big HM in the snailshell, I've never seen it moving. And the Maaju Pool is also a mystery to me.

But in any case, the beauty of the Simouns, especially landing and taking of, makes my willing-suspension-of-disbelief factor very, very high. And so does the beauty of the aerial ballet in the Maaju Pool. Or of the Arcus. Any sufficiently advanced.... (A cop-out, I know, lol.)

[Futaba-chan]

I just looked at the first part of ep3, where Morinas is looking at the Simouns. At around 4:05 in my raw, you can see a dark armature that passes in from the right-hand side of the picture into the space between the Helical Motorises.


That looks like the articulated frame that the "wings" are attached to, that holds them and moves them in and out as the Simoun changes between landing and flight configuration.


I actually have more problem with the Arcus Prima, because although I take for granted that there is some kind of big HM in the snailshell, I've never seen it moving.


That is rather mysterious, isn't it? I've wondered about that. Does AP have some other propulsion mechanism that it's using to cruise around and stay airborne? For that matter, can Arcus Prima herself trace out really enormous Ri Maajon patterns? What happens when they spin that (or those -- it looks like there are two of them, side by side) up?


And the Maaju Pool is also a mystery to me.


Indeed... do the flight suits only work in the pool? If they work outside of it, why not wear them on actual missions as a substitute for a parachute? If the pool is the only place where they work, shouldn't there be a safety net on the bottom to prevent a Sibylla from wandering out of it and plummeting to her death? For that matter, shouldn't there be one anyway, in case a spectator at the pool's edge falls in?

[Altimit]

Indeed... do the flight suits only work in the pool? If they work outside of it, why not wear them on actual missions as a substitute for a parachute? If the pool is the only place where they work, shouldn't there be a safety net on the bottom to prevent a Sibylla from wandering out of it and plummeting to her death? For that matter, shouldn't there be one anyway, in case a spectator at the pool's edge falls in?

There arn't any railings/nets/etc around the edge of the forward platform on the airship either. I'm guessing they just take it for granted not to fly out or fall in. If somone is foolish enough to do so it's just natural selection at work :P

Even in reality it's only fairly recently that people have put fences around ever ledge more than a few feet tall. They only do it now because people are so careless and sue-happy.

[Futaba-chan]

There arn't any railings/nets/etc around the edge of the forward platform on the airship either.

Huh? There's a railing there; in one scene, Neville and Paraietta lean against the railings on opposite sides and stare out at the scenery.

[Matrim]

But in any case, the beauty of the Simouns, especially landing and taking of, makes my willing-suspension-of-disbelief factor very, very high. And so does the beauty of the aerial ballet in the Maaju Pool. Or of the Arcus. Any sufficiently advanced....

Exactly!

If the pool is the only place where they work, shouldn't there be a safety net on the bottom to prevent a Sibylla from wandering out of it and plummeting to her death?For that matter, shouldn't there be one anyway, in case a spectator at the pool's edge falls in?

I guess the pool just wouldn't look that nice if there was a safety net. ;) Maybe even if you fall you will bounce back because it rejects people who don't wear a special (magical?) suit? Quite a contrived explantion, I know. Another possibility is that the suits are needed just to leave a trail so that the movements of the Sibyllas can be followed easier and there is nothing else special about them?

[Yui from Okinawa]

I renewal Simoun Airframe & World fan page in Compensatory holiday in JAPAN " Constitution Day ".http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun02-e1.htm
Orijinal -Source is Japanese"Simoun Wikipedia page"http://dempa-kitaa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/d/e/m/dempa-kitaa/cgi-bin/simoun/index.cgi?FrontPage




http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-01_b.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-01_a.jpg
We, the Gull-Force of "Argentum air corps", we code-nemed the Shimoun each craft in ”Choir the Tempest” was examined, by the our Argenum fighter Aurigae (Gram change of case "Auriga").

Please caution to "Round-tail " , that auriga is very dangerous to us , called " The ruler of Slaughter " or " Sibylla(=Maiden) of the hell "!!
We rumored the name is "Dominūra".

Tranlater yui note: They were mis-understood the real-name of "Ace-Sibylla" by the False-information of Simulacrum- Intelligence & Information control part

Now I note that each craft code-name


"Long-hone" ･･･ The　craft only for "The Regena ". Neviril & Amuria pair boards in Ep.1　
"Beard. " ･･･ Paraietta / Caim pair boards .
"Dorsal fin. "・・・Alti / Floe pair boards.
"Pair-hone " ･･･ Rōdoreamon’ｓ　Special machine, "Sagitta" is changed each time after Erii(/Erifu) reaved.
"Round-tail " ･･･ Because of retired " PAL "(Auriga & Sagitta pair) in Episode 1 Air-combat, Thereafter," Aael " and "Sagetta" that she chose person boards it.
"Twin-tail" ･･･ It is shot down by Episode-1, and the craft repaired and come back for Rimone / Dominura pair boards it by episode 5.


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/dominula-01.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/dominula-02.jpg

Translater yui note: By the way, The "Dorsal fin. " appeard on the screen (Though "Pair-hone " had to have done Ri Maajon at the beginning of Episode.5.)

The Simoun craft arnament gun of "Round-tail " where it must be twin guns even by Episode4 is single-gunnedte, and the confusion on the site side of the setting is seen.
(The latter is thought to unload Single-gun and to have lightened the machine gun for the reduction of the inertia-control mass if it friendly interprets it. )

By the way, Anime lylic forum released translation opening theme song!
" That Which Is Beautiful Is Good" (Utsukushi Kereba Sore de Ii) by Chiaki Ishikawa

Do you think their translate quality about that lylics?
http://www.animelyrics.com/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=23406

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-Purunbum-tank.jpg

[fignae]

And I have a suggestion for the spelling of Guragief's name: Guraghief. In this episode, Anubituf says it, and the "g" is clearly hard, not soft like a "j". My earlier mistake. I've changed it on my characters page.

I like the look of that. Shall change it in ANN, thanks!

Dominura is played by Yukana (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=952), the VA who was Tessa in all the FMP series, and also played Eri in this one.

Didn't recognize her again! :heh:

The ep was indeed a slower one. I was trying to see a pattern, some alternation between fast and slow eps in terms of pacing. It'll diverge from it once the introductions are over, even if they are consciously shaping the show in this way, nothing too important. I was also somewhat surprised at the feel-good quality of ep5, as I replayed 4 immediately before in all its deep darkness. I may have expected more repercussions than we got for Aaeru and Rimone's ordeal, but that's okay, I'll shelve it under untold backstory. :)

[Seska]

Indeed... do the flight suits only work in the pool? If they work outside of it, why not wear them on actual missions as a substitute for a parachute? If the pool is the only place where they work, shouldn't there be a safety net on the bottom to prevent a Sibylla from wandering out of it and plummeting to her death? For that matter, shouldn't there be one anyway, in case a spectator at the pool's edge falls in?

I think this "Pool" secret, is a wind upstream tube. its the same as Tsunamis... (well i mean the Wind ones).above warm air, and on the bottom cold air.. voila.. artifical Tsunami aistream. perhaps this suits works as "littel" parasuits.....

But. when others are watching from above, Thier hair should go wild cause of the Airstream jet, but dosent.... Well.. i dont have other explation if you wanna compare the pool to earth physics... :)

episode 05? damm, i miss something....

Mfg,
Seska

[Matrim]

Thier hair should go wild cause of the Airstream jet, but dosent....

Actually it does, at least in episode five. If it was just an air stream how do the characters to dive agaisnt the flow of air so easily?

BTW, it occured to me that this whole training process, gradual introduction of characters, psychological traumas, great music and atmosphere and so on really reminds me of Gunslinger Girl.

[Ness]

I've only seen 'til episode two (I don't understand Japanese, so I don't watch the raw versions) and it did spike my curiosity. Although that gender-switching thing makes me go "wtf".

I sure want to see more. You guys understand Japanese? 'Cause many of you have even seen episode five! =P

Thanks in advance.

[Futaba-chan]

I sure want to see more.

If you go back in this thread a little ways, there are detailed synopses of episodes 3 and 4 that are meant to give you enough detail to watch the raws even if you don't know any Japanese, and still understand what's going on. Or at least that's the intent; if there's anything missing, please let me know.

I'm working on the one for episode 5 in another window....

You guys understand Japanese? 'Cause many of you have even seen episode five! =P

Yui-san is a native speaker. At least one other forum member lives in Japan, and some of the others have had formal Japanese training. I've never actually taken any Japanese classes, but I've watched a lot of subtitled anime, and I picked up some of the language that way, which I'm now supplementing with textbooks. (Doing the synopses is turning out to be a very good learning exercise.)

[Altimit]

Huh? There's a railing there; in one scene, Neville and Paraietta lean against the railings on opposite sides and stare out at the scenery.

I was refering to this:
http://suprfile.com/src/1/ubacxe/simoun1.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

I was refering to this:

That's the port flight deck, not the forward observation platform. It would be hard to put a railing around the flight deck and still have it function... but that's a good point; wouldn't it be rather dangerous to be out on the flight deck at all if the ship were rolling and pitching due to enemy fire, evasive maneuvers, or a storm?

[Yui from Okinawa]

Regulations

Fan art of making concerning "Shimoun" by yourself or coopolate with your friends. (Include it in C.G Collage okay).
The name of the character or airframe is described to comment of your art.
The reprint from Comic Yurihime or anime "Shimoun" is not good. Your orijinal Fan art is need for webmistress!
Permit it when you contribute fan art drawing of the other people ....to the the fan-artist herself / himself.

Shimoun Fan-art post-contribution Bulletin board open!
in Japanese wiki page!

Adress is http://www.degitalscope.com/~mbspro/userfiles_res/simoun/index.html

- Contribution method-


Ｉf　you pushed " 投稿(=Ｃｏｎｔｒｉｂｕｔｅ)" of " お絵描きページ(= Fan art post contribute board ) " , the page is changed
" 投稿画像確認(=Contribution image confirmation)"

"あなたの描いた絵の登録が成功し,添付が完了しました。"(=The registration of the picture that you drew succeeded and appending was completed.)

"画面内上部の「閉じる」リンクにて、画面を閉じた後「投稿する」ボタンで投稿して下さい。(= Please contribute with "Contribute" button in "Shut" link of the upper part in the screen after shutting the screen. "

http://www.degitalscope.com/~mbspro/userfiles_res/simoun/61.jpg

First post is "Nevirill" by fan-artist Ms. Lemon-Kayama(Hundle name)

[Yui from Okinawa]

Regulations

Fan art of making concerning "Shimoun" by yourself or coopolate with your friends. (Include it in C.G Collage okay).
The name of the character or airframe is described to comment of your art.
The reprint from Comic Yurihime or anime "Shimoun" is not good. Your orijinal Fan art is need for webmistress!
Permit it when you contribute fan art drawing of the other people ....to the the fan-artist herself / himself.

Shimoun Fan-art post-contribution Bulletin board open!
in Japanese wiki page!

Adress is http://www.degitalscope.com/~mbspro/userfiles_res/simoun/index.html

- Contribution method-


Ｉf　you pushed " 投稿(=Ｃｏｎｔｒｉｂｕｔｅ)" of " お絵描きページ(= Fan art post contribute board ) " , the page is changed
" 投稿画像確認(=Contribution image confirmation)"

"あなたの描いた絵の登録が成功し,添付が完了しました。"(=The registration of the picture that you drew succeeded and appending was completed.)

"画面内上部の「閉じる」リンクにて、画面を閉じた後「投稿する」ボタンで投稿して下さい。(= Please contribute with "Contribute" button in "Shut" link of the upper part in the screen after shutting the screen. "

http://www.degitalscope.com/~mbspro/userfiles_res/simoun/61.jpg

First post is "Nevirill" by fan-artist Ms. Lemon-Kayama(Hundle name)

[Yui from Okinawa]

I remenber The Gods of Xuma and The Left Hand of Darkness

http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~kobayss/daxuma1.jpg
http://www.sffaudio.com/hugoimages/large/WALDENTheLeftHandOfDarkness500.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

I remenber The Gods of Xuma and The Left Hand of Darkness
Have you read Commitment Hour, by James Alan Gardner? (Available here: http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/0380798271/qid%3D1146805895/250-3632233-3545043 .) It's excellent, and touches on the same sort of dilemma that Eri(f) faced, and that Aaeru may or may not be wrestling with.

The short stories of John Varley and Rachel Pollack also seem relevant....

[Yui from Okinawa]

Yes I order Commitment Hour Amazon USA 2weeks ago....

Yesterday EMS parcel reached, but I've just onky a few pages.....
But I imagine that contents is resemble to Simoun world...
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0380798271.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

Does Simulacrum have a carrier fleet, or is Arcus Prima one-of-a-kind?
Are there ground-based Simoun, or is the force based on Arcus Prima (and hypothetical sister ships) all there is?
Simulacrum appears to be able to manufacture Simile; can they build new Simoun, or is that a lost technology?
How significant a blow was the loss of Chor Cup? Was it a catastrophic loss of up to a quarter of an irreplaceable resource, or was it just the first of many skirmishes in a long war between two large forces?
How big is Simulacrum? The Simoun appear to travel at subsonic speeds (similar to a first-generation jet fighter, perhaps?), and rely solely on visual sightings to detect opposing forces, and entire chor appear to operate together when they sortie. Is Arcus Prima's Simoun group actually providing full patrol coverage for the whole nation?
Does Simulacrum have other classes of aircraft besides Simoun and Simile? Are there air transports, for example? How do personnel (Dominura, for example) travel between Arcus Prima and the ground?
How do citizens of nations other than Simulacrum and Argentum deal with sex selection? Presumably, they don't come to Simulacrum's Spring... so what do they do?
If Aaeru was a cadet at the southern front, and the Simoun are the only effective forces, and Aaeru had never flown a real Simoun before being assigned to the Arcus Prima, what forces are engaged on that front? Mass-produced Simile? Simoun that Aaeru just wasn't assigned to? Some sort of ground troops?
If Argentum and Simulacrum share a land border, why did the Argentine fleet need to cross the ocean to attack in the first episode?
Are parachutes a lost technology?
Is the Ri Maajon image in one Simoun's gem repeated in the gems of other Simoun in the same chor? If not, how does a chor coordinate which Ri Maajon to perform when its communication cables are disengaged?
We've seen the Sibylla, Wapourif's maintenance crew, and the bridge crew. How many more crew members are needed to operate the Arcus Prima?
Do other nations also adhere to the religion of the Tempus Spatium, or is that unique to Simulacrum?
Does Simulacrum have the highest level of leftover lost technology, or are there other states with different kinds of applied phlebotinum?
Is the Ri Maajon magic, technology, or a miracle?
What is the large cone-shaped hill in the opening credits? The one covered with buildings, with a cantilever airstrip and some other projection sticking out of it? I've been calling it the "citadel," but what is its actual function?
What is that other funny thing sticking out of the citadel, that angles up into the sky at a thirty to forty-five degree angle?
Are there other interesting places on the ground in Simulacrum besides the Spring and the citadel?
Is the water surrounding the citadel a river, a lake, or an estuary? Do the boats on it trade with other nations?
How open are Simulacrum's borders for trade with other nations? Are there Argentine spies hidden among the population, trying to steal technological secrets?
Is Onashia really the head of state, or is "Grand Shrine Empress" just a courtesy title?
What other clergy does the religion of the Tempus Spatium have? Do retired Sibylla who have spent their formative years as priestesses frequently take religious vows?
Aren't other nations worried about the rise of the Argentine war machine? Might Simulacrum find allies somewhere?
How do the dragonfly fighters land?
How are the dragonfly fighters recovered aboard their carriers?
How do the dragonfly fighters work? It doesn't look like the "wings" would provide enough lift -- is it supposed to be a lifting body shape?
Can anyone fly a Simile, or is it also limited to Sibylla who haven't chosen a sex?
Do the Simoun have a maximum range?
29. Limone watches a performance of the Silver Ri Maajon, but it doesn't detonate. Likewise, Aaeru's practice runs don't appear to have had any expectation of a detonation. Is there something that the Sibylla do to produce warlike effects from otherwise peaceful Ri Maajon?
30. Has Simulacrum given any thought to carrying the war to the Argentine homeland? Consider the effect of the Silver Ri Maajon over the Argentine airship docks, or the factory that produces the dragonfly fighters....

[Futaba-chan]

Yes I order Commitment Hour Amazon USA 2weeks ago....

I think you'll enjoy it. You might enjoy the rest of his "League of Peoples" series -- it's unrelated to Simoun, but it's both enjoyable and thought-provoking. (Especially Oar. :-) )

[Yui from Okinawa]

Some unanswered questions

9.If Argentum and Simulacrum share a land border, why did the Argentine fleet need to cross the ocean to attack in the first episode?

Trans Japanese:　

銀とシムラークルム宮国が土地境界を共有する場合、なぜアルゲントゥムの艦隊は、第1エピソードにおいて、 攻撃のため、海洋を横断する必要がありましたか？

1. "Simulacrum Imperial princess country" separated across the ocean from "Argentum Shou Nation".（＝Argentum "Atoll" or "reef" Nation)

2. In Episode 5, Enemy Anti-Air Tank Unit is belonged to "Purunbum Rei-Koku"
(=Purunbum Ridge Nation).

3."Purunbum Ridge Nation" shared Steep mountain range to border "Simulacrum Imperial princess country"


The Some of English Fan-Sub otaku has mis-understand to confuse When "A" is "B", "Argentum Shou Nation" is the "Purunbum Ridge Nation"
"Purunbum Ridge Nation" shared Steep mountain range to "Simulacrum Imperial princess country"

"Argentum Shou Nation" far from the Simulacrum, over the ocean.
But "Purunbum Ridge Nation" near to the Simulacrum, only shared Steep mountain range.


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-Purunbum-tank.jpg

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-inteupt.jpg

The hypothesis　(ostrich algorithm）
There is rarely happening what, and, therefore, the idea of not needing dealing.
There is no .."Airframe that the god gave".. ..degeneration.. must...
It is imprudent to think when falling.


Up to now, it had gone well by it.
However, measures for safety and the escape device will be necessary in the
future. (Zvezda "K-36DM" zero-zero ejection seat and Martin Baker Mark 7 ejection seat so on ...)
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-fallen-sybylla.jpg

On the other hand, I write fiction interview article "Interview with Halconf"
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/dragon-fly-e4.htm
The enemy's "Single-pal" has to defend body from the gas for the buoyancy station oneself at even the control compartment, those who control fully equip the goggle with the helmet, and, in addition, wear the whole body protective wear to the body parachutes.
Oh,Is it a very tight, pitiful, just　isolate-enemy 's pal...

[Seska]

11. Is the Ri Maajon image in one Simoun's gem repeated in the gems of other Simoun in the same chor? If not, how does a chor coordinate which Ri Maajon to perform when its communication cables are disengaged?

Yes. How then the others know what kind of Ri Maajon they must perform?... I dont saw any cables either... But they need some sort of leader... (to many cooks destroys the meal or so)

xx. How do citizens of nations other than Simulacrum and Argentum deal with sex selection? Presumably, they don't come to Simulacrum's Spring... so what do they do?

Like we do it in our time. With Hormone... Today you can give a man, woman hormone to let them change sex.. Well, until the last part... you know.. but breats can raise from his chest... and that kind of stuff works on a woman, too. Give a Woman Man hormone, and she will lose her woman chest, and build up some muscles... Why do you think that some "Amazones" (Oympia these girls that lift this heavy wights) looks like men above the upper part :) )
Well, in Simoun the soldier said something equal too. when i remeber right.. He was forced to be a Men for the warmachine...

28. Do the Simoun have a maximum range?

As far as i know.. (Afaik) their Gems dry only out if they make the Ri Maajons. Therotical, they can flight as long they dont use to much Ri Maajons.. (Episode 01). The source of energy for the crystal must be the Pilots.... "you must pilote the Simoun with your body and soul" (some place in a Pool scene...) Body = direct piloting... and Soul perhaps for Ri Maajon and "engage" of them.


29. Limone watches a performance of the Silver Ri Maajon, but it doesn't detonate. Likewise, Aaeru's practice runs don't appear to have had any expectation of a detonation. Is there something that the Sibylla do to produce warlike effects from otherwise peaceful Ri Maajon?

They need "the will to kill" to turn these Ri Maajons for real... (Episode 01, can be a possibility why she said "dont look into his eyes, you will lose the will to kill)

30. Has Simulacrum given any thought to carrying the war to the Argentine homeland? Consider the effect of the Silver Ri Maajon over the Argentine airship docks, or the factory that produces the dragonfly fighters....

Perhaps, they cant go that far away... Perhaps they have a "mother Gem" that are the source for the flighten their Simons... Or they wanna only defend yourselfs...


Well, what i tinking about it...

Mfg,
Seska

[Matrim]

Since I am a person who loves to speculate about plot details I think I will try my luck with some of these questions.

# Does Simulacrum have other classes of aircraft besides Simoun and Simile? Are there air transports, for example?

Well if they can have trains which seems to have an engine looking just like a bigger version of the Simoun engine, I would venture that they can build other types of aircraft if they need them.

If Aaeru was a cadet at the southern front, and the Simoun are the only effective forces, and Aaeru had never flown a real Simoun before being assigned to the Arcus Prima, what forces are engaged on that front?

Maybe some ground based guns and fortifications like those the enemy had in episode 5 combined with Similes?

If Argentum and Simulacrum share a land border, why did the Argentine fleet need to cross the ocean to attack in the first episode?

Looking for the element of surprise, getting around the fortified border and striking directly the heartland of Simulacrum, I guess. But why haven't they done earlier if that's the case?

Can anyone fly a Simile, or is it also limited to Sibylla who haven't chosen a sex?

Considering that Aeru had no idea about the special rituals involved in flying the Simouns, I'd say it's possible for anyone to fly a Simile but probably most of them are used by people under 17 as a means to train future Sybillas.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Thanks for the questions, Futaba-chan. Too bad I don't have many answers, lol.

5. The magazine pages posted earlier say that Simulacrum is "small," is in the mountains, and has no seas. So I think it is likely small enough for one or a few Arcus vessels to cover.

9. The same page says that there are "a hundred and some tens" of countries on Daikuuriku, and names Simulacrum Palace (Shrine?) Country, Argentum Reef Country, and Purunbum Ridge Country. As Yui posted, Purunbum is supposed to share a land border with Simulacrum, and is the source of the attack in episode 5, but Argentum is across water.

19. Since the magazine page said that Simulacrum had no seas, I guess the citadel hill is in a lake in the mountains. I have been thinking of that as the capital, where the Pool of the Grand Shrine is located、but I don't really know for sure.

[Futaba-chan]

Too bad I don't have many answers, lol.

If you did, they wouldn't be "unanswered." :-) I was pleasantly surprised that there was a definitive answer to even one of them (thanks, Yui!)... but it's fun to speculate.

[Futaba-chan]

19. Since the magazine page said that Simulacrum had no seas, I guess the citadel hill is in a lake in the mountains. I have been thinking of that as the capital, where the Pool of the Grand Shrine is located、but I don't really know for sure.


Perhaps the Simulacran government is distributed, a la the South African government which has separate administrative and judicial capitals? Or maybe the citadel is just a military base? In any event, the Spring is clearly not underneath the Citadel -- Neville and Eri landed on the Citadel's runway, then took a lengthy train ride to somewhere else in the country in order to get to the Spring. The town near the Spring didn't look very big, certainly not large enough to be the capital -- Neville and Eri walked from the station to the Spring under the waterfall, which was just beyond the edge of town.

Also, in episode 1, the presence of Halconfu (I keep wanting to write "Halconif," but that's wrong) and the rest of the VIPs was presented as a rare occurrence (and Amuria hadn't seen Halconfu in a long time), suggesting that perhaps they're not normally located at the citadel, either.

[Yui from Okinawa]

I renewal my page, add article "Futaba-chan's some un-answered question"
Plus question 29 & 30 (by Seaka's addition and hypothesis or opinion)

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun02-e1.htm

Redirect link URL is http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Futaba-chan-Some_unanswered_question.htm


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/futaba-logo4.gif

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 5: "White Solitude" (白い孤独)

Oof. Dominura was hard to decipher, and I'm sure that I made a lot of mistakes. Sorry for the delay....


Chor Tempest is finally flying again. On patrol, they encounter a flight of four Argentine dragonfly fighters. They respond with the Bell Ri Maajon, a simple pattern for four ships. Limone muffs her part, sending her and Aaeru's Simoun off on the wrong course, and the Ri Maajon fails. Aaeru, Guragief (watching from the port flight deck of Arcus Prima with Anubituf), and Paraietta all separately comment on Limone's failure.

Morinas, flying auriga with Rodoraemon, alertly shifts into the Shark Ri Maajon, and quickly destroys the four intruding fighters.

In the aftermath of the battle, Kaimu wonders aloud what Aaeru and Limone were doing -- it was very strange. Floe is angry at Limone: the Ri Maajon failure was all Limone's fault, and she was allowed to join Chor Tempest because she was supposed to have been a prodigy. "Poor Aaeru!" she concludes. Alti is a bit more charitable. In her sagitta cockpit, Limone sits and numbly stares at her control panel.



On the bridge of the Arcus Prima, Anubituf and Guragief confer with Sibylla Dominura. Chor Tempest is a complicated problem, and they want Dominura, the last survivor of Chor Dextra, to lend her efforts toward turning them around. Dominura doesn't have any information about what's going on, and wants to clearly understand what she's getting into. Guragief explains: as a first step, the chor is to do its best at daytime patrols, and avoid night action for a while. Anubituf adds that they need Chor Tempest back in the fight as soon as possible. Guragief asks Dominura if she can do it. She replies that that's why she came.

Out on the port flight deck, Waporif shouts orders to his maintenance crew as the Sibylla of Chor Tempest file back in to the ship's superstructure. Floe is livid. She demands that Limone explain what she was doing, and blames her for screwing Aaeru up. Limone calmly replies that she said that already, which makes Floe even angrier.

Dominura is waiting for Chor Tempest at the hangar entrance. Morinas notices the newcomer, runs up to greet her, and identifies her as Dominura. Dominura is specifically waiting for Limone, who stares at her in wide-eyed wonder. Aaeru notices this, and silently wonders what's going on.



[???: There are a lot of nuances in this scene that I think I've either missed or gotten wrong.]

Dominura drags Limone into the cafe, where Limone (as usual) snacks on a bag of chips as the two talk. Dominura tells Limone that she isn't going to send her back to the cadet corps, and that she knows that Limone has succeeded at many rituals as a sagitta before. But Chor Tempest had some trouble, and she wants to help. When Limone asks why, Dominura explains that she saw what happened earlier that day. She wants to help Limone get back into Chor Tempest's good graces. Limone asks how.

Dominura gets to the point: she wants Limone to come and fly with her. It won't be a bad thing: Limone just has to follow along with what Dominura does, and she'll be back to her old form in no time -- after all, everyone says she's a prodigy.



On the bridge, Guragief asks Anubituf what he thinks about Limone's chances of turning herself around. Anubituf doesn't know -- managing the Sibylla is Guragief's job, not his. He and Guragief are adults, and better able to face the misfortunes of war. The Sibylla are the ones who will have to see action, and how will they react? It will be up to he and Guragief to support them from afar, and to help them interpret what they've experienced.

"Guragief, let me tell you one thing," Anubituf concludes. "We're going to war, and I want those kids to understand that."



A downcast Limone visits Aaeru in her quarters. The events of the incident with the dying Argentine soldier are vivid in her mind. She asks Aaeru how Aaeru would feel if the two broke up their pair. Aaeru replies that whatever Limone wants to do would be fine.

Aaeru asks Limone if there was anything else she wanted to talk about. Limone, remembering Aaeru being protective of Limone's feelings by ordering her away from the Simoun when she sawed off the dead soldiers hands, replies that she's been searching for the right thing to do, but can't find it, and she wants Aaeru to decide for her.

Aaeru responds by asking Limone whether she thinks she could kill the enemy in battle. Limone, taken aback, isn't sure. Aaeru continues: she isn't going to make Limone obey her. Aaeru has her own reasons for being here, but if Limone is afraid to fight, it would be okay for her to quit. If she was too badly hurt, she shouldn't continue to fly the Simoun. And most of all, if she doesn't have a reason in her heart for continuing, she should quit.



After her chat with Aaeru, Limone stands on the forward observation deck, wondering what to do. She flashes back to her childhood, remembering a day when she watched a Simoun chor perform the Silver Ri Maajon, and her mother praised her, saying that she was wonderful and would absolutely become a great Simoun Sibylla one day.

Her happy memory is followed by a sadder one: the other cadets ostracized her because she was just a kid. And one day, there was a particularly sad incident when Limone was flying auriga on a training mission....

Limone is still mulling over what to do as she walks back through the park, when she runs into Neville, who is out for a walk with her attendants. She asks Neville why Neville hasn't been flying: is she scared? Neville replies that she isn't, but trails off into silence without giving her reason. Limone tells Neville that both of them have been hurt, and that she ought to be able to forget about it. Neville replies that she's unable to offer Limone any strength.

Dominura abruptly appears, and pulls Limone away to the Mage Pool for Maaju practice. Limone reflects sadly that in the long run, she hasn't changed at all. In spite of this, Limone and Dominura have a very successful Maaju practice, as Neville watches thoughtfully from the pool's edge.


COMMERCIAL BREAK


That afternoon, two Simoun taxi out to the port flight deck to leave for a patrol. Aaeru, Paraietta, Rodoraemon, and Kaimu watch as the Sibylla board their craft: Alti, as usual, is flying with Floe, and Limone is flying with Dominura.

The patrol, Rodoraemon explains, is to go and find out what information it can about reports of a large army building up on the border with Plumbum. Paraietta is more concerned about why they're sending Limone and Dominura on a potential combat mission, when they've never flown together before. At lest Floe and Alti are a longtime pair. Rodoraemon wonders whether Dominura and Limone are planning to be a pair for the longer term, and Kaimu wonders what Dominura thinks she's doing at all. The two look to Aaeru for a reaction,but she is too busy watching the departure.

As Limone crawls up to the sagitta cockpit, Dominura stops her and tells her to fly auriga instead. Limone is hesitant, but Dominura tells her to do it, and gives her the traditional preflight kiss. Limone wonders if she can, but Dominura tells her to trust her feelings. Doesn't she want to do it?

As the two Simoun lift off, Kaimu comments with surprise about Limone's switch to the auriga seat. Aaeru comments that it's as if she were being a good little wife.



In the air, Dominura asks Limone how she's doing, as Alti and Floe elbow past.

Dominura fires a speaker cable over to Floe and Alti's Simoun, and tells the pair to head for the mountains. Floe asks Limone if she's really capable of flying auriga, and is reprimanded by Dominura for this. The two Simoun fly into the mountains, and quickly find themselves in the middle of a snowstorm. Dominura orders the other three Sibylla to keep a sharp watch to make sure they see everything. Limone promptly does: a large force of tanks from the neigbouring country of Plumbum is trying to force its way through the mountain pass.

The enemy tanks immediately open fire on the Simoun. Alti dodges a fusillade of anti-aircraft fire as Floe locks the Falcon Ri Maajon into their gem, and they quickly execute the Ri Maajon, destroying an entire formation of tanks. Dominura orders Limone to do the same, but Limone freezes, flashing back to her days as a cadet.



As a cadet, Limone had been involved in a training accident that killed her pair. The two of them were practicing the Silver Ri Maajon with another Simoun. Limone was flying auriga, and her sagitta told her to abort the exercise, as the Silver Ri Maajon was too advanced for her. Limone refused, insisting that they could do it. At the critical and dangerous moment at the center of the pattern when the two Simoun fly on different courses within metres of each other, Limone was momentarily distracted by thoughts of how easy it was. As she was thinking this, the other Simoun collided with them and tore away the sagitta cockpit. Limone's pair fell to her death.

The Silver Ri Maajon, incidentally, is the Ri Maajon that Limone asked Aaeru to practice with her on their unauthorized nighttime practice mission that led to the dead soldier incident.

Limone, thinking of this incident, and startled by the enemy fire, is paralyzed. Dominura has a crisis of confidence, wondering whether Limone is really all she's said to be. Limone manages to dodge the anti-aircraft fire, but can do little else. Alti and Floe, meanwhile, have lost sight of the other Simoun: the snowstorm is worsening, and has become a blizzard.



Back on the Arcus Prima, Rodoraemon comments to the other four members of Chor Tempest that the patrol is late, and wonders whether they're okay. Aaeru stares thoughtfully into the distant sky.

In the mountains, the battle rages. Floe complains about the anti-aircraft fire to Alti, who in turn complains about the weather: because of the snowstorm, it's going to be effectively impossible to coordinate with the other Simoun to perform a sufficiently powerful Ri Maajon. She wonders bitterly where the other pair have gone.

Aboard Limone's Simoun, Dominura yells at her to hurry up and do a Ri Maajon, or else they'll be shot down. Limone still can't muster up the courage to do it, and is lost in thought when she hears a speaker cable strike the hull. It is Aaeru and Rodoraemon, who have flown out from Arcus Prima to check on the patrol.

Aaeru tells Limone that she came to check on the situation, and tells her that they can absolutely do it. She asks Limone what she's going to do. Dominura shouts at Limone to listen to her, but Limone is still lost in thought. She remembers Aaeru telling her that she could do it herself as she left Aaeru's quarters earlier that day. She remembers the other cadets taunting her, and she remembers herself as a small child looking up in wonder at the Silver Ri Maajon in the sky.



As Dominura prompts her one more time, Limone makes up her mind. She locks the Silver Ri Maajon into their gem, and asks Aaeru to perform it with her. Aaeru is glad to comply, but Dominura is frantic: she shouts to Limone that there's no way they can pull it off in the current visibility.

The two Simoun begin to trace the Silver Ri Maajon in the heart of the snowstorm, barely able to see each other, let alone their position. They collide once, which prompts screams of protest over the attempt's futility from Dominura, but neither Simoun is damaged. As the two Simoun fly in formation, Limone catches sight of Aaeru's look of absolute concentration as she flies, and draws strength from it.

The antiaircraft fire continues, but to no avail: Limone and Aaeru complete the Ri Maajon pattern and fly clear of it. "I really did it!" Limone thinks to herself. The Silver Ri Maajon detonates with the force of a small tactical nuclear weapon, obliterating the entire attacking tank force and blowing away the snowstorm.

