(L) Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by kujoe

Oh, but Eda does care. (Especially if you're going to make a big donation. )

Seriously though, I get the feeling that she's partly with the Church of Violence as a means of refuge of sorts—as if she's trying to run away from something from her past. I view her as a God-fearing woman, but who knows that survival (and money) come first.

Well... Episode 18 answered some questions about Eda, but replaced them with even more questions. I prefer to believe Eda had "retired" from her previous occupation, but those inclined to believe otherwise can do so. If you want, you can even consider her like a one-woman Sleeper Cell...

How deep does someone need to be undercover for that person to effectively stay there for ever?

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Well... Episode 18 answered some questions about Eda, but replaced them with even more questions. I prefer to believe Eda had "retired" from her previous occupation, but those inclined to believe otherwise can do so. If you want, you can even consider her like a one-woman Sleeper Cell...

I haven't gotten to that part yet actually—not even in the manga. However when you say "retired" it seems to sound as if it should be read as "hoping to retire."

[MrProphet]

Re.: Episode 19

Ginji is BAAADAAASS! And Megumi Toyoguchi (Revy) has the cutest and most incomprehensible Engrish ever.

However, Balalaika's Russian is pretty good. Waddaya know! 8)

[monir]

Good to see Mr. Prophet is posting in this thread once again since I enjoy reading his inputs in any threads. Please add more on the episode! Here is the screencap for episode 7 a.k.a 19 and one pic from last week's episode preview that I thought was pretty badass looking:

[Ronin Aquila]

Ah, the long awaited "Japan" Arc...

And judging from the first pic, all I can say is:

When it comes to the matter of the genre of the universe that a character inhabit, Revy is less literate than Rock is!! And he is a non-combatant!!"

After fighting more than one foe who can deflect her attacks and almost KILL her without a single firearm (Namely Sawyer and Shen Hua), she really needs to reasess her self-righteous presumption that gunmen are automatically superior to warriors. Rock on the other hand seems to be generically literate and aware of the universe he inhabits (namely the Hong-Kong style Heroic-Bloodshed genre), and therefore stood a fighting chance when he confronted Sawyer with the metal bookcase; fighting fire with fire, so to speak. He "breaks the fourth wall" for us good audiences more than any other character in the story.

Revy is gonna be in big trouble in this arc; because if that Katana is the bosse's preferred weapon of choice, and is a specialist in it like Shenhua is to her Kukuris and Kunais, boy that arrogant bitch is gonna end up in several boxes if she keeps undersetimating warriors. Skill Equates Power in this genre, not weapons.

[Ronin Aquila]

Accidental Double Post.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Oh, come on. This again?

Is it really necessary to throw swear words around like this?

A gun IS better than a sword under most circumstances. This might be anime, but blade weapons are still not the ideal choice for people like Revy.

After all, Roberta, arguable the most powerful female combatant in Black Lagoon, still used firearms as her killing tool of choice, and used a dagger only as a backup.

I am not sure of the source, but some have claimed Revy learned her gun-fu from Chan himself. If that was true, what's so wrong in being proud of one's own fighting style?

And by calling her a bitch... I don't know, you sound like that American cowboy in episode 18. Throwing insults all over the place without a care in the world.

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Oh, come on. This again?

Is it really necessary to throw swear words around like this?

A gun IS better than a sword under most circumstances. This might be anime, but blade weapons are still not the ideal choice for people like Revy.

After all, Roberta, arguable the most powerful female combatant in Black Lagoon, still used firearms as her killing tool of choice, and used a dagger only as a backup.

I am not sure of the source, but some have claimed Revy learned her gun-fu from Chan himself. If that was true, what's so wrong in being proud of one's own fighting style?

And by calling her a bitch... I don't know, you sound like that American cowboy in episode 18. Throwing insults all over the place without a care in the world.

I admit, I called her a bitch cos I don't really like her. I don't have much respect for people who take delight in killing children (however evil they may be) and extravagantly desecrating the memories and honor of the dead just to scare a coworker. As a soon-to-be-uncle who is prepared to love his nephew/niece and an ancestor-worshipper, calling that insect a bitch is the definition of politeness to me. You too are Taiwanese, so in the latter respect I guess you might share at least half my contempt for her.

I watch Black Lagoon for Rock, not her. Unless she gives me a compelling evidence of fundamental decency or kindness (none so far), her's would be a death I would celebrate with more joy than that of Fllay Allster's of Gundam Seed First Season.

Also,note my final sentence in the previous post: SKILL equates power, not weapon.

If Sawyer met Roberta, for instance, yes, it is SHE who would be meatpaste, quite literally considering RPGS. I was merely noting Revy's illiteracy and inability to break the fourth wall that makes her less capable than she really could be.

It is Rock's literacy of the generic madness that allowed him to succeed, or at least, survive so far. Heck, in Episode 2, it is he alone in a cast of Action Hero Archetypes that realized the validity of a flying-ship firing a torpedo into a helicopter , for he alone was generically literate.

