(L) Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

These two "children" hammered nails into her subordinate's head and watch his body twitch for enjoyment. You completely missed the point; she didn't hunt them down for fun, but to avenge the loss of nine of her irreplaceable, loyal soldiers. As they died, they prayed not to God, but to Balalaika for salvation. She had the responsibility as the Kapitan to do what needs to be done.
If she was perverse like them, she would have employed many means of torture at her disposal. But unlike them, Balalaika doesnt find torture gratifying.

What would you do? These twins are off-the-scale in evil, so much so as to be unable to function even as criminals. They kill just because. Nothing more.

For some odd reason, I actually found Balalaika's reaction and her methods somewhat more merciful and yet more distasteful at the same time. Torturing the messed up kid may be worse for some people, but to watch the kid cry him/herself to death as he/she bleeds away is just as harsh, just in a different way. She simply watched him/her die like a bleeding dog—like watching a crazed animal that could barely stand on its own—and yet, for me that's probably the greatest portrayal of Balalaika's character so far. I actually like her even more now after such a performance.

The twins may be messed up—and sometimes even pitiful—but in the end, even Rock couldn't shed tears for them. And if I were in his place, I doubt I could either.


I've just been wondering though. Just how does Balalaika connect the fact that the twins are Romanian with Rowan's supply of snuff films? Does she simply make a calculated guess that the twins were featured on one of them? I can't remember if this is ever clarified in the manga, but in the anime it seems like as soon as Rock says that they may be Romanian, it's like she finds the missing trail all of a sudden. It almost as simple as if she just said, "They spoke Romanian? Hey, I remember those fucked up films over at Rowan's..."

Originally Posted by monir

What makes Shenhua such an amazing character?

a) Her unique style of fighting skill

b) Her particular way of speaking that probably made every Black Lagoon fan smile at least once

c) Her dress

I wouldn't say her fighting style is that unique, so I'll have to go with B and C.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

I've just been wondering though. Just how does Balalaika connect the fact that the twins are Romanian with Rowan's supply of snuff films? Does she simply make a calculated guess that the twins were featured on one of them? I can't remember if this is ever clarified in the manga, but in the anime it seems like as soon as Rock says that they may be Romanian, it's like she finds the missing trail all of a sudden. It almost as simple as if she just said, "They spoke Romanian? Hey, I remember those fucked up films over at Rowan's..."

Romania's old leader did some pretty stupid things in his time... Taxing all adults past the age of 25 10~20% extra if they don't have children. (even if said adults are not married)

Since Romania was once a communist state, it's possible Balalaika visited there while still in the Soviet special-forces.
As someone in organised crime, she would have also come into contact with modern slave-trade as a source of income, though apparently rejected it and transport drugs instead.
Thus, 1+1=2.

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Romania's old leader did some pretty stupid things in his time... Taxing all adults past the age of 25 10~20% extra if they don't have children. (even if said adults are not married)

Since Romania was once a communist state, it's possible Balalaika visited there while still in the Soviet special-forces.
As someone in organised crime, she would have also come into contact with modern slave-trade as a source of income, though apparently rejected it and transport drugs instead.
Thus, 1+1=2.

Hold on; this brings up a good opportunity to examine a question largely overlooked in the manga and anime thus far: Just what exactly is Hotel Moscow's business? Did it specifically mention that they were into drugs, because I did not see that.

In episode one we see Hotel Moscow hiring Lagoon to take the nuke-disc hostage in exchange for... I don't know what. Money?

In another episode we see Balalaika editing porn which she called a part time job; so Hotel Moscow is involved in the underground porn business? Seems kinda out of character, but then I hear the porn industry is huge and profitable so... it is also through this exposure that Balalaika might have made the connection.

In the future episodes to come, Hotel Moscow heads to Japan for some heavy action in which I see little financial incentive for them, except to be paid as mercenaries.

Conclusion: I don't know how Hotel Moscow makes money, good ol' collection of protection money?

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Since Romania was once a communist state, it's possible Balalaika visited there while still in the Soviet special-forces.
As someone in organised crime, she would have also come into contact with modern slave-trade as a source of income, though apparently rejected it and transport drugs instead.
Thus, 1+1=2.

Originally Posted by Cal-Refector

In another episode we see Balalaika editing porn which she called a part time job; so Hotel Moscow is involved in the underground porn business? Seems kinda out of character, but then I hear the porn industry is huge and profitable so... it is also through this exposure that Balalaika might have made the connection.

Well, it still doesn't explain things clearly. Rock gives them a lead which could've led her anywhere from Romanian expats to various underground contacts, and yet the first thing she thinks about is the possible link of the twins with an old snuff film? I don't know. It can't be that easy. It almost came off as a wild guess to me.

Originally Posted by Cal-Reflector

Hold on; this brings up a good opportunity to examine a question largely overlooked in the manga and anime thus far: Just what exactly is Hotel Moscow's business? Did it specifically mention that they were into drugs, because I did not see that.

The porn editing is most likely a side job for Balalaika. If I'm not mistaken, Hotel Moscow is into firearms, and they probably also receive revenue from other business establishments they run. For example, the twins' torture victim in episode 13 (?) supposedly makes a visit to collect the earnings of the bar before the twins haul him out in a bloody mess. Then again, it's also possible that he's just there to collect some protection money.