In their cockpits overhead, the Sibylla look down with wonder: the entire attacking force has been reduced to a collection of pulverized hulks. Dominura marvels at this.

On the way back to Arcus Prima, Dominura concludes to herself that Limone really is a prodigy: she saw it with her own eyes. Limone looks over at Aaeru and Rodoraemon's Simoun, and sees Aaeru happily laughing and joking with Rodoraemon as the Simoun fly home through the clear blue sky.


END OF EPISODE

[Yui from Okinawa]

Manga "Yuri-Hime" Version simoun is shared to the world , airframe, but character is differ from anime.

Especially "Mamina"(not appeard anime until ep.5) scheduled appear at Episode7 (Another new character " Ynn "appeared,too) her personality is very particular to "Aael".

She has different stance to Aael, but responsibility and agressive is close to her.
Paraietta is more mascrine character, but loved by all Choir tempest!

I recommend to anyone who or Publisher Inc. rekease English version of "Shimoun" by Ms. Hashiba Hayase

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/yurihime-simoun2.jpg

[Seska]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 5: "White Solitude" (白い孤独)

Oof. Dominura was hard to decipher, and I'm sure that I made a lot of mistakes. Sorry for the delay....

......

END OF EPISODE

Thanks for your hard work in Translate the episode. Cause i dont find any subbed version that are so far. And my Nippon is very bad.

Thxs, i hope to see more of your work. Domo arigatto

Btw, with wachting this episode, my theroie with the Simoun Ri Maajon gem, is out of date... Looks like they need a clear line of sight for perform the Ri Maajons... But they must practice a lot, to see fast what the "leader" will perform...


Mfg,
Seska

ja matta

[Futaba-chan]

"Purunbumu" -- I'm fairly certain that this is supposed to be "Plumbum," which is Latin for "lead." So we have "Argentum" (silver), and "Plumbum" (lead) so far; I'd be willing to bet that other country names will wind up following this theme....

[Yui from Okinawa]

Thanks, Futaba-chan, I correct spell "Plumbum" to my page grossary!
(This correct is minor "M" in Wiki, Thus I 've no descrption to "Current renewal History")
Now I revealed my PC Configuration:
3.2 GHz Pentium-4 (intel 915P ICH6 Socket775 )with a GigaByte GA-8GPNXp-Duo !system.
Disk 120GB×２(RAID-1/Mirror). other member Disk 180ＧＢ×2 (RAID-1/Mirror).
Have you good configuration, Futaba-chan,too!

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-anubituf-gradief.jpg

15.Is the Ri Maajon magic, technology, or a miracle?

-Yui's hypothesis of the the principle of Ri Maajon and helical motoris (hypothesis) -

Helical motoris drives in response to the unanalyzable wave motion emitted from Tempus Spatium remains.
The operation principle was presumed based on description of an issue of the "megami-magazine".
First, if the right fixed locus defined by Shimoun is drawn, it will let 翠玉 (=Green Emerald JEM) pass and will work on the crust -- each ring of the upper and lower sides of Helical motoris brings about the effect of the so called R.P.G. 's " MAP arms" of saying space and the time (correctly, Time-Base- Correcter / T.B.C) in the RPG game term which blows away the energy in accordance with being twisted of control and space from a rent to opening or another space, respectively.

In addition, the space distortion and the rent after an effect are before-hand corrected to a motion of that Track behind a craft, and recovery operation of a automatically- closing is included in circuit space, for this reason the ring of the Helical motoris lower part commits T.B.C.
Therefore, since, as for Shimire-Shimoun which used the dead copy of "one of the two" of original Helical motoris one-pair" considered that the scientist of "Simulacrum Imperial princess nation"analyzed with imperfection, and the engineer reproduced, only one kind for space control has reproduced the above-mentioned motor upwards, and it does not have "翠玉" (=Green Emerald JEM) but there is also no control function, Ri Maajonis not made.
For this reason, Shimire Shimoun there is little predominancy to the fighter of"Argentum-Shou nation " only at armaments of a machine gun (speed and motility won) a sake -- a single seat type -- the object for a battle is also considered are used mainly as a double seat training craft for a certain thing.






http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-dominura-c.jpg

[jtrog]

Simoun is very interesting and it appears a lot of work went into the story line and objects used in it before it was ever made. Only saw 1st and 2nd show. It has enough action to watch more of. But at the moment it appears no one will sub them. I can tell you, there is no way I would watch a show that had "2 dudes kissing to power those things" no problem believing the storyline they have running for the females though.

[Futaba-chan]

But at the moment it appears no one will sub them.

You can get a status update on the Simoun fansubbing project by joining the #doremi channel on irc.rizon.net. According to them, episode 3 is in QC right now, which means that it should be out before too long....

Until then, if you go back in this thread a little way, there are detailed synopses of episodes 3, 4, and 5 that should give you enough information to watch the raws.

[Matrim]

You can get a status update on the Simoun fansubbing project by joining the #doremi channel on irc.rizon.net. According to them, episode 3 is in QC right now, which means that it should be out before too long....

That's good to know.

[jtrog]

Great thanks

[Futaba-chan]

Now I revealed my PC Configuration:
3.2 GHz Pentium-4 (intel 915P ICH6 Socket775 )with a GigaByte GA-8GPNXp-Duo !
Have you good configuration, Futaba-chan,too!

Mine is pretty similar: 3.06 GHz vs. 3.2 GHz. I just installed a new 320 GB drive over the weekend to hold more anime....

Thanks for your hard work in Translate the episode. Cause i dont find any subbed version that are so far. And my Nippon is very bad.
I'm just a beginner myself, but I didn't want to wait for the fansubs. I hope other Simouniacs find it useful... and that I didn't make too many mistakes.


Btw, with wachting this episode, my theroie with the Simoun Ri Maajon gem, is out of date... Looks like they need a clear line of sight for perform the Ri Maajons... But they must practice a lot, to see fast what the "leader" will perform...

It's still possible that the gems may display the same glyph, to let the entire chor know which Ri Maajon to try, but actually doing it clearly requires the Simoun to all see each other.

I recommend to antone who or Publisher Inc. rekease English version of "Shimoun" by Ms. Hashiba Hayase
Short of Yuri Hime coming to North America as a complete magazine, it may be a while before we get a Simoun manga license, because publishers seem to want to license series that have been around long enough to have more than one tankoubon on the market already, and Simoun isn't there yet. If the anime is ever licensed, that might happen first.

I know that Lillilicious has Yuri Hime in their project queue for eventual English-language scanlation, but I think they're planning to get through the rest of Yuri Shimai before starting on it. Unfortunately, I can't read kanji that doesn't have furigana, or else I'd be tempted to try to read the original....

[Yui from Okinawa]

I corrected it because there was a part where the meaning was wrong in my
English sentences. (Under line part)
In addition, the space distortion and the rent after an effect are before-hand corrected to a motion of That track behind a craft, and recovery operation of a automatically- closing is included in circuit space, for this reason the ring of the Helical motoris lower part commits T.B.C.


My page renewal, Patrol air-Carrier "Messis" add at Glossary.
Appeared at Episode 10!
In Latin, “messis” is the word for harvest. and the Name of a place "Toronto" ???

Newtype Japan released two image at latest issue!

The Choir Tempest Younger crew dance the training "Maaju" at Maaju-pool.... art-image!
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/NT_06_simoun99.jpg
Paraietta and Kaimu...art- image!
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/NT_06_simoun100.jpg

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/story.jpghttp://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/game51.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

My page renewal, Patrol air-Carrier "Messis" add at Glossary.
Appeared at Episode 10!

Well, that answers the question about whether Simulacrum has a carrier fleet or not.


"Chor Tempest's new home?" Ooo, I was wondering if something unfortunate was going to happen to Arcus Prima....



In Latin, “messis” is the word for harvest. and the Name of a place "Toronto" ???

I'm in Toronto, actually. It's the largest city in Canada. There's also an Italian port city named Taranto, which is pronounced the same way.


Newtype Japan released two image at latest issue!
I tried to follow your links, but they appear to be broken... ?



http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/story.jpghttp://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/game51.jpg


Wai! A Simoun game? For the DS? Hmm. I hadn't been planning to buy a DS; I may have to reconsider.

[Simon]

Good news, everyone! The first DVD (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=BCBA-2506) is out 2006-08-25, with a first-pressing bonus of two postcards by eyecatch illustrator Nishida Asako (西田亜沙子 - not sure if the romanisation is correct). No listing on Amazon JP yet *impatient grumble*

Speaking of merchandise, OST 1 is now listed on both Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FIHCDA) and CDJapan (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICL-61964) (release date 2006-06-21 - if things go to plan I'll be in Tokyo the day it comes out :) ). And semi-related, the DVD that comes with the LE of Savage Genius's first album (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VIZL-190) will include a promo video for Inori no Uta.

[Futaba-chan]

Which is longer,

the week you have to wait for the next episode,
the day you have to wait for the episode to appear on a tracker, or
the hour that it takes for the episode to finish downloading?

[Simon]

Which is longer,

the week you have to wait for the next episode,
the day you have to wait for the episode to appear on a tracker, or
the hour that it takes for the episode to finish downloading?
BitTorrent: Powered by Zeno (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno%27s_paradox)

[wrex_japan]

Episode 6 is chockful of yuri (or just a little more than the previous episodes ;)) and the characters go about trying to heal their hearts' injuries. Episode summary and screencaps here. (http://wrexgrafix.com/anime/blog/?p=149)

[Kaoru Chujo]

This may have been my favorite episode so far -- despite the lack of "action." There was definitely emotional action. For much of the episode, I had that great empty-fullness of the heart. Oh, Neviril!

And there were some wonderful images, starting with Simouns and birds, on to Neviril's stateroom (the Arcus Prima used to be a passenger liner) and many more.

Once again some new main staff. New storyboarder. New animation supervisor. Same scriptwriter as episode 5. Same episode director as episode 1 (and maybe that shows). Information from this page (http://www.simoun.tv/episodes/index.html).

The slow piano version of the theme under the early scene in Neviril's stateroom was sugoi. And although they were replaying images from episode 1, the images worked so well that I was happy to see them again: never has pain and loss been shown better, for me. And I liked the deshabille of Neviril, and then of Guraghief and Anubitof. I was impressed (after having not been impressed earlier) by the voice-acting of Furoe's 13-year-old VA Aizawa Michiru. The emotonal expression is still questionable, but she has skill and movement. And also, as before, I loved Takahashi Rieko as Neviril. Aaeru continues to be an uncontrollable force of nature.

[wrex_japan]

This may have been my favorite episode so far -- despite the lack of "action." There was definitely emotional action. For much of the episode, I had that great empty-fullness of the heart. Oh, Neviril!

And there were some wonderful images, starting with Simouns and birds, on to Neviril's stateroom (the Arcus Prima used to be a passenger liner) and many more.

I agree this was an emotionally packed episode. It also had a great finish to it too, and I hope this will result in a big change the next episode, or I'll feel cheated. I think Parietta showed great growth and I have new respect for her.

[Futaba-chan]

I hope this will result in a big change the next episode, or I'll feel cheated.
Next week, it looks like we meet Mamiina, and learn more about Aaeru's childhood. It's unclear how much development in the Neville x Aaeru storyline there'll be. Hmm, but wasn't Mamiina supposed to be a rival for Aaeru in the manga?

[sei]

Is it me or Alti is having a sister complex problem??

[Futaba-chan]

Is it me or Alti is having a sister complex problem??

It's not just you.

[Kaoru Chujo]

...I hope this will result in a big change the next episode, or I'll feel cheated. I think Parietta showed great growth and I have new respect for her. Totally agree about Paraietta. Her character grows on me. But I'm not counting on huge changes in her or Neviril's relationships right away. I think the show is making its effects with grinding angst, and may not want to give any relief so soon. I can take more angst, lol.

As for Alti, I think the show is hinting at something even more than a "sister complex," depending on what exactly that means in Simulacran society.

A few more scenes really struck me when I watched the episode again: Aaeru at the bow of Arcus Prima, surrounded by birds. And the fact that Paraietta had just said how rough she was, then we saw her in that gentle, charming scene. The beautiful interplay between the mental images in Paraietta's and Kaimu's minds as they were there together on the floor of the flight deck, with the green light around them, deciding whether or not to kiss, thinking about their pasts. Paraietta's laugh at the end of the fight: such release! And both the initial and later scenes of the Arcus Prima in flight at night.

[Futaba-chan]

This was a good episode, and a nice contrast from episodes 4 and 5.



As for Alti, I think the show is hinting at something even more than a "sister complex," depending on what exactly that means in Simulacran society.

There's clearly an obsession there... and the conversations in episodes 2 and 3 where she tries to get Kaimu to reveal her intended choice at the Spring are very interesting in light of that. It's almost as if she's trying to prod Kaimu into being a man, possibly to avoid having her wind up as Paraietta's wife?

More generally, the politics of who chooses what, and how romance, career ambitions, and so forth can put pressure on gender identity, is fascinating.

A few more scenes really struck me when I watched the episode again: Aaeru at the bow of Arcus Prima, surrounded by birds.
It reminded me of a similar scene in Mai-Otome where Arika sings to the birds in the park. I thought that this scene worked, especially with the music box and its reference back to the first scene in which we saw Aaeru with her hair down, but I'm really hoping that Aaeru is allowed to be her own distinctive character, and not just an example of an identifiable type of which Arika is another example. The mysterious past is another isomorphism between the two.

The beautiful interplay between the mental images in Paraietta's and Kaimu's minds as they were there together on the floor of the flight deck, with the green light around them, deciding whether or not to kiss, thinking about their pasts.
I really, really loved Kaimu and Parietta playing with the Simoun like little kids. Kaimu has always been more stern, stiff, and judgemental (kind of a cross between Paraietta and Rodoraemon), and it's good to see her loosen up for a change. Paraietta, too.

I'm glad that they're able to successfully pull off a character-driven episode -- an obvious danger of a show based on grand ideas is that the characters become ciphers or mere archetypes in the service of the plot. Episode 1, in particular, felt that way to me. I'm glad that they've been spending more time on character examination, although the cast is so big that some characters may never get a chance to be more than one- or two-dimensional, especially if the show ends at 13 episodes rather than 26.

[Matrim]

Nice episode, interesting character development and now I love Aeru's attitude. And thanks for the helpful summary, wrex_japan.

The beginning with the piano version of the opening was a very nice touch and that's one flashback I don't get tired of seeing. And I have to say it was quite funny when Paraieta and Kaimu pretended to be fighting with the enemy in the Simoun hangar. ;) Also Aeru's drawings were just what one would expect from her. I could do without Alti's hinted sister complex and Paraieta's obsession with Neville reminded me a bit of Nina from Mai-Otome, I hope that's only because of the same seiyuu. Well, at least Paraieta can actualyl laugh. :) I hope Kaimu won't do something stupid after Paraieta rejected her. The duel was unexpected but nice to watch.

[sei]

Does the manga hints that there is more-than-sister relationship between Kaimu & Alti?

Neviru really needs to get out of her angst mode already.

[Yui from Okinawa]

I improved " 宮国 " translation " Simulacrum Shrine nation " .
(Originally, I translate it into " Simulacrum Imperial princess nation " but I continue to keep watch & listening TV series,
more suitable for Kanji-Character " 宮国 " is fit with "Shrine nation".)

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Scribbling.jpg

The language ( The setting of the language & Simulacrum character )

In the Episode 4th "Nearby War ", although language does not pass among the soldiers and Aael and others of enemy "Argentum Shou-Nation " it turns out that the language with which their worlds also differ between nations is used for a sake like our world so that it may be known, if conversation is seen not materialized among each other.

Watch the neighboring-nation " Plumbum Ridge Nation " (in the Episode 8th "Prayer")

Although " Angulas " who was sent in as a peace mission can also think that the language of " Simulacrum Shrine nation " was learned as an agent, it is only the neighboring nation which has separated the Ridge geographically, and since a shrine maiden's system is also living, this can also be considered that there is only a difference about the almost same language or a dialect as a near cultural sphere. in addition, the work world setting
the " Simulacrum Shrine nation's language "-- it should say (or Argentum- language and Plumbum- language) - it can be said to be a comparatively new tendency with the latest work that the character is not set up.
When making the different world into the stage and describing an intellectual-being (or human being), an extraterrestrial, etc. with different culture, in order to clarify speaking a different language and to give a reality to a view of the world, with the work on and after the middle stage of the 80s, a fictitious language and a fictitious character are set up in many cases.

(..., such as "Baronh (=The Abh language) " (The Crest of the Stars), "The Zentraedi language " (Super Dimention Fortresst MACROSS), "The Zafran language" (Super Dimention Century Orguss 02), and a language of each nation's in the anime movie " The Wings of HONNEAMISE "......)

The inside of a work -- the avionics meter and switches of Shimoun craft-- beginning -- a scene
[The needs ," the character in the different worlds including books, such as a letter, a guidance board in a town, and a book, " to be set up ]
It is not reflected thoroughly as " it is considered.

The following reasons can be imagined although it is not certain why creators did not dare have set up the character or language in the different world.

1. In order to treat the complicated world where the work world treats gender, girls' group, and two or more states, it avoided manufacturing the fictitious character and fictitious language which has a great labor in exchange for an external real feeling.

2. Possibility that another means of communication other than character is prepared as language. (Music.) A tone, telepathy, etc. Possibility is low.

3. Since a shortage of the time of a schedule was not of use for a setup of language, by the time the staff is manufacturing now and will go into the 2nd period of treatment from now on, it will appear.
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Duel_Aael_Paraietta_00.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Duel_Aael_Paraietta.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

Okay, how do I delete this post? My browser accidentally hit "save" before I finished entering it....

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 6: "Wounds and Pain" (傷と痛み)


In her quarters aboard Arcus Prima, Neville has a nightmare about the first battle: the Emerald Ri Maajon, the encounter with the Argentine pilot, the explosion, and Amuria's death. She wakes up screaming, calling Amuria's name.



On patrol, Chor Tempest encounters a pair of large white birds. Floe eagerly points them out to Alti. Alti has seen them migrating lately, and wonders where they're going. Floe always sees them flying; they never seem to take a break. But they must at some point -- after all, they have to eat.

The birds turn away from the Simoun. Floe tries to follow them, but Alti wrenches control of the Simoun back from her and keeps the ship in formation. Dominura sees this, wonders aloud what the heck they're doing, and moves over into close formation on their wingtip.

Rodoraemon watches Limone and Dominura fly over to Alti and Floe, and comments to Morinas that everyone has been relaxed lately. Morinas complains that even though it's hard to get back to their duties, no one is taking them seriously. Rodoraemon comments that Aaeru is, but she can't fly by herself.

Kaimu asks Parietta how Neville is doing lately. Paraietta asks Kaimu whether she's worried about her. She says that she isn't, but that there's been a bad feeling around the chor lately, and that they're never going to get back to being the old Chor Tempest if things don't change. Kaimu admits that she's been watching Paraietta lately... and cuts herself off before she says more.



When Chor Tempest lands, Dominura orders Limone to report to the Mage Pool for further practice time with Dominura. Limone refuses. Dominura won't have it: Limone is too small to defy her like that. Limone cuts Dominura off, telling her that she's hungry, and runs off, deaf to Dominura's shouts of protest. Rodoraemon tries to be the peacemaker, suggesting that everyone sit down to a meal together, which elicits murmurs of agreement. Paraietta stalks off, unhappy about the chor's current state.

On her way out of the hangar, a damaged Simoun catches Paraietta's eye. It is Neville's damaged craft, which Wapourif is rebuilding. The upper part of the forward fuselage is still a twisted wreck; Wapourif has removed it and set it aside with the other parts that are unsalvageable, and has begun to attach a replacement sagitta cockpit to the forward superstructure.

Parietta talks to the broken ship: "You've been hurt, haven't you? It's been a long time since you've flown." Wapourif watches her thoughtfully, wondering if she really means the Simoun. Wapourif isn't the only one watching: in the distance, Kaimu has been watching the entire exchange.



Below decks in the Sibylla quarters, Aaeru bangs on Neville's door again and demands to known when she's planning to come out. It's her fault, Aaeru charges, that Chor Tempest is in such a bad way, and why isn't she doing anything about it? Neville covers her ears and ignores Aaeru's increasingly heated harrangue, while Aaeru works herself up into a fury. Eventually, she gets frustrated at Neville's obstinacy, and takes it out on her by painting graffiti all over her door and the passageway outside her stateroom.

A bit later, Paraietta discovers Aaeru's graffiti as she comes to visit Neville. Her reaction is to immediately scrub Neville's caricature from the deck, grousing about Aaeru's cheek all the while. She flashes back for a moment to the time when she staked out Neville's stateroom door after Amuria's death, looks thoughtfully at Aaeru's sketch of a Simoun all over Neville's door, and wonders aloud whether she's in any position to criticize.



Neville opens her door, discovers Paraietta, and invites her in for tea. Neville apologizes to Parietta for the graffiti. "Aaeru's a bit of a problem, isn't she?" says Neville. Paraietta asks if Neville is going to make Aaeru stop. As Aaeru gently plays her music box on the forward observation deck for a flock of migrating birds, Parietta adds that she doesn't understand that rough girl. She tells Neville to make up her mind to either return to flight status or go ahead and to to the Spring, adding that if Neville did go to the Spring, Paraietta would go with her.

Neville apologizes to her friend, and explains that she doesn't understand yet whether she should return to flight status or go to the Spring, and isn't ready to choose. She realizes that she ought to return to flight duty, but choosing another pair would feel like a betrayal of Amuria, and that's what she's worried about.

This upsets Paraietta. She stands up and tells Neville very seriously that she's been by Neville's side all along, and flown with her. And as her long-time friend, she understands this well: in order to truly heal, Neville needs to fly the Simoun again, whether or not she sees it as a betrayal of Amuria. "I know! You don't have to say it!" Neville shouts. "This isn't easy for me."

Paraietta hesitates for a moment, then reaches out to touch Neville, but Neville, on the verge of tears, doesn't want to be touched. Paraietta turns, grabs her uniform jacket, and leaves.

Paraietta strides purposefully down the companionway away from Neville's stateroom before her emotions finally get to her. She slumps against the side of the passageway and begins to sob. Kaimu discovers her here, wiping her face with her hand, and their eyes meet.


COMMERCIAL BREAK

[Futaba-chan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK


Alti scares away a flock of birds that have come to roost on the forward observation deck when she goes forward to watch the sun set. Back in the cafe, Kaimu prepares a cup of coffee for Paraietta, and asks her what's up, as she isn't saying anything, and always worries about everything. Paraietta takes a sip and discovers that Kaimu's coffee is surprisingly good, which pleases Kaimu enormously.

As she prepares a plate of chocolate bon-bons to offer to Paraietta, Kaimu grouses about Neville, not liking the fact that she never seems to understand Paraietta. Paraietta tells her not to talk about things that she doesn't undertand. Kaimu replies that she understands well enough: Parietta is just a little sweet on Neville. To illustrate her point, she offers Parietta the plate of bon-bons.

Parietta denies it. "Then what?" asks Kaimu, exasperated. Paraietta is taken aback, for a moment, and silently munches on a bon-bon instead of answering.

"I'm sorry that Amuria is gone," Kaimu tells her. "But Neville isn't the only one who misses her. She's being a big annoyance to everyone around her." Parietta reprimands Kaimu for this, and she apologizes.

As Parietta sips her coffee, Kaimu notices that Parietta's nails are unsightly, and comments on them. Paraietta apologizes -- she hasn't had a chance to take care of them lately. Kaimu tells her that that won't do, and bids her to wait a moment while she runs back to her quarters.



Kaimu returns with her manicure kit, and proceeds to give Paraietta a manicure. Parietta notices that her nails are beginning to sparkle again. "If we work at them, they'll be beautiful," Kaimu tells her. "They'll shine with the power of the Tempus Spatium!" Parietta looks at Kaimu with renewed warmth.

Kaimu hums to herself as she files Paraietta's nails. "You look like you're having fun," Parietta comments. Kaimu explains, blushing, that it's because she's able to do something nice for her "Para-sama," and that it's good to be able to touch her. Both of them are thoughtful at this.

"Everyone is probably very lonely now," Kaimu concludes, as the other Sibyllae of Chor Tempest prepare for bed by themselves, or stare thoughtfully into the distance. Neville lies on her bed in her darkened stateroom, and murmurs an apology to the darkness.

Kaimu asks Paraietta whether she's lonely, too. "Am I making such a horrible face?" Paraietta asks. "Not at all!" Kaimu replies. "It's just... that I'm lonely myself."

Kaimu leans her face closer to Paraietta's, as if to kiss her, and they both notice that they've been holding hands ever since Kaimu stopped filing Paraietta's nails. Paraietta pulls her hand back with a start. "My, isn't it hot in here?" Paraietta asks. "Well, then, why don't we go somewhere cool?" Kaimu replies.



Guragief and Anubituf are taking in the night air on Anubituf's balcony. "Has there been any change with our princesses?" Anubituf asks. There hasn't. The situation reminds Anubituf of the old days, when Guragief got himself into a similar state. Guragief hasn't forgotten about it, either.



In the hangar, Kaimu and Paraietta play with a parked Simoun. Kaimu, sitting in the auriga cockpit for a change, pretends to fly the Simoun in a fierce air battle, making engine, machine gun, and explosion noises like a little kid. Kaimu imagines a fierce battle against heavy odds, and as she "defeats" one group of "enemies," reinforcements arrive, and she needs Paraietta's help. Paraietta gets into the spirit of it, and the two "fly" a "combat mission" that eventually requires them to do Ri Maajon A to destroy the "enemy forces."

Paraietta giggles at their goofy fun, but Kaimu crawls back toward the sagitta cockpit with shining eyes and a serious expression -- and a blush -- on her face. "Let's do... a Ri Maajon," she says, and puckers up for a kiss. Paraietta hesitates for a moment, then crawls out of the cockpit and quickly kisses Kaimu.

"It's funny," Kaimu says. "We do this all the time, but..." she trails off, and kisses Paraietta again, this time in earnest. Paraietta is startled at first, then leans into the kiss.

The Simoun detects Kaimu and Paraietta's loving feelings, and the Ri Maajon gem activates. "No! Stop!" Kaimu shouts, as the hangar fills with green light from the gem. Frantically searching for a way to shut the gem off, Kaimu reaches in to the sagitta cockpit, and fumbles with the control panel for a moment, before losing her balance. Paraietta tries to catch her, and they both fall to the deck below.

Kaimu lands flat on her back, and Paraietta lands on top of her. Paraietta looks down at Kaimu, heavy with emotion, and considers whether to kiss her. Kaimu flashes back to a similar incident in her past when her sister Alti tried to kiss her, and she whimpers and cringes with the memory. That breaks the spell, and as Paraietta looks up, she catches sight of the wreckage of Neville's Simoun's upper cockpit fuselage.



The sight brings back childhood memories of Parietta and Neville together: as young children in a field of flowers by the lake, as cadets, and as newly minted Sibyllae. Paraietta had always naturally been by Neville's side, supporting her... until Amuria came along. Paraietta remembers well the pain that she felt when Amuria first kissed Neville, and Parietta knew that she had been supplanted.

Paraietta sits up, and the gem fades out. Kaimu wants to know what's wrong. Paraietta replies that Kaimu is still just a little kid. "Why am I a kid?" she asks. "I'm not!" Paraietta replies that they're all still children, and because they don't really understand pain, they cause more of it whenever they try to heal it. "C'mon, let's go," she concludes, and gives Kaimu a goodnight kiss on the forehead before running off.

"Why don't you understand, Para-sama?" Kaimu shouts into the empty hangar, after Paraietta has gone.

In the shadows, Alti has been watching the whole time.



The following day, Aaeru is back at Neville's door, demanding that she talk to her for a bit and listen to what she has to say. As she is walking away again in frustration, she runs into Paraietta, who wants to have a word with her.

A bit later, as they hover in the Mage Pool, Aaeru is still confused as to why Paraietta needed to drag her all the way into the middle of the pool to talk. Paraietta produces a pair of fencing foils, and the two fight an aerial fencing duel. Paraietta is by far the stronger fencer, and Aaeru is barely able to keep Paraietta's blows from striking home. Aaeru breaks off, and tries to use her flying skills to outmaneuver Paraietta instead.

Paraietta flashes back to the previous evening: fresh with her insight from the hangar bay, she had left Kaimu to go to Neville's quarters,
where she apologized to Neville for yelling at her earlier that day. She hadn't understood before why Neville was having a hard time
choosing, but she finally understood that it wasn't just about Amuria. Furthermore, she didn't feel betrayed any more by Amuria, and
was ready to move on. She suggests to Neville that Neville open herself to the possibility of finding something even better than she had with Amuria.

Back in the pool in the present, Paraietta launches a furious attack at Aaeru. Just as she thinks she's in position to strike the decisive blow, Aaeru disappears. "I'm up here!" she shouts, having flown away. She activates her Maaju smoke trace and uses it as a smoke screen, and under cover of the smoke, disarms Paraietta and holds her practice rapier to Paraietta's throat.

"Are you satisfied?" Aaeru asks. Paraietta laughs in happiness and relief. "Aaeru, you totally have to become Neville's pair," she tells her. "That's what I've been telling you!" Aaeru replies.



On patrol later, Alti asks Floe whether she thinks a bird with a wounded wing will ever be able to fly again. "Of course!" Floe replies. "They're born to fly!"

"If the bird can heal and fly, that's all well and good," a depressed Alti thinks to herself, "but if a bird is hurt so badly that it can't fly, it can't live."

The lone bird that Floe and Alti have been following breaks away and flies off toward the horizon.


END OF EPISODE


Next week ("In the Sea-Skies"): We flash back to Aaeru's childhood, we meet Mamiina, a large number of Simile fly on a night mission, and Arcus Prima goes on a cruise to Plumbum.

[fignae]

My brain died and I typoed. :) Just doing some editing, and sneaking in my own comments.


Rodoraemon watches Limone and Dominura fly over to Alti and Floe, and comments to Morinas that lately, they've really been pulling together. Morinas agrees, saying that they've really been trying to make a comeback lately; what pilot hasn't? Rodoraemon points out that Aaeru has been by herself, not flying, due to her obsession with Neville.

Rodoraemon says everyone has been relaxed lately and Morinas complains that it hasn't been easy to resume their duties, yet people aren't being serious about them. Aaeru, too, can't fly by herself.

When Paraietta sees the Simoun painted on Neville's door, her mood lightens a bit. "She's not bad," she says of Aaeru.

Paraietta says thoughtfully that she shouldn't be speaking of (minding?) other people's business.

As Aaeru gently plays her music box on the forward observation deck for a flock of migrating birds, Parietta adds that she doesn't understand that rough girl.

Is that only a music box? Or is it a compass, as someone else said? Haven't been able to figure it out.

As she prepares a plate of chocolate bon-bons to offer to Paraietta, Kaimu asks Parietta why she never shares her feelings with anyone. Is Kaimu that much worse than Neville? Parietta replies that Kaimu doesn't understand. Kaimu replies that she understands well enough: Parietta is just a little sweet on Neville. To illustrate her point, she offers Parietta the plate of bon-bons.

Heh, Kaimu was grousing about Neviril to Paraietta. I got anxious for her lest Paraietta should lose her temper. While making the chocolate confections, Kaimu actually says she doesn't know why Neviril cannot understand Paraietta, and that it is this she doesn't like about Neviril. Paraietta replies with the same words Neviril used to her, don't talk about what you don't understand.

"You look like you're having fun," Parietta comments. Kaimu explains, blushing, that it's because she's able to do something nice for her "Para-sama." [she adds one more thing -- what?]

What you're missing -- is it "触り"? Kaimu is happy that she can touch her. Really nice contrast with the scene shown in the flashback, of Neviril. It's amazing how the relationship between Kaimu and Paraietta reflects Paraietta's with Neviril, so that they're able to grow from this aborted attempt to change the relationship.

I had a moment of amusement when Kaimu used "boku". Hadn't noticed it before this. Suddenly it seemed like yaoi. :)

"Why don't you ever notice me, Para-sama?" Kaimu shouts into the empty hangar, after Paraietta has gone.

She shouts "Why don't you understand, Para-sama?" (Wrex's blog has it too.)

Just to add on to Paraietta's speech in front of Neviril's room, she finishes by telling Neviril she should try for the possibility of something that is better than what she had with Amuria.

And oh, Paraietta's laugh! It's the laugh of someone who has lost and is pained but is also deeply impressed and, indeed, happy too. Koshimizu Ami did a great job with it. Love the Simoun seiyuu.

[Futaba-chan]

Is that only a music box? Or is it a compass, as someone else said? Haven't been able to figure it out.



It's a music box. We get a good look at the inside of it in episode 2 and in the ending credits -- there are music box hammers there, and no compass needle or dial. The little windmill powers the music box, instead of winding.



What you're missing -- is it "触り"?



I don't know -- I can't read kanji. :p



I had a moment of amusement when Kaimu used "boku". Hadn't noticed it before this. Suddenly it seemed like yaoi. :)



I got the same sort of feeling... and if Kaimu makes her stated choice at the Spring, there might be some merit in that. :)


Thanks for the feedback! I've updated the synopses to reflect it....

[Yui from Okinawa]

"触り"?

That Kanji craracter is read ”SAWA-RI”　pronounces.

That meanings is " touching " , especially body touching usage....

[Sunsh]

I just watched eps. 1 and 2 last week, and WOW. I've never met a show that made me watched it over and over again these days. Even Mai Otome eps. 1 not.

My thought about this show've already stated pages before (I can't believe I read every posts before I write this one) but I can't help to say it again : the music is amazing.
It's a pity the sub is slow.. This show can be a REAL hit. I mean, with melodrama, angst, and yuri... *sigh*

Come on, Doremi!! We're counting on you!!

By the way, I just realize this. About Neville and Amuria's hair pin.

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/108/nevb4b0xf.jpg
Episode 2 flashback, Neville hasn't wore hair pin yet.

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/4025/nevamu057ok.jpg
Episode 2 flashback, Amuria wore 2 hairpins.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2315/nevamu028ve.jpg
http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/2682/nevamu036au.jpg
Episode 1 present, Neville and Amuria both wear 1 identical hairpin. (awww... lovely..)

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/2582/nevafter04b4ad.jpg
And after that, Neville wears 2 harpins. 1 of them is Amuria's (?)

