Vivid Strike! - Episode 4 Discussion / Poll

[MeoTwister5]

Extreme and deserving as it may be, I almost suspect this is in part of the writers some sort of enacted revenge fantasy. Everyone knows bullies need to get their own taste of medicine but this feels... too glorified...

[arkhangelsk]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Extreme and deserving as it may be, I almost suspect this is in part of the writers some sort of enacted revenge fantasy. Everyone knows bullies need to get their own taste of medicine but this feels... too glorified...

Hey, part of the role of anime is to satisfy the escapist soul. We all know that victims being bullied usually don't get to turn the tables like this, so this different outcome is highly satisfying.

Ironically, the nature of anime, in essence showing us the concentrate of Rinne being bullied over months in only a few minutes makes the gravity of bullying clear. If we were there with Rinne, most of the events will be weeks or months back and we may find it less easy to sympathize with Rinne slamming her opponents' skulls into cabinets.

[FlareKnight]

I think the route they went with this was fine. After all the show is still saying that Rinne has a problem and needs her friend. The blood and terror her actions resulted in doesn't exactly paint Rinne gloriously. There is still weight to her actions. It's just somewhat pleasant because the bullies were scum that you wanted to see pay for their actions.

It makes sense and it works. It doesn't mean beating bullies unconscious is necessarily the right road, but it's understandable why she went this route. Now we just need a bit of aftermath to see what happened to Rinne immediately after this. After that the focus can be on Fuka getting through to her. Stopping the bullying doesn't matter if she continues to go down the road she's on.

[MeoTwister5]

Like I said an enacted revenge fantasy, like... well... Carrie (no affiliation with the show's character), only with less paranormal activity.

[novalysis]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

Like I said an enacted revenge fantasy, like... well... Carrie (no affiliation with the show's character), only with less paranormal activity.

On the other hand, this is a world with magic (and hence douse in "paranormal" activity), and what Rinne did was probably the closest we will get to a school-shooting in the Nanoha-verse, in a world where mass weaponry are both taboo and banned alike.

P.s: Does anyone know how the Japanese Nanoha fanbase received this episode assuming they are still watching?

[ryllharu]

I like the way this is shaping up. Where Vivid was about the Martial Arts itself and a bit, well, humdrum for it, Vivid Strike is about what people who use physical/magical prowess to do.

Fuuka and Rinne both seem a big thuggish compared to Subaru or even the "thugs" of Vivid, but what they have going in this season so far is a really nice parallel between the two.

Fuuka has always been scrappy and prone to fighting (and apparently alpha of their orphanage), but the flashbacks and intro showed she always used it to protect someone (either herself or Rinne). But Rinne took that lesson the wrong way, that Fuuka uses force to keep from being bullied, not as a reaction to it...

So when Rinne snaps, she shifts to a demeanor where displays of violence and overwhelming use of force acts as deterrence, instead of Fuuka's strategy of fighting back only when you are provoked, to protect.

It adds a bit of depth to why Fuuka is the one learning Kaiser Arts/Hegemon fist and (as far as we know) no one else has been taught the form by Einhart. Einhart's ancestor wanted to use his martial skills to protect Olivie from being used as a sacrifice, and so now Fuuka will use Hegemon fist to keep Rinne from destroying herself.

edit:
That is to say, the Martial Arts is thankfully secondary this season, and the primary focus is what power is used for, which is more in line with the franchise as a whole.

[TwoZeroTwo]

Daaaaamn this thread going savage AF in it, like remind me not to invite you over for dinner. Nah, all honestly that was quite the payoff, was not expecting blood there at the end. That really added something extra to the violence.

Originally Posted by ryllharu

I like the way this is shaping up. Where Vivid was about the Martial Arts itself and a bit, well, humdrum for it, Vivid Strike is about what people who use physical/magical prowess to do.

Fuuka and Rinne both seem a big thuggish compared to Subaru or even the "thugs" of Vivid, but what they have going in this season so far is a really nice parallel between the two.

I basically agree with the whole post above me, one of the reasons I really latched onto the Nanoha series was just how smart it was with its characters, really making them more than just names and faces. ViVid Strike is doing this really well with Fuuka and Rinne so far.

