(L+CR) Shirogane no Ishi Argevollen

[Patriot's Blade]

uh, Gundam AGE's MC is a super genius kid creating his own powerful Gundam unit that he piloted himself, Flit is Batman.......

[DragoonKain3]

Dam, I was so hyped up the in beginning. I mean, finally we have a modern mechwarrior anime... only to turn out these are easily defeated by literally getting PUNCHED in the face. Like seriously, how is a punch able to one hit kill a pilot in their cockpit while bullets just ricochet off? Dammit, it was good while it lasted.

Oh well, at least the setting is interesting. Definitely seeing some socio-political commentary (a nation waging wars in the name of 'freedom' against a nation that has a great wall?), and would likely only follow this anime if they keep at it.

[Zaku1971]

So in a mecha warfare, your best defense is a WALL?!? And a quite short one?

In this universe did they already invent flying machines?

[Arya]

I echo the main problem people had. The first part was slow, but still I liked it. But from the moment they introduced the MC I thought, oh, no, tell me this is not the MC. Then he followed literally every step I'd expect from him, til we saw a civil truck. At that point I thought, well let's see if he will disobey a direct order in a show that until now seems to follow strictly the military rules and its hierarchies. By the way, it was so obvious that the truck was at least carrying the main heroine, and given its design it was also obvious that there were a new type mecha in it, that it was impossible for our MC to not commit insubordination. He knew it, we knew it
The only think that I liked about this second part was the girl, more or less. I liked how basically she used her tiny diary full of color bookmarks and that she was smart enough to ask him to pilot it given she had no combat training at all.

Let's see how it will progress, but yes, if somehow I can stand a HS character boarding a mecha, I can't an insubordinate rookie, without any plans at all, his only luck was to find an overpowered mecha that he can move as he pleases just using his thought.

[Baldurkai]

Originally Posted by DevilHighDxD

I was surprised, our MC who has actual military training actually has worst debut than normal regular HS student. My wish for a L-elf like start out MC won't be granted it seem... I'll give it some couple more episodes.

I rather like the noobie Mc whos not overpowered and is basically a god in the anime, for me that allows more character development. But i have to say i was looking forwards to this a lot and it was ok, nothing too special, I hope they delve more into the politics and the wars, nice mech designs reminds me of full metal panic mechs. but i disliked Argevollen's design, something about that machine feels off to me - i guess its because of the super mech Argevollen, Kind of hoping they wouldhave stuck with the older looking slower mechs for a while longer. Having my speculations as to how this will develop and i hope they stay as speculations only.

I guess i'll wait for next weeks episode

Edit:

Spoiler for Enviromental spoiler:

oh and also, they've been defending the wall for SOOO long that there are not blast marks and the grass is perfectly green?? i know its ANIME but really...

[Zaku1971]

Originally Posted by Baldurkai

Spoiler for Enviromental spoiler:

oh and also, they've been defending the wall for SOOO long that there are not blast marks and the grass is perfectly green?? i know its ANIME but really...

Spoiler for About walls..:

In the Real World, after the invention of gunpowder, the walls became irrelevant as a means of defense. I groaned when I saw the mecha behave as if it were an attack on a medieval fortress.

[Baldurkai]

Originally Posted by Zaku1971

Spoiler for About walls..:

In the Real World, after the invention of gunpowder, the walls became irrelevant as a means of defense. I groaned when I saw the mecha behave as if it were an attack on a medieval fortress.

Spoiler for Agreed Agreed:

yea i thought the same too - like the troops felt like they were using bb guns on the mechs was another issue i had, irrelevant wall imo, since it was only like what... as tall as 1 mecha.....

[orion]

I liked ep. 1. The new mecha can do hand to hand combat almost as close to human hand to hand combat which means it can battle to opposite sides mecha that breached the wall and we get to see nice fights.

That one punch kill was great. We got the see blood getting splattered inside the cockpit in an inferred manner. No pilot resurrection in this title if he or she gets punched by the new mecha.

[Flower]

Licensed by Sentai: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...-titles/.76300

[Zaku1971]

Originally Posted by Baldurkai

Spoiler for Agreed Agreed:

yea i thought the same too - like the troops felt like they were using bb guns on the mechs was another issue i had, irrelevant wall imo, since it was only like what... as tall as 1 mecha.....

Spoiler for I wonder...:

But in this universe, didn't they invent any kind of flying machine? Airplanes? Copters? Hot-air balloons?