Oh, and big thanks for you Futaba-chan. I watched my RAWs with your synopsis as guide. d^_^b

I haven't seen ep.6 RAW yet, but I saw screenshots and that Paraietta and Kaimu's scene is soooo yuri.... *mouth begin to water*
Aahh.. I can't wait for it!

[lavielove]

I will rewatch again to see the changes in the character designs that you have mentioned.Interestingly enough. I will update this post after I finished watching =D A good job !

wait, there are 2 hair-pin in the character page for Neville (http://www.simoun.tv/characters/02.html) and only one hair-pin for Amuria (http://www.simoun.tv/characters/11.html). Fire in the hole !! inconsistency in the character designs! =P

edit:
woA @ Yui From Okinawa \/

episode 1: It's the same as the character design page on the site,Amuria wore 1 hair-pin on the left side of her head.

[Yui from Okinawa]

By the way, I just realize this. About Neville and Amuria's hair pin.
Episode 2 flashback, Neville hasn't wore hair pin yet.
Episode 2 flashback, Amuria wore 2 hairpins.
Episode 1 present, Neville and Amuria both wear 1 identical hairpin. (awww... lovely..)
And after that, Neville wears 2 harpins. 1 of them is Amuria's (?)


http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2315/nevamu028ve.jpg
Neviril did not any kind of hair-pin yet, at first.
(Amuria used the hair-pin of two.)

Amuria presents one of the hair-pin to Neviril, and only one came to use the hair
pin for Neviril.
(Amuria and Neviril shared each other to one-pair hair-pins.)

After Amuria had died at Episode1, Neviril came to use two hair-pin as a personal token.

I'm surprised for a detailed setting.
The character setting plot is awesome!!

[Matrim]

This show can be a REAL hit. I mean, with melodrama, angst, and yuri... *sigh*

There are also battles, you know. :)

This hair pin detail is a nice touch although I can't say I had noticed it until now.

I had a moment of amusement when Kaimu used "boku". Hadn't noticed it before this.

Another interesting detail. Do the other characters use pronouns usually used by men? Argh, I need to watch the episodes again!:)

[Futaba-chan]

Another interesting detail. Do the other characters use pronouns usually used by men? Argh, I need to watch the episodes again!:)
"Boku" isn't just for men, although it's more likely to be used by them. A number of tomboyish female characters use it (Utena and Hazumu are the first two who come to mind; I'll scrounge around for more examples)... even the extremely feminine Mokuren from Boku no Chikyuu o Mamotte.

And anyway, gender works very differently on Daikuuriku, in interesting ways. Kaimu claims that she's planning to be male when she goes to the Spring, so why not use a "male" pronoun?

Yuu uses "ore", by the way.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I said it before and I'll say it again: I love this show. Music, character design, script, animation. Like last week, I ended up watching with a full heart.

Great catch by Sunsh about the hairpins. It's so nice to see more sharp people (aren't we all, lol?) appreciating this wonderful show.

I loved the scene when Aaeru was sitting in the window flashing a V sign. And I especially loved the way Neviriru (Takahashi Rieko) laughed and said: "Okashi na ko." ("What a funny kid.") Now we see how they will become a pair. But I don't blame Mamiina, and hope she does not have to go to the pool.

[MrProphet]

I have semi-dropped this show around episode 4 (ep. 5-7 are languishing on my hard drive), but for some reason I can't just forget it.

So, would anyone be able to give me a straight answer: does this show move on with the plot in any way, or is it just more of the same, i.e. character exposition, delving deeper into the world-structure and pretty visuals?

You don't need to prove to me that this show is good (I concur with that thought), but I want to know if 5-7 were the same as 1-4, or did they finally add more dynamism into the pot?

[Kaoru Chujo]

...would anyone be able to give me a straight answer: does this show move on with the plot in any way, or is it just more of the same, i.e. character exposition, delving deeper into the world-structure and pretty visuals?...I want to know if 5-7 were the same as 1-4, or did they finally add more dynamism into the pot? There is plot advancement, but more for the relationships than for the war. There may not be enough plot there for you, if you can actually bear not to watch the new episodes. In episode 7, there is some political movement, relating to international relations, and there are new characters to complicate things. And ep8 looks as if it will go further in that direction.

But as one of the cast said in an interview, the show is about the characters' reactions to the war situation, not so much about the war itself. What I'm loving is how the emotional relationships are so powerful, at least for me. I had that "full" feeling in my chest through ep7, as I did through ep6. I'm finding the relationships very dynamic. In that regard, I feel the show is getting better and better.

That's how I see it, anyway. Maybe other people see it differently.

[Futaba-chan]

You don't need to prove to me that this show is good (I concur with that thought), but I want to know if 5-7 were the same as 1-4, or did they finally add more dynamism into the pot?
Well, Chor Tempest has defeated an invasion on land from a third country; does that count? Now they're making peace with them. And there's been quite a bit of plot happening aboard the ship -- the interpersonal fireworks are just as compelling as the progress of the war, if not more so.

Oh, and it looks like the Arcus Prima may be knocked out of action in a few episodes, or Chor Tempest may be kicked off of it.

[Futaba-chan]

I feel the show is getting better and better.
Wow, you can say that again.

Well, we've certainly answered the question about the carrier fleet, big time, and the question of non-Sibylla flying the Simile, as well as the religious question. (I'm looking forward to hearing about "Anima" next week.) And about how the Mage Pool works.

Mamiina is just the antagonist that the cast needed. The Mamiina/Aeru flying contest for pairing with Neville, and the politics of roommates, was told essentially backwards from the manga, so they're clearly two separate continuities. I haven't read the manga (かんじをわからない), but the Neville / Mamiina / Aeru fireworks were great in the anime. And I can totally see Mamiina x Rodoraemon emerging out of the current situation. Oh, and many apologies to Dominura for my having accused her of being the bitch queen of the fleet. Clearly, the real one showed up this week. :-)

If Aeru's grandfather was a Sibylla, and she came to Arcus Prima in her father's Simile, did she skip being a cadet entirely? She didn't show up wearing a cadet uniform. (Oh, and we get an even better view of the inside of her music box this time.) And speaking of fathers, was that a miniskirt that Halconfu was wearing?

Does Floe have a thing for Alti? Is Morinas putting the moves on Rodoraemon, or is she just a flirt? Or are pairs expected to dance with one another to build Ri Maajon power and better synchronization? Now we know why the mezannine is known as the "ballroom...."

And if Arcus Prima is pretty, Arcus Prima and Arcus Niger together are gorgeous.

[Kaoru Chujo]

...And I can totally see Mamiina x Rodoraemon emerging out of the current situation...If Aeru's father was a Sibylla, was the Simile that Aeru arrived aboard Arcus Prima in her father's?...Does Floe have a thing for Alti?...And if Arcus Prima is pretty, Arcus Prima and Arcus Niger together are gorgeous. Great idea about Mamiina and Rodoreamon. Will Rodoreamon plead for Mamiina/Neviril (not sure who is threatened with the pool) to be spared, and her important family connections make that work? Aaeru was so pleased at how good it now looked, thanks to the work of the mechanics. With Para-sama now available (sort of) for Kaimu, I sure hope someone gives Alti a happy relationship to help her feel better. And, oh yes, the two Arci are great. I was intrigued with the foreign priestess, too. I expect she will have a prominent role next week. Maybe she's honest and the older men are not...? I have added characters who appear in this episode and the preview of ep8 to my page of Simoun characters' faces and names (http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2006/04/simoun-characters-faces-and-names.html).

[wrex_japan]

Wow, you can say that again.

Well, we've certainly answered the question about the carrier fleet, big time, and the question of non-Sibylla flying the Simile, as well as the religious question. (I'm looking forward to hearing about "Anima" next week.) And the dangers of the bottom of the Mage Pool....

Mamiina is just the antagonist that the cast needed. The Mamiina/Aeru flying contest for pairing with Neville, and the politics of roommates, was told essentially backwards from the manga, so they're clearly two separate continuities. I haven't read the manga (かんじをわからない), but the Neville / Mamiina / Aeru fireworks were great in the anime. And I can totally see Mamiina x Rodoraemon emerging out of the current situation. Oh, and many apologies to Dominura for my having accused her of being the bitch queen of the fleet. Clearly, the real one showed up this week. :-)

If Aeru's grandfather was a Sibylla, and she came to Arcus Prima in her father's Simile, did she skip being a cadet entirely? She didn't show up wearing a cadet uniform. (Oh, and we get an even better view of the inside of her music box this time.) And speaking of fathers, was that a miniskirt that Halconfu was wearing?

Does Floe have a thing for Alti? Is Morinas putting the moves on Rodoraemon, or is she just a flirt? Or are pairs expected to dance with one another to build Ri Maajon power and better synchronization? Now we know why the mezannine is known as the "ballroom...."

And if Arcus Prima is pretty, Arcus Prima and Arcus Niger together are gorgeous.


According to Halconf's theory, Anima may have historically been the same god as Tempuspatium. I think Morinas is generally just a flirt.

I didn't have time for a detailed summary, but I've got a quick summary and pics here. (http://wrexgrafix.com/anime/blog/?p=156)

[gknight]

how come only one group subs this show..? ^^" (and they're stuck for a while ^^")

[Matrim]

I loved the scene when Aaeru was sitting in the window flashing a V sign

I loved that scene too and also loved Neville's determined expression when she talked to Mamina seconds earlier. I can't help but say to Neville that if she had listened to Aeru (or me :)) and chosen a new partner, she wouldn't be in the trouble she is now. :heh:
I agree that we needed an antagonist, I am not too sure whether Mamina can really do the trick, though. I hope this whole "who is going to be Neville's partner" issue is going to be resolved soon, it's still interesting but I don't think they can keep it that way for many episodes. Plus, everyone can guess that it's going to be Aeru in the end.
BTW, am I the only one who immediately thinks of "Noir" every time Aeru listens to that music box?

[Kaoru Chujo]

The Japanese wiki has 26 rows (http://dempa-kitaa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/d/e/m/dempa-kitaa/cgi-bin/simoun/index.cgi?%e7%89%a9%e8%aa%9e) for episodes. I hope they're right.

And by the way, episode 7 had the same scriptwriter as 1, 2 and 4; the same storyboarder as 3; the same director as 2; and a new sakuga kantoku ("drawing director," or better "key animation supervisor," the person who makes sure the drawing is on-model, according to wao in the very interesting Japanese otaku lingo (http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?t=29911) thread).

[Futaba-chan]

The Japanese wiki has 26 rows (http://dempa-kitaa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/d/e/m/dempa-kitaa/cgi-bin/simoun/index.cgi?%e7%89%a9%e8%aa%9e) for episodes. I hope they're right.Do they have 26 air dates, or just 13 dates and 13 extra slots? And when does the TV Tokyo summer schedule come out?

Mangaminx has a 26 episode run listed on her blog, too; she says she got the number from some source that she can't remember, but that she considers reliable.

Update: on the other hand, Shoboi (http://cal.syoboi.jp/tid/835) still only has 13 episodes listed, with the 9 titles that we know about already.

[Seska]

26 Episodes


Hurrrraaayyyyyy......
Finaly a Anime with Emotions and good Storyline.

If this continue, Simoun will be on my all time top 10 Anime/OAVs.

Well, the top three of my list are:

Nausicaa, and the veally of the wind.
Princess Mononoke
and
Record of the lodoss wars

Well, they are old one.. but (look left ,yes is true...)

Mfg,
Seska

It all begans with "brinca brincando" (Portugal childernTV with Jap. Animes)

[Seska]

how come only one group subs this show..? ^^" (and they're stuck for a while ^^")

The Translator, are at the same time the QC for other projects... Thats because it tooks sooooo long... But, i relay on Futaba-chans translations.

Mfg,
Seska

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simire-simoun-formation.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/arcus-prima-niger.jpg

[Yui from Okinawa]

I add "CURRENT RENEWAL in May17 (Wed.) 2006"

<Arcus Niger >
All Black colored , Arcus Prima's sisters ship.
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simourn-grossary-e.htm#Arcs Niger

And more Image#7 related Grossary and new page
Plumbum Nation's "The Lake moniter" and "Cutter boat"
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/red-moniter3.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/prumbum-boat4.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simourn-grossary-e.htm#Purunbum Ridge nation

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simire-formation.gif

Simire-simoun Night Formation Flight above Arcs Prima redilect link htm page is
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simire-simoun-formation.htm

[Maceart]

Episode 3 is out by Doremi-fansubs. Enjoy.

[Futaba-chan]

Episode 3 is out by Doremi-fansubs. Enjoy.

Yay, thanks!

[Sunsh]

Thank you!! Thank you!!
I love you, Doremi. I REALLY DO looooooveeeee you!

Now, here're something to celebrate episode 3 :
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7530/11443355662145yb.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11443355662145yb.jpg)
I miss Amuria...
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9454/11444134067445xc.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=11444134067445xc.jpg)
I love Alti's expression here =^^=

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Angulas.jpg


13.Do other nations also adhere to the religion of the Tempus Spatium, or is that unique to Simulacrum?


One of the hint
Purunbum Ridge Nation

One of nation that exist in the sky land.
In the mountains nation located in the north of the Imperial Shrine (princess) nation, it is in warfare from an economic logjam with the Imperial shrine (princess) nation.

Is the religion animus.It is different from the Imperial Shrine (princess) nation excluding the worshiped thing.
The animus believed in in the next Purunbum Ridge Nation though not admitted publicly
It is recognized the same existence to temp-spatium....

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/futaba-logo4.gif

[wrex_japan]

13.Do other nations also adhere to the religion of the Tempus Spatium, or is that unique to Simulacrum?

One of the hint
Purunbum Ridge Nation

One of nation that exist in the sky land.
In the mountains nation located in the north of the Imperial princess (Shrine)nation, it is in warfare from an economic logjam with the Imperial princess (shrine) nation.

Is the religion animus.It is different from the Imperial princess(Shrine) nation excluding the worshiped thing.
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!
The animus believed in in the next Purunbum Ridge Nation though not admitted publicly


Yui, do you know the answers to these questions?

1) Is Purunbum Reikoku in war with Imperial Kyuukoku?

2) If the belief in Animus is not admitted publically, what's the official religion of Purunbum Reikoku?

3) Is Nevril and her father Halconf from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purunbum Reikoku?

4) Is Arcus Niger from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purubum Reikoku?

[Seska]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Angulas.jpg

Will this be a new Pilot or Co-Pilot for the Simouns, cause of the peace pact?

Anyone knows more about her?

but, in other case. Its a good point, to look episode 08 :)

Mfg,
Seska

[Seska]

sorry, a way to offtopic...

Mfg,
Seska

[Futaba-chan]

Yui, do you know the answers to these questions?

1) Is Purunbum Reikoku in war with Imperial Kyuukoku?

2) If the belief in Animus is not admitted publically, what's the official religion of Purunbum Reikoku?

3) Is Nevril and her father Halconf from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purunbum Reikoku?

4) Is Arcus Niger from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purubum Reikoku? I'm not Yui, but here's my reading:

Yes, that's who Chor Tempest fought in episode 5.
Anima is a secret religion? I missed that detail from the episode. I'll have to rewatch it tonight.
The series is very explicit that only Simulacrum has the Simoun technology. Neville has to be from Simulacrum, because Halconf was a Sibylla when he was a girl. Halconf might have moved from Plumbum to Simulacrum as a child, but there wasn't any discussion of that.
Again, only Simulacrum has helical motors or Simoun. Arcus Niger must be from Simulacrum. And doesn't Dominura express surprise at her appearance on the grounds that she was supposed to have been on patrol along Simulacrum's western border?

[Kaoru Chujo]

I'm not Yui, but here's my reading:... I'm not Yui either, but my answers would be exactly the same as Futaba-chan's. I now have a Chinese sub, and it doesn't say anything about the worship of Animus being secret, just to conceal certain things during the peace talks. The sub seems pretty faulty to me, but I can't hear anything about the worship of Animus being secret, anyway.

[Futaba-chan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Perhaps one of the gears controls space and the other time? ;)

[m000m000]

Prediction for next episodes; Call Tempest angsts over disbanding order, peace talks with Ridge Nation progress and a positive conclusion is reached. Tempest performs ceremonial remergion as their last job as a closing ceremony for the Peace Talk, when boom, zomg!!1 Bad guys attack!11 out of nowhere, thus giving us the needed convinient excuse for them to continue being as is, what with already being ready and up in the air. After that, make things Grim(TM), progress naturally & directly to Arcus Prima destruction-episode, do not pass go, do not collect hope for a handful of the side characters.


I'll eat my drawers if I'm totally wrong about that.

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 3: "Distant War" (遠い戦争)

Wow, did I ever miss some things in my first try at this. I certainly hope that my more recent synopses have gotten more accurate....


As the Arcus Prima conducts training missions over the Simulacran wilderness far from the capital, a white-haired girl in a Sibylla flight uniform examines a Simoun in one of the hangars. Wapourif doesn't recognize her, and demands to know who she is and what she's doing there. The girl comments that a real Simoun seems, as expected, to be very different from the training model.

Parietta appears, and apologizes to Wapourif for not having introduced Chor Tempest's new member: the Sibylla Morinas. Wapourif begins to explain to the two of them about the twin helical motors on a combat Simoun: they were found joined together when they were originally found in an excavation; the cockpits and controls were a later addition to allow the craft to be controlled more easily. The bottom coil is powered by a mysterious spatial energy that pervades all of space, and the top one is similarly powered by a time power... probably.

Parietta chimes in: all they really know about the original helical motors that they dug out of the ground is how to use them. Wapourif adds that he and his crew know enough to do maintenance on the coils, but that's it.

Morinas asks if the Simile (the training craft similar to the Simoun) were developed to try to figure out how the Simoun's helical motors worked. Wapourif confirms this, and adds that the Sibyllae, who have actually flown in them, would know the most about the Simile's capabilities. Parietta adds that the Simile is such a poor counterfeit that the two can't properly be compared.

Morinas comments that it's strange that Simulacrum hasn't completely analyzed the Simoun yet. Why not take one apart to see how it works? Wapourif and Parietta are scandalized: the Simoun is a religious artifact used to offer Ri Maajon rituals to the Tempus Spatium. The Sibyllae themselves are priestesses who exist for that purpose. Morinas responds that she isn't trying to be a priestess -- she just wants to fly the Simoun. But that doesn't make her a soldier. She asks Paraietta whether she is, either.

Floe flounces in, and is introduced to Morinas. She is bad at remembering people's names, so she pounds it into her head so she won't forget it again. She giggles and tells Morinas that she first thought that Morinas must have been Wapourif's new lover, instead of the chor's new recruit, but that of course that couldn't be. She shouts to another maintenance technician to be sure to make her Simoun look good.

Paraied asks Wapourif if they can talk that afternoon about the Simoun and the Simile and their differences. Wapourif agrees, and tells Morinas as well to ask him or one of his maintenance technicians any time they have a question about the Simoun or the Arcus Prima. Morinas is pleased with this, thanks Wapourif, and walks away.

Floe runs after Morinas, and asks her whether she learned anything. She replies that she might come back in the afternoon to learn more. Floe wonders whether her first impression of Morinas might have been correct after all.



In her quarters, Aaeru is awakened by the morning sun streaming through her large porthole-shaped bubble window. In her dressing gown with her hair down and her face relaxed, she looks much less like a tomboy than usual. She takes a moment to stare out the porthole at the morning sky, and produces a pocketwatch-sized music box powered by a miniature helical motor and listens to its tune. Afterwards, she eats a late breakfast by herself in the ship's cafeteria, and is jarred out of her reverie by the return of a training flight and the launch of another Simoun chor on patrol.

Guragief visits Neville in her quarters to welcome her back from the Spring, and to ask whether she plans to continue as a Simoun Sibylla and fight in the coming war. Neville replies that she isn't sure, but that she doesn't have a pair at the moment. Guragief replies that he's glad that she's back.



Aaeru finds the rest of Chor Tempest gathered on the stage of the ship's grand ballroom. Parietta reprimands Aaeru for being late: they had agreed that they'd meet after breakfast. Aaeru apologizes, adding that she thought they were on lookout duty that week.

Parietta announces that the chor is to practice in the Mage Pool that afternoon at 3:00. Kaimu and Alti are less than enthusiastic. Floe notices that Paraietta has chosen 3:00 as their practice time. Rodoraemon is enthusiastic, and begins to make a reference to the recent losses, then cuts herself off.

Paraietta picks up the thread: three Chor Tempest members are dead, and three have gone to the Spring and left. The remaining chor has lost its way, and needs to recapture its former glory, both as priestesses and as Sibylla.

Morinas wants to do it. She just joined, and she's excited about being able to do a real Ri Maajon as part of a real chor. Kaimu slyly asks whether Parietta has scheduled the practice session for 3:00. Aaeru wonders why 3:00 is a special time. Alti and Rodoraemon explain: that's the time when Neville always makes a habit of practicing in the pool.

As if summoned, Neville walks by at that moment, flanked by her aides. Morinas is excited to meet Neville, and runs over to greet her. She introduces herself as a new Chor Tempest member, and Neville hopes that everyone will treat her well. She asks Aaeru to take care of Morinas. Aaeru is unpleasantly surprised -- she thought that she and Neville were supposed to be a pair, after their flight and bonding session during Neville's trip to the Spring. Paraietta angrily tells Aaeru that the one trip to the Spring and back didn't make the two of them a pair. Before she can go further, Neville cuts her off.

Morinas lets the cat out of the bag by inviting Neville to be her partner during the afternoon training session, adding that they've carefully scheduled it at a time when Neville was planning to be in the pool anyway, much to the consternation of the rest of Chor Tempest. Neville explains to Morinas that part of the reason for Maaju practice is that pairs naturally emerge from the practice in the pool, and intentionally trying to pair up beforehand doesn't help. Morinas doesn't give up, telling Neville that she'd be honored if she could be Neville's pair. Neville politely takes her leave.

Just then, an enemy shell streaks past the Arcus Prima, missing badly, and explodes in the fields below. Neville notices three cadets staring out the window at the crater in shock, and gives them a pep talk: the missiles will never bring down Arcus Prima, and they're safe on board. More to the point, they're training to be Simoun Sibylla, and they should behave accordingly. The three snap to attention, and leave with stiffer resolve.

As the cadets leave, Neville stares thoughtfully out the window, a little unnerved herself. Kaimu observes that there seem to be more incoming shells than usual, and Rodoraemon wonders aloud whether the chor should sortie to intercept them. Aaeru wants to go, but Pariaetta tells her that Chor Tempest has been withdrawn from combat duty for the time being.


COMMERCIAL BREAK


On the bridge, Guragief and Anubituf confer. The shelling is heavier than usual today, and the fact that the enemy has long-range cannon makes them more of a threat than previously. Anubituf asks Guragief if Chor Tempest is still hors de combat. They are. Until Neville's attitude improves, the chor won't get any better, no matter what Guragief does.

Alti shows up half an hour early for Maaju practice, and finds Aaeru and Kaimu already there. Alti is surprised to find Kaimu at the pool -- she had looked for her in their room earlier. Aaeru asks the two why they didn't volunteer to fly together on the same Simoun. This strikes a nerve with Kaimu. She tells Aaeru that just because they're sisters, that doesn't mean that they'll work well together as auriga and sagitta, and angrily adds that they can tell without even having to try. Alti looks pained at this.

Aaeru correctly infers that she's hit a sore point, and changes the subject, wondering what Arcus Prima was like when she was a civilian cruise ship where wealty ladies and gentlemen would watch the Simoun Sibyllae perform their Ri Maajon. Now there's a war on, and only the three of them are there on that afternoon, and all that could be seen would be the war anyway. "But I wouldn't change a thing," she concludes.



In the hangar, Morinas has returned to ask Wapourif more questions as a flight of Simile buzzes around Arcus Prima on a training flight. Morinas gushes over how much fun flying looks, and wishes she could take up the Simoun that the two are examining. Wapourif answers that Morinas couldn't take the Simoun up by herself anyway -- unlike the Simile, it takes two paired Sibylla to fly a Simoun. The Simoun fly with the grace of the Tempus Spatium, and a lone Sibylla wouldn't receive that grace.

As Wapourif explains this, Morinas takes a closer look at the Simoun, wiggling her derriere in his face as she does so. Wapourif blushes, aroused by Morinas' body.

Morinas interrupts to ask when Wapourif went to the Spring. It was two years ago, he replies. Morinas gets to her point: it felt weird when Wapourif and Floe interacted that morning, and she wants to know why. Wapourif explains that he and Floe had been lovers, but broke up because Sibyllae aren't allowed to have older lovers. It makes it rather awkward to be around her now.



On the forward observation platform, Neville and Paraietta stare out at the passing scenery. "Are you coming to the pool?" Paraietta asks. Neville is hestitant -- she doesn't have a pair, and doesn't want to choose a new one yet.

Parietta sympathizes with her friend: Amuria was always a strong member of the team, loved by all, and Parietta understands just how important she was to Neville and how much Neville is hurting. She thinks she understands the feelings of the three Sibyllae who left to go to the springs after Amuria was lost.

Neville flashes back to the battle: their desperate kiss in the middle of the Argentine air fleet, the attempt at the Emerald Ri Maajon, Amuria's warning not to look in the Argentine pilot's eyes, and the explosion and its horrible aftermath. Neville closes her eyes, lost in thought.



As the shelling continues, the Chor Tempest Sibylla take some time to relax. Limone reads a book in the library and snacks on some potato chips, Rodoraemon braids her hair, and Floe takes a shower.

Eventually, it's time for the 3:00 training session in the Mage Pool. Floe explains to Morinas that it's normal procedure to just pair freely in the pool with the first Sibylla who appears, rather than consciously trying to pick a specific someone -- even your own lover. She cuts herself off, aware that she has said too much.

Rodoraemon wonders whether the presence of the rest of the chor will deter Neville from coming. Limone is worried that the practice won't be very good without Neville, but Parietta is certain that she'll show up. Floe sticks her foot in her mouth again, blurting out that it's too bad for Parietta if not.

Time passes. Neville still doesn't show up, and it's useless to try to fetch her. Limone points out that Neville returned from the spring and chose to continue as a Sibylla of her own free will. Parietta and Rodoraemon agree: she'll come.

One by one, the Sibyllae plunge into the Mage Pool. The practice is a disaster: despite the individual flying ability of its members, Chor Tempest isn't functioning at all as a coordinated unit. The Sibylla get in each others' way, and Morinas loses her confidence entirely after a particularly harrowing near miss. Limone pulls into formation with Aaeru and comments that the overall bad feeling permeating the pool is ruining their Maaju. Aaeru, climbing toward the top of the well, replies that there's still time for things to change.

At that moment, the Sibyllae look up to see Neville standing at the rim of the pool, dressed in her Mage Pool flight suit. She looks down at the pattern in the pool: in its chaos, it resembles the Emerald Ri Maajon. "Are you in there?" Neville wonders aloud, and dives for the bottom of the pool. The Sibyllae all follow her, and the chor promptly sorts out its coordination problems and creates a beautiful set of Maajon patterns along the lines of the Silver Ri Maajon.



Shell after shell continues to bombard the countryside around the Arcus Prima as Chor Tempest practices. In the late afternoon, a lone Simoun limps back to the carrier, trailing a plume of smoke. It crash lands on the starboard flight deck, and Wapourif's maintenance crew runs to pull its pilots from the burning wreckage. "You can try to protect those girls all you can," Anubituf tells Guragief. "But this is reality."

As the bombardment continues, Arcus Prima flies away, trailing smoke from the burning Simoun.


END OF EPISODE

[Trax]

Is it me, or did episode 3 seem pretty boring? Nothing of real consequence happened (yet)... :(

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Angulas.jpg

Administrator Halconf suggested at Episode 7,the shimulaclum nation worshiped the god "temp-spatium" is the same existance
Plumbum ridge nation worshiped god "Animus" by his acknowledge & reserch.

But he concealed that results because of the fear (consider) to negotiation disorder about the plumbum ridge nation.

[Futaba-chan]

Is it me, or did episode 3 seem pretty boring? Nothing of real consequence happened (yet)... :(

Episode 3 is mostly setup and world-building, and establishing starting points for relationships between characters, but it's the last of those episodes. There'll be some actual plot happening next time, and all of this sets up some nice moments later.

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 7: In the High Skies (公海上空にて)

Chor Ribbon has just completed a night patrol. As they leave the hangar, they run into Chor Tempest, who are preparing to take a flight of Simile out for some Ri Maajon practice. They ask whether Chor Tempest is planning to go out to do more of its usual erratic flying. Despite the taunting, Aaeru greets Vura warmly, which surprises her. Dominura answers that Guragief has assigned them to temporary duty that night.

Floe asks whether Chor Ribbon has been on duty. They have, and it's been tiring: they've been patrolling day and night. But the children from Chor Tempest have just been fluttering about in the daytime. The Chor Ribbon girls giggle at this.

Rodoraemon stands up for Chor Tempest: Chor Ribbon isn't the only Chor who has daytime patrol duty. Kaimu adds that night patrol was always Chor Tempest's duty anyway. Vura retorts that things are different now: Chor Ribbon is now the best chor on the Arcus Prima. She asks Chor Tempest to step aside and let them through. They're tired. Paraietta accedes to this, and orders Chor Tempest to step aside and make way for the Chor Ribbon Sibylla.

Limone holds her ground, but she wasn't standing directly in the center of the path. Vura asks her which Ri Maajon they're planning to do. They're planning to do the Dandelion Ri Maajon. This is surprising: why would Chor Tempest practice a purely ceremonial diplomatic Ri Maajon in the middle of a shooting war?

As the Chor Ribbon Sibyllae walk away to their quarters, Aaeru shouts a friendly greeting to Vura, telling her to go ahead and eat the snacks that she left in their room.

The Chor Tempest Sibyllae kiss each other, and board their Simile. Unlike real Simoun missions, the Sibylla kiss each other on the deck before boarding, and there is no Ri Maajon gem for them to kiss.

Aaeru, pair-less, flies the single seat Simile that she came to Arcus Prima aboard. Wapourif's maintenance crew has restored it after Aaeru's rough handling of it in the dogfight where she rammed four Argentine fighters. They've fixed it up as good as new, and repainted it in a beautiful shade of green, and Aaeru is impressed. Wapourif appears with several of his crew members, and explains that the crew worked hard to rebuild her -- she's a real antique. Aaeru is thankful, and adds that her grandfather really loved the old ship. It was his when he was a girl, and since he couldn't fly it any more after going to the Spring, he always treasured it.

As Chor Tempest lifts off, Aaeru remembers her childhood: wandering in to the barn where her grandfather kept the old Simile and looking up in wonder at it. She was an adventurous child, prone to getting into scrapes that required band-aids.

Aaeru is jarred out of her reverie by a communication cable striking her hull, as the chor networks together for a discussion. Floe snarks about the nerve of the Chor Ribbon Sibyllae claiming to be the only ones flying at night. If Neville were here, she'd have a few things to say about that.

Dominura tells Floe to stop worrying about Chor Ribbon, and to think of Chor Tempest first -- she wants Chor Tempest to be the top chor again. Aaeru enthusiastically agrees, and Morinas chimes in with her agreement, too.

Limone points out that if they're going to do that, they need to refrain from going to the Spring. Kaimu is impatient to go, but understands that now is not a good time. Alti replies that when she goes, she wants to go with the one she loves, so that she can be a man, and the one she loves a woman. That sets off a chorus of giggles (no pun intended) among the rest of the chor... and causes Kaimu to grit her teeth in anger; she knows only too well who her sister means.

"Listen, everyone," Paraietta says. "We need two things if we're going to be the best chor. We're going to need two more members in order to get six Simoun in the air." "What's the other thing?" asks Floe. "Neville," Aaeru replies. Parietta agrees, and furthermore flatly states that Neville needs to pair with Aaeru.

This stuns Morinas and Kaimu. "Para-sama, are you giving up on Neville?" Kaimu asks. Aaeru cuts off the discussion, suggesting that they do their Ri Maajon dance near the Arcus Prima, where Neville can see it. The chor all disengage their communication cables, and go to it.

They try the Dandelion Ri Maajon, but don't do a very good job, as everyone is distracted by the gossip from earlier. Morinas' timing is off, and as she moons over how she doesn't understand Neville, Rodoraemon reprimands her, demanding that she focus on her flying. Dominura asks Limone whether she [what?], and she says that she does. Floe tries to ask Alti who her loved one is, but Alti cuts her off, claiming that she screwed up earlier. Floe denies this, and Alti says that she's confused.

Kaimu eagerly asks Parietta if giving up on Neville means that she's answering Kaimu's feelings. "What are you saying?" Paraietta asks. Kaimu answers that she had buried her feelings for Parietta, but if Para-sama actually feels the same way.... Paraietta cuts her off, demanding that she focus on flying.

Aaeru spots another ship approaching. It's the Arcus Niger, another Simoun carrier of the same class as the Arcus Prima.

On the bridge of Arcus Prima, Anubituf notes the arrival of Arcus Niger. He's surprised -- lately, she's supposed to be on patrol elsewhere. The quartermaster confirms that the new vessel is unmistakeably Arcus Niger. Guragief wonders what her mission is. Anubituf replies that they're going to be busy, and tells Guragief to recall Chor Tempest.

Limone correctly identifies the ship as the Arcus Niger. Dominura is surprised: Arcus Niger is supposed to be guarding the western frontier, so why are they here?

A hot pink Simile launches from the Arcus Niger and heads directly for Chor Tempest. It streaks directly through the center of their formation, and dodges all attempts to establish a communications cable link. Floe fumes over the intruder's bad manners, and Aaeru says that they're doing it deliberately. She pulls along side the pink Simile and tries to ask them what they're doing. The two Sibyllae on board, a dark-haired auriga and a blonde sagitta, scowl at Aaeru, with haughty expressions on their faces.

Aaeru engages them in a dogfight, and manages to tag them with her comm link for a moment. "What, is this really Chor Tempest?" the auriga says in a poisonous voice, and detaches the cable. The pink Simile flies back to Arcus Niger, doing acrobatic "hot dog" maneuvers all the while. In the cafe aboard Arcus Prima, Neville watches the dogfight unfold as she sips her coffee.

The two carriers pull alongside each other and dock, allowing personnel to transfer between the ships across a metal gangway. A group of VIPs boards Arcus Prima from Arcus Niger, led by Neville's father, the chief administrator Halconf. The two pilots of the pink Simile bring up the rear.