I think they also have their hands on drugs, but I can't seem to remember where I got that piece of info from.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by kujoe

I think they also have their hands on drugs, but I can't seem to remember where I got that piece of info from.

That's because it was in a passing comment. Remember the episode when Balalaika was seen editing porn?

She was wondering who was transporting drugs behind Hotel Moscow's back, stealing their business, and asked Revy about it.
And in that same episode, Rock blackmailed the Head Sister of Church of Violence into holding up her end of the deal in weapons, by indirectly suggesting Lagoon might have to tell Hotel Moscow about a certain Church where they are smuggling drugs along with the firearms, if there was lack of cooperation...
(The Church probably stopped doing that, once they realised Balalaika is onto them)

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by kujoe

If I'm not mistaken, Hotel Moscow is into firearms, and they probably also receive revenue from other business establishments they run. For example, the twins' torture victim in episode 13 (?) supposedly makes a visit to collect the earnings of the bar before the twins haul him out in a bloody mess. Then again, it's also possible that he's just there to collect some protection money.

Firearms... well, Russians doing firearms always makes sense, but somehow I had the impression that since the author took the trouble to single out the Church as THE most notable arms dealer of the city... that maybe that was their turf.

What sort of business would mobs have access to in a place like that?

Porn: Production and Distribution/export.
Prostitution/strip club/pimping: Domestic business.
Narcotics: No production, trading only.
Firearms: Buying and Selling, acting as a middleman, no production.
Import/Export of Alcohol and cigarettes (contraband?)
Gambling: Bookeeping and casinos?
Legit businesses: Bars, restaurants.

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Originally Posted by Cal-Reflector

Firearms... well, Russians doing firearms always makes sense, but somehow I had the impression that since the author took the trouble to single out the Church as THE most notable arms dealer of the city... that maybe that was their turf.

What sort of business would mobs have access to in a place like that?

Porn: Production and Distribution/export.
Prostitution/strip club/pimping: Domestic business.
Narcotics: No production, trading only.
Firearms: Buying and Selling, acting as a middleman, no production.
Import/Export of Alcohol and cigarettes (contraband?)
Gambling: Bookeeping and casinos?
Legit businesses: Bars, restaurants.

Don't forget, their city is a port. Effective transport of drugs, even if they don't grow their own, would still be extremely profitable.
As I keep mentioning, the top three modern criminal income sources are drugs, guns, and slaves (in that order). Balalaika most likely still transport firearms, especially since genuine Russian AK47s are still superior to those cheap bootleg versions used by the under-funded criminals. But drug money is still far more reliable.

As for the Church, well, they are the local supplier. Unless you want to order your guns two dozen at a time as a bulk order, getting your guns from Balalaika probably isn't the most convenient.

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by Vallen Chaos Valiant

Don't forget, their city is a port. Effective transport of drugs, even if they don't grow their own, would still be extremely profitable.
As I keep mentioning, the top three modern criminal income sources are drugs, guns, and slaves (in that order). Balalaika most likely still transport firearms, especially since genuine Russian AK47s are still superior to those cheap bootleg versions used by the under-funded criminals. But drug money is still far more reliable.

As for the Church, well, they are the local supplier. Unless you want to order your guns two dozen at a time as a bulk order, getting your guns from Balalaika probably isn't the most convenient.

On drug trade: Black Lagoon takes place right in the Golden Triangle, one of two major opium-producing regions in the world, so I guess that's why Hotel Moscow is there; Balalaika does work for someone afterall, and having a branch in the Golden Triangle makes sense for any self respecting crime-organization, like a multinational corporation having a branch in New York, London, and Tokyo.

So from the recent post above, and Balalaika's comments from that porn-editing passage, it sounds as though Hotel Moscow has some sort of majority stake, if not monopoly, on drug trade in that city?

Russian arms... while certainly of higher quality, I imagine the ready availability of weapons from unstable SE Asian regimes and nearby China would make more sense as a source of supply.

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Cal-Reflector

So from the recent post above, and Balalaika's comments from that porn-editing passage, it sounds as though Hotel Moscow has some sort of majority stake, if not monopoly, on drug trade in that city?

There's a fragile balance being held between the factions of Balalaika, Mr. Chan and the other top dogs in the city, so I would guess that they would be somehow balanced out overall while maintaining their own interests. As the big crime organizations that they are, they probably keep the aspiring small fry in line, running things as they see fit behind the scenes—which sort of makes sense considering how the corrupt police force seems to also depend on them from time to time.

I'm assuming, however, that Hotel Moscow is on top of the food chain right now. Seriously, they're all trained to chew bone, marrow and then some. It'll probably take the whole city to get Hotel Moscow out of there—which isn't likely anytime soon since the place seems to be actually benefiting from their presence. After all, there are times when crime does pay you know.

With regard to whether Balalaika answers to a higher boss or not, I'm not so sure. I had the impression that she's running her own show alongside her trusted comrades. I'm pretty sure that there are rival factions within the Russian mafia as well, but I guess it's possible.

