(CR) Vanishing Line: Garo

[Kanon]

This time I was fooled. I thought the cats were the horror, especially with Zaruba saying the scent was everywhere. A ring that can control horrors seemed within the realm of possibilities, given what we've seen in previous series (thinking mainly of YamiTera).

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

One of the things that I like from this episode is that our MCs didn't really blew their covers or make a fool of themselves until they're ready for confrontation. In many anime, this kind of scenario is often ended up with the MC or inexperienced protags blowing the cover due to some idiotic action (or something along those lines) and then chaos ensues. That didn't happen here which is surprisingly good for someone like Sword and the inexperienced Sophie. Sword can even keep up with the convo of those bourgeoisie dudes, barely XD. He did his job so well to the point where the villain want to sleep with him . And yes, saying Sword's pseudo-rape scene uncomfortable is an understatement . It's like the complete opposite of Harley Quinn's "kinda-rape" to Nightwing in the recent Batman & Harley Quinn movie.

But all in all, the purpose of this episode is to acclimate Sophie in this line of horror-hunting work and to introduce and interact her with Gina. For that it has done a pretty good job.

Oh, btw, I've just watched the English Dub of episode 2. The English VA for the black couple is bad, like, really bad (at least for me). The male has this lazy Jamaican(?) accent and the female sounds like she has no soul. Both failed miserably whenever the story need them to convey emotion like anger or sadness. The male is only good during the psychotic burts and the female VA makes it obvious that she's acting her part (poorly) instead of feeling and expressing the needed emotions. *sigh* I hope episode 3 Eng-Dub is better. The rest of the VAs are pretty good.

[xeviouses]

Infiltration mission done right, so Sword, despite his brusque mannerism and looks can pull off a James Bond. Nice.

[magnumcyclonex]

Sword almost got to use his sword! Haha!

Good episode and intro of Gina, showing Sophie what she's really getting herself into. I too was fooled thinking it was all the cats. Who knew it was actually the actress.

Side question: She was so young and pretty, and thin! How'd she end up becoming so voluptuous? Do people let themselves go, or does natural biology and age take over? I'm asking this question in the general world sense, not specifically because I see it in the anime.

[orion]

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Sword almost got to use his sword! Haha!

Good episode and intro of Gina, showing Sophie what she's really getting herself into. I too was fooled thinking it was all the cats. Who knew it was actually the actress.

Side question: She was so young and pretty, and thin! How'd she end up becoming so voluptuous? Do people let themselves go, or does natural biology and age take over? I'm asking this question in the general world sense, not specifically because I see it in the anime.

That guy was almost raped, not a funny scene at all.

She lost her shape when the monster ate her. Her shape is actually the demon's shape. And...that's not voluptuous, it's morbidly obese.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Sword almost got to use his sword! Haha!

When his “opponent” looks like that, I doubt Sword could get his “sword” “up and ready” at the time to “pierce” anything .

I also wonder if Viola is a riff on Oprah Winfrey (but with a horror inside).

Originally Posted by orion

That guy was almost raped, not a funny scene at all.

Indeed, but it's a working hazard in his line of work (especially in infiltration operation). I mean, in episode 3 Gina also had to make a smaller sacrifice (by comparison) by kissing the a-hole mob boss to get his saliva with her lips. And Gina might be forced to go even further in her line of work.

[Cloudedmind]

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Sword almost got to use his sword! Haha!

Good episode and intro of Gina, showing Sophie what she's really getting herself into. I too was fooled thinking it was all the cats. Who knew it was actually the actress.

Side question: She was so young and pretty, and thin! How'd she end up becoming so voluptuous? Do people let themselves go, or does natural biology and age take over? I'm asking this question in the general world sense, not specifically because I see it in the anime.

In regards to real world mechanics it's often a bit of both. As you age your metabolism does slow down. Meaning the amount of calories you were able to consume as a teenager/20 something and either maintain or loss weight is not going to be the same when you're a 30, 40, or 50 etc. year old. Lifestyle changes are also often a factor. If you were very active as a young person, and then transitioned to a more sedentary lifestyle, (think becoming an office worker where you sit on your butt for several hours a day, and then you go home and sit on your butt some more to either watch TV, play games, etc.) you'll also going to burn fewer calories throughout the day. People also tend to grossly underestimate how many calories they consume in a day, and the American diet especially is rife with calorie dense processed foods.