In the ship's conference room, the VIPs confer with Guragief and Anubituf. Guragief is skeptical of the VIPs' plans to try to make peace with Plumbum, and suggests that they're being too soft. One of them takes a devoutly religious view, saying that he'll take whatever the Tempus Spatium offers. Halconf explains his reasoning: Plumbum worships a goddess named "Anima," who appears to be the same deity as the Tempus Spatium. Therefore, shouldn't the two countries look favourably on each other? The religious VIP confidently states that making peace will please the Tempus Spatium. Anubituf is skeptical, but holds his tongue.

Arcus Niger undocks and flies off into the night.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

つずく...

[Trax]

Episode 3 is mostly setup and world-building, and establishing starting points for relationships between characters, but it's the last of those episodes. There'll be some actual plot happening next time, and all of this sets up some nice moments later.

They still could have made it less boring though. Ep1+2 were basically set up episodes aswell but at least those didn't bore me. ;)

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/cat-fight-6.jpg

Yui, do you know the answers to these questions?

1) Is Purunbum Reikoku in war with Imperial Kyuukoku?

2) If the belief in Animus is not admitted publically, what's the official religion of Purunbum Reikoku?

3) Is Nevril and her father Halconf from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purunbum Reikoku?

4) Is Arcus Niger from Imperial Kyuukoku or Purubum Reikoku?


1) Yes, purunbum Reikoku and Shimulaclum Kyuukoku are in warfare now.
Peace talks leant for that at Episode7.

2)Futaba-chan's synopsis
Halconf explains his reasoning: Plumbum worships a goddess named "Anima," who appears to be the same deity as the Tempus Spatium. Therefore, shouldn't the two countries look favourably on each other? Pulumbum Reikoku worship "Animus" as Official relijion.
But the fact or hypothesis concealed by administrator Halconf.
that existance "Animus" is the same as " Temp-spatium" is not admitted publically for Simulaclum Kyuu-koku .

3)Futaba-chan's reading
Neville has to be from Simulacrum, because Halconf was a Sibylla when he was a girl. Halconf might have moved from Plumbum to Simulacrum as a child, but there wasn't any discussion of that.


4) Is Arcus Niger is second carrier's name after "The name ship Arcs Prima " in the shimuraclum Imperial "Kyuukoku (=princess or shirine?)"
freet.

[Matrim]

They still could have made it less boring though. Ep1+2 were basically set up episodes aswell but at least those didn't bore me. ;)

Episode one was a setup episode? Really? I think we have very different definitions of what a setup episode is then.:)

[Yui from Okinawa]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yui from Okinawa

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Angulas.jpg

Will this be a new Pilot or Co-Pilot for the Simouns, cause of the peace pact?

Anyone knows more about her?

but, in other case. Its a good point, to look episode 08

Mfg,
Seska


Her name is "Angulas" from native Pulumbum Reikoku Shrine maiden.
(Not "Sibylla" or auriga / sagitta.....)
She was sent to this country as a peace mission as Superficially....

[Kaoru Chujo]

Is it me, or did episode 3 seem pretty boring? Nothing of real consequence happened (yet)... :( I have found every episode riveting. The important thing is the relations among the people, and their reactions to what happens in the war, not the war plot itself (as interesting as that is). Even the episodes that devote a lot of time to set-up for future events are full of interest for me in themselves. For me, this show is farther from boring than any show I've seen this season.

And I agree that ep1 was a lot more than just set-up: an amazing battle, the death of one (two?) of the main characters, and the shattering despair of one of the others would be significant events, I think.

[Futaba-chan]

31. Was Mamiina the Regina of Chor Ignis, or just one of the regular members? (And if she was the Regina, will she take not being the Regina any more with good grace, or is there a major personality conflict on the horizon?)

32. Does "Sibylla Aurea" mean that Neville was merely the best pilot aboard Arcus Prima, or does that make her #1 across the entire Simoun fleet everywhere? How is the holder of this office chosen?

[Trax]

Perhaps setup isn't the correct term considering all that happened, but in a first episode almost everything still needs introduction. The characters, the setting, the environment, the opposition, whatever. Introductory episodes then? There was yet another character introduction in ep3, and to me it felt unnecessarily stretched out, therefor it didn't feel like much of anything happened. But screw terminology, point was I found it boring. ;)

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina-onboard-07.jpg

31. Was Mamiina the Regina of Chor Ignis, or just one of the regular members? (And if she was the Regina, will she take not being the Regina any more with good grace, or is there a major personality conflict on the horizon?)


Sorry, I have not enough datum to this question.
Wait for series go on....

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Ynn-onboard-07.jpg

32. Does "Sibylla Aurea" mean that Neville was merely the best pilot aboard Arcus Prima, or does that make her #1 across the entire Simoun fleet everywhere? How is the holder of this office chosen?

In episode2, the people of the Simulacrum on board train worshiped "Sibylla Aurea" ("Neviril") herself is shining as if the gold.
Her number-one title of honor is gifted for the entire Simoun fleet every where...

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Aael-simire_restore.jpg

[Guido]

Sorry, if I'm discussing past episodes since I'm following the sub releases by #Doremi.

There was nothing in particular interesting for episode three in terms of plot. The pace dragged slowly at one point that I almost fell asleep.

What did contribute for explaining about Simoun Simula was that pairs eventually meet up with each other.

Nevril has still not overcome the death of Amuria. The rest of the girls make their best possible to do a stylized Margion in the pool, but some do not match the others synchronicity and results in a chaos, that is until Nevril makes her entrance with her own Margion and the rest follow her.

[Futaba-chan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK


Paraietta arrives at the Grand Ballroom stage, where Chor Tempest is having a dance: Floe with Alti and Morinas with Rodoraemon. Floe asks Parietta whether peace is going to come back, and Paraietta confirms this: currently, their theocracy needs to repair its economy, which means mending fences with economic enemies. Aaeru has a different perspective: what they really want is the Simoun and its secrets, whatever else may happen. Paraietta agrees.

Morinas suggests that they have one thing that can change everything: the helical motors. If they open up one of the relics that they unearthed from their tomb, which power the Simoun, they can easily produce more wings.

Parietta cuts to the chase: Plumbum's representatives are coming here. There's going to be a grand peace conference to work out a treaty with Plumbum. Certainly, they're going to that foreign country today. Kaimu asks if the peace conference is to be held aboard Arcus Prima. Aaeru doesn't care whether it is, and asks the rest of the chor members if they feel like doing some Maaju in the pool. "It looks like the fighting is going to stop" Rodoraemon comments to Morinas, as the two dance (with Morinas leading).

[There was a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary in this whole discussion; I probably made some mistakes, and missed some nuances.]

Before anyone can respond, Aaeru notices that the two mysterious Sibyllae who flew the pink Simile earlier are strolling through the ballroom, with a pair of cadets trailing in their wake, and points this out to everyone. What are they doing here?



The dark-haired auriga spots Chor Tempest on the stage platform, and turns purposefully toward them. The Chor Tempest Sibyllae are suspicious: Rodoraemon wonders what they're doing aboard Arcus Prima, and Dominura doesn't think that they look like regular reinforcements. Floe takes a look at the auriga's hauteur and says "I bet she's going to say 'So this is Chor Tempest? You don't look like you're so great.'"

"You were a little rude back there," the auriga says. "No, really, you were," Aaeru retorts. "But in any event," the auriga continues, "you weren't as good as you were rumoured to be." The entire chor struggles quite unsuccessfully to contain their giggles at Floe's prediction coming true. "Is something funny... Lady Rodoraemon?" the auriga asks. Rodoraemon is startled at this. The auriga asks Rodoraemon whether she remembers her... and she does. When Rodoraemon was a little girl, her family's gardener and his wife had a daughter around her age. Her name was Mamiina, and like her parents, she was required to bow and defer to Rodoraemon.

Mamiina introduces herself using formal, polite language, and tells the rest of Chor Tempest that she is transferring to the chor from Chor Ignis of the Arcus Niger. Her sagitta introduces herself very curtly, using masculine pronouns: her name is Yun, she hates war, and that's all she has to say.



Two cadets burst in, shouting about trouble in Neville's stateroom. Paraietta runs to the rescue, and the rest of Chor Tempest follows her. Below decks, a crowd has gathered outside Neville's quarters, where workmen are moving a bed and additional furniture into Neville's room as she watches helplessly.

As soon as she arrives, Paraietta demands to know what is going on, and orders the workmen to stop moving unauthorized furniture into Neville's private room. Halconf appears just then, and informs Paraietta (and Neville, who seems equally surprised) that from now on, Neville will have a roommate. He greets Paraietta, whom he hasn't seen in a while, and the two exchange pleasantries.

Halconf tells Neville that she needs a new pair. Neville is shocked at this, but Aaeru brightens: "That's my department!" Halconf continues: Neville's new pair is to be Mamiina. This shocks everyone.

Naturally, Mamiina appears right at that moment, with Yun trailing close behind.



In Neville's -- and Mamiina's -- quarters, the three discuss the situation. Neville objects to an outsider forcing on a Sibylla the choice of a pair. Halconf himself was a Sibylla when he was a girl, so he of all people should understand this. Halconf replies that they're not living in his Sibylla days any more. Since she's been regrettably without a pair for so long, he had to do something.

Mamiina tells Neville that she's been an auriga, but that to become Neville's pair, she has no intention of making Neville be a sagitta. [Or is it that she has no intention of being a sagitta herself?] Neville sits silently. Halconf continues his sales pitch: Mamiina is an excellent pilot, who knows many difficult maneuvers. Mamiina begins to list the Ri Maajons that she can do: among others, she can do the Heart Ri Maajon and the Sea Cliff Ri Maajon flawlessly. "Why just dangerous Ri Maajons?" Neville asks. "I can do the simple ones, too," Mamiina replies.

"I'm here because I want to wake you up," Halconf tells Neville. "Certainly, you've been through sad times. But you need to start acting as the Sibylla Aurea again." "Is that my esteemed father's will?" Neville asks pertly. Halconf sighs. "I just don't understand your feelings," he says. "If you're not going to fight, then shouldn't you go to the Spring? Certainly, you're my beautiful daughter. But you keep telling me that you don't want to go to the Spring, and you're not flying the Simoun. Just what are you--?" Neville cuts him off. "I'm not going to answer that now."

"Do your job as you always do," Halconf bids her, and leaves.



Outside, Floe asks Aaeru to pair with her, since Neville is paired up now. Aaeru confides to her that she's still sticking with her plan to be Neville's pair. Morinas interjects that Neville is too popular -- she's giving up on her. She checks Yun out, and asks her what she plans to do. Yun answers that no matter who she pairs with, she'll be unhappy in the current situation. "Then why don't you go to the Spring?" Floe asks. She replies that she doesn't want to run away, like her friends who have gone to the Spring. "That kind of reason sounds like a death wish," Aaeru tells her. Yun snorts, turns away, and leaves.

Halconf emerges from Neville's stateroom and mentions to Paraietta that he has always thought that Neville and Paraietta would make a good pair. Heavy with emotion, Paraietta replies that she will always protect Neville. Halconf leaves.



As Arcus Prima crosses the shoreline and heads out to sea, Aaeru sits by the open porthole in her quarters and plays her music box, as Vura sleeps. One deck below, Neville hears the sound, and closes her porthole.

Neville undresses and takes a shower. As Neville is still in the middle of the shower, the door opens, and Mamiina enters, wearing slinky lingerie. "I'm sorry, Mamiina, but I'm still--" Neville starts to say, but Mamiina pulls open the shower curtain before she can finish. She tells Neville that she wants to pair with her in her heart, too.

Neville freezingly replies that even if Mamiina takes Neville's body, she'll never be her pair. "Understand this, Sibylla Aurea," Mamiina replies with a determined look on her face. "I came here to pair with you."

Just then, the two hear the sound of a door -- or porthole -- opening. Mamiina freezes in surprise and embarrassment. Neville emerges from the bathroom to find Aaeru sitting in her porthole sill, clutching the rope that she used to climb down from her stateroom above, and flashing a V-for-victory sign. Neville giggles. "You didn't really climb down from the outside, did you?" she says. "What a strange girl you are."

In the bathroom, Mamiina stands silently by herself and fumes with rage.



In Guragief's office, Guragief explains to Halconf that the Dandelion Ri Maajon requires a chor at full strength to perform correctly. Halconf replies that it's necessary for the peace conference, even if the chor isn't complete. Guragief asks him whether his feelings are clear on this, and whether the attempt is a good idea for such a high stakes event as the meeting with Plumbum. What if the prayer for peace fails? Halconf gets up, and on his way to the door tells Guragief that nothing has changed, and that Chor Tempest should perform as planned. He adds that it's just that he doesn't want his daughter to suffer from her scars any more. Guragief looks at him thoughtfully as he leaves.

Aaeru suits up and dives into the Maaju pool. Mamiina runs after her and plunges in, too. "Are you here to challenge me to a Maaju contest?" Aaeru asks her. "Challenge you?" Mamiina replies. "Yes, to see who gets to pair with Neville."

"This is no duel," Mamiina says in a dangerous voice, then attacks Aaeru with her bare hands. Yun, Floe, Morinas, and Limone assemble in their pool suits at the edge of the pool as Aaeru and Mamiina struggle with one another, and Aaeru asks Mamiina what she's doing. "These suits pick up the radiation from the ship's helical motors, and let us fly in the pool," Mamiina explains. "So if I tear yours, you'll fall to your death."

The two wrestle with each other in earnest, shouting at each other to give up on Neville, asserting their own claims to pair with her, and insulting each other's flying, as they sink toward the bottom of the pool. The other members quickly dive in and separate the pair.

When the Sibyllae emerge from the pool, Guragief and Halconf appear to talk to them, joined by the remaining members of the chor. Guragief chews them out: their behaviour is a disgrace to Chor Tempest. Halconf goes even further: after the peace talks end, Chor Tempest is to disband. Mamiina tries to intercede, asking what would become of Neville in that case. "She won't be staying with this chor -- she's going to the Spring," he replies. "But what about me?" she asks. "You should do the same," he tells her, turning his back on her and walking away. Mamiina is devastated, and sinks to her knees.

As Neville watches from the forward observation platform, Arcus Prima makes a rendezvous with a Plumbum ironclad warship. Mamiina lies devastated in her quarters, withdrawn from the world. Four Simoun attach cables to a Plumbum steam launch, and carry it from the sea to the Arcus Prima. On board are several older male officials, and four priestesses, at least one of whom looks to be of the same age group as the Simoun Sibyllae.


END OF EPISODE


Next week: Angulas, the priestess from Plumbum who we saw in the final shot this week, joins Chor Tempest.

[Simon]

The Japanese wiki has 26 rows (http://dempa-kitaa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/d/e/m/dempa-kitaa/cgi-bin/simoun/index.cgi?%e7%89%a9%e8%aa%9e) for episodes. I hope they're right.
They are. Animate now list nine DVDs, with volumes 2-9 being more expensive than V1. I think we'll see the same episode distribution as Strawberry Panic:

V1 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043194) 2006-08-25 ep1-2 Y5000+tax BCBA-2506
V2 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043788) 2006-09-22 ep3-5 Y6800+tax BCBA-2507
V3 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043791) 2006-10-27 ep6-8 Y6800+tax BCBA-2508
V4 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043798) 2006-11-24 ep9-11 Y6800+tax BCBA-2509
V5 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043804) 2006-12-22 ep12-14 Y6800+tax BCBA-2510
V6 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043810) 2007-01-26 ep15-17 Y6800+tax BCBA-2511
V7 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043816) 2007-02-23 ep18-20 Y6800+tax BCBA-2512
V8 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043819) 2007-03-23 ep21-23 Y6800+tax BCBA-2513
V9 (http://www.animate-shop.jp/webshop70/commodity_param/ctc/+/shc/0/cmc/4043821) 2007-04-?? ep24-26 Y6800+tax BCBA-2514

(The catalogue numbers fit perfectly, because the next known allocation is BCBA-2515 (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=BCBA-2515).)

As usual Animate are ahead of the pack - Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FG6ASU) and CDJapan (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=BCBA-2506) still only list V1. But that's OK, Simoun fandom is a long-term relationship :) I'm just happy that this anime will have time to play out at its own pace.

[Guppy]

Neville freezingly replies that [what?], and that she isn't going to be Mamiina's pair.I think what she says is something along the lines of "even if you take my body, that won't make you my pair."

[Futaba-chan]

Animate now list nine DVDs
Squee! Wai! Wai!

Yay, that's the best news in a while. (Let us give thanks to the Tempus Spatium. :-) )

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/yuiyuasa/Aael-latest.jpg
Tokyo anime festival exhibition improved (Craftman's blog in May 14 2006 )
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/amingb/


http://maruya.name/blog/simoun_zentai001.jpg
http://maruya.name/blog/simoun012.jpg
http://maruya.name/blog/cat1/cat6/
"「まるや工房」＝　MARU-YA KOUBOU "　(MARUYA Studio / Atelier)
Aael and Neviril is Manga " Yurihime" Anthology Magazine 's Ms. Hashiba Hayase version 's personality!!
http://maruya.name/blog/simoun013.jpg
http://maruya.name/blog/MARUYA%20WF2006%20Summer%20cut.jpg

[Simon]

Love that Aeru figure - if only I didn't suck at painting...

[Kaoru Chujo]

Okay, okay, I'm biased. But this was another great episode. Something new. Something strong. We had been minorly spoiled......that the Arcus Prima would be damaged, but the way it was done surprised me, at least. And the result, although......almost predicted in an earlier post, felt like a surprise, too. After so long seeing Neviril not moving, to see her take command of herself, make her own decision, sweep up Aaeru, and rise to become Regina Aurea again was a thrilling scene. The chara-des, animation, and voice combine to make her a grand personage. And the very end was also a thrill to see. I'm ready for next week right now.

[Futaba-chan]

Okay, okay, I'm biased. But this was another great episode. Something new. Something strong. We had been minorly spoiled...

Your BitTorrent can beat up my BitTorrent, I see -- I'm still downloading. Hurry up, Internet-chan!

[Simon]

Your BitTorrent can beat up my BitTorrent, I see -- I'm still downloading. Hurry up, Internet-chan!
At least time zones are kind to you - it's mid-afternoon in my part of the world, so I still have a couple of hours to go before I can get home from work and start downloading :(

(Perceptive readers may ask why I'm posting on AS if I'm at work, a question which I'll delicately avoid answering...)

[Futaba-chan]

Guh.

I had an inkling of what was coming, and it shocked the heck out of me anyway. Have I mentioned that I love this series?


The "tonight's episode was sponsored by" image was a pretty big spoiler, though.

For the record, we've answered the previously-unanswered question about whether there were ground-based Simoun choirs or not. And the identity of Arcus Prima's fourth choir -- there isn't one. (Perhaps it was Chor Dextra, which hasn't been reconstituted yet?)

Wow, that was a great scene on the burning flight deck.

Of course it was Rodoraemon who tried to comfort Mamiina, when no one else would.

I'm still too blown away to comment thoughtfully. I think I'll rewatch the episode now....

Sadly, I'm probably not going to be able to do the synopsis of this until next week, due to Anime North preparations. Which is a shame, because this is quite the episode. (A "wham episode" in Babylon 5 terms.)

[Matrim]

Quite a rapid plot development in this episode. Moral of the story - do not negotiate with fanatics. :) Or at least check them for hidden weapons more carefully.
What a beauty can a burning ship be...
Too bad I didn't really get what was Aeru's problem this episode? Didn't like being something of a priestess or what?

[Futaba-chan]

Too bad I didn't really get what was Aeru's problem this episode? Didn't like being something of a priestess or what?


Aaeru's name is the Plumbish term for divine love.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Reaction on 2channel to episode 8 is pretty positive. Over 500 posts in the 14 hours since the episode aired. It was so cute when Rimone blew off Dominura. It's amusing that Rimone sees Aaeru as an admired elder sister, but Dominura like a mother who's always finding fault with her. I liked Mamiina's hair better the other way. Rimone really is smart, figuring out why Anguras didn't want to say Aaeru's name. Niino Michi's acting as Aaeru was great, especially in the final scenes. Now they've got a first-class 12-person team; there isn't a weak link among them. (Some of the more consequential comments were beyond my Japanese.) And people noticed that when Corps Tempest was wearing their brown sailor-suit uniforms, they had various-colored ribbons at their waist. Without total confidence, one person said they were: Aaeru　aqua
Neviril　purple
Paraietta　grey
Kaim　emerald green
Alti　aqua
Rodoreamon　emerald green
Furoe　pink
Morinasu　pink
Rimone　？
Dominura　pink
Mamiina　red？
Yun　pinkAnd someone else guessed which gender each member of the Corps would choose (I don't agree with all of these): Aaeru ♀
Neviril ♂
Paraietta ♀
Kaim ♀
Alti ♂
Roudoreamon ♀
Furoe ♂
Morinasu ♂
Rimone ♀
Dominura ♀
Mamiina ♀
Yun ♀

[Futaba-chan]

Aaeru ♀
Neviril ♂
Paraietta ♀
Kaim ♀
Alti ♂
Roudoreamon ♀
Furoe ♂
Morinasu ♂
Rimone ♀
Dominura ♀
Mamiina ♀
Yun ♀
Whoa! Big disagreement...

Aaeru ♂
Neviril ♀
Paraietta ♂ if she doesn't die heroically
Kaim says ♂, but she'll totally go ♀ if Paraietta gives her any hint
Alti ♂ if she doesn't get herself killed first... and ♀ if Kaimu sticks with ♂
Roudoreamon ♀, but her family will try to push her to be ♂
Furoe ♀ if she doesn't get herself killed first
Morinasu ♂ unless she settles down with Wapourif
Rimone ♀, but at what age do Daikuurikans settle on a gender?
Dominura ♀
Mamiina ♂
Yun won't survive long enough to choose
Reaction on 2channel to episode 8 is pretty positive. Over 500 posts in the 14 hours since the episode aired. What is a typical number?

[Kaoru Chujo]

...What is a typical number? There have been a total of about 13,470 posts for the whole series so far, so I guess 500+ probably isn't really unusual for the first half-day, but it just felt like a lot, and I didn't notice one really negative one. There was a fair amount of highly positive comment, especially about Aaeru. The only partly negative comment I read (not that I read everything) was from someone who wished the name had been explained earlier.

I agree with your disagreement about the genders. Rimone will choose at 17 or older, so it's pretty hard to guess now what she'll be like then. I think of Dominura as a future ♂, but I still don't really understand the gender roles and relations of Simulacran adults. Neviril seems so feminine to me that I can't see her as a ♂. Her family obviously has high hopes for her future, but from ep1 it seemed that there was at least one high-ranking female in the group of people in authority....

[Simon]

And people noticed that when Corps Tempest was wearing their brown sailor-suit uniforms, they had various-colored ribbons at their waist.
The pink sashes (http://userdisk.webry.biglobe.ne.jp/006/011/91/1/blogkisara.jpg) that some trainees wear seem to denote seniority. Perhaps these ribbons are also related to the wearer's place or role within the mikohood?

And as for ep8, wow...

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/peace-conference_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simounl-Overhead-view01_ep08.jpg


#413 >Futaba-chan's post Aaeru's name is the Plumbish term for divine love.

My contribute post #427 is reprint to URLhttp://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/episode-consider-02e.htm just Now!
Your Intellectual curiosity is satisfied ,please!

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simounl-Overhead-view02_ep08.jpg

The truth of a peace conference, and consideration of the actual condition

8話において、プルンブム嶺国の和平使節である特命大使達と、随行した通訳兼巫女（対外的な表層 は） アングラスほかにより引き起こされた、自爆テロリズムとも受け取れる一連の行為について考察し てみた。
In the Episode-8, it is alike and sets " Plumbum ridge nation " their an interpreter and shrine maiden (within international surface) who attended with the special mission ambassadors who are peace missions Envoy"Angulasu & other maiden "- a series of acts which can be thought to be also the caused suicidal-explosion terrorism were considered.

まず、今回の会談は嶺国から持ち込まれたものであり、場面を単純に観てとらえれば、最初から交渉の主目的で あり、宮国の主戦力であり、軍備の象徴であるさらには 宮国国民に崇拝されている シヴュラ・アウレアの ネヴィリルを擁する コール・テンペスト含めたエリート航空隊３ コール（隊）の乗機 シムーンを奪取又は破壊。さらには同様な経緯で宮国の象徴たる アルクス・プリーマをも可能ならば占拠もしくは破壊し、戦力に大打撃を与えるともに、上記象徴を破壊するこ とで、宮国国民の戦意や士気を削ぐことを目的としたものと考えられる。
At first, if this talk is carried in from " Plumbum ridge nation " side, it looks at a scene simply and it is caught it will be the Purpose of the negotiation from the beginning, will be the main military power of the Simulacrum, and will be the symbol of armaments further the Simulacrum it is worshipped by people "Sibylla Aurea" Neviril regina leads "The choir Tempest" Included elite flying 3-choir(=Corps) aircraft Shimoun capture or destruction. furthermore, the same circumstances the Simulacrum a symbol "Arcs Prima"
which will occupy or break if possible, and gives a great symbol to military power and for which the above-mentiironed symbol is both destroyed the Simulacrum people's will to fight and morale destroyed it is thought that it aimed at.

しかしながら、巫女アングラスの行動に対しての使節の反応に本編の画面描写から取れる範囲では戸惑いともと れる表情が見てとれることから、必ずしも嶺国側の内部も一枚岩ではなかったとも推察される。
However, in the range which can be taken from screen depiction of this editing for an envoy's reaction to action of " Adult Shrine maiden "(and more girl "Angulasu" ), it is guessed from the ability of the expression which can take puzzlement to be grasped that the inside of a " Plumbum ridge nation " side was not necessarily a monolith, either.

仮説
Hypothesis

１.今回の和平会議に見せかけた攻撃は全て仕組まれたものであり、嶺国から送り込まれた使節そのものがまや かしだった。
Hypothesis 1.
The envoy itself which all attacks made to look like this peace conference were plotted, and was sent in from " Plumbum ridge nation " was trickery.

２.今回の事件のうち、和平使節たる大使らは上記の事情を全く知らず、巫女達の独断と暴走で計画が実行され た。（巫女の独断の可能性は低い）
Hypothesis 2.
The plan was completely carried out by not knowing peace mission slack ambassadors, and dogma and reckless run of shrine maidens in the situation of the above among these terrorism opration. (The possibility of dogma of a shrine maiden is low)

３.前半は仮説２に同じだが、巫女達の独断と暴走では当然無く、意見軍部を始めとする主戦派（好戦派）が、 和平派を始末して嶺国内の国内世論を自分たちに有利に持って行くために、信仰に篤い巫女達をうまく利用して 大使らには知られないように計画を遂行した。
Hypothesis 3.
First half is the same as "Hypothesis 2" , But latter part has changed, it has not her own dogma and reckless run of shrine maidens, naturally there was nothing, and in order that the Jingoism groups including the opinion military authorities might dispose of a peace group and might go with the domestic public opinion in Mine in favor of themselves, the plan was carried out so that it might not be known by ambassadors at faith, using religious shrine maidens abuse.

以上３つの仮説が考えられる
Three hypotheses can be considered above.

１と２については特に解説するところは無いので、もっぱら仮説３について解説する。
Since there is no points of the explains " Hypothesis 1 " or " Hypothesis 2 ", thus I chiefly explained " Hypothesis 3 " !

本編セリフ
The words at Episode 8

「通訳ならお一人でかまわないではありませんか」
Isn't it one person enough to translating with, if it is an interpreter is ?" "

「巫女はただの通訳ではなく、重要な会議を見守っております。儀礼には巫女が複数必要です」
"The shrine maiden is not only an interprete works, but also the watching that important meeting. Our Shrine maidens are two or more necessities at courtesy."

「では当方もテンプスパティウムに仕える巫女を同席させましょう」
"We also needs to make the shrine maiden who serves Tempus-Spatium sit in ."


「お国の巫女は単なる巫女ではなく、兵士ではありませんか!?」
"Is your nation's shrine maiden not a mere shrine maiden but the soldier!?"


これだけのやり取りを巫女達の独断で行ったと考えるのは無理がある。
It is impossible to think that the exchange of only this was performed by shrine maidens' dogma.

さらには鏡を使った信号を合図として、嶺国戦艦のほうも作戦行動として砲撃を開始している以上 、 巫女たちの独断で一体化した行動を行ったと考えるのは無理がある。
Furthermore, it is impossible by considering the signal using a mirror as a signal to think that action unified by shrine maidens' dogma was performed above the way of a " Plumbum ridge nation " battle-ship has also started bombardment as operations.

さらに、もし使節団も巫女に同調してるなら、全員が一斉に「うなずく」などの判り易いサイン、又は宮国側に は判らないように、予め示し合わせた何かの暗示的な動作をするなどの描写を見せるだろうし、 鏡を使いに一人の巫女が席を外す時も目配せ等の演出がを当然入ると思われる。もし、騙し討ちが計画通りで示 し合わせてあったと譲歩しても、上記の経緯を考えれば、大使達は自分達が殺されるとは思っていなったと思わ れる。
Furthermore, supposing the mission also agrees with a shrine maiden, depiction of carrying out suggestive operation of something about which it arranged previously beforehand will be shown such as "bowing one's head in assent", may not understand all the members all at once.
And also when a one shrine maiden removes a seat for a mirror to usage, it will be thought that suggestion, such as a wink, are naturally entered so that an intelligible sign or the Simulacrum people's side cannot recognize.
If the above-mentioned circumstances are considered even if it concedes cheat betray being as planned and having arranged about it previously, and ambassadors will "not " be mentionded to have come to think that themselves are killed by suicidal-explosion terrorism.


また通訳として同席したアングラスが使節の意図を正しく伝達したかも疑わしく、上記意図を使節団や宮国側に 悟られない為の監視を兼ねていた可能性も考えられる。
Moreover, it is doubtful whether Angulasu which sat as an interpreter transmitted the intention of an envoy correctly, and a possibility of having served as the surveillance for not realizing the above-mentioned intention to a mission or the Simulacrum people's side is also considered.

主戦派はおそらく、嶺国の巫女達の神 アニムス宮国の テンプスパティウム同じであるなど赦し難いという宗教的嫌悪感を利用して、今回の単独行動に必要な軍事行動 に必要な能力や一連の交渉術の教育も事前になされていたと推定される。
Probably the Jingoism groups make use of the Shrine maiden's feeling "We cannot permit to hard the dogma that Plumbum ridge nation 's holy god "ANIMUS" is suggested to the same existance to Simulacrum's "Tempus-Spatium".
That premature-religious aversion is presumed using the accceptance of the education of capability required for terrorism required for this independent operational action or a series of negotiation ways was also made in advance.

爆破対象はシムーンが第一目標だろう。アルクス・プリマは終盤の戦闘状況から見て、艦砲射撃で充分対応出来 、まずプルンブム側が持ち得ない脅威である航空戦力を減らせば、前線への支援にもなる。
最初の交渉で巫女（結果的にはアングラス）を会議室から出して、なるべく目標に近づける作戦があったという 意見には同意出来る。爆破要員と後処理要員を用意するため複数の巫女を送り込んだと思われる
The main terrorism-candidate "Simoun" for blasting will be the first target.
An "Arcs prima "donna sees from the battle situation of the final stage, can respond enough by the bombardment from a warship, and if the aviation military power which is the threat which " Plumbum ridge nation " side cannot have probably is reduced, she will also become the support for a front.

A shrine maiden (as a result Angulasu) is taken out with the first negotiation from a conference room, and it can agree with opinion that there was strategy brought if possible close to a target.
In order to prepare a blasting staff and a post-processing staff, it is thought that two or more shrine maidens were sent in.


さらに、和平会談までの経緯・状況は、まったく第三国の監視・仲介の外で行われ、宮国は各国と戦争状態で国 際的に孤立している、すなわち国際的に発言力のない国家である以上、上記結果（一部失敗）としての自爆によ り使節団が全滅したとしても、主戦派の狙いの想定内にあったと思われる。
Furthermore, the circumstances and the situation to a peace talk were completely performed outside surveillance and agency of a third power, and the Simulacrum is internationally isolated by each country and the state of war -- namely, -- It is the state which does not have an influential voice internationally.
Even if "Missions" were wiped out above by suicidal explosion as the above-mentioned result (it fails in part), withinin that thought it was in assumption of the Jingoism groups' intention.


言い換えるなら、宮国が周りの国々全てを敵に回して孤立しており、仲介国も無い当事国同士の交渉、さらには マスメディアが未発達、かつ秘密会談的な性質を持つ為、テレビ中継やラジオ実況などの形で事実が不特定な大 衆に対して国際的に周知されるという状況が成立しないため、嶺国側が虚偽の事実の主張をしても、立証する手 段がない。
If it puts in another way of words , the Simulacrum turned all surrounding nations to the enemy, and is isolated, and since it has negotiation of the nations directly concerned which an any agency-nation does not have, and underdevelopment and still secret-talk either.
More worse situation, the modern justice mass-media has lacked, the fact is not announced to the public with the unspecified fact in forms internationally by the way of such as live telecast and the radio actual live broadcast condition is not materialized.
Even if " Plumbum ridge nation " side asserts the false fact, there will be no means to prove.

予想される プルンブム嶺国の公式声明の形は以下のようなものになると思われる。
It is expected. the Plumbum ridge nation's thought that the form of an official statement becomes the following.

宮国に送った我が国の大使及び神聖なる巫女達は、卑劣なる宮国のシヴュラ達によって無残にも謀殺されたので 、わが国は護衛艦１艦にも関わらず、果敢にも単艦にて報復攻撃を行い損害を受けながらも、シムーン多数を破 壊、主力艦 アルクス・プリーマに大損害を与えた。この戦いで巫女の名を語った破戒尼僧兵に過ぎないシヴュラどもによっ て、我が国の大使達や、聖なる巫女達の尊い命が失われ、わが国は耐え難い野蛮なる屈辱を受けた
Though our Plumbum ridge nation's carries out a retaliatory strike by the single warship also bold in spite of convoy single-warship because of the ambassadors and the sacred shrine maidens of our property who sent to the Simulacrum were also cruelly murdered by "Sibyllae" (the plural of "Sibylla") and others of mean the Simulacrum, and it suffers damage, they are destroyed a large numbers of "Shimoun",and more Heavy-loss damage was done also the capital flying ship "Arcs Prima" .
Our nation's precious ambassadors saint-shrine maidens' valuable life was lost by boil "Sibyllas" which is only this Broken Commandment nun soldier who told a false shrine maiden's honer or name in this slaughter incident.
We, Plumbum ridge nation received an intolerable barbarous humiliation!!


