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Senior Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zaris
Well dang, this episode has a lot of ups and downs. I expected a few things to happen, but there are other things that was like, "hey, you're not suppose to say that!"
One thing that really drew my mind as the credits rolled was how completely botched this is compared to the game. But this isn't (and shouldn't be) a comparison between the two forms. In my objective viewpoint, the telling of this episode was superb. Click on the spoiler below to read on. = |
Spoiler for Ok:
The first thing I have to comment is Oboro. I am extremely happy that we got sufficient screentime for a much neglected character AND he isn't pitted in a situation where he's gonna be beaten the crud out of him. It's about time that his character has matured, and Hakuoro entrusting him in his affairs after he's gone really goes to saying that. He's still very emotionally open (as you can tell from the last seconds of the episode), but at least he's developed the ability to restrain himself that was not seen in episode 3 or 4. Talk about coming a long way.
Furthermore, Yuzuha and Oboro got some time together without any disagreement. This is much needed, as prior episodes seemed to suggest that the brother and sister relationship was crumbling (of course, if it was meant to crumble, then the message successfully got through to me). I can't remember the last time the two were in the same room. All in all, Oboro got plenty to do this episode, and I'm very happy he got the spotlight in episode 25. We seemed to have reached the end of the evolution of his personality - which could be a bad thing since now he's no different than Kurou, Benaui, Karura, and Touka, whom their fundamental behaviors will never change. But at least with a stable attitude, we'll see how each individual reacts to the upcoming events of episode 26.
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Kuuya. Kuuya freaks me out. Probably because she makes so much noise, and I'm not talking about charismatic speeches here. One minute, she's this literate emperor with goals, dreams, and friends. Now she's been reduced to a status beyond maturity, beyond infancy. In short, she's an apple. Don't get me wrong - this was what was suppose to happen and I think it's done well. I'm terrified with what Kuuya has become. Something about the scene, babbling like a baby and such psychological distress, represents an abnormal carnage that befell her. Well voiced. Scary, but effective.
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You can consider the following to be a goof: but you'll notice that Karura and Touka are drinking to remember Genjimaru. Genjimaru's sword is there lying beside the two, but Hakuoro never carried it out of the palace in episode 24, much less the sheath. Unless they went back for it after the flames died down, it shouldn't be there. And if they did, it's not easy for the average viewer to notice that it's the big guy's sword. All we got was a close-up of the grip and the gold-colored guard. People don't normally keep tabs on the color and shape of the guard of a sword...do they. = P
Well, it was nice to see Touka mention Genjimaru, even if it was only a smattering of sentences. I am still disappointed that we didn't get a chance to witness them speaking to each other as Karura and Deihourai did when they met after years of separation. Or maybe race has no boundry for Evinkuruga (an honorable mindset if that).
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And of course, even the central characters got some time together without interuption. Nothing of particular affection, unfortunately, unless you think Hakuoro putting his palm over Aruruu's heart was totally perverted. Here we see the family that has become in 25 episodes. And they stay together throughout the airing of this episode, though I find it a little odd, coincidental, and funny regarding the circumstances in the latter half where Hakuoro, Eruruu, and Aruruu are the only ones pursuing Mutsumi. Then again, maybe the rest of the crew just really really likes killing blobs!
Regardless, this episode pit one "family" against another, and the man of the house just happens to be supernaturals. Interesting symbolism. You still have to wonder how much Aruruu and Eruruu know about Hakuoro and the position that they are in. Aruruu probably doesn't have a clue what Dii is saying when he points at her. And Eruruu retains the new confidence she found within herself from episode 23 and presses that fact against our winged antagonist (which he tilts his head down in pity as a response). But then there's the problem about the vision Hakuoro saw. If Eruruu collapsed, then she probably saw it too. In which case, she must have questions of her own regarding Iceman and Mutsumi.
Mutsumi's an interesting person, mystical is a better adjective I think. If you have the slightest bit of Japanese linguistic knowledge, you will notice that she is the first to speak katakana in the medieval time period (this occured at the end of episode 24. And no, this wasn't a pronoun). This is the big clue to finding out when Utawarerumono takes place. We definately hear a ton of katakana being used in the vision, and the high-tech look of the facility suggests the future. But Mutsumi using katakana kind of throws in the possibility that this medieval setting IS the future, not the past (unless you think Mutsumi can time travel). You'd have to be pretty keen to catch this element.
Very impressive, Renegade, catching that symbolism of self-appointed daughter vs. self-appointed daughter (though Aruruu probably had no idea what constitutes a father in episode 2 = o ).
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So now most of the secrets have been explained to us and to our protagonists, courtesy of Dii. The only secrets that really remain are the ones that were introduced in this episode. The medallion on Eruruu's hair serves its purpose, but why? What are these viscous pools of goo attacking our heroes? How will Iceman and Mikoto's affair lead to the present situation? How did Dii obtain the power of Witsuarumetia to begin with (was probably explained and I missed it lol). Did Eruruu see Iceman and Mikoto in Hakuoro's vision (and if she did, more questions galore)?
All I can say is that the series finale has a lot of big shoes to fill, and I don't know how much they'll get into. We'll probably be forced to accept the fact that some things we'll never know!
Presentation-wise, it's good. I can't complain about the pacing of the episode. The animation was good (a couple of reused shots but whatever), the CG (god, the doors. The goddamn doors! People need to learn to do it right!) was sub-par. It's not perfect, but it's nothing I'd have to twist my stomach around to watch.
Story delivery was where this episode shined. We saw almost everybody trying to cope with the situation brought on by the previous episode, nobody was out of character, people had their "defining moments" for lack of a better word. I was thoroughly entertained, sufficiently creaped out, and empathized with the characters when the time came.
Episode 25 is botched. Totally botched, but it's a botch that works for the emphasis of on-screen drama. Though I don't like having so many new questions being brought out this close to the end of the series. And I'll admit, I had some preconceptions as to what was going to happen and was disappointed when those expectations didn't arrise (sounds like everyone else here!). But I'll be generous with 25, and we'll see how good the producers resolve things in 26.
9/10
Spoiler for dang it!:
The odds of a love relationship between Hakuoro and Eruruu has plummeted to 0 chance. There's just not time to go through with it. I'm a little disappointed, but this isn't a hardcore love story as Escaflowne was (the closest Utawarerumono ever got to realizing this was episode 23). There are aspects of romance that is missing here, and as much as I wish it would happen, it's not going to. Oh well, I'll keep dreaming!
So the truth is out. The mimimum amount of things that are going to happen in episode 26 will be a few more flashbacks, fighting, and maybe some chatter. How much time we spend on these (and more) will determine the nature of the ending - whether it will be a sad one or a happy/hopeful one. Probably the latter - because fans want it, and I can only stand watching two gods punching each other in the face for so long.
And where the heck is Mutsumi's halo!? Way to stray from the opening of the series, fools. 
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Ok, so how did the medallion work?
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