So a slowing metabolism coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet rich in high calorie processed foods, it's not hard to see why people pack on the pounds. There are of course genetic reasons, and certain diseases that can also contribute.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Yet another enjoyable episode that explores and digs into the characters a bit more. Animation took a dive this time, but not that distracting. So, Sword live in a China-resto? And I'm a bit confused about Sword's monetary situation. This episode seem to strongly imply that he's a freeloader and he provided compensation by cooking breakfast for the other residents. Yet, he seem able to afford picking up girls every now and then and going to fancy bars (with Gina). Does he spent most of his salary on girls?

And Luke has a dad that looks like Kenshiro with white hair

The horror is quite interesting and sly. Those who sat at L13 seat are really unlucky sobs. I wonder what made its barrier unstable to the point where Zaruba can sense it right away. The episode kinda glossed over that little detail. Did the barrier became unstable just because the horror got hungrier than usual?

Oh, and the English Dub for episode 3 & 4 are on point. It's a good watch.

[Magewolf]

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

The horror is quite interesting and sly. Those who sat at L13 seat are really unlucky sobs. I wonder what made its barrier unstable to the point where Zaruba can sense it right away. The episode kinda glossed over that little detail. Did the barrier became unstable just because the horror got hungrier than usual?

From what they said and how they acted at the cinema I thought it was because it was trying to eat Luke. Right after Zaruba said it was leaking pass the barrier Sword looked worried and started to move faster.

[Kanon]

One of my favorite episode of the seasons so far. We found out more about both Sword and Luke. Luke is definitely going to become the secondary knight of the series. I'm certain he has the skills, there must be something else holding him back.

Nice to see Madou Lighters back. Always liked them.

The lack of use of the armor is starting to become a problem. I think even YamiTera had more armor time than that. Do they have no budget?

Originally Posted by Magewolf

From what they said and how they acted at the cinema I thought it was because it was trying to eat Luke. Right after Zaruba said it was leaking pass the barrier Sword looked worried and started to move faster.

Yep, that's it. They didn't gloss over it, since Zaruba himself said it was because of Luke.

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Originally Posted by Magewolf

From what they said and how they acted at the cinema I thought it was because it was trying to eat Luke. Right after Zaruba said it was leaking pass the barrier Sword looked worried and started to move faster.

Originally Posted by Kanon

Yep, that's it. They didn't gloss over it, since Zaruba himself said it was because of Luke.

Ah thanks. I must've missed it.

Originally Posted by Magewolf

The lack of use of the armor is starting to become a problem. I think even YamiTera had more armor time than that. Do they have no budget?

Makai knight's armor is 3DCG. Wasn't 3DCG supposed to be faster and cheaper than handdrawn animation? If its true, in this episode they actually went all out with the handdrawn animation (except for things like the CG horror eye). And I consider that a plus.

If the armor performance will be as lackluster as episode 5, you might as well ditch it so that the audience won't be burned out by it (I'm looking at you, Crimson Moon). I'd rather the animator team use the armor mostly for really intense enemies. That way, there's something to hype up for when the armor appears.

[xeviouses]

Madou Lighters are back! gods above I missed them alot...

Originally Posted by Obelisk ze Tormentor

If the armor performance will be as lackluster as episode 5, you might as well ditch it so that the audience won't be burned out by it (I'm looking at you, Crimson Moon). I'd rather the animator team use the armor mostly for really intense enemies. That way, there's something to hype up for when the armor appears.

I agree with this, nothing hypes up a fight more than seeing a Makai Knight don his armor. It really shows how much of a threat the horror is. Plus, the original show seldom had full-on armor fights, it was mostly used during finishing moves.

IMO most of the budget goes to the madou bike.

Though when armor fights do happen like the GARO vs ZERO fight, its awesome.

[Galaxian]

Was I the only one expecting them to reveal that Luke is Sword's little brother?