このような形で声明を公表すれば、宮国に敵対する各国の国際的同意や好意も取り付け易く、また、他国に先ん じて宮国に大打撃を与えたという優位も演出できる。
If the declaration is released in such a form, the predominance of having been easy to attach the international consent and the courtesy of each nation which turn against the Simulacrum, and having preceded the foreign country, and having given the great blow to the Simulacrum can also be directed.

さらには、国内の和平派の主力を使節団に仕向ければ、和平派の抹殺と嶺国内に残存する和平派の恫喝にもなり 、実行犯たる巫女達も自爆により死亡し証拠隠滅(しょうこいんめつ)もできるという意図もうかがえるのであ る。
Furthermore, extortion of the peace group who remains in erasure of a peace group and the Mine inside if a domestic peace group's main force is forced to a mission, more over Direct perpeter, "shrine maidens herself " died by suicidal explosion.
The destruction of the evidence were the intention that the Jingoism groups can do is also imagined.

国内における主戦派による和平派の抹殺等の陰謀を扱った作品として次のようなものがある
「闘将ダイモス」
There is the following as a work treating intrigues, such as erasure of the peace group by the domestic the Jingoism groups in anime series, refer to the old 70's anime work
" Fighting General Daimos . " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimos

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/anglas-death.jpg

The decision matter about a peace meeting

1.The Plumbum ridge nation requested that I performed holding and it of peace talks behind closed doors on high seas.

2.The description that I called a religion opposition and loathsomeness is seen between neither except that I hide a crest of temps-spatiunm as consideration to the peace envoy.

3.The warship acted with unified intention with a medium.

4.It was for a purpose of a medium (undergrounds) who did an independent action not to be able to use a simoun.

5.Plumbum ridge nation envoy cannot talk with thethe Simulacrum shrine nation side unless I go through a medium.

6.Existence of an opposition of both cease-fire groups is not drawn.
（It is not a thing denying existence of an opposition）

7.In Arcs prima, in the mission, three terrorists maiden, maiden 4 came over, but one maiden is missing


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/plumbum-male_Terrorist_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_volunteer_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_her_pal_ep08.jpg

[Futaba-chan]

Rimone will choose at 17 or older, so it's pretty hard to guess now what she'll be like then.

What I meant by my question was that humans on Earth settle on a permanent gender identity by age 5 or so. It seems like there are a few Daikuurikans who have strong ideas about which direction they might go at younger ages than 17. Paraietta and Aaeru both seemed to have been fairly tomboyish; does that reflect some sort of essential gender identity at work, or is it more analagous to regular human tomboyishness?

Neviril seems so feminine to me that I can't see her as a ♂. Her family obviously has high hopes for her future, but from ep1 it seemed that there was at least one high-ranking female in the group of people in authority....

That's exactly the sort of role that I can see Neville settling into over the long haul.

[randomlurker123]

jus watched the raw ( i don't understand jap btw) but this episode 8 rock even if i dun understand what they are saying ! it really show the ppl behind this can convey deep emotions and feelings . one of the best anime i've ever seen

[Kaoru Chujo]

Yui's recent long post (which should be in spoilers, so don't read it if you haven't seen ep8) is very interesting. The startled looks on the faces of some of the male Plumbum ambassadors make one think that they didn't know what was going to happen. But since there was such obvious coordination with the Plumbum ship, perhaps the plot was made by a group within the Plumbum hierarchy including both priestesses and others. It's a good plot, since Plumbum can now pretend that it was Simulacrum that murdered their priestesses and ambassadors, and they attacked Arcus Prima only in retaliation. And the fact that they damaged or destroyed such a great symbol of Simulacran power may improve Plumbum people's morale and damage that of Simulacrans. EDIT: I just watched again, and I don't think the ambassadors were surprised. It was an official plot, I think. And Futaba-chan, sorry to misunderstand your question. It did seem strange. In any case, maybe a person's apparent masculinity or femininity is not the key. Eri/Erif seemed (to me, anyway) feminine but hadn't decided even as she entered the pool, and the high priestess decided to make her male. In the case of Rimone, I find it very hard to predict what she would choose, or what she would be suited for. She seems so childish right now, despite her inner strength. And for whatever reason, the 2channel poster thought both Aaeru and Paraietta would choose female, which would be completely counterintuitive to me, so perhaps she/he is seeing something I'm not.

This is the first time I've really thought about this question, and even tried to apply it to myself (thoughts which I will not share, lol). What a great show, to give us this tool for thinking about gender.

And randomlurker's nice post confirmed my own impression that this show is conveying emotion well even without understanding the words. Full marks to Anguras's voice actress, Matsuki Miyu (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=444), along with everyone else, including the animators. The moment when she detonated the explosion was so intense. The watercolor still image worked there, as it did after Amuriya's death. EDIT: The shot from above of the whole Corps talking with Anguras. The shot from above of Neviril walking across the streams of smoke on the flight deck toward Aaeru, with the music in the background. The oh-so-expressive way Aaeru stood up to accept Neviril's offer. Sugoi! I also only just now realized that Yun is played by rising independent star Nazuka Kaori (http://hashihime.atspace.com/Hashi_seiyuusC.html#nazukaor) (Eureka, Erisu in Canvas2, etc.). Yun's quick, tight voice and characteristic speaking a little too soon are interesting.

[Jadawin1998]

biggest problem for me atm is only up to ep.3 is subed and its driving me nuts :( wtb jap lessons :)

[Futaba-chan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/futabachan/chor-tempest.png

[Simon]

Laughing too hard... Can't breathe...

Futaba-chan, that's pure brilliance :heh:

[Kaoru Chujo]

Ab.so.lute.ly fabulous.

Except that I think Anguras is more complex and sympathetic than that. Oh, wait -- maybe Osama is, too.

[Simon]

I've just noticed a new Simoun AMV on YouTube - it's called Memories (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C0PO8F9pgA), it's all about Neviril, and it's really quite lovely...

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/peace-conference_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simounl-Overhead-view01_ep08.jpg


#413 >Futaba-chan's post Aaeru's name is the Plumbish term for divine love.

My contribute post #427 is reprint to URLhttp://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/episode-consider-02e.htm just Now!
Your Intellectual curiosity is satisfied ,please!

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simounl-Overhead-view02_ep08.jpg

The truth of a peace conference, and consideration of the actual condition

8話において、プルンブム嶺国の和平使節である特命大使達と、随行した通訳兼巫女（対外的な表層 は） アングラスほかにより引き起こされた、自爆テロリズムとも受け取れる一連の行為について考察し てみた。
In the Episode-8, it is alike and sets " Plumbum ridge nation " their an interpreter and shrine maiden (within international surface) who attended with the special mission ambassadors who are peace missions Envoy"Angulasu & other maiden "- a series of acts which can be thought to be also the caused suicidal-explosion terrorism were considered.

まず、今回の会談は嶺国から持ち込まれたものであり、場面を単純に観てとらえれば、最初から交渉の主目的で あり、宮国の主戦力であり、軍備の象徴であるさらには 宮国国民に崇拝されている シヴュラ・アウレアの ネヴィリルを擁する コール・テンペスト含めたエリート航空隊３ コール（隊）の乗機 シムーンを奪取又は破壊。さらには同様な経緯で宮国の象徴たる アルクス・プリーマをも可能ならば占拠もしくは破壊し、戦力に大打撃を与えるともに、上記象徴を破壊するこ とで、宮国国民の戦意や士気を削ぐことを目的としたものと考えられる。
At first, if this talk is carried in from " Plumbum ridge nation " side, it looks at a scene simply and it is caught it will be the Purpose of the negotiation from the beginning, will be the main military power of the Simulacrum, and will be the symbol of armaments further the Simulacrum it is worshipped by people "Sibylla Aurea" Neviril regina leads "The choir Tempest" Included elite flying 3-choir(=Corps) aircraft Shimoun capture or destruction. furthermore, the same circumstances the Simulacrum a symbol "Arcs Prima"
which will occupy or break if possible, and gives a great symbol to military power and for which the above-mentiironed symbol is both destroyed the Simulacrum people's will to fight and morale destroyed it is thought that it aimed at.

しかしながら、巫女アングラスの行動に対しての使節の反応に本編の画面描写から取れる範囲では戸惑いともと れる表情が見てとれることから、必ずしも嶺国側の内部も一枚岩ではなかったとも推察される。
However, in the range which can be taken from screen depiction of this editing for an envoy's reaction to action of " Adult Shrine maiden "(and more girl "Angulasu" ), it is guessed from the ability of the expression which can take puzzlement to be grasped that the inside of a " Plumbum ridge nation " side was not necessarily a monolith, either.

仮説
Hypothesis

１.今回の和平会議に見せかけた攻撃は全て仕組まれたものであり、嶺国から送り込まれた使節そのものがまや かしだった。
Hypothesis 1.
The envoy itself which all attacks made to look like this peace conference were plotted, and was sent in from " Plumbum ridge nation " was trickery.

２.今回の事件のうち、和平使節たる大使らは上記の事情を全く知らず、巫女達の独断と暴走で計画が実行され た。（巫女の独断の可能性は低い）
Hypothesis 2.
The plan was completely carried out by not knowing peace mission slack ambassadors, and dogma and reckless run of shrine maidens in the situation of the above among these terrorism opration. (The possibility of dogma of a shrine maiden is low)

３.前半は仮説２に同じだが、巫女達の独断と暴走では当然無く、意見軍部を始めとする主戦派（好戦派）が、 和平派を始末して嶺国内の国内世論を自分たちに有利に持って行くために、信仰に篤い巫女達をうまく利用して 大使らには知られないように計画を遂行した。
Hypothesis 3.
First half is the same as "Hypothesis 2" , But latter part has changed, it has not her own dogma and reckless run of shrine maidens, naturally there was nothing, and in order that the Jingoism groups including the opinion military authorities might dispose of a peace group and might go with the domestic public opinion in Mine in favor of themselves, the plan was carried out so that it might not be known by ambassadors at faith, using religious shrine maidens abuse.

以上３つの仮説が考えられる
Three hypotheses can be considered above.

１と２については特に解説するところは無いので、もっぱら仮説３について解説する。
Since there is no points of the explains " Hypothesis 1 " or " Hypothesis 2 ", thus I chiefly explained " Hypothesis 3 " !

本編セリフ
The words at Episode 8

「通訳ならお一人でかまわないではありませんか」
Isn't it one person enough to translating with, if it is an interpreter is ?" "

「巫女はただの通訳ではなく、重要な会議を見守っております。儀礼には巫女が複数必要です」
"The shrine maiden is not only an interprete works, but also the watching that important meeting. Our Shrine maidens are two or more necessities at courtesy."

「では当方もテンプスパティウムに仕える巫女を同席させましょう」
"We also needs to make the shrine maiden who serves Tempus-Spatium sit in ."


「お国の巫女は単なる巫女ではなく、兵士ではありませんか!?」
"Is your nation's shrine maiden not a mere shrine maiden but the soldier!?"


これだけのやり取りを巫女達の独断で行ったと考えるのは無理がある。
It is impossible to think that the exchange of only this was performed by shrine maidens' dogma.

さらには鏡を使った信号を合図として、嶺国戦艦のほうも作戦行動として砲撃を開始している以上 、 巫女たちの独断で一体化した行動を行ったと考えるのは無理がある。
Furthermore, it is impossible by considering the signal using a mirror as a signal to think that action unified by shrine maidens' dogma was performed above the way of a " Plumbum ridge nation " battle-ship has also started bombardment as operations.

さらに、もし使節団も巫女に同調してるなら、全員が一斉に「うなずく」などの判り易いサイン、又は宮国側に は判らないように、予め示し合わせた何かの暗示的な動作をするなどの描写を見せるだろうし、 鏡を使いに一人の巫女が席を外す時も目配せ等の演出がを当然入ると思われる。もし、騙し討ちが計画通りで示 し合わせてあったと譲歩しても、上記の経緯を考えれば、大使達は自分達が殺されるとは思っていなったと思わ れる。
Furthermore, supposing the mission also agrees with a shrine maiden, depiction of carrying out suggestive operation of something about which it arranged previously beforehand will be shown such as "bowing one's head in assent", may not understand all the members all at once.
And also when a one shrine maiden removes a seat for a mirror to usage, it will be thought that suggestion, such as a wink, are naturally entered so that an intelligible sign or the Simulacrum people's side cannot recognize.
If the above-mentioned circumstances are considered even if it concedes cheat betray being as planned and having arranged about it previously, and ambassadors will "not " be mentionded to have come to think that themselves are killed by suicidal-explosion terrorism.


また通訳として同席したアングラスが使節の意図を正しく伝達したかも疑わしく、上記意図を使節団や宮国側に 悟られない為の監視を兼ねていた可能性も考えられる。
Moreover, it is doubtful whether Angulasu which sat as an interpreter transmitted the intention of an envoy correctly, and a possibility of having served as the surveillance for not realizing the above-mentioned intention to a mission or the Simulacrum people's side is also considered.

主戦派はおそらく、嶺国の巫女達の神 アニムス宮国の テンプスパティウム同じであるなど赦し難いという宗教的嫌悪感を利用して、今回の単独行動に必要な軍事行動 に必要な能力や一連の交渉術の教育も事前になされていたと推定される。
Probably the Jingoism groups make use of the Shrine maiden's feeling "We cannot permit to hard the dogma that Plumbum ridge nation 's holy god "ANIMUS" is suggested to the same existance to Simulacrum's "Tempus-Spatium".
That premature-religious aversion is presumed using the accceptance of the education of capability required for terrorism required for this independent operational action or a series of negotiation ways was also made in advance.

爆破対象はシムーンが第一目標だろう。アルクス・プリマは終盤の戦闘状況から見て、艦砲射撃で充分対応出来 、まずプルンブム側が持ち得ない脅威である航空戦力を減らせば、前線への支援にもなる。
最初の交渉で巫女（結果的にはアングラス）を会議室から出して、なるべく目標に近づける作戦があったという 意見には同意出来る。爆破要員と後処理要員を用意するため複数の巫女を送り込んだと思われる
The main terrorism-candidate "Simoun" for blasting will be the first target.
An "Arcs prima "donna sees from the battle situation of the final stage, can respond enough by the bombardment from a warship, and if the aviation military power which is the threat which " Plumbum ridge nation " side cannot have probably is reduced, she will also become the support for a front.

A shrine maiden (as a result Angulasu) is taken out with the first negotiation from a conference room, and it can agree with opinion that there was strategy brought if possible close to a target.
In order to prepare a blasting staff and a post-processing staff, it is thought that two or more shrine maidens were sent in.


さらに、和平会談までの経緯・状況は、まったく第三国の監視・仲介の外で行われ、宮国は各国と戦争状態で国 際的に孤立している、すなわち国際的に発言力のない国家である以上、上記結果（一部失敗）としての自爆によ り使節団が全滅したとしても、主戦派の狙いの想定内にあったと思われる。
Furthermore, the circumstances and the situation to a peace talk were completely performed outside surveillance and agency of a third power, and the Simulacrum is internationally isolated by each country and the state of war -- namely, -- It is the state which does not have an influential voice internationally.
Even if "Missions" were wiped out above by suicidal explosion as the above-mentioned result (it fails in part), withinin that thought it was in assumption of the Jingoism groups' intention.


言い換えるなら、宮国が周りの国々全てを敵に回して孤立しており、仲介国も無い当事国同士の交渉、さらには マスメディアが未発達、かつ秘密会談的な性質を持つ為、テレビ中継やラジオ実況などの形で事実が不特定な大 衆に対して国際的に周知されるという状況が成立しないため、嶺国側が虚偽の事実の主張をしても、立証する手 段がない。
If it puts in another way of words , the Simulacrum turned all surrounding nations to the enemy, and is isolated, and since it has negotiation of the nations directly concerned which an any agency-nation does not have, and underdevelopment and still secret-talk either.
More worse situation, the modern justice mass-media has lacked, the fact is not announced to the public with the unspecified fact in forms internationally by the way of such as live telecast and the radio actual live broadcast condition is not materialized.
Even if " Plumbum ridge nation " side asserts the false fact, there will be no means to prove.

予想される プルンブム嶺国の公式声明の形は以下のようなものになると思われる。
It is expected. the Plumbum ridge nation's thought that the form of an official statement becomes the following.

宮国に送った我が国の大使及び神聖なる巫女達は、卑劣なる宮国のシヴュラ達によって無残にも謀殺されたので 、わが国は護衛艦１艦にも関わらず、果敢にも単艦にて報復攻撃を行い損害を受けながらも、シムーン多数を破 壊、主力艦 アルクス・プリーマに大損害を与えた。この戦いで巫女の名を語った破戒尼僧兵に過ぎないシヴュラどもによっ て、我が国の大使達や、聖なる巫女達の尊い命が失われ、わが国は耐え難い野蛮なる屈辱を受けた
Though our Plumbum ridge nation's carries out a retaliatory strike by the single warship also bold in spite of convoy single-warship because of the ambassadors and the sacred shrine maidens of our property who sent to the Simulacrum were also cruelly murdered by "Sibyllae" (the plural of "Sibylla") and others of mean the Simulacrum, and it suffers damage, they are destroyed a large numbers of "Shimoun",and more Heavy-loss damage was done also the capital flying ship "Arcs Prima" .
Our nation's precious ambassadors saint-shrine maidens' valuable life was lost by boil "Sibyllas" which is only this Broken Commandment nun soldier who told a false shrine maiden's honer or name in this slaughter incident.
We, Plumbum ridge nation received an intolerable barbarous humiliation!!


このような形で声明を公表すれば、宮国に敵対する各国の国際的同意や好意も取り付け易く、また、他国に先ん じて宮国に大打撃を与えたという優位も演出できる。
If the declaration is released in such a form, the predominance of having been easy to attach the international consent and the courtesy of each nation which turn against the Simulacrum, and having preceded the foreign country, and having given the great blow to the Simulacrum can also be directed.

さらには、国内の和平派の主力を使節団に仕向ければ、和平派の抹殺と嶺国内に残存する和平派の恫喝にもなり 、実行犯たる巫女達も自爆により死亡し証拠隠滅(しょうこいんめつ)もできるという意図もうかがえるのであ る。
Furthermore, extortion of the peace group who remains in erasure of a peace group and the Mine inside if a domestic peace group's main force is forced to a mission, more over Direct perpeter, "shrine maidens herself " died by suicidal explosion.
The destruction of the evidence were the intention that the Jingoism groups can do is also imagined.

国内における主戦派による和平派の抹殺等の陰謀を扱った作品として次のようなものがある
「闘将ダイモス」
There is the following as a work treating intrigues, such as erasure of the peace group by the domestic the Jingoism groups in anime series, refer to the old 70's anime work
" Fighting General Daimos . " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimos

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/anglas-death.jpg
The decision matter about a peace meeting

1.The Plumbum ridge nation requested that I performed holding and it of peace talks behind closed doors on high seas.

2.The description that I called a religion opposition and loathsomeness is seen between neither except that I hide a crest of temps-spatiunm as consideration to the peace envoy.

3.The warship acted with unified intention with a medium.

4.It was for a purpose of a medium (undergrounds) who did an independent action not to be able to use a simoun.

5.Plumbum ridge nation envoy cannot talk with thethe Simulacrum shrine nation side unless I go through a medium.

6.Existence of an opposition of both cease-fire groups is not drawn.
（It is not a thing denying existence of an opposition）

7.In Arcs prima, in the mission, three terrorists maiden, maiden 4 came over, but one maiden is missing


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/plumbum-male_Terrorist_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_volunteer_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_her_pal_ep08.jpg

[Matrim]

Hilarious relationship map, indeed. :heh:

[Futaba-chan]

Eri/Erif seemed (to me, anyway) feminine but hadn't decided even as she entered the pool, and the high priestess decided to make her male.

I wonder if that isn't just the default that anyone who shows up without a strong, clear determination to remain female would get. Guragief mentions in episode 2 that they've had to reserve public service jobs and some other occupations for men as an incentive to get enough people to choose male to wind up with an even gender balance. Since they have to prod people into being male due to a shortage of males, I'd guess that undecided people would be pushed into being male.

This is the first time I've really thought about this question, and even tried to apply it to myself (thoughts which I will not share, lol). What a great show, to give us this tool for thinking about gender.

That was one of the things that first attracted me to the series; I'm glad that it's proven to be excellent.

In any case, maybe a person's apparent masculinity or femininity is not the key.

I love that the series has a sufficiently nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding gender identity that butch/femme is correctly treated as a separate axis from male/female. I love that they have people wrestle with their gender, and sometimes even make bad choices. I love that the bad guys are the bad guys not just because of the usual peace and environmentalism reasons, but also because they impose non-consensual gender identity on their citizens.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Futaba-chan:
Good point that male-change may be the default, in order to raise numbers of the less-desired gender. And other good points.

Simon:
Thanks for the link to that great video. It's nice to see that people who don't post here (I guess) also love and understand this show. I also enjoyed the Ishikawa Chiaki PV of the OP, which I hadn't seen before.

Yui:
Thanks again for great info. And thanks for adding the Japanese. It sometimes helps to have it for reference.

The more I watch ep8, the more I like it (if that's possible). The images of Neviril saying she will be Aaeru's pair, and of Aaeru standing up to receive her, are burned into my mind.

[atua]

Guragief mentions in episode 2 that they've had to reserve public service jobs and some other occupations for men as an incentive to get enough people to choose male to wind up with an even gender balance. Since they have to prod people into being male due to a shortage of males, I'd guess that undecided people would be pushed into being male.

I've personally speculated that something like this is going on; that part of the reason that Simulacrum is so gender stratified is to prevent the host of social-economic/reproduction-population issues that a heavily gender imbalanced society would cause, thus certain "incentives" have to be provided to motivate people to choose to be male.

But where in ep 2 does Guragief actually say this about reserving public service jobs based on gender as an incentive? Or is this something that you felt was implied? I had a quick look through my Simoun 2 sub, and can't see where this was mentioned, so a time or scene would be really helpful.

[Futaba-chan]

But where in ep 2 does Guragief actually say this about reserving public service jobs based on gender as an incentive?

Oh! No, now that you mention it, he doesn't -- I was remembering Eri saying that on the train as she was mulling over what to do at the Spring. She had always leaned female, but choosing female would restrict what she might do for a profession after leaving the Sibylla....

[Simon]

The moment when she detonated the explosion was so intense. The watercolor still image worked there, as it did after Amuriya's death.
Those "watercolour moments" seem to be carefully chosen - there's also this one (http://www.hikari.org.nz/stuff/otaku/simoun/simoun_ep2_watercolour_moment.jpg) in ep2, just after Aeru first meets Neviril and says she hopes to become her Pair...
I love that the series has a sufficiently nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding gender identity that butch/femme is correctly treated as a separate axis from male/female.
I agree, and I'm also pleased it doesn't make the even clumsier mistake of mixing up gender identity and sexual orientation (somethat that really irritates me in RL).

On a slightly less serious note, I wonder where the characters fit on the Aristasian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristasia) blonde/brunette axis?

[Yui from Okinawa]

Orijinal article URL is http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/episode-consider-02e.htm

アルゲントゥム礁国に関する考察
Consideration about Argentum

国民の実態
The Argentum people's condition

4話において、アーエルらと対峙する、アルゲントゥム航空兵の生き残りの独白や、病死までの回想及び描写よ り、この国の実情がある程度推測できる。
In Episode 4, the actual condition of this country can guess to some extent from the monologue of the Argentum airman who takes a stand against Aael and others of survival, the recollection to a death due to sickness, and depiction.


国民は生まれると直ぐに、大半の国民が、「兵隊」又は「工場生産員」に適したる男性（大半）と、少数の「子 供を産む女性」へと国家管理局が選別し性別を固定化する。そこには、実際には テンプスパティウムの意向が反映されるとはいえ、一応個人の自由意志も尊重される、「性別選択の自由」は存 在しない。
If people are born, immediately, most people are suitable for a "soldier" or
a "factory mass-production worker", and a state control office sorts out them to a slack male (most) and a small number of "woman who bears a child", and they fix sex. There, it is . Temps-spatium although an intention is reflected, "the freedom of sex selection" in which individual free will is also respected once does not exist.


また化学工業により産み出された薬品（アンドロゲンなどのホルモン剤と推測される）を使って、性別を国家が 強制的に決めることから、国民の自由もかなり制限されているよにうに見える。
Moreover, since a state determines "sex or jender compulsorily " using the medicine (=hormone drugs, such as the androgen, are conjectured) 　brought forth by the chemical industry, national freedom is also visible to restricted considerably.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-soldier-hemoptysis_ep04.jpg

工業に国力の大半を注いだ為、国民の福祉や、健康は公害病で蝕まれ、４話で登場した敗残兵も喀血(かっけつ )をしていたところをみると、スモッグで肺を蝕まれていたようだ。総じて、全体主義的国家統制（旧ソビエト 連邦やナチスドイツ）のような軍国主義国家のように思われる。
They are also the remnants of a defeated army who national welfare and health were spoiled by the pollution-related illness since the great portion of national power was directed towards industry, and appeared in four talks." Hemoptysis = 喀血 (ka-kketsu)" It seems that lungs will be spoiled with smog if the place which was being carried out is seen. It seems to be a militarism state generally like totalitarianism national control.
(Soviet Union”Ｕ.Ｓ.Ｓ.Ｒ.” and Nazis.)

なお、最近の作品で似た傾向の作品を探すと、実写ではあるが、桐谷監督の2004年の実写映画「CASSH ERN」において全体主義的独裁国家「大亜細亜連邦」の公害病の描写などを想起させる。
（特に冒頭の本国での司令官らしき人物との会話のシーンの絵等、上記作品の冒頭、東博士と日興ハイラル社の 社員「内藤」の公害病の会話の内容、構図や赤い色彩も含めてそのままである。）
In addition, although it is an Live-movie-film the work of the tendency which was alike with the latest work is looked for, in the documentary film in 2004 of Director Kiriya's "CASSHERN ", depiction of the pollution-related illness of a totalitarianism-despotic state "The Great Asia-Federation" etc. is reminded.
(The beginning of the above-mentioned works, such as a picture of the scene of conversation with the person in character with especially the commander in native Argentum nation of the beginning, very resemble to - The scene of Dr.Azuma and "Nikko-Hairal inc." = "日興ハイラル社" an employee's "Mr.Naito"'s contents, composition, it comes out as it is also including conversation contents "pollution-related illness" and red color of Haiar ...)

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-mainland_ep04.jpg
Simoun Episode 4 "The Argentum mainland."

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/casshern-01.jpg
"CASSHERN " depiction of the pollution-related illness of a totalitarianism-despotic state "The Great Asia-Federation"
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-pollution_water_ep04.jpg

宮国侵攻に至る経緯の推察
The guess of circumstances which results in the Simulacrum invasion


礁国は、我々の星系で言う、いわゆる「産業革命」を得た後、相乗効果による科学技術の急速な発展に伴い、更 なる技術の向上と生産性拡大をみたものと思われる。
Argentum Shou(coral) nation after obtaining the so-called "Industrial Revolution" said by our star system, it is thought with rapid development of the technology by the synergistic effect that improvement and productivity expansion of the further technology were seen.


富国強兵の為に、労働力の確保と向上が必要となったとき、いわゆる「産めよ増やせよ」の原理で、強力な独裁 者の下で人口の増大に努めた結果、地方（農村・漁村）において（長女除く）次女～七女までの大家族制度が定 着し、国家的にみて、大量の余剰人員が出たのかもしれない。
The time of the reservation and improvement in the labor force being needed for the wealth and military strength of a country -- being the so-called ( "Bear babies, increase population !) "Increase and multiply, fill the sky-land and subdue it " =「産めよ増やせよ」 the result of having strove for increase of population under the powerful dictator by the principle a district (the farm village and the fishing village) setting extended family systems, second daughter such as the seventh daughter (the Eldest daughter preserved as Family-system successer) are established, it sees nationwide, and possibly a lot of excess personnel came out.


しかしながら、急激な工業大国化により、それが国家的な危機を生じるほどの環境汚染の被害を拡大させてしま う。 国策として環境の改善が急務となるが、環境改善や、保護技術の確立は容易ではなく、また時間的な猶予も無く 、工場等の操業の縮小や停止が起きて、そこで余った労働力が未知の技術獲得の為の宮国侵攻に投 入される。
However, it will make the damage of environmental pollution to the extent that a national crisis is produced expand by rapid industrial power-ization. Although an improvement of environment serves as pressing need as a national policy, there is also no time postponement easily, reduction and a stop of operation, such as a factory, occur, and an environmental improvement and establishment of protection technology are supplied to " the Simulacrum invasion " for the technical acquisition with the strange labor force which remained there.

しかし、宮国侵攻のための大量の兵士や渡洋爆撃(*1) をする為に必要な大量の航空機を製造する為の工場労働員等を考えた時、肉体的に女性の骨格では筋力や生理な どの面で、いかにも効率が悪い。
But, when the factory labor member for manufacturing a lot of dragon-fly fighter or othher airplanes required in order to carry out a lot of soldier for "the Simulacrum invasion" and "The
Over-Sea bombing " (*1 ) is considered, efficiency is truly physically bad by the female-frame in respect of muscular power, physiology, etc.

＊（海からの侵攻も不可能では無いが、海岸線から、宮国本国までは上陸後、更に険しい山脈を越えなければな らないため、武装化したシムーンの反撃に遭遇することが予想され、現実的ではない）
* If the invasion from the sea is also impossible, there is nothing, but in order to have to cross a still steeper mountain range from the coastline after landing up to the the Simulacrum nation's mainland , encountering the counterattack of militarized Shmoun is expected and it is not realistic.


そのため、医学と遺伝学、生物学（化学）を総動員し、「優生学理論」に基づき、薬剤（ホルモン剤）と外科手 術による、子宮・卵巣切除などの女性器官削除により、国家の管理局が「性別を判ずる技術」を獲 得。
Therefore, medicine, genetics, and biology (chemistry) are mobilized fully and the national Administration Bureau acquires "the technology of judging sex" based on " eugenics theory"
by aphrodisiacal tennis court official deletion of the womb, ovary excision, etc. by the medicine (hormone drug) and the surgical operation.

改めて産児制限を行い、長年に渡り温めていた宮国への侵攻計画ほか軍事計画のために、かなりの数の女児を男 児に改造手術し、幼年期から兵員又は工場労働者として養育する。
Birth control is practiced anew, for a military plan besides the invasion plan to the Simulacrum warmed over many years, a reconstruction operation is undergone at a boy and most number of girls are brought up as personnel or a factory worker from an infancy term.

性転換させられた者には生殖能力は無いが、改造男性は使い潰しの兵士で、家庭を持つ前に大半が戦死している ために、これといった問題は起きていない。
"He" the person who was made to convert a sex to male doesn't have a reproductive capacity but because-- the reorganization man is the soldier of the use crush and most of all were killed in the war before having a family (wife or daughters) of "the problems such as this " don't occur.


性別の判別技術を持つこと自体が軍事機密で極秘事項、最前線の兵員は、自分が果たして男性として「製造」さ れたのか、改造された女児だったのかは知らない。
The numarous number of "Argentum soldiers in the forefront" didn't know the secret of "Orijinally, they were girls !!"
They have never recognize Whether they were the girl whom converted male or have been " real " manufactured " as the Pseudo-Boy (Lately they grown as the" Guy...") because of the military affairs national top-secret matter itself which has the sex and gender re-assignment or distinction technology.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-soldier-01_ep04.jpg


第４話「近い戦争」に於ける、宮国内に潜伏していた礁国兵士の考察
Consideration of the Argentum soldier who was hiding out in the Simulacrum Episode 4th "Nearby war"


上記エピソードにおいて、 宮国内に潜伏していた アルゲントゥム礁国の兵士について考察してみた。何故、宮国領土内に潜伏していたかについて、以下の理由が 考えられる。
In epiode 4, Simulacrum Argentum soldier was hiding out inside. Argentum soldier was considered. The following reasons can be considered about why it was hiding out in the Simulacrum land.


仮説１ 宮国内に 礁国の飛行機械で侵攻した際、撃墜又は被弾、(*2)もしくは機体の故障などの何らかの理由に よって
Hypothesis 1
When he invades to the Simulacrum mainland by side Argentum "Dragon-fly" fighter, they are some reasons of failure of shooting down, a cartridge-ed, or the body etc. (*2)

飛行部隊とはぐれ、宮国領土内にパラシュートその他の脱出装置で降下又は不時着した結果、機体を失ったが、 本国への忠誠心を失わず孤立しながらも、シムーン奪取の機会を伺っていた。
As a result of getting separated from "the flight unit" and descending or crash-landing with the escape equipment of a parachute and others in the Simulacrum nation ground, the body was lost, but though the loyalty to its native country was not lost but it was isolated, it was hearing about the opportunity of Shimoun capture.

＜参考外部リンク＞
< Reference external link >

横井 庄一 / Yokoi Shoichi (sergeant)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoichi_Yokoi ,
小野田 寛郎 / Onoda Hiro-ou (second lieutenant) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroo_Onoda


仮説2. 初めから ヘリカル・モートリスの技術を持ち帰ろうと、 礁国から潜入した工作員で、手っ取り早い手段として シムーンを持ち帰ろうとして潜入した。
Hypothesis 2.
From the start "Helical- Mortris" if I will bring technology home Argentum from as a means quick at the agent who infiltrated Shmoun it was going to bring home and infiltrated.

飛行船から降下侵入した降下兵で、近くの 聖廟を襲撃して シムーンを乗っ取ろうとしたが本隊とはぐれた、または本隊が壊滅した。
At the descent soldier who did descent invasion from the airship, it is near. Mausoleum of saint-shrine it attacks. Shmoun Although it was going to capture, it got separated from his corps or this corps destroyed completely.