[Cal-Reflector]

Originally Posted by kujoe

With regard to whether Balalaika answers to a higher boss or not, I'm not so sure. I had the impression that she's running her own show alongside her trusted comrades. I'm pretty sure that there are rival factions within the Russian mafia as well, but I guess it's possible.

Well, the Italian faction has been eliminated by the efforts of the Twins, leaving three of the original four factions intact.

It seems apparent from dialogue to come in the future that Balalaika is a part of a Russian mob hierarchy, which includes the Russian embassy, albeit she recieves great autonymity in her operations. Hope that was cryptic enough to not be spoilery.

[kujoe]

Originally Posted by Cal-Reflector

It seems apparent from dialogue to come in the future that Balalaika is a part of a Russian mob hierarchy, which includes the Russian embassy, albeit she recieves great autonymity in her operations. Hope that was cryptic enough to not be spoilery.

Not sure about what's the reason why the Russian Embassy has to intervene, but...

Spoiler:

...considering that Balalaika is practically on the verge of waging to war in a foreign country, I assume they wouldn't want any disastrous....complications. And from an ex-member of their special forces no less. It would probably be messy, and Japan would probably hold the Russian government responsible in some way. Still, it just makes me wonder just what kind of boss Balalaika could possibly have. Probably someone with a lot of influence in their government most likely.

[Ronin Aquila]

Just watched 12 as anti depressent and...

Wahahahaha!! I thought Marujuana was meant to make you happy!! Just made the whole damn thing WORSE for Poor-Ol Rock!!

And I seriously suspect the doped up Irish is well into his 40's, considering he mentioned (however doped up) that the cops wouldn't let him into Peace Park for Woodstock...

Does Marujuana make you relive your most memorable moments or something?

[Shiroth]

Looks like Benny-boy's a ladies man. :3

Overall this was a really fun arc to watch, we were given some great action scenes (of course, involving Shenhua) in episode 18. I happy she appeared again for this 'fun' arc, i don't think it could have been pulled of without her... though i'll be happy if we see her again.

Next episode looks to be pretty fun.. Yukuza style. Revy in that hat is love-love~

[Deacon Blues]

I just caught episode 15 (little behind at the moment). Was a rather sad episode to watch, really. Business is business I suppose. I felt kinda said for the twins in the end, but it was downright creepy how they could just go back and forth like that.

[Deathkillz]

ahh another conclusion to another arc...
ep 18 was fun...but its quite a shame to see how "easily" the circus got defeated...but Shenhua put up a good fight tho ^_^ kinda sad to see her injured...i hope shes oki...
benny is quite the ladies man hes gona get some! but i wont say that jane is the most attractive girl ive seen so far still likes attract

next ep...a man with tattoos and a giant sword O.o

[Hyperion]

just watched ep 17, looks like rock at the end was about ready to kill the money girl (can't remember her name). Some great tag team action thanks to Edda and Revy......woohoooo!

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Eda's background shocks me.
Is that her former job, or is she still working as an agent even now?

Well, at least she is still loyal to her nationality, either way.

[monir]

Screencaps for Episode 6 aka 18:



Episode 6 was simply hilarious!

Spoiler:

Anticlimactic finish to Rotton the Wizard who took a fall from the roof before he could even finish a dialogue that would have made a case for his uber coolness.

When the scary chainsaw lady threw tantrum by dancing wildly because she lost her voice-box and simply gave up by sitting down.

And the funny dialogue that really cracked me up which took place between Eda and Shenhua:

Shenhua has one of her sword right under Eda's neck...

Eda: Wait! Wait! Wait! Listen to what I have to say! Aren't you going to go to hell by killing a nun?

Shenhua: I follower of Dokyo. I nothing to do with your belief.

btw, correct me if I've got it wrong since my understanding of Japanese is nothing to be proud of.

Originally Posted by Deathskillz

but i wont say that jane is the most attractive girl ive seen so far

I believe the animators will disagree with you for they have took a peak under her skirt to have a panty-flash-vision whenever they could which is more than the amount of panties shown in the recent episode of, sayyyyy.. Sumomomomo~.

[Ronin Aquila]

Having seen how fan-servicy the Jane Arc is so far, I concur.

The animators have had have had 15 Episodes worth of pent up frustartion (14, if Gretel was a girl, but we'll never know ), heck they could not even show Roberta fan service when her hot maid-costume was turned upside down!!

Poor Jane would naturally of course have to take the brunt of all that pent up pressure.

And as if the Twins were not enough, watch our here comes Sawyer the Chainsaw Goth Loli!!

[Ronin Aquila]

As an answer to the above question:

Spoiler:

Shenhua has one of her sword right under Eda's neck...

Eda: Wait! Wait! Wait! Listen to what I have to say! Aren't you going to go to hell by killing a nun?

Shenhua: I follower of Dokyo. I nothing to do with your belief.


btw, correct me if I've got it wrong since my understanding of Japanese is nothing to be proud of

"Dokyo" (道教) means "Taoism."

Spoiler:

Meaning that Shenhua is a Taoist.

Take That Eda, you self righteous Catholic!!