[B214]

Originally Posted by Galaxian

Was I the only one expecting them to reveal that Luke is Sword's little brother?

Probably.

[MgMaster]

Liking the touch of Sword & Luke's homes somewhat reflecting on their personalities a a bit. Luke lives in a fancy but fairly empty looking apartment, in a high place that kinda goes hand & hand with his arrogance ~ no other distractions in his place but that sword shows how he's focused on the whole makai thing and not much else.

Meanwhile,Sword's the complete opposite, a rather humble place but full of stuff(like the hot blondie poster atop his bed ),punching bag & other things, reflecting on his personality that thinks one should understand people in order to properly be able to help 'em.

Really nice touches there by Mappa!

[Cloudedmind]

Originally Posted by MgMaster

Liking the touch of Sword & Luke's homes somewhat reflecting on their personalities a a bit. Luke lives in a fancy but fairly empty looking apartment, in a high place that kinda goes hand & hand with his arrogance ~ no other distractions in his place but that sword shows how he's focused on the whole makai thing and not much else.

Meanwhile,Sword's the complete opposite, a rather humble place but full of stuff(like the hot blondie poster atop his bed ),punching bag & other things, reflecting on his personality that thinks one should understand people in order to properly be able to help 'em.

Really nice touches there by Mappa!

And the three bodybuilding ones on the other side of the wall. Loved it.

[Kanon]

Well, that escalated quickly. Sad to see the sister go out like this. If only Sword and Luke had been a little faster!

Luke's father turned out to be a dark knight. Not a very surprising twist, but it adds some drama, and knight vs knight battles are always awesome. And I guess it's Rook after all? We had Knight, King and Pawn in this ep. Luke/Rook isn't part of their organization though.

[xeviouses]

Was that Luke's father? Damn, another fallen knight it would seem.

That would explain a few things in the previous ep. The horror took the image of Luke's mother instead of his father, probably because of the animosity Luke has for him. It's easier to lure a target and get their guard down with a false sense of security.

Sad to see the combat nun go but while brief, she was awesome against that horror. Seeing a parental figure die in front of her will not bode well for Sophie's psyche though.

[frubam]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Well, that escalated quickly. Sad to see the sister go out like this. If only Sword and Luke had been a little faster!

Luke's father turned out to be a dark knight. Not a very surprising twist, but it adds some drama, and knight vs knight battles are always awesome. And I guess it's Rook after all? We had Knight, King and Pawn in this ep. Luke/Rook isn't part of their organization though.

ja, tis a shame =0(. It's always nice to have competent female characters, and she put up such a good fight, all things considered. I have to say, the suspense in not knowing if Luke/Sword would show up in time was KILLING ME D0=!!! Sad that they didn't make it in time =0(.

At least now we have a clear antagonist of some kind now to tie in the current Horrors to. Been kinda feeling a bit like a random monster-of-the-week show so far(even though Garos are like that, having an antagonist out-the-gate makes it feel like it has more of a purpose).

I'm guessing the "King" is Sophie's brother. And probably Sword's little brother too.

Just to type what was said in the notebook:

Spoiler for :

for Sophie's side

What is said to have happened or what was seen?
none(?); parents were accidentally dead.
Later, she lived with her older brother
but her(?) brother disappeared on the 24th
She visited the police to submit a search request
Protest(?) there

Where there any obvious signs(bleeding, bruising, changed behavior, etc)?
There was no injury.
She was upset, but was not enough(?) to talk
Sometimes, I write(?) the word "El Dorado"

Who has been told about it and when?
She visited the police alone.

And, in case anyone cares about Hanna's side:

What is said to have happened or what was seen?
none(?); parents divorced; It is taken over by mother
but mother disappeared on the 20th. Five days later,
with the report from the neighbor,
we protest(protect?)(?) the place in the room

Where there any obvious signs(bleeding, bruising, changed behavior, etc)?
She is unable to take a decent meal.
She did not seem to be accepting
the shock when her mother was gone.

Who has been told about it and when?
There is no other (?) to her.

[B214]

Well Sophie should've listen to the sister's advise properly.

Still El Dorado seems to be an organisation at the moment.