[Requiem-x]

Well, that was sad, if very cliched. Oh, Is she finally gonna beat the crap out ofHOLY CRAP

Um... good luck, Fuuka

I really don't want to jump into the bullying discussion, but wow, Rinne's parents seem pretty jolly a couple of years after that event. I guess they think sports are a nice way for her to vent out the rage, which SHOULD be a fair assumption, but well, like I said before, Rinne's hanging with the worst possible crowd right now. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if she picked Jill of her own accord given what happened at the end.

Well, I wanted conflict, and I sure got it. Keep it up, vivid strike... with the beatings...

Other stuff:
-Rinne really was being considerate last episode...
-...wait, rather, that's what happens when Rinne punches you without protection magic in place... and that was without training...
-No, preview, you don't get to end this on a cute note. NO.

[Dark Wing]

I bet Rinne's adoptive parents paid some people off to sweep all this under the rug. I mean you have to after somthing like that...

[novalysis]

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

I really don't want to jump into the bullying discussion, but wow, Rinne's parents seem pretty jolly a couple of years after that event. I guess they think sports are a nice way for her to vent out the rage, which SHOULD be a fair assumption, but well, like I said before, Rinne's hanging with the worst possible crowd right now. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if she picked Jill of her own accord given what happened at the end.

Well, I wanted conflict, and I sure got it. Keep it up, vivid strike... with the beatings...

If one of Rinne's mentors is Victoria Dhalgrun, then things aren't necessarily as dire. Victoria is quite protective and kind with those she takes under her wings.

[FlareKnight]

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

Well, that was sad, if very cliched. Oh, Is she finally gonna beat the crap out ofHOLY CRAP

Um... good luck, Fuuka

I really don't want to jump into the bullying discussion, but wow, Rinne's parents seem pretty jolly a couple of years after that event. I guess they think sports are a nice way for her to vent out the rage, which SHOULD be a fair assumption, but well, like I said before, Rinne's hanging with the worst possible crowd right now. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if she picked Jill of her own accord given what happened at the end.

Well, I wanted conflict, and I sure got it. Keep it up, vivid strike... with the beatings...

Other stuff:
-Rinne really was being considerate last episode...
-...wait, rather, that's what happens when Rinne punches you without protection magic in place... and that was without training...
-No, preview, you don't get to end this on a cute note. NO.

That really was the proper response to the end of the episode . Goes from a feeling of a sad though not too surprising episode about bullying into total annihilation! Just absolutely wrecked those girls.

It is unusual how cheerful they were in the present day. Maybe they figure Rinne is all better now and has worked everything out through martial arts. She is putting up a pretty decent mask in front of them. Though at the same time she put up one when she was actively getting bullied. So maybe they should press her for more answers.

Rinne really is a prodigy though. Was able to annihilate those girls with just a change in mindset. Her basic physical abilities are nuts.

[Requiem-x]

Originally Posted by novalysis

If one of Rinne's mentors is Victoria Dhalgrun, then things aren't necessarily as dire. Victoria is quite protective and kind with those she takes under her wings.

Was that the ojou? And anyway, it doesn't seem to have much of an effect, unless it stops Rinne from getting worse. Well, she's not actually smashing skulls anymore, but her attitude is far from ideal.

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

It is unusual how cheerful they were in the present day. Maybe they figure Rinne is all better now and has worked everything out through martial arts. She is putting up a pretty decent mask in front of them. Though at the same time she put up one when she was actively getting bullied. So maybe they should press her for more answers.

Also, they seem to miss her fights, but I guess violence wouldn't look so out of place in the ring. In the end, the supposed solution is just keeping the problem alive, if not making it worse.

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Rinne really is a prodigy though. Was able to annihilate those girls with just a change in mindset. Her basic physical abilities are nuts.

She kinda has to be or the whole talent is everything idea doesn't float.

[Random Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

-No, preview, you don't get to end this on a cute note. NO.

That was kind of my response. Rinne finished crushing those three (literally) and the horrible crunching sounds were still echoing in my head while she stood there with their blood splattered on her face. Then the ED started, and I was thinking "no, the adorable chibis and singing here make too much dissonance with what I just saw. Skip to the preview." I did that, and the preview was filled with adorable chibis making lighthearted conversation! Guys... mood-whiplash. Have some consideration, please.

Originally Posted by Requiem-x

Was that the ojou? And anyway, it doesn't seem to have much of an effect, unless it stops Rinne from getting worse. Well, she's not actually smashing skulls anymore, but her attitude is far from ideal.