しかし、 アーエル達が遭遇した時点で,重い病を患っており、本篇中に於いて病死したこと、単独で整った装備も無かっ たこと、正確な年齢は明らかでないものの兵士としては高齢であったことなどを考えると２の説は 採りがたい。
However, when Aael and Rimone he has trouble with its critical illness and considers having died of an illness in this editing, that there was also no independently ready equipment, that exact age was advanced age as a soldier of a not clear thing, etc., when it encounters Opinion of 2 It is hard to take.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-scope_rifle_ep04.jpg

一方、不時着したパイロットにしては、大型の狙撃銃を持っていたのは不自然ではある。しかし、宮国内におい て民間人や兵士などから奪取した可能性や、義烈空挺隊 （義号作戦）の如く、敵陣に不時着後は歩兵となってゲリラ戦に移行することを予め予定して、機体内に装備し ていた可能性も予想されるので１の説の可能性が比較的強いといえる。
It is unnatural to, have had a sniping gun large-sized for a pilot who crash-landed on the other hand. however, a possibility of having wrested from the civilian, the soldier, etc. in the Simulacrum inside and as like " 義烈空挺隊=Giretsu heroic special air-bone force" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giretsu_special_forces_operations (義号作戦＝Gigou strategy operation) likesince a possibility of having planned beforehand becoming a foot soldier and shifting to bushfighting after crash-landing on the enemy's line, and having equipped in the body is also expected Opinion of 1 It can be said that possibility is comparatively strong.

また、シムーンの奪取時における計画性の無さ
Moreover, a lack of the planning at the time of capture of Simoun.

工作員として必要な敵国語である、宮国語を習得していない
The Simulacrum-language which is enemy nation's language required as an agent is not mastered.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-decoy-01_ep04.jpg

おとり（デコイ）として製作した擬装シムーンの粗末さ
Carelessness poor quality of camouflage Simoun manufactured as a lure (decoy)


通信手段の貧弱さ
Poorness of a communication means

潜伏場所の地理選定における、思慮の欠如
Lack of thought in geography selection of an incubation place

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-wood_hut_ep04.jpg

服装が礁国兵士のものであることからみても、潜入工作員としての線は考え難い。
Even if it sees that uniform belongs to a Argentum Flight jaclet for air combat soldier, it is hard to consider the line as an infiltration agent.

宮国の情報管理がどの程度のものなのか窺うことは出来ないが、シヴュラでないと起動出来ないことすら知らな かった (*3)ことからみても、２の説を採るのは無理がある。
Although it could not hear about what thing information management of 宮国 is, it did not even know that it could not start unless it is Sibyllas. In view of (*3) thing, it is the opinion of 2. Taking is impossible.

さらに、なんらかの手段でシムーンを飛ばせる事が出来たとして、アルゲントゥム礁国は海の向こうであり、宮 国内に侵攻する航空部隊との無線機又はその他の通信手段も無い状態では、本隊に合流できる可能性はほとんど ない。
Furthermore, it is "Argentum shou(礁=coral) nation " noting that Simoun is able to be flown with a certain means. It is the marine other side and there is almost no possibility that this party can be joined in the state where there are not a walkie-talkie with the flying corps who invades in Miya, or other communication means, either.

考えられる他の方法は、プルンブム嶺国や、宮国の存在する大陸近辺の他の国に亡命者等を装ってシムーンを持 ち込めば、手土産代わりの身の安全を得ることも可能だが
Other methods considered and Plumbum ridge nation If Simoun is carried into other nations of the continent neighborhood where the Simulacrum exists pretending to be a political refugee etc., it is also possible to obtain the safety of the body instead of a gift.

前者の場合は、いずれ宮国と和平を結ぶ時点で交渉の邪魔になるため身柄を宮国側に引き渡されるか処刑される 結果になったかもしれず（それが結果として、和平交渉を装った自爆テロだとしても）
Since in the case of the former it became the obstacle of negotiation when connecting peace to "the Simulacrum nation" someday, possibly whether it is handed over at a the Simulacrum side brought a result executed in the person.
(Even if the Plumbum ridge nation planned the suicidal-explosion terrorism under pretense of peace negotiations as a result.)

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/argentum-soldier-03_ep04.jpg

後者の場合でも、亡命先の国の政府のよほどの好意が無い限り、機体の没収は免れず、仮に彼の所在が闇の内に 葬られず、礁国本国に覚知させる事に成功したとしても、シムーンの技術を部分的にでも礁国本国に持ち帰れる かどうかは、両国の交渉の結果に委ねられる事になったであろう。
Even if it succeeds in not escaping, and his life and whereabouts not being temporarily buried in the inside of darkness(executed), but making Argentum main land perceive confiscation of the body also in the case of the latter, as long as there is no much courtesy of the government of the nation of an exile place, it will be left to the result of negotiation of both countries in the technology of Simoun whether it can bring that it is also partial back to Argentum main land.

（海洋を隔てて距離がある分だけ、礁国側の外交は上記仮定の相手国に対して不利である。）
(Only the part of the diplomacy by the side of Argentum main land which separates the ocean and has distance is disadvantageous to the partner nation of the above-mentioned assumption.)

*1:Attack the mainland of the enemy nation with a long-range bomber etc. between the states which separated the ocean.

*2 Since the flight machine of Argentum tends to explode, the possibility of an emergency landing become one shot-exploded and according to shooting down or a cartridge-ed is low infinite.

*3 It is common sense to be selected on the assumption that acquisition of exact observation capability and inference capability was put on like other capability in a daily training process, if it was the agent who deserves infiltration in an enemy nation mainland.

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/character-settings.htm


マミーナの回想から判断できる宮国における階級制度と巫女の関係
The relation between the class system in "The Simulacrum nation " which can be judged from recollection of Mamiina, and a shrine maiden "Sibyllae" (the plural of "Sibylla")

Mamiina

経歴
Career

コール・テンペストのシムーン・シヴュラ。
Mamiina is Shimoun Sibylla belonging to "Choir-Tempest" at Episode 7.

ハルコンフに命によりネヴィリルのパルになる為にアルクス・ニゲルのコール・イグニスから異動 してきた。
By the order of Halconfu, since it becomes the PAL of Neviril, it has transferred from the Choir Igunis of air-career "Arcus Niger".

かつては名門の家柄であったが、親の代にはロードレアモンの使用人にまで没落しており、かつての栄光を取り 戻したがっている。
Although it was the birth of a distinguished family once, it has gone to ruin even in the employee of " Rōdoreamon " at parents' generation, and it is being wanted to regain an once glory.

父の死後に移り住んだ村がプルンブム嶺国の決死隊によって占拠されたとき、戦うことを拒むシヴュラに代わっ てシムーンに乗り込みこれを撃退、念願のシヴュラに選ばれた。
When the village which moved after a father's death was occupied by the suicide corps of "Plumbum ridge nation", instead of "Sibyllae" (the plural of "Sibylla") who refuses to fight, she got in Shimoun, and Mamina was chosen as "Sibylla" of repulse and the wish.

アウリーガとしての腕前は大聖廟でのシヴュラ選抜で最高の成績を修めるほどで、海嘯のリ・マージョン?、波 濤のリ・マージョンを描くこと得意とする。
The ability as AURIGA be " speciality, so that it studies the results highest by Sibylla selection at the place of "the great saint Mausoleum ".
Mamiina, she proud of rhe drawing-more dangerous Ri-maajon

"Ri Maajon of sea-water tsunami" (海嘯　 kai-shou)
"Ri Maajon of billows" (波濤 　hatou) "

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Rodoreamon-01_ep08.jpg

The Episode 7-8 is remarkable to description "the Simulacrum Commoner and the Aristocrat concern".
("Ancien Régime")


In the Episode7, infant young girl Commoner "Mamina" whose parents is gardener's served her parents in the garden of noble Aristocrat's mansion.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Rodoreamon-infant_mamiiina01_ep08.jpg

Her father had it noticed though aristocrat's daughter yong daughter lady " Rōdoreamon" was looking at herself, bowed, hold daughter's head furthermore, and bow.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Rodoreamon-infant_mamiiina02_ep08.jpg

That past incident left bitter recollections to her memory.

In the Episode-8, Mamina's her home village near the the Plumbum ridge nation's divine, attacked by the Plumbum special soldier.
(c.f THE GREEN BERETS/THE SPETSNAZ)

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/plumbum-male_Terrorist_ep08.jpg

Because of the brute attacking, the **female "Deux" suggested "Sibyllae" (the plural of "Sibylla") to"Ri-maajion bomberment" to "Plumbum special soldier" by "Simoun" in the village's host Shirine.

**The "Dux" of the village of the mother of MAMIINA can be judged to be a woman from the form of the half wing racked (The Left-hand side "Side with your heart" )Pendant of her breast.


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-deux-012_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-deux-011_ep08.jpg

But, most of Sibyllas who has become from noble Aristocrats reject to fight the enemy by Shimoun to avoid "holy air craft" as war-machine(=fighter or bomber).
Because of the Sibyllae all refused on the theory that priestesses shouldn't fight

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-flying-02_ep08.jpg

The "Cadet" Mamina volunteered the female "Deux" to bomberment enemy "Plumbum" by the "Simoun".

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_volunteer_ep08.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/mamina_her_pal_ep08.jpg

Orijinally, it is hard to become "the Sibylla" for the commmoner.
Thus MamiinaS had to overcome many difficulties by efforts to the plate rather than the aristocrat daughter.

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-flying-01_ep08.jpg

Thus, her reckless personality has done in her rising intention.

[Futaba-chan]

Because of the brute attacking, the female "Deux" suggested "sibyllas" to"Ri-maajion bomberment" to "Plumbum special soldier" by "Simoun" in the village's host Shirine.
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-deux-012_ep08.jpg

Was the dux really female? My sense was that he was male -- he's wearing a fez, which only the men wear, and he's commanding a Simoun choir, which could be one of the jobs reserved for men. (Admittedly, we only have Guragief as our other example.) My guess is that he's a young man like Wapourif, whose breasts and hip-to-waist ratio haven't had enough time to rearrange into a male configuration yet.

(Dux is a Latin word meaning "leader.")

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-deux-011_ep08.jpg

Orijinally, it is hard to become "Sibylla" for the commmoner.
Thus Mamiina had to overcome many difficulties by efforts to the plate rather than the aristocrat daughter.


The whole class system in Simulacrum is fascinating, and it completely subverts my expectations of Simulacrum being a peaceful Goddess-centered society (in the Marija Gimbutas sense, similar to the Minoans), free of patriarchal concepts such as class and hierarchy. Of course, the way that gender works on Daikuuriku pretty much invalidates conventional ideas about feminism, sexual orientation, and so forth....

[Yui from Okinawa]

Simoun　orijinal-sound track 01

Composed by : Toshihiko - Sahashi ( 佐橋　俊彦 )

01. opening theme
02. 妖艶なる絆の響き
03. 女性国家　第一楽章：旧人類
04. 女性国家　第二楽章：男性社会の崩壊と排除
05. 女性国家　第三楽章：新たな種の保存と変化
06. 女性国家　第四楽章：女性国家確立
07. 微かなる恋の心
08. 旅立ちの予感
09. 翼とツバサ
10. 特別な未来の為に…
11. 哀しみのシムーン・シヴュラ
12. そのままで…
13. 泉の波動
14. 約束
15. 美しき巫女の涙
16. 疑念と真実
17. 黒い陰
18. 大空のアウリーガ
19. 慟哭コール・テンペスト
20. 空中要塞
21. 静かなる祈りの声
22. 田園
23. 空よ風よ輝きの大地よ
24. ending theme

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-OST-01.jpg

Translations subtitle

01. Opening Theme
02. Sound of fascinating bonds
03. Female state The first movement: 　　 -- Homo sapiens neanderthalensis--
04. Female state The second movement: -- Collapse of male society, and exclusion--
05. Female state The third movement: 　　-- Preservation and change of a new species--
06. Female state The fourth movement: 　 --Female state establishment--
07. The heart of faint love
08. Premonition of departure
09. Wings and TSUBASA
10. To the special future sake
11. Pathos -- Shimoun Sibylla---
12. Stay as you as it is......
13. Wave motion of the spring
14. Promise
15. A beautiful shrine maiden's tear
16. Truth and doubt
17. Black shade
18. AURIGA of the great sky
19. Wail, The choir Tempest
20. Air Fortress
21. The voice of a quiet prayer
22. A Country
23. The sky, the wind of .... the brightness ground(Earth)...
(c.f: JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH " Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ", BWV.147)
24. Ending theme

[Kaoru Chujo]

Okay, I know this is crazy, but I liked ep8 so much that I made a subtitle file for it, for my own pleasure and practice, and hoping a few other people might find it entertaining. A few minor inaccuracies may remain. Suggestions welcome. The translation dances the border between literal and loose. I consulted a Chinese sub, but didn't always follow it.

Simoun 08 subtitles (http://hashihime.atspace.com/subs/Simoun%2008%20%5BPrayer%5D.ass)

Warning: for maximum impact, don't view this episode until you've seen the previous episodes (most of which are not yet subbed).

(Save the link, which is an .ass subtitle file. Then you can open it from the file menu of Media Player Classic when you're watching a raw. Or else rename it to the same name as your raw, except for the file extension, and put it in the same folder, and your media player should pick it up automatically.)

NOTE: I claim no copyright in the file, so anyone is welcome to use it and the translation in any way they like, attributed or unattributed.

[Futaba-chan]

Okay, I know this is crazy, but I liked ep8 so much that I made a subtitle file for it

Here's an even crazier thought: do we collectively have the skills needed to produce an actual fansub?

[Matrim]

Okay, I know this is crazy, but I liked ep8 so much that I made a subtitle file for it, for my own pleasure and practice, and hoping a few other people might find it entertaining.

Thank you!

[Futaba-chan]

Here's an even crazier thought: do we collectively have the skills needed to produce an actual fansub?

Hmm. Looking at the subtitle file, I'd guess that the answer would be "yes." Otsukare-sama! I'm impressed....

(And that may give me enough of a head start this weekend to get my usual synopsis out, even with going to Anime North.)

[Yui from Okinawa]

Was the dux really female? My sense was that he was male -- he's wearing a fez, which only the men wear, and he's commanding a Simoun choir, which could be one of the jobs reserved for men. (Admittedly, we only have Guragief as our other example.) My guess is that he's a young man like Wapourif, whose breasts and hip-to-waist ratio haven't had enough time to rearrange into a male configuration yet.

(Dux is a Latin word meaning "leader.")



The "Dux" of the village of the mother of MAMIINA can be judged to be a woman from the form of the half wing racked (The Left-hand side "Side with your heart" )Pendant of her breast.

See the source of "Japanese Fan -made Wiki-style dictionary and machine translation on your Browser!
"http://dempa-kitaa.hp.infoseek.co.jp/d/e/m/dempa-kitaa/cgi-bin/simoun/index.cgi?%e3%83%87%e3%83%a5%e3%82%af%e3%82%b9

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Mamiina-deux-012_ep08.jpg

[Seska]

Otsukare-sama! I'm impressed....

I'm impressed, too. Sugoui.

Mfg,
Seska

[Yui from Okinawa]

Now Simoun Orijinal-Sound Track 01 is shipping June. 21 in Tokyo 2006!!
1week or later you get it if you use oversea on-line EMS-fast mail Shop!

Composed by : Toshihiko - Sahashi ( 佐橋　俊彦 )

01. opening theme
02. 妖艶なる絆の響き
03. 女性国家　第一楽章：旧人類
04. 女性国家　第二楽章：男性社会の崩壊と排除
05. 女性国家　第三楽章：新たな種の保存と変化
06. 女性国家　第四楽章：女性国家確立
07. 微かなる恋の心
08. 旅立ちの予感
09. 翼とツバサ
10. 特別な未来の為に…
11. 哀しみのシムーン・シヴュラ
12. そのままで…
13. 泉の波動
14. 約束
15. 美しき巫女の涙
16. 疑念と真実
17. 黒い陰
18. 大空のアウリーガ
19. 慟哭コール・テンペスト
20. 空中要塞
21. 静かなる祈りの声
22. 田園
23. 空よ風よ輝きの大地よ
24. ending theme


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-OST-01.jpg]

Translate if the each track subtitle

01. Opening Theme
02. Sound of fascinating bonds
03. Female state The first movement: 　　 -- Homo sapiens neanderthalensis--
04. Female state The second movement: -- Collapse of male society, and exclusion--
05. Female state The third movement: 　　-- Preservation and change of a new species--
06. Female state The fourth movement: 　 --Female state establishment--
07. The heart of faint love
08. Premonition of departure
09. Wings and "TSUBASA "
10. To the special future sake
11. Pathos -- Shimoun Sibylla---
12. Stay as you as it is......
13. Wave motion of the spring
14. Promise
15. A beautiful shrine maiden's tear
16. Truth and doubt
17. Black shade
18. AURIGA of the great sky
19. Wail, The choir Tempest
20. Air Fortress
21. The voice of a quiet prayer
22. A Country
23. The sky, the wind of .... the brightness ground(=Earth)...
(c.f. JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH " Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ", BWV.147)
24. Ending theme

[Futaba-chan]

Simoun (シムーン)
Episode 8: Prayer (祈り)

I would never have gotten this out this week without Hashihime's subtitles, from which this is largely cribbed. Thanks! Obviously, watching the subtitled episode is nicer, but I'm posting this anyway for the benefit of folks who don't have a copy of it.


Anubituf, in a voiceover, summarizes recent events. He is the captain of the Simoun carrier Arcus Prima, which is home to three Simoun choirs: Chor Tempest, Chor Cup, and Chor Ribbon. Chor Tempest was once the elite, but lately, they've fallen from their position and are kept in reserve

As the Arcus Prima was preparing to host a peace conference between Simulacrum and Plumbum, a fight broke out within Chor Tempest between the existing members and new recruits. As a result, Chor Tempest is to disband after the peace talks. Several members of Chor Tempest were hoping to avoid going to the Spring, and the disbandment is hitting them hard, as members over the age of 17 will now have to give up flying the Simoun.



At the peace talks, Halconf questions the Plumbish delegation about the number of priestesses it has brought: while there is certainly a need to have translators, why is more than one necessary? The lead priestess explains that the priestesses are also there to watch over the peace conference. When the Simulacran delegation proposes that priestesses of the Tempus Spatium also attend, the Plumbish delegation objects on the grounds that the Simoun Sibylla aren't just priestesses, but soldiers as well.

In the ballroom, Mamiina sulks in a corner as Dominura explains to her that it's her fault that Chor Tempest has to disband. Morinas gangs up on her: if anyone should be crying, it's the rest of the choir. Dominura? adds that it's almost better that they're not flying if it really is the end. Only Rodoraemon has any sympathy for Mamiina: she knows that Mamiina's father has passed away; will Mamiina go back to her mother after the choir breaks up?

Mamiina is desperate: she needs to keep flying at any cost. Before she can elaborate, Aaeru and Yun arrive, and Limone points out that Mamiina and Aaeru are just like each other: they both want to fly and not go to the Spring. Yun thinks that it's strange that Aaeru doesn't want to go to the Spring -- after all, everyone does, don't they? It's just that with the war on, the Sibyllae have to help with the war effort. Aaeru replies that nothing is stopping Yun from leaving the Sibylla corps to go to the Spring.

Yun replies that she wouldn't feel right about it, having gone through a lot to become a Sibylla. She doesn't want to shirk her duty as a priestess. She's just never met anyone who intentionally avoided going to the Spring before. "Well, take a good look, then," Aaeru pertly replies, and makes a funny face at Yun.

Just then, Chor Ribbon wanders in and begins to socialize around another cluster of bean bag chairs in the upper ballroom. Kaimu and Alti are furious -- the ballroom has always been Chor Tempest's exclusive domain, and Chor Ribbon never came in to hang out before. "The captain didn't decide that, and neither did anyone else," Vura replies. Aaeru suggests letting them have the ballroom -- after all, Chor Ribbon has to be ready for combat at any moment. Chor Tempest pick up their things and leave.



As Chor Tempest files grudgingly out of the ballroom (and Kaimu turns down yet another invitation from Alti), Floe comes running up with important news. "That girl is always so amusing," says Morinas.

In a stern observation balcony, the Sibyllae learn that the important news is that Chor Tempest is to babysit the priestess Angulas from the Plumbish delegation during the peace talks. The peace negotiations arrived at a compromise: instead of one or all three of the priestesses attending the talks, just two of them will. Parietta adds that Angulas will be staying with Chor Tempest until the talks end. "I have guard duty at the conference," Guragief says on his way out the door. "Look after her -- and don't do anything rude."

Aaeru wonders about the language barrier, but Angulas explains that she can speak the Simulacran language, at least a little. Alti? mentions that she has heard that many Plumbish priestesses come from areas near the Simulacran border. Yun? has heard that the region is populated by tribes that wander on both sides of the border. Angulas replies that legend has it that the Plumbish goddess Anima was originally the same deity as the Tempus Spatium. "So we feel close to each other," Aaeru replies.

Floe introduces the Chor Tempest Sibyllae to Angulas one by one, and Angulas repeats each of their names in turn. Angulas compliments Rodoraemon on her beautiful name, and Mamiina points out that it reflects a distinguished lineage that has produced Sibyllae for many generations. Yun is enthusiastic about peace with Plumbum, and tells Angulas that the war can't end a day too soon. Angulas pointedly fails to repeat Aaeru's name when Aaeru is introduced, which rubs Aaeru the wrong way. Aaeru objects, and a discussion ensues about whether Angulas needed to have repeated Aaeru's name or not.

Yun interrupts to ask Angulas what the Plumbish clergy think of the Sibyllae using the Simoun as weapons of war. "That's bad, isn't it?" Yun asks. Angulas replies that Plumbum is a cold country, and many people freeze to death in its harsh winters despite the blessings that Plumbum receives. She constantly prays for the souls of the departed, that they may find peace with Anima. "Yes, that's right," Alti replies. "We originally only used the Simoun for sacred rituals."



Rodoraemon echoes Alti's sentiment, which provokes a reaction from Mamiina. Rodoraemon had an easy road to becoming a Sibylla, but Mamiina would never have had the chance if it hadn't been for the war.

Mamiina tells the story of how she became a Sibylla as she flashes back to the actual events. She joined the cadet corps and helped out at the temple because there was a shortage of girls in the village where she and Rodoraemon lived. But one day, she had the temerity to ask the Sibylla to whom she had been assigned as an aide whether the Sibylla would be Mamiina's pair when she became a Sibylla herself. "You, a Sibylla?" the Sibylla replied. "The Sibyllae are the chosen ones of the Tempus Spatium. A girl from a family such as yours will never become one." Mamiina was heartbroken.

Then, one day, a squad of soldiers from Plumbum attacked the temple to try to get to the Simoun. The dux of the Simoun choir stationed there ordered the choir into the air to fight off the attack, and the Sibyllae all refused on the theory that priestesses shouldn't fight. In desperation, the dux turned to the cadets and asked for volunteers. Mamiina was the first to volunteer.

As Mamiina climbed up to the auriga cockpit of the Simoun, the Sibylla who she had been the aide for tried to dissuade her: the Tempus Spatium wouldn't look favourably on Mamiina's combat mission, and the Simoun wouldn't fly for someone like her. To Mamiina's delight, the Remergion gem glowed brightly when she and her sagitta kissed it, and she was able to realize her dream of flying a real Simoun. She destroyed the attacking infantry with the Shark Remergion, and flew gleefully into the sunshine.

And that's why Mamiina is so determined to be Neville's pair: she knows that she was only allowed to be a Sibylla because she fought well, and if there hadn't been a war, she might not have been allowed to continue as a Sibylla due to her lack of family connections. But if she were paired with the famous Sibylla Aurea, then everyone would have to acknowledge her as no longer a mere upstart.

"But now that won't happen!" Mamiina sobs. "Stop it!" Paraietta commands. "Don't say things like this in front of a foreign priestess." Angulas is untroubled, however, and wishes the Sibyllae to just act naturally around her. Paraietta returns this sentiment: so long as Angulas doesn't try to steal secret information, she is free to move about the ship.

Angulas is delighted about this, and asks Aaeru to be her tour guide... but without actually calling her by name. "Call me by my name!" Aaeru shouts, annoyed, and the other Sibyllae giggle at this.


COMMERCIAL BREAK

つずく...

[randomlurker123]

thanks for the subtitle file :D

[Futaba-chan]

03. Female state The first movement: 　　 -- Homo sapiens neanderthalensis--
04. Female state The second movement: -- Collapse of male society, and exclusion--
05. Female state The third movement: 　　-- Preservation and change of a new species--
06. Female state The fourth movement: 　 --Female state establishment--


Now that's an interesting set of titles. I wonder what it means in terms of Daikuuriku's background....

[Yui from Okinawa]

<Canada in Tront is A.M 05:10 June 3 (Sat) / Tokyo JAPAN is A.M 09:10 The latest version in June ４ (Suni.) 2006!!>

Add Q38 to Futaba-chan's opinion!
Add Q51 to Futaba-chan's opinion!
Add Q42 to Martin's opinion!
I renewal Sub-page "Futaba-chan's Some unanswered questions " http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Futaba-chan-Some_unanswered_question.htm
The page became easy to inspect more for your Broeser!!

1:Are there ground-based Simoun, or is the force based on Arcus Prima (and hypothetical sister ships) all there is?
-Yui-
The Simulacrum has a compact carrier fleet or "Messis " aged patrol air-career on board relegated "Choir-Tempest ",Their new mother-career (Appear Episode 10!)
-Kaoru Choujo-
Ground-based Simoun. In ep8, we saw ground-based Simoun at the village where Mamiina was living, near the Plumbum border

2:Simulacrum appears to be able to manufacture Simile; can they build new Simoun, or is that a lost technology?
-Futaba chan-
They can build most of the systems on a Simoun, but not the helical motors themselves, which are relics that were unearthed from an archeological dig somewhere in the country.

3.How significant a blow was the loss of Choir Cup? Was it a catastrophic loss of up to a quarter of an irreplaceable resource, or was it just the first of many skirmishes in a long war between two large forces?
-Futaba chan
Nope. There's more than one Arcus Prima-class carrier, and there are further Simoun choirs based on the ground. And perhaps they even managed to salvage some helical motors after the battle from the downed craft?


4:How big is Simulacrum? The Simoun appear to travel at subsonic speeds (similar to a first-generation jet fighter, perhaps?), and rely solely on visual sightings to detect opposing forces, and entire chor appear to operate together when they sortie. Is Arcus Prima's Simoun group actually providing full patrol coverage for the whole nation?
-Futaba chan-
Simulacrum is large enough to have a railroad network, although it's possible to commute from the Citadel to the Spring or the Grand Temple and back in the same day. Arcus Prima isn't solely responsible for the entire country -- there are other ships in the fleet, and further Simoun choirs on the ground.


5.Does Simulacrum have other classes of aircraft besides Simoun and Simile? Are there air transports, for example?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

6.How do personnel (Dominura, for example) travel between Arcus Prima and the ground?
-Kaoru choujo-
Transport from the ground to Arcus Prima. Simile is a good suggestion. And in ep8, we saw ambassadors transported to Arcus Prima in a barge lifted by Simoun.
-randomlurker123-
At end of episode 1 , Aae arrives at the ship with a training simoun (her grandpa's i think) , the type flown by 1 person. when it was later restored to shiny condition by the techie (waripof? ) and crew , and Aael comment that she'll drive this one until she got a pair.

7.How do citizens of nations other than Simulacrum and Argentum deal with sex selection? Presumably, they don't come to Simulacrum's Spring... so what do they do?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

8.If Aaeru was a cadet at the southern front, and the Simoun are the only effective forces, and Aaeru had never flown a real Simoun before being assigned to the Arcus Prima, what forces are engaged on that front? Mass-produced Simile? Simoun that Aaeru just wasn't assigned to? Some sort of ground troops?
-Kaoru choujo-
Forces on the southern front. There was at least one Simoun at Mamiina's village, so why not at Aaeru's? That seems strange to me, too. Aaeru was flying her grandfather's Simile, so at least those exist. And there were definitely some (apparently quite ineffective) ground troops at Mamiina's village.

9.If Argentum and Simulacrum share a land border, why did the Argentine fleet need to cross the ocean to attack in the first episode?
-yui-
>1. Simulacrum Shrine nation("Simulacrum Imperial princess country"??) separated across the ocean from "Argentum Shou Nation"
（＝Argentum "Atoll" or "reef" Nation)

>2. In Episode 5, Enemy Anti-Air Tank Unit is belonged to "Purunbum Rei-Koku"
(=Purunbum Ridge Nation).

>3."Purunbum Ridge Nation" shared Steep mountain range to border "Simulacrum Shrine nation("Simulacrum Imperial princess nation"??).

The Some of English Fan-Sub otaku has mis-understand to confuse When "A" is "B", "Argentum Shou Nation" is the "Purunbum Ridge Nation"
"Purunbum Ridge Nation" shared Steep mountain range to Simulacrum Shrine nation("Simulacrum Imperial princess nation"??).
"Argentum Shou Nation" far from the Simulacrum, over the ocean.
But "Purunbum Ridge Nation" near to the Simulacrum, only shared Steep mountain range.

-Kaoru Choujo's opinion-
The magazine pages posted earlier say that Simulacrum is "small," is in the mountains, and has no seas. So I think it is likely small enough for one or a few Arcus vessels to cover
The same page says that there are "a hundred and some tens" of countries on Daikuuriku, and names Simulacrum Palace (Shrine?) Country, Argentum Reef Country, and Purunbum Ridge Country. As Yui posted, Purunbum is supposed to share a land border with Simulacrum, and is the source of the attack in episode 5, but Argentum is across water.

10. Are parachutes a lost technology?
-Yui-
Detail is below LINK

The reason escape equipment is not taken into consideration with Simoun
http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/Futaba-chan-Some_unanswered_question.htm#The%20airframe%20size %20of%20simoun
Digest
1. Religion and cultural evasion Simoun is a craft for the GOD, used for a religious rite to the last, do not attach the equipment for escape or it does not carry in, or since it is profanity to God Temps-Spatium, carrying out is not permitted.

2 The Pride because of Ostrich algorithm.

11.Is the Ri Maajon image in one Simoun's gem repeated in the gems of other Simoun in the same choir?
-Seaka's hypothesis-
If not, how does a chor coordinate which Ri Maajon to perform when its communication cables are disengaged?.
Yes. How then the others know what kind of Ri Maajon they must perform?... I dont saw any cables either... But they need some sort of leader... (to many cooks destroys the meal or so)
-Futaba chan-
"Yes."

-Seska's Quite and Answer contribution post-
xx. How do citizens of nations other than Simulacrum and Argentum deal with sex selection? Presumably, they don't come to Simulacrum's Spring... so what do they do?

Like we do it in our time. With Hormone... Today you can give a man, woman hormone to let them change sex.. Well, until the last part... you know.. but breats can raise from his chest... and that kind of stuff works on a woman, too. Give a Woman Man hormone, and she will lose her woman chest, and build up some muscles... Why do you think that some "Amazones" (Oympia these girls that lift this heavy wights) looks like men above the upper part )
Well, in Simoun the soldier said something equal too. when I remeber right.. He was forced to be a Men for the war- machine...

12We've seen the Sibyllae, Wapourif's maintenance crew, and the bridge crew. How many more crew members are needed to operate the Arcus Prima?.
-Futaba chan-
Quite a few, judging from the number of coffins from personnel killed in the suicide bombing, the number of their shipmates at the funeral, and the easy availability of crew members to carry extra furniture into Neville's stateroom at Halconf's bidding.


13.Do other nations also adhere to the religion of the Tempus-Spatium, or is that unique to Simulacrum?
-yui- Plumbum Ridge Nation
One of nation that exist in the sky land.
In the mountains nation located in the north of the Imperial princess (Shrine)Simulacrum nation, it is in warfare from an economic logjam with the Imperial princess (shrine) nation.

Is the religion animus.
It is different from the Imperial princess(Shrine) nation excluding the worshiped thing.

The animus believed in in the next Pulubum Ridge Nation though not admitted publicly it is recognized the same existence to temp-spatium..
Administrator Halconf suggested at Episode 7,the shimulaclum nation worshiped the god "temp-spatium" is the same existance
Plumbum ridge nation worshiped the god "Animus" by his acknowledge & reserch.

But he concealed that results because of the fear (consider) to negotiation disorder about the plumbum ridge nation.

14.Does Simulacrum have the highest level of left-over lost technology, or are there other states with different kinds of applied phlebotinum?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

15.Is the Ri Maajon magic, technology, or a miracle?
Yui's hypothesis of the the principle of Ri Maajon and helical motoris (hypothesis)
Helical motoris drives in response to the unanalyzable wave motion emitted from Tempus-Spatium remains.

The operation principle was presumed based on description of the MEGAMI magazine.
First, if the right fixed locus defined by Shimoun is drawn, it will let 翠玉 (Suigyoku=Green Emerald JEM) pass and will work on the crust - each ring of the upper and lower sides of Helical motoris brings about the effect of the so called R.P.G. MAP arms of saying space and the time
- (correctly, Time Base Correcter /T.B.C) in the Roll Playing Game game term which blows away the energy in accordance with being twisted of control and space from a rent to opening or another space, respectively.
In addition, the space distortion and the rent after an effect are beforehand corrected to a motion of a Track behind a craft, and recovery operation of a automatically -closing is included in circuit space, for this reason the ring of the Helical motoris lower part commits TBC. Therefore, since, as for Shimire Shimoun which used the dead copy of "one of the two" of original Helical motoris one-pair" considered that the scientist of "Simulacrum Imperial princess nation"analyzed with imperfection, and the engineer reproduced, only one kind for space control has reproduced the above-mentioned motor upwards, and it does not have "翠玉 (Green Emerald JEM)" but there is also no control function, Ri Maajonis not made.
For this reason, Shimire Shimoun there is little predominancy to the fighter of"Argentum-coral nation " only at armaments of a machine gun (speed and motility won) a sake -- a single seat type -- the object for a battle is also considered are used mainly as a double seat training plane for a certain thing.


16.What is the large cone-shaped hill in the opening credits? The one covered with buildings, with a cantilever airstrip and some other projection sticking out of it? I've been calling it the "citadel," but what is its actual function?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

17.What is that other funny thing sticking out of the citadel, that angles up into the sky at a thirty to forty-five degree angle?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

18.Are there other interesting places on the ground in Simulacrum besides the Spring and the citadel?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

19.Is the water surrounding the citadel a river, a lake, or an estuary? Do the boats on it trade with other nations?
- Kaoru Choujo's opinion-
Since the magazine page said that Simulacrum had no seas, I guess the citadel hill is in a lake in the mountains.
I have been thinking of that as the capital, where the Pool of the Grand Shrine is located、but I don't really know for sure.