[Deathkillz]

i never thought ill ever see revy in a skirt...but i was wrong
ep 19 was nice...it show a good(?) side to revy and the intro of new charaters...havent seen the naked back yet tho >.<
also how balalika terrorizes everyone

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

I watch Black Lagoon for Rock, not her. Unless she gives me a compelling evidence of fundamental decency or kindness (none so far), her's would be a death I would celebrate with more joy than that of Fllay Allster's of Gundam Seed First Season.

Character hating. I tend to avoid such a thing since it's the story that will ultimately judge a character's significance to me. And personally, it sounds utterly ridiculous when people start bashing certain characters. Criticism is one thing, but anything that sounds as stupid as one-sided, good 'ol fandom bashing is another. Pardon me, but this is what it sounds like. Would you rather have Revy act like a "good girl?"

There are however, certain character types that I'm not into, such as the so-called "virgin church goers" as we used to cruelly—and perhaps, quite unfairly—call them back in those days.

It's the same thing here for me in this story. I find Revy's character interesting so far. And Balalaika. God forbid that she doesn't act like a tough (but charismatic) mob boss. To each his (her) own.

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

Also,note my final sentence in the previous post: SKILL equates power, not weapon.

Theoretically perhaps, but skill isn't the only factor. When easy to use and efficient weapons are made available to the masses, circumstances can change. For instance, armored knights long ago were appalled that a noble and well-trained knight could be taken down by a peasant armed with a longbow. People invent new weapons for a reason.

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

If Sawyer met Roberta, for instance, yes, it is SHE who would be meatpaste, quite literally considering RPGS. I was merely noting Revy's illiteracy and inability to break the fourth wall that makes her less capable than she really could be.

Sorry, but I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here. RPGs? (rocket propelled grenades?) I'm sorry but I probably missed something. When did this anime try to break the fourth wall?

[[DOT].L]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

i never thought ill ever see revy in a skirt...but i was wrong

*Eagerly waits for possible panty-shots*

As for the whole "which weapon is better, blah, blah, blah... Skills r teh 133tzors!1one" discussion... Just have some pity for the catgirls, would you...

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by [DOT].L

*Eagerly waits for possible panty-shots*

*and then gets shot*

I can see it now: An omake of Revy getting pissed at Rock and his otaku buddy Benny. Or something like that.

By the way, this is the last arc for Second Barrage, right? And it's going to have an original, alternate ending? Hmmm. I wonder how this arc is going to end.

Spoiler:

For example: Will Rock stay in Japan, or will we just see some added scenes during or after the finale? Or will there be an entirely new, original arc afterwards?

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by kujoe

Character hating. I tend to avoid such a thing since it's the story that will ultimately judge a character's significance to me. And personally, it sounds utterly ridiculous when people start bashing certain characters. Criticism is one thing, but anything that sounds as stupid as one-sided, good 'ol fandom bashing is another. Pardon me, but this is what it sounds like. Would you rather have Revy act like a "good girl?"

There's a thicker-than-one-may-think line between "tough" and "bitch", and Revy crosses over into the latter in strides. Of course I'm no sexist pig, point in fact one of my top five fave anime girls is a tough one and a half: Cagalli Yulla Athha of Gundam Seed First Season. Definitely not the sweet and gentle type you take to see your parents; but tough as she may be, she is at least considerate, honorable and good hearted.

Sorry, but I'm not really sure what you're trying to say here. RPGs? (rocket propelled grenades?) I'm sorry but I probably missed something. When did this anime try to break the fourth wall?

Oh, more like side comments on the part of the characters. Rock, Revy and Dutch constantly make allusions to themselves and their world (particularly the "Yellow Flag" Cantina) as tributes to Westerns like Shane, The Magnificent Seven, and Various Clint Eastwood Films. Heck, even Revy's bedroom has a poster of "The Wild Punch", a sly grin to the anti-western "The Wild Bunch."

Plus, in Episode 9, but a scant 3 minutes after Rock says that Roberta is like "The Terminator", she does the exact same run as Robert Patrick's T-1000 Cyborg in Terminator 2 to persue their vehicle.

Not to mention that Mr Chan is a dead ringer for Mr Chow Yun Fat.

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

There's a thicker-than-one-may-think line between "tough" and "bitch", and Revy crosses over into the latter in strides. Of course I'm no sexist pig, point in fact one of my top five fave anime girls is a tough one and a half: Cagalli Yulla Athha of Gundam Seed First Season. Definitely not the sweet and gentle type you take to see your parents; but tough as she may be, she is at least considerate, honorable and good hearted.

Oh, the "bitch" angle. I get it. I don't know, but I just don't see her as a bitch entirely, and even if she has an attitude that's difficult and terrible to handle, I'm actually fine with it. (Guess that means I'm a masochist, huh? ) Life is shitty, drop dead hard in her world, and she reflects that in a very assertive and "bitchy" way. Character-wise, she isn't so one-sided. Besides, it's just a story. And I find her character and her interactions with others both interesting and entertaining. I'm not watching this show because she's sweet and merry.