Yes, Victoria Dhalgrun is the ojou from Vivid. We see Victoria with Jill in the OP, which is actually a hopeful note, in my opinion. Because Victoria would not ever allow any sort of mistreatment of a girl she's watching over. She's already saved one girl who was lost in loneliness and self-loathing, and I'm certain she would do the same to help Rinne.

[Benigmatica]

Well, those bullies should have mess with Rinne Berlinetta in the first place. Now they're at the hospital with serious injuries... or worse, death. Still, I wonder if Rinne gets away with this brutality?

[DmonHiro]

I must applaud the attention to detail of the beating. As someone with martial arts experience I can assure you that Rinne was going for most damage possible. All the hits seem average, but if you examine them closely, it's more then that.
1st girl: Rinne twisted her arm before hitting her elbow. That most likely shattered the ligament completely. IRL, that's a permanent injury. You can't really fix that. No clue where she stomped on her, but it could not have been pretty.
2nd girl: She did not hit her face parallel to the locker. That would have made the glasses shatter. And yes, it might seem like the glasses shattering in her eyes would be the worst possible thing, but Rinner hit her forehead against the locker very hard. That has a very high chance to cause brain damage, especially with that ammount of power.
3rd girl: Rinne kicked her in the temple. Do I really need to explain why that is very bad. She had the option of kicking her in the face from that possition. Actually, kicking her face would have been simpler.

So yeah.... burtal to the extreme. That was more of an execution.

[vic-vic]

After re-watching the first 3 episodes I still can't be fully empathic toward CURRENT Rinne.

Yes, no doubt, that her past is sad and horrible, and even after her brutal retalation she was a victim (she is still now but with additional jerkass part) that needed help. But after what she done to Fuka IMHO, she truly sunk to the level of a thug (though, of course, not to the level of terrible trio).

Fuka was her childhood friend that stand up for her against bullies and tried to saty in contact with Rinne... Yet Rinne didn't hesistate to use violence when they had an argument in the past. And Fuka was pretty beaten up in the aftermatch and even wobble when she tries to stand up. And Rinne just walks away without helping or even checking her condition (judging by bruises Rinne struck Fuka's face multiple times with is, considering her strength, are pretty dangerous).

And at the end of episode 3 after Fuka tried to talk with her (just like Random Wanderer states - our poor MC accidentaly poke into the open wound), Rinne's responce was violence. yes, her trauma are not small matter, but it's NOT and excuse to slam a person who worry about you into the wall and then starts to squezze her neck.

I don't argue that Rinne needs and deserve the help, but IMHO she still kind of a bitch herself... and ungrateful one BTW

[Kazu-kun]

^ The point is that she became a bitch because she bears a trauma, as opposed to being a bitch just because you're a bitch, like those three girls.

She's not ungrateful. She's self-absorbed. Her emotional pain doesn't let her see the pain of those around her. This is very typical of people who experience bullying or other forms of abuse.

In any case, you're not supposed to side with her. You're supposed to understand her and hope Fuka gets through to her.

[novalysis]

Originally Posted by Benigmatica

Well, those bullies should have mess with Rinne Berlinetta in the first place. Now they're at the hospital with serious injuries... or worse, death. Still, I wonder if Rinne gets away with this brutality?

I won't be surprised if this results in a limiter being slapped onto Rinne, and Rinne being made to do service with the TSAB. That was basically the fate, pardon the pun, for underage criminals like Fate and Lutecia.

[chaos_animagic]

Originally Posted by Benigmatica

Well, those bullies should have mess with Rinne Berlinetta in the first place. Now they're at the hospital with serious injuries... or worse, death. Still, I wonder if Rinne gets away with this brutality?

well... we already seen the current Rinne... and she's freely running around doing Battle Sports...

so that should answer the question, she got away. (unless of course, we go an even darker path... where Rinne is being blackmailed to do the Battle Sport, but this is very unlikely)

I currently support Rinne, her actions are all justifiable.

Her grandpas was indirectly killed by the bullies. Remember at the end of episode when they talked about the Grandpa got to the hospital too late? that's because he wanted to wait for Rinne. If Rinne had made it in time, maybe they could have saved Grandpa because it wouldn't be "too late".

So yes, the bullies indirectly killed the Grandpa, and it's justifiable in the Nanoha universe that a life-for-a-life.

[Dark Wing]

I still say her adoptive family had somthing to do with it. That much money they have to be able to pull some strings.