20.How open are Simulacrum's borders for trade with other nations?
-Futaba chan
The country is surrounded by mountains, but there are some nomadic tribes that wander back and forth across the Plumbish border. Whether or not there are trade routes to other civilized nations is a nice question....

21.Are there Argentine spies hidden among the population, trying to steal technological secrets?
-Futaba chan-
Yes, she appears to be the head of state. How far-reaching her powers are remains to be seen, but people defer to her.
-

21.Is Onashia really the head of state, or is "Grand Shrine Empress" just a courtesy title?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

22.What other clergy does the religion of the Tempus-Spatium have? Do retired Sibylla who have spent their formative years as priestesses frequently take religious vows?
-Futaba chan-
There appears to be a group of adult priestesses (or other high officials) who dress in red. We saw a few of them in the first episode.

23.Aren't other nations worried about the rise of the Argentum war machine? Might Simulacrum find allies somewhere?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

24.How do the dragonfly fighters land?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

25.How are the dragonfly fighters recovered aboard their carriers?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

26.How do the dragonfly fighters work? It doesn't look like the "wings" would provide enough lift -- is it supposed to be a lifting body shape?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

27.Can anyone fly a Simile, or is it also limited to Sibylla who haven't chosen a sex?
-Kaoru choujo-
People seem to think that only priestesses can fly Simoun, but Aaeru is not a priestess, and Mamiina's superior was mistaken about her not being able to fly one, so perhaps all non-adults can. Maybe even anyone can, although I doubt that. The Argentum solider in the woods apparently couldn't make it go, but maybe that's because he was only one person, not two. It's certainly possible that religious feelings have prevented any experimenting with adults as pilots.
-Futaba-chan-
They certainly seemed worried that Angulas would team up with another girl from her delegation to steal a Simoun. Of course, Angulas was a priestess, so that could argue either way....


28.Do the Simoun have a maximum range?
-Seaka's hypothesis-
As far as i know.. (Afaik) their Gems dry only out if they make the Ri Maajons. Therotical, they can flight as long they dont use to much Ri Maajons.. (Episode 01). The source of energy for the crystal must be the Pilots.... "you must pilote the Simoun with your body and soul" (some place in a Pool scene...) Body = direct piloting... and Soul perhaps for Ri Maajon and "engage" of them.

29. Limone watches a performance of the Silver Ri Maajon, but it doesn't detonate. Likewise, Aaeru's practice runs don't appear to have had any expectation of a detonation. Is there something that the Sibylla do to produce warlike effects from otherwise peaceful Ri Maajon?
-Seaka's hypothesis-
They need "the will to kill" to turn these Ri Maajons for real... (Episode 01, can be a possibility why she said "dont look into his eyes, you will lose the will to kill)

30. Has Simulacrum given any thought to carrying the war to the Argentum Coral nation homeland?
Consider the effect of the Silver Ri Maajon over the Argentine airship docks, or the factory that produces the dragonfly fighters....
-Kaoru choujo-
Consider the effect of the Silver Ri Maajon over the Argentum airship docks, or the factory that produces the dragonfly fighters....
-Seaka's hypothesis opinion: Perhaps, they cant go that far away... Perhaps they have a "mother Gem" that are the source for the flighten their Simons... Or they wanna only defend yourselfs...
-Seaka's hypothesis opinion-
Perhaps, they cant go that far away... Perhaps they have a "Mother Gem" that are the source for the flighten their Simons... Or they wanna only defend yourselfs...
-Futaba chan-
If they haven't even clued in to the fact that they're at war, apparently not....

31. Was Mamiina the Regina of Choir Ignis, or just one of the regular members?
(And if she was the Regina, will she take not being the Regina any more with good grace,or is there a major personality conflict on the horizon?)
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

32. Does "Sibylla Aurea" mean that Neville was merely the best pilot aboard Arcus Prima, or does that make her #1 across the entire Simoun fleet everywhere? How is the holder of this office chosen?
-yui-
In episode2, the people of the Simulacrum on board train said "Sibylla Aurea" ("Neviril") is shining as if the gold.
Her number one title of honor is gifted for the entire Simoun fleet every where...

33. Why is Yun the only Chor Tempest member who doesn't appear in the opening credits? (And is there anything special about the unidentified maintenance technician in the background of the Floe/Morinas shot?)
-Sunsh-
My wild, crazy speculation : Amuria will be back. She got screentime in the OP, while Yun didn't. Maybe it will be like Futaba-chan said, Yun won't survive long enough to choose her gender. So Amuria will replace Yun's position in Chor Tempest and bring more conflict to Neville who now has a new pair, Aaeru.
We still don't know is Amuria REALLY died or not. No corpse or dead body, and I remember someone told theory about Amuria "being brought to the Tempus Spatium". Then there's still chance for her to come back.


34. Did Floe and Alti cause the failure of the Iron (Tetsu) Ri Maajon in the battle against the Argentine airship fleet? They did one more Ri Maajon (the Shark) than the rest of the choir, and they were the ones whose gem was running out of power....
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

35. How many Simulacrans make choices at the Spring that they later regret? How does that compare with present-day Earth? What do they do about it?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

36. Is everyone heterosexual after going to the Spring? Are there same-sex romantic relationships, or is that discouraged, or channeled into opposite choices when couples go to the Spring together?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

37. How durable are the Simoun helical motors? Were the ones from Chor Caput's downed Simoun from the first battle salvageable?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

38. Does the Tempus Spatium have a gender?
-Sunsh-
Wait. So Tempus Spatium is a human with gender? At first I think it's a heaven-like entity?
-Futaba chan-
That's the question: is the Tempus Spatium an abstract deity, or an anthropomorphic one? The iconography is unclear: there are a lot of abstract columns-with-wings, but there's an enormous goddess figure on the wall above Anubituf's captain's chair on the bridge, and on the bow of every Simoun.　.

39. Was Amuria involved in the conspiracy that Dominura is part of? Are they trying to find a pair of Sibyllae capable of performing the Emerald Ri Maajon?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

40. What were the names of the two Sibyllae who were killed in the opening battle? What about the pair who went to the Spring later in the episode? Why don't their friends (and nakama) ever talk about them?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

41. Who are Rodoreamon's parents, and why is everyone so deferential to her? Neville is Halconf's daughter, but people don't call her ojou-sama as a result -- is that just because everyone already respects her for being the Sibylla Aurea? Are Rodoreamon and Onashia related?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!


42. Is there class conflict in Simulacrum? (Other than Mamiina, I mean.)
-Martin-
I think it's extremely likely that there is. If only descendants of distinguished families normally become Sybillae, than it's not quite a stretch to assume that the case is the same for the other high-ranked priestess and they seem to hold a lot of power. I would assume there are a lot of people who feel like Mamina (maybe not in such a dramatic way, though.)


43. Does everyone in Simulacrum adhere to the religion of the Tempus Spatium, or are there minority religions? Are other religions suppressed?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!


44. What other political factions exist with in Simulacrum? Are there political dissidents?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

45. I don't think I've ever seen either of the helical motors on the Arcus Prima spinning. What are they for?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

46. Messis doesn't look like she has a helical motor, and Arcus Prima doesn't seem to use the ones that she has. How do they fly?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

47. Argentum lost 15-20 carrier zeppelins in the first battle. What fraction of their fleet does that represent?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

48. Is Daikuuriku the homeworld of the main characters, or is it a forgotten space colony?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

49. Why were the Plumbish priestesses so motivated to carry out their suicide attack?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

50. Did the male peace negotiators know what was going to happen?
The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now!

51. Are these Argentum 's flying Bomb has Proximity fuze or V.T. Fuse (Magic fuse) and guided by gyro?
Similer to The Fieseler Fi 103/FZG-76 (Vergeltungswaffe-1, V-1), known as the Flying bomb)
-Guppy's opinion to the first half question-
If they were using VT fuses, shouldn't the first wave have detonated above the water instead of under it?
-Futaba chan-
Yep. Those look almost exactly like the V-1. Interestingly, though, the wings were vertical, rather than horizontal; perhaps whatever alternate aerospace technology is letting the dragonfly fighters fly without conventional wings is also at work on these? In any event, they certainly seem to be derived from the dragonfly fighter airframe....

[randomlurker123]

at least Q6 is easy :D 6.How do personnel (Dominura, for example) travel between Arcus Prima and the ground

at end of episode 1 , Aarea arrives at the ship with a training simoun (her grandpa's i think) , the type flown by 1 person. when it was later restored to shiny condition by the techie (waripof? ) and crew , and Aarea comment that she'll drive this one until she got a pair.

edit to add : oops mistaken the line The answer solve or The hypothesis has none until now! :D guess it belong to the solved one :)

[Kaoru Chujo]

1:Are there ground-based Simoun, or is the force based on Arcus Prima (and hypothetical sister ships) all there is? Simulacrum has a compact carrier fleet or "Messis " aged patrol air-career on board relegated "Choir-Tempest ". Their new mother-career (Appear Episode 10!)

6.How do personnel (Dominura, for example) travel between Arcus Prima and the ground? Unknown.

8.If Aaeru was a cadet at the southern front, and the Simoun are the only effective forces, and Aaeru had never flown a real Simoun before being assigned to the Arcus Prima, what forces are engaged on that front? Mass-produced Simile? Simoun that Aaeru just wasn't assigned to? Some sort of ground troops? Unknown.

27.Can anyone fly a Simile, or is it also limited to Sibylla who haven't chosen a sex? Unknown.

30. Has Simulacrum given any thought to carrying the war to the Argentine homeland? Consider the effect of the Silver Ri Maajon over the Argentine airship docks, or the factory that produces the dragonfly fighters.... -Seaka's hypothesis opinion: Perhaps, they cant go that far away... Perhaps they have a "mother Gem" that are the source for the flighten their Simons... Or they wanna only defend yourselfs...1. Ground-based Simoun. In ep8, we saw ground-based Simoun at the village where Mamiina was living, near the Plumbum border.

6. Transport from the ground to Arcus Prima. Simile is a good suggestion. And in ep8, we saw ambassadors transported to Arcus Prima in a barge lifted by Simoun.

8. Forces on the southern front. There was at least one Simoun at Mamiina's village, so why not at Aaeru's? That seems strange to me, too. Aaeru was flying her grandfather's Simile, so at least those exist. And there were definitely some (apparently quite ineffective) ground troops at Mamiina's village.

27. Who can fly Simoun? People seem to think that only priestesses can fly Simoun, but Aaeru is not a priestess, and Mamiina's superior was mistaken about her not being able to fly one, so perhaps all non-adults can. Maybe even anyone can, although I doubt that. The Argentum solider in the woods apparently couldn't make it go, but maybe that's because he was only one person, not two. It's certainly possible that religious feelings have prevented any experimenting with adults as pilots.

30. Taking the fight to the enemy. My hypothesis is that they just haven't thought of it yet. They are still reconciling themselves to using Simoun in the war at all. And in any case, they appear to have a limited supply of Simoun. Maybe the overseas "force projection" is yet to come....

EDIT: I made a few minor changes to the subtitle file (http://hashihime.atspace.com/subs/Simoun%2008%20%5BPrayer%5D.ass) for ep8.

[Futaba-chan]

27. Who can fly Simoun? People seem to think that only priestesses can fly Simoun, but Aaeru is not a priestess, and Mamiina's superior was mistaken about her not being able to fly one, so perhaps all non-adults can.

They certainly seemed worried that Angulas would team up with another girl from her delegation to steal a Simoun. Of course, Angulas was a priestess, so that could argue either way....

Maybe even anyone can, although I doubt that.

It's remotely possible that the reason that the Simoun failed to lift off for the Argentine soldier is that he was by himself, rather than that he was an adult... but Aaeru explicitly states that her grandfather was unable to fly his Simile after he went to the Spring.

[Futaba-chan]

COMMERCIAL BREAK


One of the Plumbish priestesses at the peace talks makes her way to the window and signals the battleship below by reflecting the sun in a mirror that she has concealed in her vestments. The ship flashes something back, and the priestess puts her mirror away and returns to the negotiating table.

In the ship's chapel, Floe asks Angulas if it's okay for her to offer prayers to a foreign deity. Angulas reminds Floe of the theory that Anima and Tempus Spatium are the same deity; it's quite a popular theory now. Kaimu asks whether that means that Plumbum was once part of Simulacrum. Angulas doesn't believe that; perhaps both faiths are offshoots of something even older.

Angulas, Floe, and Kaimu all fall to their knees and offer prayers to the Tempus Spatium, but Aaeru remains standing. Angulas questions Aaeru about this, and is surprised to learn that Aaeru isn't a priestess at all. Floe fills her in: Aaeru is only there because she doesn't want to go to the Spring. "Why are you picking on me?" Aaeru asks. "You haven't decided whether to be a man or a woman either. Isn't it a bad idea to force someone to make a decision when they're not ready to decide?"

Farther back in the pews, Neville watches this exchange in silence.



Dominura wanders in to the library, and finds Limone reading a Plumbish to Simulacran dictionary. Dominura asks what she's looking up, but Limone tells her to buzz off. "But we're a pair!" Dominura protests. "Forget it," Limone replies.

In the stern observation bubble, Angulas and her minders see the Plumbish battleship launch a red flare as a signal. Aaeru and Floe immedately run to see what's going on at the peace conference, leaving Kaimu to look after Angulas... who promptly pulls a gun on Kaimu and takes her hostage. Neville wanders in just in time to discover this.

Aaeru tells Guragief about the signal flare. Guragief's primary concern is Angulas' whereabouts. Before Aaeru can fill Guragief in, two cadets burst in with a message from Neville about the kidnapping.

On the flight deck, Morinas has to physically restrain Alti from charging Angulas to free Kaimu. Aaeru and Floe arrive, and ask Neville and Parietta about what's going on. Paraietta has figured it out: the whole peace conference was a ruse that the Plumbish used to get Anuglas in to the Simoun hangar.

Floe points out that Angulas might try to steal a Simoun, which prompts Aaeru to shout to Angulas that she won't be able to get a Simoun to fly. Neville isn't so sure: Angulas is a priestess, too, and if she can somehow force Kaimu to cooperate with her, she could do it. She shouts to Wapourif to cut off access from the conference room to the hangar deck, and not to let any two Plumbish priestesses act in concert. Wapourif dispatches his maintenance technicians to see to it.

"Have you really thought this through?" Kaimu asks Angulas. "You should really just give up." Angulas, having nearly reached the Simoun in the hangar, pushes Kaimu to the ground and fires her pistol at Alti as she charges in to try to help her sister.



Angulas' gunfire triggers a general alarm throughout the ship. In the conference room, the Plumbish peace delegation gather closely together with their backs to the wall. The men in the delegation hide behind the priestesses, who have drawn pistols of their own. Halconf is horrified.

In the hangar bay, Angulas fires pistol shots to prevent Wapourif's technicians from rushing her. She runs to the nearest parked Simoun, and pulls out a box of explosives. "Oh no! She's going to--" cries Aaeru. Angulas aims her pistol at the explosives, and tells herself "If you hesitate, you'll never do it."

"Run, Floe!" Aaeru says. She calls to Neville to help. "It's a bomb!" Neville tells the crew. "Everyone run!"

As the assembled Sibyllae and maintenance technicians run out onto the flight deck, Angulas yells "Aaeru!" at the top of her lungs, and fires, detonating the explosives.



The explosives cause a chain reaction in the hangar as the Simoun and Simile parked there explode from the force of nearby detonations. Arcus Prima belches smoke from her starboard side hangar, and begins to list to starboard and lose altitude.

In the conference room, the Plumbish priestesses take the explosion as a signal for action. As Halconf watches in horror, the priestesses turn their pistols on the surprised Plumbish officials and shoot them to death before turning their guns on each other and falling dead in a pile. "Why?" he asks the silent dead.

On the flight deck, Wapourif explains to Vura that all of the Simoun in the starboard side hangar are done for. Only those to port could have survived the explosion. "Those are Chor Tempest's Simoun," Vura replies.

The explosion has knocked Aaeru and Floe to the deck. Limone, Dominura, and Rodoraemon run up to check on the two of them. "Are you okay?" Limone asks. "That girl... she shouted 'Aaeru!' at the end," Floe replies, deeply shocked. Aaeru is even more shocked. "Why? Why did she call my name?" "That wasn't anyone's name," Dominura replies. Limone explains: in Plumbish, "aaeru" is the ultimate form of love: the love of the divine.

Aaeru is shaken to the core. In tears, she asks, "Divine love? What does that mean? How could she do something like that?" The fires in the hangar continue to burn out of control.



Below, the Plumbish battleship turns its guns on Arcus Prima. None of the shells from the initial salvo hit the airship, but the Plumbish gunners have her bracketed.

Neville stands silently and watches the fires burn in the hangar. After a few moments, Mamiina runs out of the smoke, and asks Neville again to be her pair; Chor Tempest's Simoun, she has heard, are the only undamaged ones. "You don't miss a beat, do you?" asks Neville. Yun quietly appears at Mamiina's flank. "There's no room for any uncertainty any more," Mamiina replies.

"Aaeru, what are you going to do?" Neville asks. Aaeru, still on her hands and knees, answers in a flat voice. "I don't know. I just don't know. I don't understand anything any more."

Neville strides confidently across the deck to Aaeru as the rest of Chor Tempest watches. "Aaeru, you came here to fly the Simoun, didn't you?" Neville asks. "I just don't want to go to the Spring," she replies. "Isn't that the right thing to do? I don't have any love for the divine."

"You don't have to come up with answers right now," Neville replies. "I'm not sure, either: is it really right to be a priestess, but to go out and fight? You and I are completely different, yet in one respect we're just the same. Stand up, Aaeru -- you're my pair."

Aaeru stands, and looks Neville squarely in the eye, amid the smoke and the other Sibyllae of Chor Tempest.



Arcus Prima takes a pounding from the Plumbish battleship as shell after shell strikes home. "As soon as we level off, we're going to launch the remaining Simoun," Guragief tells Anubituf as he staggers to the bridge. "But Chor Cup and Chor Ribbon are completely destroyed," Anubituf replies. "We're launching Chor Tempest," Guragief answers.

The damage control parties aboard Arcus Prima do their work, and the ship levels out. Chor Tempest launches, finally at its full strength again.


END OF EPISODE

[fignae]

The Chor (コール) we've been calling Chor Ribbon -- has anyone seen the official kana for it? Watching ep7 again, and I still don't hear an 'n' ending to the word. The Chinese subs also seem to have decided that it's a Latin word.

If it is indeed Latin and 'rubor', an online dictionary translates it as
rubor: redness, blush, modesty, shame, disgrace.

[Futaba-chan]

The Chor (コール) we've been calling Chor Ribbon -- has anyone seen the official kana for it? Watching ep7 again, and I still don't hear an 'n' ending to the word. The Chinese subs also seem to have decided that it's a Latin word.

If it is indeed Latin and 'rubor', an online dictionary translates it as
rubor: redness, blush, modesty, shame, disgrace.

That would fit with "Dextra" and with all the other pseudo-classical terminology. I'm also a little hesitant about Chor Cup; perhaps that's meant to be Chor Caput? (Caput being Latin for "head.")

[Yui from Okinawa]

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/plumbum-male_Terrorist_ep08.jpg

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/A_true_present_of_A_Godess.htm

I upload Fan novel stle article,above URL ,the ENGLISH and JAPANESE
This is First print version, and I shall correct some of sentense mistaken ,tomorrow or the otherday ,sorry!

Edit:"Eye-riff" to "Iriff"

"The true present of a Godess "
「女神の本当の贈り物」

**Chapter 1**
第１章

The Recollection
回想

Anubitufu begins duty as the captain (but a name is a captain) of flagship Arcs Prima and passed a half year.
アヌビトゥフが旗艦アルクス・プリマの艦長（名目は船長だが）として勤務を始めて 半年を過ぎていた。

I wanted to fly after it was pressed to have to graduate Sibylla by decision. Therefore I chose this job.
シビュラを終えなければならないと決断を迫られた後も、私は飛んでいたかった。だから、この職 を選んだ。

I was able to become the captain unless I chose a man, but the competition in a condition "taken low" was disadvantageous.
However, an event to win through up to memory to "him" than it clearly.
男を選ばないと艦長に成れない訳ではなかったが、「一段低く見られる」条件での競争は不利だった。しかしそ れ以上に「彼」には鮮明に記憶に残る出来事があった。

It is the time when he was still called "Anubia" on that day.
それはあの日、まだ彼が「アヌビア」と呼ばれていた頃のことだ。

I thought about the companion that "she" was clogged up on that day, and Anubia went to a spring whom a day to go to a spring came and was discharged from military service, and came back to a town of a hometown and was troubled.
泉に行く日が来て除隊し故郷の街に戻ったあの日、「彼女」つまりアヌビアは、泉に行く相方のことを考え悩ん でいた。

Mother of the parents' house rushed in suddenly. A shiver ran about for an article of a newspaper.
実家の母親がいきなり駆け込んできた。新聞の記事に戦慄が走った。

The news-paper announced "invade and attack in northern Carnac-village, and tank destroyer corpses of " Plumbum ridge nation " are at war"
新聞記事はこう告げていた。「プルンブムの駆逐戦車部隊が、北方のカルナック村に侵攻、交戦中 」

Was not there what such a thing did not interfere with " Plumbum ridge nation "each other by an agreement with our country?
そんなことが、嶺国とは互いに干渉しないというのが、わが国との同意では無かったか？
　いやそれ以前に、もっと大事なことが・・・

"Anubia !" Is not Carnac village hometown of your pal? The brag that I would write with a letter before discharge from military service! "
「アヌビア！カルナック村ってもしかして、あんたのパルの子の出身地じゃないね？除隊前に手紙で書いていた だろう、ほら！」

NO ! oh my god ! an unpleasant feeling flashed when they lent it.
もしかしたら、いやまさかそんなはずは？？嫌な予感がよぎった。

The Anubia , but it was a comparatively rich old family in the town. They should rush to confirm safety in a wire telephone with a copper round (Equal to a ring which did brown-shaped ring, money of a shrine nation) that neighboring people are insignificant to borrow a fixed telephone.
アヌビア（当時）の家は町でも比較的裕福な旧家だった。 固定電話を借りに近所の人たちがわずかばかりの銅環 （銅色をした指輪状のリングで、宮国の貨幣に当る）を持って有線電話で安否を確認しようと殺到 するはずだ。

However, as a matter of course, The personal telephon cannot communicate because of the line busy by the influence of the battle.
しかし当然ながら通じるはずも無い。

I was going to have it turned a dial of a telephone in a living room of the first floor, and an operator tie it while feeling slightly shady while thinking so, but it was a cruel answer that returned.
そう思いながらも、少し後ろめたい思いをしながら、 １階の居間にある電話機のダイヤルを回して交換手に
繋いでもらおうとしたが、帰ってきたのは残酷な答えだった。
（It is not possible to tie the number that a visitor was hoped for and an area for an emergency now if I do not have permission of the House of administration）
（お客様が希望された番号及び地域は、現在有事の為、 司政院の許可が無いとお繋ぎ出来ません）

"He" who was her at that time jumped out without hearing standstill of mother without own way. 　
そのときの彼女だった「彼」は、我を忘れて母親の静止も聴かず飛び出していったのだった。　


A leaf of Halen ("The rose" ,a translator note: such as our world) of the entrance I heard that I stopped to a village just before Carnac village when , Anubia noticed without it noticing it to have cut a face in our thing.
I bought a ticket of express train and got in it.
玄関のハルエンの葉 （訳者注：我々の世界のサボテンのようなもの）で顔を切ってしまったのも気づかずに、 アヌビアは気がつくとカルナック村の手前の村までは停まるということを聞いて、急行列車の切符を買って乗り 込んでいた。

http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-Purunbum-tank.jpg

** Chapter 2 **
第２章

A town of a border
国境の町


It was morning of the day that I arrived at a neighboring town of Carnac village. When I was going to buy a ticket like a man in a trance, I already completely forgot to have been the middle of the night, and there was it.
カルナック村の隣町に着いたのはその日の朝だった。 無我夢中で切符を買おうとした時に既に深夜であったのを すっかり忘れて居た。

Anubia knew a trick of foot soldier round of " Plumbum ridge nation "I revise religious precepts of the woman / man ratio of their God animus for war accomplishment by a southing policy and am similar, and to constitute with a male soldier) by the knowledge that was able to be similar in the days of Sibylla well.
アヌビアはシヴュラ時代に得た知識で、プルンブムの歩兵戦 （南下政策による戦争遂行の為、彼らの神アニムスの女/男比率の戒律を
改訂して男性兵士で構成していた）の手口を良く知っていた。


I can write a night attack so that they who are superior to our by power of the army such as physical strength or tank destroyer corps of a ground war of a foot soldier do not let you use a simoon if possible although being advantageous with the war potential that I included a simoon in.
シムーンを含めた戦力では有利ながら、歩兵の体力や地上戦の駆逐戦車部隊等、陸軍の勢力では我が方に勝る彼 らが、シムーンをなるべく使わせないように 、夜襲をかけてくるのだ。

A shrine of Confucius is poor regularly that is and it aims at the village which decreased in population where there are little number of the simoon possession and applicants of sibylla in Unfairness which it is mean In being the trick that they think about that was surely cornered.
それも決まって聖廟の貧弱な、つまりシムーン保有数や、シビュラのなり手の少ない過疎化した村 を狙って。 -なんて卑怯なやつらだ-

However, as for then "she" Anubia, her Sagitta "Gurakia" was all earlier than circumstances of such a partner.
確かに追い詰められた彼らの考える手口なのかもしれない。 しかし当時の「彼女」アヌビアは、そんな相手の事情よりも先に 彼女のサジッタ「グラキア」の事が全てだった。
I waited for a time limit of a curfew to open out while being irritated in a town.
町でいらいらしながら夜間外出禁止令の制限時間が開けるのを待った。

To a limit area, I used a rental motorcycle.
制限地域までは、レンタルバイクを使った。

The charge 15-kiaa copper rounds per one day on Sunday or holoday, but is good?"
「１キア（日）当り、日曜祭日は１５銅環だがいいかい？」

That old "man" that there seemed to be no motivation quite.
いかにもやる気のなさそうな、老人の男だった。

Anubia annoyed with, but felt like not wanting to "become such a man" which I chose the permanent sex in the spring.
泉でどちらを選ぶのか悩んでいたアヌビアだったが、 「こんな男にはなりたくない」という気がした。

To such "a man?" Would you identify oneself during "when when you did not want to become such a man?
「こんな男には？」いつの間に自分をこんな男にはなりたくないと 同一視していたのだろう？　

Anubia handed 2-silver round to "he".
アヌビアは　２銀環を”彼”に渡した。

"How!" Because I give you it so much? ? Sibylla ! "
「なんと！こんなにくださるので？？シビュラ様！」

" Is not so. I bought this motorcycle. If there is only it, will be enough; "get" it?
「そうではない。このバイクは私が買い取った。 それだけあれば充分だろう」

Yes, even if I am enough !!
「え？ええ、充分ですとも」

Anubia answered in comparison with her skeleton while pulling a starter of helical Mort squirrel of the large model motorcycle.
アヌビアは、彼女の躯体に較べては、その大型バイクの ヘリカルモートリスのスターターを引きながら答えた。

"I am not a medium anymore". And, it is already good.
「私はもう巫女ではないよ。けれどもうそれでいい！！」

I employed an old man of the meaning so vacant. "man", and the motorcycle started running.
その意味がわからずきょとんとした「男」の老人を置いて バイクは走り出した。

I worked as an observer so that citizen soldiers (equal to a guardsman) did not send a commoner to a combat zone in a caution area.
警戒区域では、市民兵（州兵に当る）達が一般人を戦闘地域に入れないよう 立会をしていた。

It gets cold also in this Imperial prince nation in the morning in the northern part though " Plumbum ridge nation " is not the north.
プルンブムほど北方ではないが、ここ宮国でも北部の 朝方は冷え込む。
It tried to face it before long in winter at the season.
季節はやがて冬に向かおうとしていた。
Anubia asked a citizen soldier. They may not have known Grakia, but it is a neighboring town, and it is the area where organization of a comparatively local community stays. I may know it if I lend it.
アヌビアは市民兵に問いかけた。彼女らがグラキアを知っているとは 限らなかったが、隣町でもあり、比較的地域の共同体の仕組みが残って
いる地域だ。もしかしたら知っているかもしれない。

However, what returned without a crop, however, was an unexpected answer.
しかし、返ってきたのは、実りの無いしかし、思わぬ返事だった。

I do not "know" it. I am sorry not to be able to help it. Sibylla Anubia
「存じません。お役に立てなくて申し訳ありません。 シビュラ・アヌビアさま」

Do you "know me?"
「私のことを知っているのか？」

"No, it is really the first time that it met you now here to have met". However, I hear that I sent away formation of Argentum with five stain Rais by an incident of Crass-Unium. 　Thanks to you, this town was not bombed. I thank you.
「いいえ、実際にお会いしたのは、今ここでお会いしたのが 初めてです。しかし、クラスユニウムの事変では、 シミレ５機でアルゲントゥムの編隊を追い払ったと聞いております。おかげでこの町は爆撃されずに済みました 。感謝しております。

Cｈoir Dextra is at war with a special attack unit of " Plumbum ridge nation " and an tank-destroyer batalion now.
A feeling does a guess, but please withdraw here because it is Buddha's wish for salvation of the world
「現在、コール・デクストラが、プルンブムの特攻隊及び 駆逐戦車大隊と交戦中です。お気持ちはお察ししますが、 御願いですからここで引き下がりください」

Silence of several seconds continued as silence. However, I fixed my eyes on eyes of Anubia well and, with the clear eyes that the soldier got a grip on himself/herself for a citizen soldier, continued language.
無言のまま数秒の沈黙が続いた。その兵は市民兵にしては しっかりした、澄んだ目で、しかし、アヌビアの目をしっかりと 見据えて言の葉を続けた。

"Sibylla Anubia" I hear that you were discharged from military service,but you went to a spring, and it was decided sex in the future and, with the which had the look that I did well that should have saved our country before long, confirmed it with my eyes now.
「シビュラ・アヌビア。貴女が除隊したことも聞いております。 がしかし、泉に行ってこれからの性を決められ、やがてわが国を救うべき、しっかりとした眼差しを持った方と 、今私の目で確認いたしました。」

Out of consideration for me, please please withdraw from this place. I perform a search of your companion with responsibility.
どうか私に免じて、この場よりお引き下がりください。 貴女の相方の方の捜索は私が責任を持って行います。

This is my communication vote. Because get communication here, please please take it over now; ...
これが私の連絡票です。こちらで連絡が取れますので、 どうか、今はお引取りください・・・」

I was overwhelmed in will of the citizen soldier, and Anubia could not but withdraw.
その市民兵の志に圧倒されてアヌビアは引き下がるしか無かった。

I "understood" it. I believe you. By the way, vermilion line of this name of a vote to contact?
「分かった。あなたを信じる。 ところで、連絡票のこの名前の朱線は？」

The end of a full name column of "communication vote was corrected in a red line.
連絡票の氏名欄の末尾が赤線で訂正されていた。

"Yes, my name is "Iriff" , andt went to the fountain in the nearby sage-mausoleum last month, the name of the "Iris "was decided to manly name, and it came. "
「はい、私の名は、アイリフと申します。 先月近くの聖廟の泉に行きましてアイリスの名を男に決めて参りました」

Anubia has noticed at last the reason of the citizen soldier's image for there not being with where and having carried out a features like a boy nil why a girl's childishness still remains.
どことなく少年のような面立ちをしたまだ少女の幼さの残る その市民兵の面影の訳にアヌビアはようやく気がついた。

I "believe thank you" "you". Thank you very much. Say "
「ありがとう、「君」を信じるよ。本当にありがとう。」
" and I have you understand it and feel honored.
「いえ、判って頂けて光栄に思います。」
They separated there.
--彼らはそこで別れた--　


http://www.geocities.jp/emiri_0623/simoun-05-anubituf-gradief.jpg

*** Chapter 3***
第３章

The Re-encounter
再会
From that, time of three years went by. In that way "he" chose a man in a spring.
あれから、３年の月日が流れた。そうして「彼」は泉で男を選んだ。

Not sex to be used to, it means that I choose sex for A splendid person whom I want to become.
なれる性別でなく、成りたい人間の為の性別を選ぶことだ。
As a result of having made up its mind to this, there is current Anubitufu.
この決意をした結果、現在のアヌビトゥフがある。

The Choir Dextra leaves few survivors and is almost destroyed by an incident with " Plumbum ridge nation ", I hear that many citizen soldiers became a victim.
プルンブムとの事変でコールデクストラは少数の生き残りを残してほぼ壊滅、多くの市民兵も巻き添えになった と聞く。

Precious communication vote was wasted without the news of that citizen soldier "Iriff" that I did well that "he" came across becoming known. However, he still has it carefully.
「彼」が出会ったあのしっかりとした市民兵「アイリフ」の消息も知れず、せっかくの連絡票も無 駄になった。 しかし、彼は今でもそれを大事に持っている。
I was able to choose a man for own intention. without because there was "him" of that time, oneself entrusting decision of one's sex to Onashia
あのときの「彼」があったから、自分はオナシア様に、自分の性別の決定を委ねずに自らの意思で男を選ぶこと が出来た。

I serve as a memory of the soldier who may have become dead and a present to oneself if he lends it, and he still puts the communication vote away carefully.
もしかしたら亡くなったかもしれないその兵士の思い出と、 自分への贈り物を兼ねて彼はその連絡票を今でも大事にしまっている。


I hear that Gragief of the new assignment force "Call The Tempest" that was Ducs wants .commander of a warship.. to have greeted it.
「艦長、新配属部隊”コール・テンペスト”のデュクス、 グラギエフ殿が挨拶をしたいとのことです」

Navigater "She" Minevia informed him so.
航海士の「彼女」ミネヴィアが彼にこう告げた。

I "understood" it. I will meet in the captain room
「わかった。艦長室で会おう」

However, "a man" of the young delicate build that appeared in a room was wise, and he said in the voice that calmed down in this way.
自室に現れた、若い華奢な体格の「男性」しかし聡明で落ちついた声で彼はこう言った。