And well, Cagalli... I may not have watched the show, but I have the impression that she's still one of the prominent members of the pantheon of the good guys in the story. If so, then even though she isn't the "sweet and gentle" girl as you say, I would still argue that she's still the type you can take to see your parents. She isn't comparable. Revy (or Eda, Balalaika, Shen Hua...) is different. You simply don't. (In most cases. )

Actually, you remind me why I never got into that show. Something about pink-haired Lacus and the way she is portrayed turned me off. It's silly, I know—but after looking over at some scenes, I figured that it just isn't my type of show, and neither does it have characters that personally appeal to me.

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

Oh, more like side comments on the part of the characters. Rock, Revy and Dutch constantly make allusions to themselves and their world (particularly the "Yellow Flag" Cantina) as tributes to Westerns like Shane, The Magnificent Seven, and Various Clint Eastwood Films. Heck, even Revy's bedroom has a poster of "The Wild Punch", a sly grin to the anti-western "The Wild Bunch."

Plus, in Episode 9, but a scant 3 minutes after Rock says that Roberta is like "The Terminator", she does the exact same run as Robert Patrick's T-1000 Cyborg in Terminator 2 to persue their vehicle.

Not to mention that Mr Chan is a dead ringer for Mr Chow Yun Fat.

Oh, okay. I thought you were referring to some moment in the series wherein one of the characters directly addresses the audience or something. But I think you're reading too much into it when you say that Rock is actually more capable of fighting goons because of his so-called literacy in such matters.

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by kujoe

Oh, okay. I thought you were referring to some moment in the series wherein one of the characters directly addresses the audience or something. But I think you're reading too much into it when you say that Rock is actually more capable of fighting goons because of his so-called literacy in such matters.

Not so much "fighting" the goons as ironically "fit in" better in the universe, knowing the way the universe works better than most of its occupants.

And Lacus, oh believe you me, is anything but a nice traditional weak type. Dignified and elegant, yes, but WHOA boy, she is easily the scariest character in the darned franchise, easily able to give Balika a run for her money in sheer meanness when the situation calls for it.

[Nightengale]

Originally Posted by kujoe

Actually, you remind me why I never got into that show. Something about pink-haired Lacus and the way she is portrayed turned me off. It's silly, I know—but after looking over at some scenes, I figured that it just isn't my type of show, and neither does it have characters that personally appeal to me.

You mean her Balalaika~ism that isn't ruthless and Kapitanish? :3

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

[QUOTE=Nightengale;739403]

Originally Posted by kujoe

Actually, you remind me why I never got into that show. Something about pink-haired Lacus and the way she is portrayed turned me off. It's silly, I know—but after looking over at some scenes, I figured that it just isn't my type of show, and neither does it have characters that personally appeal to me./QUOTE]

You mean her Balalaika~ism that isn't ruthless and Kapitanish?

The irony, ofcourse, is captain Talia Gladys of Gundam Seed Destiny shared the same voice actress as Balalaika. Yet Talia was an indecisive and ineffective leader who in the end, barely mattered to the plot and might as well never had a name.

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Ronin Aquila

And Lacus, oh believe you me, is anything but a nice traditional weak type. Dignified and elegant, yes, but WHOA boy, she is easily the scariest character in the darned franchise, easily able to give Balika a run for her money in sheer meanness when the situation calls for it.

No, I meant about her character design, the appeal she's going for, and the impression she makes. Hence why I made it a point to include, "pink-haired."

So are you saying that Lacus is willing to have a boy/girl's hand sniped off? A position of power doesn't always change the initial character template from which she's been designed from. (See Tessa from FMP. No, scratch that. She might not even be a comparable example.)

I admit, I really can't say anything further with regard to this character.

Originally Posted by Nightengale

You mean her Balalaika~ism that isn't ruthless and Kapitanish?

Maybe.

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally Posted by kujoe

\

So are you saying that Lacus is willing to have a boy/girl's hand sniped off?:

Not so nice... more like "willing to have your father take a bullet in the head in your place and have whole countries obliterated for what you perceive to be the greater good."

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Lacus Clyne is a theoretically invincible person in the same way as Roberta. Except Roberta's area is physical combat, while Lacus' field is the corridors of power.
Let's just say no one who made themselves a public enemy of Lacus Clyne ever lived very long, and there are no exceptions.
(Naturally, it's never her fault any of them dies... But after it just kept happening, you can't help but wonder^_^; )

Sure, Balalaika don't have many living enemies left either, but Lacus doesn't even need to get her hands dirty. The only reason most of us believe Lacus Clyne isn't pure evil, is the fact that she would have enslaved her planet by now otherwise.

I wish Balalaika was the captain of Minerva... Then she could shot Shinn Asuka in the kneecaps and stab a smoking cigar in his eye for insubordination.