At last, it was possible to meet., I am Duｘs "Gragief" and "Grakia. " of TheChoir The Tempest !!
「ようやくお会いできました。　私がコール・テンペストのデュクス”グラギエフ”こと”グラキ ア”です」

"you !" ! Unpleasant you Did you live? I did not do the communication that why is! ! Oh! !
「君！！いや君か？生きていたのか？どうして 連絡をしてくれなかった！！ああ！！」


He Anubitufu which was the job that responsibility was in although a relaxed atmosphere influenced it of the room which was Captain "room cried in public, and there was rarely it, but the tears projected it in openness of his feelings.
艦長室である自室のくつろいだ雰囲気が支配しているとはいえ、 責任ある職である彼アヌビトゥフが、人前で泣くなど滅多に無いこと だったが、その涙は彼の感情の素直に映しだしたのだ。

"Grakia, unpleasant Guragief, a reason will be good later; embraced each other with each other with the shoulder which lived, and might have given",
「グラキア、いやグラキエフ君、理由など後で良い、 生きててくれてよかった」

And Anubitufu forgot me, and cried. I smiled, and, in a point of his temperature, Guragief stared at him, too, but was not able to read the expression with tears.
肩でお互いを抱き合い、アヌビトゥフは我を忘れて泣いていた。 彼の体温の先で、グラギエフも目を細めて彼を見つめていたが、 その表情は涙で読み取れなかった。



"A certain young soldier let me go". Then I made a runaway trip and spent the back, " Plumbum ridge nation " within the territory in a certain village. I hear you with newspapers and noticed it for several years, but I want to show me who deserve to be you to meet again, and please permit it that I fell silent so far
「ある若い兵士が私を敵兵から逃がしてくれたのです。 それから後、プルンブム領内を逃避行して、 ある村で暮らしておりました。貴方のことは新聞などで聞き、数年前から気づいておりましたが、再会するのに ふさわしい私をお見せしたいと考え、今まで黙っていましたことをお許しください」

Anubitufu said
アヌビトゥフは言った

Though it "said that you become a woman in a spring, and it marries me, it is irony to say what". But it is still good. Because I meet again in this way, and work is possible together again. By the way, the name of the young soldier with anything? "
「君は泉で女になって私と夫婦になると言ってくれたのに、なんという皮肉だ。でもそれでもいい。こうして再 会し、また一緒に仕事が出来るのだから。
ところで、もしかしてその若い兵士の名はなんと？」

"Her name said an Iris". And I kept a promise with an important friend and, with the name of an eye riff, was killed in action. I respect her, unpleasant him and feel am sorry.
「彼女の名はアイリスといいました。そしてアイリフの名と共に、 大事な友人との約束を護って戦死しました。私は彼女、いや彼を尊敬し
、申し訳なく思っております。ここに当時の連絡票を持ってきています」

Guragief which brought then communication vote to here read an expression of Anubitufu and continued words in this way.
グラギエフは、アヌブビトゥフの表情を読み取って言葉をこう続けた。

"The friend who is the serious matter?" Is it you? ? "
「もしかしてその大事な友人というのは？君？？」
" is so. Him, an Iriff introduced us in this way. As for what encountered, he who was only once really merely protected a promise as a friend with me and I staked my life on it and missed you who were a private citizen. Thus I am enough for me. Oh, what irreplaceable present , thank you!
「そうだ。彼が、アイリフが我々をこうして引き合わせてくれた。実際に会ったのはただ一度でしかない彼が、 私を友人として約束を護り、命を掛けて民間人である君を逃がしてくれた。私にはそれで充分だ。 ああ、なんというかけがえの無い贈り物だ、ありがとう！」

"They shared the feelings that they looked at each other's communication vote that he left, and it was not it for words after having embraced each other.
彼らは抱き合った後、彼の残したお互いの連絡票を眺めて言葉にならない感情を分かち合った。


On the other hand, the trace that blood expiated with was left to being similar, but a sacred thing was able to think even it to be it to them.
その一方には血が贖った痕跡が残っていたが、 それさえも彼らには聖なるものに思えた。


There is not it in the sky, and it is the present which the true goddess whom there is in a human heart gave.
それは天にあるのではなく、人間の心の中にある本当の女神が与えた贈り物なのだ。

[Kaoru Chujo]

The Chor (コール) we've been calling Chor Ribbon -- has anyone seen the official kana for it? Watching ep7 again, and I still don't hear an 'n' ending to the word. The Chinese subs also seem to have decided that it's a Latin word. If it is indeed Latin and 'rubor', an online dictionary translates it as rubor: redness, blush, modesty, shame, disgrace. The Japanese wiki makes it "ruboru". Here's the section from that wiki's glossary for "Kooru" (Chor - the oo is a long o), giving the episodes where the word first appears:

# コール (01話) -- kooru (episode 1)
# コール・イグニス? (07話) -- kooru igunisu (ep7)
# コール・カプト (01話) -- kooru kaputo (ep1)
# コール・デクストラ? (05話) -- kooru dekusutora (ep5)
# コール・テンペスト (01話) -- kooru tempesuto (ep1)
# コール・ルボル (04話) -- kooru ruboru (ep4)

"Rubor" means basically "redness." Examples given in my Latin dictionary are red paint, rouge, royal purple (Tyrian purple dye), redness of the skin, the redness of the sky, redness of eyes in anger, and only then the redness of blushing shame. I think the redness of sunrise/sunset is the most likely association.

So maybe the Chor in the list are Ignis (fire), Caput (head), Dextra (Right-hand), Tempest, and Rubor?

I want to mention that although I never saw where "Chor" as a transliteration of kooru came from, I've decided to go with the flow and use it. It does have a nice association with a chorus singing in prayer. And "corps" would only make sense if the kooru were organized after they started fighting. But in that case it would make the most sense.

[Futaba-chan]

I want to mention that although I never saw where "Chor" as a transliteration of kooru came from, I've decided to go with the flow and use it. It does have a nice association with a chorus singing in prayer.

There's a wasei-doitsu term, "sprechchor," which means "speaking in unison as a group." Since "speaking to the Simoun" is the preferred term for Simoun piloting, there's a certain logic in using "Chor" as a term for a group whose job is to "speak to the Simoun" in unison.

And "corps" would only make sense if the kooru were organized after they started fighting. But in that case it would make the most sense.
*nod* OTOH, it's pointed out several times that the fact that Chor Tempest and the other Simoun choirs have to fly into battle is something new, which suggests that the term predates the war.

Oh! "Chor Caput" -- that's the chor that's kaput. My, what a horrible pun. Surely, it must be intentional....

[Seska]

Oh! "Chor Caput" -- that's the chor that's kaput. My, what a horrible pun. Surely, it must be intentional....

Kaputt means Broken in German...

Mfg,
Seska

[fignae]

So maybe the Chor in the list are Ignis (fire), Caput (head), Dextra (Right-hand), Tempest, and Rubor?

Thanks for the info! I sort of couldn't find the Japanese Wiki earlier. Think the address is somewhere in this thread.... :heh:

Most likely the names don't have any special significance then. It was a nagging thought.

[Futaba-chan]

The Citadel looks suspiciously cone- or pyramid-shaped. We also know that the helical motors were excavated from... somewhere. Perhaps from that hill?

There was a story recently about a similarly-shaped hill in Bosnia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_pyramid has some info), that the Bosnians are claiming contains a buried pyramid. (Reputable archaeologists are skeptical.) Could there be something like that under the Citadel?

...and after finally watching this week's episode, I'm struck by how much the Citadel looks like it could be the central peak of a flooded impact crater (which would explain the water and the surrounding mountains). The spiral effect is interesting, too; perhaps Shiho had a hand in the architecture? :-)

[Cyz]

I've watched ep. 1 and I must say I was a little shock, especially that spring thingy where you can change and choose which gender you want. Btw, did Doremi stop subbing it? It's already in episode 7 i think and the sub were just up to 3

[Futaba-chan]

I've watched ep. 1 and I must say I was a little shock, especially that spring thingy where you can change and choose which gender you want.
I thought the scene at the exit to the Spring in episode 2 was incredibly powerful. I hope we get a chance to see Erif again at some point.... (For real, that is; not in a flashback.)
Btw, did Doremi stop subbing it? It's already in episode 7 i think and the sub were just up to 3
Nope, they're still going. It's a side project for them, though, so it's likely to proceed more slowly than their regular releases. If you go back a little in this thread, there's a subtitle file for episode 8 available... but I'd strongly recommend watching 4 through 7 first. (There are also English-language detailed synopses of the whole series to date, with the exception of this week's episode, which just came out.)

[fignae]

Episode 9, actually, as of today. Graaaah, gave up and am currently watching the raw.

Random Simoun ads
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[randomlurker123]

ep9 i think that their govt is kinda run like those roman senate , half of them male dorky-hat officers and half priestess. the priestress from the spring is the "chairperson" i guess ?
i have no idea what dominura is acting evil-ish abt through this epi . anyone translate?

[ffdshow]

Good job on ep8! Thanks, Kaoru Chujo!

Here's an even crazier thought: do we collectively have the skills needed to produce an actual fansub?

I think so. Want to be an editor for one episode?

I was testing whether softsub is actually productive. I found an episode with good raws, few dialogs with decent Chinese subs. It just happened to be Simoun ep5 (250 lines op/ed included).

I prefer simple, easy-to-read over exact translations (ya...as if I could). If someone can help me to fix the translations/edits, we can get this episode done with less mistakes.

I want to release this testing episode no matter what. I didn't do romaji karaoke, but op/ed translation and jpn lyrics (with ASS effects) are done. My current plan is to release it then submit to doremi.

[fignae]

I want to release this testing episode no matter what. The op/ed translation and jpn lyrics are done as well. My current plan is to release it then submit to doremi.

Hmm, Doremi might not take something that's already been released. Moreover, they already have a translator. I think it would work, though, the idea. I'd help too, if it's needed.

ep9 i think that their govt is kinda run like those roman senate , half of them male dorky-hat officers and half priestess. the priestress from the spring is the "chairperson" i guess ?

http://i3.tinypic.com/116qnt3.jpg
http://i2.tinypic.com/116qnwp.jpg
Yeah, definite gender stratification there. Well, if the Simulacrums have a gender bias, it's not a pattern that can easily change, especially with the autocratic government they have. Also, they don't have any motivation to change things, do they? It seems to me that bias in favour of the male gender might actually serve to balance out the sex ratio for them, with half of the population wanting to become male and the other choosing to remain female because they're used to it.

[randomlurker123]

I was testing whether softsub is actually productive. I found an episode with good raws, few dialogs with decent Chinese subs. It just happened to be Simoun ep5 (250 lines op/ed included).



if ur looking for raws , www.eien-acg.com has very nice quality raw releases. for simoun it's out abt 2nd day after it's aired. 432meg mkv. raws are at the 2nd column

[ffdshow]

Thanks, I have their raws from ep5 to ep9. Reencoded into 640x336 using the unchanged aac take about 220MB. This is for the softsub. The hardsub would be bigger or lower quality.

[Futaba-chan]

I think so. Want to be an editor for one episode?

Gladly! Count me in....

[wrex_japan]

ep9 i have no idea what dominura is acting evil-ish abt through this epi . anyone translate?

The conversation is mysterious because they don't really go into any specifics about who those geezers are or what kind of plan they had, but basically, she's giving them a report about Corps Tempest: it seems the old dudes were reaching some decision, and they indicate that she failed to achieve her objective. She tells them to wait, as Corps Tempest has immense possibilities, especially since Nevril has returned and because Rimone and Aeru have the potential to be greater than any previous Simoun Sybilla.
See my summary (http://wrexgrafix.com/anime/blog/?p=166) for other spoilers regarding episode 9.

[randomlurker123]

i read in some forums , for pendants , 1 wing on the left identify he is a guy and 1 wing on the right is woman , mikos has 2 wings.

but jus noticed it in epi9 .. these guys has 2 wings on the pendant .. err more confusing lol.... but probly production mistake i guess. the other guys in the room has 1 wing only


http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/332/wings9qd.jpg

[Cyz]

funny, even if they turned into men, they still have female voices :heh:

[Futaba-chan]

i read in some forums , for pendants , 1 wing on the left identify he is a guy and 1 wing on the right is woman , mikos has 2 wings.

but jus noticed it in epi9 .. these guys has 2 wings on the pendant .. err more confusing lol.... but probly production mistake i guess. the other guys in the room has 1 wing only

Perhaps it's not a production mistake? I notice that the priestesses in red have two wings as well, and they're too old to be Sibyllae, too. Maybe the clergy keeps both wings? And, of course, the Sibyllae are supposed to be members of the clergy....

(Nice catch; it scotches my theory that the men had one wing and the women kept two.)

[Cyz]

i keep getting confuse who's the main heroine of the story. was it nenivelle (sp?) or the blonde girl with chun-li hairstyle?

[Futaba-chan]

Random Simoun ads

"Otome meets otome" -- hee! And I just love the Para x Kaimu one; I wish there were a poster of it without the text over it. (The one in the pool is kind of fun, too.)

[Futaba-chan]

i keep getting confuse who's the main heroine of the story. was it nenivelle (sp?) or the blonde girl with chun-li hairstyle?

It's both of them. And Limone is starting to seem pretty important, too.

[fignae]

And Limone is starting to seem pretty important, too.

Ah, Rimone! I just love the way she so obviously looks up to Aaeru.

Little things like dismissing other people's questions, disobeying Dominura, trying to act like an adult in front of them while showing up her childlike stubbornness... thought it was really sweet how she was holding on to Aaeru. I hope that bond (forged during the events of episode 4) comes into play somehow.
And yes, people in the religious order appear to be neither male nor female. Wings on necklaces are permanently angled accordingly to chosen sex, Tempus Spatium knows how.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Nice summary (http://wrexgrafix.com/anime/blog/?p=166) by wrex_japan. Many thanks to wrex, Futaba-chan, and Mangaminx for their summaries of episodes. Suddenly, Neviril is again the heroine (one of two, as Futaba-chan says). And what a heroine. To once again see her leaning her big nose forward to taste the wind is very grand, taking us back to the glory days of ep1. She is like a goddess, or a mythical hero. And her words to Onashia and the council didn't pull any punches. In her future life, will she be a council-member or take over from Onashia?

I think "Kongoseki" Ri Maajon means "Diamond Barrier" Ri Maajon, using the old word for "diamond" that appears in the title of the Buddhist holy book the Diamond Sutra. I found the diamond barrier, and that whole sequence, very cool. Chor Tempest can really speak with the Tempuspatium, especially when Neviril is flying. You'd think that would shut up the doubters on the council, being such evidence of the Tempuspatium's favor, but we'll see.

And it was great to see the genius fliers Aaeru and Rimone as a pair, if only temporarily. The pairs for the Iron (<--correction thanks to Futaba-chan) Ri Maajon: Aaeru-Rimone, Morinas-Rodoreamon, Alti-Furoe, Paraietta-Kaim, Mamiina-Yun, Neviril-Vyura. I wonder if Dominura is still allowed to be part of the Chor? I expect Aaeru and Neviriru to be back together when they next fly, with either Dominura or Vyura with Rimone. I wonder how long it will be before Chor Ruboru gets new Simoun. If they ever do.

I sure didn't find Dominura "evil," in that sense, though she was feeling pretty dark, unhappy with the political machinations. I thought she was defending Chor Tempest for all she was worth, but was thwarted by the men. However, Onashia's brilliant instincts saved the day, at least for a while. I'm still not sure how powerful Onashia is in their government. Maybe she's like a constitutional monarch with power, so that she can actually overrule the council if she feels strongly enough.

I wonder what the "next plan" is that the three men in the corridor wanted Dominura to get ready for. It's like the real story is only just beginning, and Chor Tempest and Onashia will have to fight as much against the governing clique as against external enemies. The fact that they didn't realize it was a war was startling. Of course, if the Chor can fly such powerful Ri Maajon, maybe the war will be easy to win.

I loved Neviril's dry response to her father when he said this way was best for her: "And for you."

I loved how they started this ep by replaying the end of the last one, but in more detail. It recovered for me that exalted mood, giving the new episode a great launch. Yun's ability to refocus poor Mamiina was wonderful. And the post-victory gathering of the Simoun, with everybody opening their cockpits, was so full of joy.

And not only was it good to see Rimone with Aaeru, holding her arm in that group shot especially, but I also loved Morinas comforting Rimone by telling her that she herself was scared, implying that it was nothing to be ashamed of or worried about.

[Futaba-chan]

The pairs for the Kongoseki: Aaeru-Rimone
The pairs for the Tetsu, ne? It was great to finally see the Tetsu work; I thought that the Tetsu in episode 1 was the coolest thing ever.
I wonder what the "next plan" is that the three men in the corridor wanted Dominura to get ready for. It's like the real story is only just beginning, and Chor Tempest and Onashia will have to fight as much against the governing clique as against external enemies. This episode had a very Babylon 5-ish feel to it, with conspiracies and wheels within wheels, and whole new previously unrevealed plot directions. I can't wait to see where they go with it.
In her future life, will [Neville] be a council-member or take over from Onashia? I get the feeling that Neville is being groomed for one of those roles. I wonder if Onashia is taking special interest in her career? That could be interesting....
The fact that they didn't realize it was a war was startling.I love that the fact that Simulacrum is a theocracy isn't soft-peddled. The leadership is clearly very religious. They see events through the lens of their beliefs, and act accordingly, which gives them a dramatically interesting set of blind spots and weaknesses. (And a few as-yet-unrevealed strengths, I don't doubt.)

[Matrim]

And not only was it good to see Rimone with Aaeru, holding her arm in that group shot especially, but I also loved Morinas comforting Rimone by telling her that she herself was scared, implying that it was nothing to be ashamed of or worried about.

Yes, gotta love small details like these that make the characters' relationships all the more real and interesting.

And it was great to see the genius fliers Aaeru and Rimone as a pair, if only temporarily.

It is temporarily so that the enemies to have a glimmer of hope to win. Rimone+Aaeru = too much natural flying ability in one Simoun. :)

The ordinary people who were gathered to watch Chor Tempest's final performance did not seem to have any pendants. They keep them under the clothes or they don't have any, I wonder?

I'd have liekd the battle to be a bit longer bt I guess it served to show Chor Tempest's total ownage of the enemy so it wouldn't be disbanded after all. Not that many viewers have believed it would be actually disbanded, I suspect, considering that all the main characters were in this Chor. :)

[Guppy]

Yes, gotta love small details like these that make the characters' relationships all the more real and interesting.I liked the interplay on the observation deck when Yun stands up for Mamiina, and Rodoreamon and Mamiina display how conscious they are of each other.

And as a sidenote, it's great to see some of the minor details, like the guns on the Simouns actually being used. (Chor Tempest are startlingly good shots, actually, considering the deflection angle and the fact we've never actually seen them do any gunnery practice - the Simouns don't even seem to have any gunsights!) The V-1 style unmanned flying bombs were an interesting touch, too - it's good to see that the other side has an imagination and isn't just standing still.

[Futaba-chan]

And as a sidenote, it's great to see some of the minor details, like the guns on the Simouns actually being used....and the ones on Arcus Prima, as well.

We've seen the Simoun guns before: Chor Caput in episode 1, Aaeru in her Simile in episode 2, and Kaimu's "mission" in episode 6. ("Kyuuuuuuun! Da-da-da-da-da... DOKAN!")

[Kaoru Chujo]

There's one Japanese phrase in ep7 and ep8 that I loved so much I wanted to talk about it. When Neviriru (sorry, I just can't give her a man's name, Neville)... is talking to Aaeru on the burning deck, she says: "You and I are totally different." The phrase is :
貴方と私は何から何までまるで違う
Anata to watashi wa nani-kara nani-made maru-de chigau.
You and I: anything-from anything-to total-ly different.

I just love the flow of it, as spoken by Takahashi Rieko, and the totality of "from anything to anything we are totally different." It's probably a perfectly normal Japanese expression that I just don't know, but it really struck me.

And it was perfect to see Aaeru pondering through episode 8 the next thing Neviriru said: "But we're the same in only one thing." (demo, hitotsu-dake onaji). Perhaps it's that they are both uncertain and confused. Perhaps that they are both godly fliers. But probably it's something else that I haven't thought of. I do want to praise Takahashi Rieko for the grandeur and mellifluous perfection of her portrayal of Neviriru in episode 8.

[Seska]

Well, sorry if i dont understand Nippon/Japan speech.

But, what i can say. And what i see with my heart (yes, if i dont understand language. My feelings helps me out)

This Anime, has Life (like i saw in a Chibli interview)

or in my words...

This Anime has now a soul....


Ok, Ep 01 is a bit hard. But i think they used it to catch the viewers. and with the slow build up (ep 02-08) this series, gives birth to his/her soul.

I'm falling in love with this serie. and there are many episodes left. No rush in action, no ruch in other things. they found what today fast produced animes (i know budget), lost. Hearth and feelings and more importent, soul.

They take the time, to explain the Backgrounds...
The force behind the War (ep 08), they give the enemys a face with feelings (ep 04?).
And for the most part, Nevilies speech in Ep 09 (i used Wrex animes blog to get the gist of it).

Mfg,
Seska

p.s. perhaps im a old school animefan....(Nausicaa, Laputa)
and dont be surprised. im not a woman...

[Kaoru Chujo]

Well, sorry if i dont understand Nippon/Japan speech.... Now you make me feel embarrassed. I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad, just to share my enthusiasm. As you did so well in your beautiful and true post. Entschuldigen sie, bitte, das ich deutsch nicht mehr verstehe -- lol.

[Seska]

Now you make me feel embarrassed. I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad, just to share my enthusiasm.

No no, im very happy, of this thread. Share good memorys, Quotes and other things, with friends.

Im very happy, that i meat everyone here.

edit: and actually, your German are very good.

Mfg,
Seska

[m000m000]

Man, the art quality and consistency sure took a nosedive this episode. Well, it's a Studio Deen series, so I guess that's to be expected :p.
A great pity though, because it was a very good episode. Absolutley loved Neville in front of the whatever-council, but the art was seriously spoiling the mood for me :/


In other news, looks like the plot is finally kicking in. I was pretty set on the series being a rather straightforward "through the fire trials" -type run (well, it probably still will be), but the poiltics-ing sure brings some much-needed spice into the show.

Also, Dominura just became a whole lot more appealing character in my eyes.

[wrex_japan]

There's one Japanese phrase in ep7 and ep8 that I loved so much I wanted to talk about it. When Neviriru (sorry, I just can't give her a man's name, Neville)... is talking to Aaeru on the burning deck, she says: "You and I are totally different." The phrase is :
貴方と私は何から何までまるで違う
Anata to watashi wa nani-kara nani-made maru-de chigau.
You and I: anything-from anything-to total-ly different.

I just love the flow of it, as spoken by Takahashi Rieko, and the totality of "from anything to anything we are totally different." It's probably a perfectly normal Japanese expression that I just don't know, but it really struck me.

And it was perfect to see Aaeru pondering through episode 8 the next thing Neviriru said: "But we're the same in only one thing." (demo, hitotsu-dake onaji). Perhaps it's that they are both uncertain and confused. Perhaps that they are both godly fliers. But probably it's something else that I haven't thought of. I do want to praise Takahashi Rieko for the grandeur and mellifluous perfection of her portrayal of Neviriru in episode 8.

Though that was quite a literal translation, I guess it best translates as "You and I are totally different in every possible way." I also thought the voice acting was done quite well in that scene. I really liked the command and strength in her voice in the end as the character of Nevril made her resolve. Aeru's (don't know her seiyuu's name) understated emotional response was well done as well, I thought. I watched that scene several times because it was so powerful.

[Futaba-chan]

Man, the art quality and consistency sure took a nosedive this episode.
Sadly, the sakuga have been wildly inconsistent for most of the run so far. There was one scene last week that really stuck out where the outlines of Dominura's face were just horrible. I hope they go back and sakkan some of the low points for the DVD release....

OTOH, the sunset Ri Maajon scenes were very pretty.

[Yui from Okinawa]

Oh, I recordong miss Episode9 at the my HDD recorder on air hour-miss (moved!)

Now I seek Bittorrent RAW Episode-9 at net serch Engine!!!

"eien.cg" has you log in requiered ??
English login name and password OK??

[Kaoru Chujo]

Though that was quite a literal translation, I guess it best translates as "You and I are totally different in every possible way." I also thought the voice acting was done quite well in that scene. I really liked the command and strength in her voice in the end as the character of Nevril made her resolve. Aeru's (don't know her seiyuu's name) understated emotional response was well done as well, I thought. I watched that scene several times because it was so powerful. Nice translation. And of course I agree with you completely about that scene. Aaeru's seiyuu is Niino Michi (http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~darts/oldest/niino.html) 新野美知, who appears to have some stage experience, from a site (http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ha/subaru300/running/pagej2004.html) I saw.

I know what people mean about the sakuga consistency. Even Neviriru's appearance seems to slide on and off model. Which is natural, considering how many different staff they seem to use. The key animation supervisor (sakuga kantoku) this week did it on episode 1 but not since. But I really don't care: the look is so extremely effective anyway. It reminds me of Noein, where they kind of gave up on consistency in order to give people more freedom to produce interesting animation each week.

[Futaba-chan]

Aaeru's seiyuu is Niino Michi (http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/%7Edarts/oldest/niino.html) 新野美知, who appears to have some stage experience, from a site (http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ha/subaru300/running/pagej2004.html) I saw.

Has she done any other VA work? I was very impressed both by her moment of complete devastation on the flight deck, and by her first scene with Paraietta in episode 2 after the dogfight. (Among other moments.)

But I really don't care: the look is so extremely effective anyway. It reminds me of Noein, where they kind of gave up on consistency in order to give people more freedom to produce interesting animation each week.

Creative and impressionistic I can deal with (and it seems to be part of the series' overall style); it's just that there have been some moments where a choice that a (rushed?) sakuga artist made really didn't work. That's a natural side-effect of a looser working style, but I hope they clean up the resulting messes in time for the DVD....

[wrex_japan]

Has she done any other VA work? I was very impressed both by her moment of complete devastation on the flight deck, and by her first scene with Paraietta in episode 2 after the dogfight. (Among other moments.)



Creative and impressionistic I can deal with (and it seems to be part of the series' overall style); it's just that there have been some moments where a choice that a (rushed?) sakuga artist made really didn't work. That's a natural side-effect of a looser working style, but I hope they clean up the resulting messes in time for the DVD....

How often do they clean up work for the DVD? I really don't think the artwork in this episode took such a noticeable drop in quality... it seems Simoun has been relatively consistent... compared to some other shows I've been watching, such as Witchblade, Jigoku Shoujo, and sometimes Blood+.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Has she done any other VA work?.... Anime News Network (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=14253) lists one bit part in a 1999 show I'd never heard of, Sol Bianca. The theatre company she has acted with, Subaru, part of the Institute of Dramatic Arts in Tokyo, is apparently a famous modern-drama institution. She had minor roles in three dramas there in 2004. And she seems to have had guest acting roles in some TV shows (http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/hken/seiyu/s_miti.htm). I can't tell, but maybe some are dubbing jobs for foreign shows.

I just found a good picture of her and Takahashi Rieko (http://addons.books.com.tw/G/M01/b/3/M010011743_b_26.jpg) (Neviriru) from hm3 (http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/magazine/magfile.php?item=M010011743), a seiyuu magazine.

And to wrex_japan: from what I've read in other forums, it's fairly common to clean some things up for the DVD. In Tsukuyomi Moon Phase, episode 12 was substantially redone.

[Futaba-chan]

I just found a good picture of her and Takahashi Rieko (http://addons.books.com.tw/G/M01/b/3/M010011743_b_26.jpg) (Neviriru)

Is she seated, or standing?

[wrex_japan]

Anime News Network (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=14253) lists one bit part in a 1999 show I'd never heard of, Sol Bianca. The theatre company she has acted with, Subaru, part of the Institute of Dramatic Arts in Tokyo, is apparently a famous modern-drama institution. She had minor roles in three dramas there in 2004. And she seems to have had guest acting roles in some TV shows (http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/hken/seiyu/s_miti.htm). I can't tell, but maybe some are dubbing jobs for foreign shows.

I just found a good picture of her and Takahashi Rieko (http://addons.books.com.tw/G/M01/b/3/M010011743_b_26.jpg) (Neviriru) from hm3 (http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/magazine/magfile.php?item=M010011743), a seiyuu magazine.

And to wrex_japan: from what I've read in other forums, it's fairly common to clean some things up for the DVD. In Tsukuyomi Moon Phase, episode 12 was substantially redone.

Sol Bianca was a three part OVA from Pioneer... beautiful artwork and music, mediocre story.

Alright, cool... I didn't know they spent time to fix up animation/artwork for DVDs. The funny thing is, I haven't really watched any recent DVDs that I've purchased... too many current shows to watch so I've got no time. Anyway, my memory's too poor to know if they'd changed anything anyway. T_T

[Futaba-chan]

33. Why is Yun the only Chor Tempest member who doesn't appear in the opening credits? (And is there anything special about the unidentified maintenance technician in the background of the Floe/Morinas shot?)

34. Did Floe and Alti cause the failure of the Iron (Tetsu) Ri Maajon in the battle against the Argentine airship fleet? They did one more Ri Maajon (the Shark) than the rest of the choir, and they were the ones whose gem was running out of power....

35. How many Simulacrans make choices at the Spring that they later regret? How does that compare with present-day Earth? What do they do about it?

36. Is everyone heterosexual after going to the Spring? Are there same-sex romantic relationships, or is that discouraged, or channeled into opposite choices when couples go to the Spring together?

37. How durable are the Simoun helical motors? Were the ones from Chor Caput's downed Simoun from the first battle salvageable? What about the ones that were caught in the suicide bombing on Arcus Prima?

38. Does the Tempus Spatium have a gender?

39. Was Amuria involved in the conspiracy that Dominura is part of? Are they trying to find a pair of Sibyllae capable of performing the Emerald Ri Maajon?

40. What were the names of the two Sibyllae who were killed in the opening battle? What about the pair who went to the Spring later in the episode? Why don't their friends (and nakama) ever talk about them?

[Futaba-chan]

2. Simulacrum appears to be able to manufacture Simile; can they build new Simoun, or is that a lost technology?
They can build most of the systems on a Simoun, but not the helical motors themselves, which are relics that were unearthed from an archeological dig somewhere in the country.

3. How significant a blow was the loss of Chor Caput? Was it a catastrophic loss of up to a quarter of an irreplaceable resource
Nope. There's more than one Arcus Prima-class carrier, and there are further Simoun choirs based on the ground. And perhaps they even managed to salvage some helical motors after the battle from the downed craft?

4. How big is Simulacrum? Is Arcus Prima's Simoun group actually providing full patrol coverage for the whole nation?
Simulacrum is large enough to have a railroad network, although it's possible to commute from the Citadel to the Spring or the Grand Temple and back in the same day. Arcus Prima isn't solely responsible for the entire country -- there are other ships in the fleet, and further Simoun choirs on the ground.

11. Is the Ri Maajon image in one Simoun's gem repeated in the gems of other Simoun in the same choir?
Yes.

12. We've seen the Sibyllae, Wapourif's maintenance crew, and the bridge crew. How many more crew members are needed to operate the Arcus Prima?
Quite a few, judging from the number of coffins from personnel killed in the suicide bombing, the number of their shipmates at the funeral, and the easy availability of crew members to carry extra furniture into Neville's stateroom at Halconf's bidding.

20. How open are Simulacrum's borders for trade with other nations?
The country is surrounded by mountains, but there are some nomadic tribes that wander back and forth across the Plumbish border. Whether or not there are trade routes to other civilized nations is a nice question....

21. Is Onashia really the head of state, or is "Grand Shrine Empress" just a courtesy title?
Yes, she appears to be the head of state. How far-reaching her powers are remains to be seen, but people defer to her.

22. What other clergy does the religion of the Tempus Spatium have?
There appears to be a group of adult priestesses (or other high officials) who dress in red. We saw a few of them in the first episode.

30. Has Simulacrum given any thought to carrying the war to the Argentum Coral nation homeland?
If they haven't even clued in to the fact that they're at war, apparently not....

[Kaoru Chujo]

Is she seated, or standing?Takahashi-san is standing, Niino-san sitting.

EDIT: I just had another idea as to what the one similarity between......Neviriru and Aaeru might be. I was rewatching ep9 and saw the scene recalling Eri's sorrow at becoming male, and thought that Neviriru's similarity to Aaeru might be that she too does not want to go to the Spring. This would increase the chance of her future being as the high priestess....

[Cyz]

I've seen the RAW version of episode 4.

Was that their first time seeing someone died or the fact that just seeing blood? From the looks of their expression, they seem pretty disturbed, especially when that soldier's blood was all around the Simoun's pilot seat

[Futaba-chan]

I've seen the RAW version of episode 4.

Was that their first time seeing someone died or the fact that just seeing blood? From the looks of their expression, they seem pretty disturbed, especially when that soldier's blood was all around the Simoun's pilot seat

Rigor mortis set in, and Aaeru had to saw the dead pilot's hands off to extract the corpse from the auriga cockpit. On top of that, he had been vomiting up blood (probably mixed with stomach lining) throughout the night. And Aaeru had to sit in that the whole way back, after dismembering a corpse.

Pretty gruesome, eh?

[Cyz]

Rigor mortis set in, and Aaeru had to saw the dead pilot's hands off to extract the corpse from the auriga cockpit. On top of that, he had been vomiting up blood (probably mixed with stomach lining) throughout the night. And Aaeru had to sit in that the whole way back, after dismembering a corpse.

Pretty gruesome, eh?
it does! feel sorry for the little girl, i guess she can't bear the sight.

[fignae]

Was that their first time seeing someone died or the fact that just seeing blood? From the looks of their expression, they seem pretty disturbed, especially when that soldier's blood was all around the Simoun's pilot seat

I think seeing a plane explode is far different from seeing, really seeing, a dead body in front of you. The humanity of the being is emphasized by its death. Furthermore, they have seen him speak, heard his pain, and his mortality just makes it more real and sympathetic. Unless Aaeru has fought on the ground too in her home region, she wouldn't have seen a dead body before either. This is doubly true for Rimone.

Just came to mind, but it was probably the same for Neviriru during That Moment. She saw into the enemy's eyes and couldn't view him as cannon fodder anymore. It's part of what makes them confused about war and the use of Simouns as weapons. (Yeah I'm thinking of episode 9.)