[MgMaster]

Originally Posted by Arya

I echo the main problem people had. The first part was slow, but still I liked it. But from the moment they introduced the MC I thought, oh, no, tell me this is not the MC. Then he followed literally every step I'd expect from him, til we saw a civil truck. At that point I thought, well let's see if he will disobey a direct order in a show that until now seems to follow strictly the military rules and its hierarchies. By the way, it was so obvious that the truck was at least carrying the main heroine, and given its design it was also obvious that there were a new type mecha in it, that it was impossible for our MC to not commit insubordination. He knew it, we knew it
The only think that I liked about this second part was the girl, more or less. I liked how basically she used her tiny diary full of color bookmarks and that she was smart enough to ask him to pilot it given she had no combat training at all.

Let's see how it will progress, but yes, if somehow I can stand a HS character boarding a mecha, I can't an insubordinate rookie, without any plans at all, his only luck was to find an overpowered mecha that he can move as he pleases just using his thought.

You said it.

For a while there,I was getting hyped. I thought:

"Hey look,all our cast is already in the military,which means there won't be any highschooler that get's caught into a war,bla,bla,bla; they'are already in it.Oh,the mech designs look pretty nice too with a lot of metal & rainbow colors and they hardly seem overpowered or anything. This actually might be a mecha anime that will rely more on the tactics & strategy our protagonists will use to triumph over their foes instead of some all-powerful,gundam-ish mech."

But from the moment I saw that large truck I began to worry. The moment the MC started being stupid and went ahead on his own was the 2nd alert. When the girl was entering the code I knew it was already too late. I knew(and probably most people too) that there's gonna be some super-mecha there that will allow to MC to overcome his foes when he should've otherwise been dead - not because of his own skill & wit,but simply because of the much superior machine. But of course it's gonna be like this. After all,this is much easier than making an actual war drama with tactics,strategy & some enjoyable camaraderie between characters who's lives depend upon each other. I know that's asking a lot,but the 1st half actually gave me some hopes for that.

Damn this incredibly overused theme ><

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Asuras

I enjoyed it to a degree, but something in particular really irked me.

It's a well-known fact that we cannot sufficiently replicate two-legged movement in a machine well enough to warrant serious combat usage. We're working on it, but we're just not there yet. Achieving stability on two legs and having the energy and mechanics to undergo movement negate the usefulness of other characteristics mecha possess. A tank is much more feasible, and altogether more powerful.

That being said, this is an anime, and these sorts of things need not apply. Still, I could not for the life of me understand why they would go ahead and then make such slow mecha. These things moved so slowly it literally made me bored watching them. In a setting in which the mecha move like Knightmares of Code Geass, or Gundam, it would be understandable why they are being used.

In Argevollen, however, they seem completely useless. The very vehicles around them had to slow down to keep pace. They're tanks, made even slower. The usefulness of mecha is all about being mobile, and so if they don't possess even that, they're pointless. What were the designers thinking?

Quoted for truth!

After reading some comments speaking highly of the slow mechs, it was a relief to me to see someone share my much more critical take on them.

Now, to be fair, I think I get why the show's creators went with this, and why some people liked it. Yes, in a technological capability sense, it's probably a bit more realistic than super-mechas. However, this type of realism is very much secondary to military tactics realism, in my view. For me, I have an easier time rolling with things like super-tech and magic than with armies/characters making equipment/weaponry choices that make no logical sense.

Just like you wrote, the usefulness of mecha is all about mobility. If a mecha is less mobile than a tank then it's almost certainly less useful than a tank. The only exception I can think of would be some ginormous mecha that's just as slow as the ones in this show, but due to their size can trample over enemies and terrain that tanks can't handle. However, these mechas don't appear to be big enough for that, so their very existence and common military use strains credibility.

The show's creators probably thought these slow mechas would make the show more realistic, but for me, it makes it more unrealistic on the whole. For all the realism criticism super-mechas get, you really would need something on the level of an average Zeon mecha before you'd see a significant and worthwhile advantage over simple tanks. Outright flight might not be necessary, but better mobility than this would be.


On the whole, this first episode disappointed me a bit. The characters don't really stand out much to me, and aside from vague allusions to America and China, I don't see much reason to care about either Empire in this show.

I have to admit that after watching Buddy Complex and now the first episode of this show, I'm kind of missing Valvrave and Majestic Prince. Maybe mecha is one genre where it's best to just go for something as fun and flashy as possible, and kick reason to the curb as a certain famous mecha character once said.

[Top Sergeant]

I want to see one of the maintenance girls kick the impertinent MC's butt

[MgMaster]

Well,maybe they were just marching slowly to keep formation and they can actually move faster if need be. And even so,one clear advantage these walker mechs would have over tanks is that they'd be able to traverse terrain that tanks can't. Although at the same time,it might've been better off to invest $$$ in creating superior tanks instead.

But eh,I don't think any of this is gonna matter soon anyway as all these mechs & tanks will be cannon fodder for the "gundam". And of course,we should probably expect more of them soon and all that will matter will be who has the better machine,or plot armor.

Maybe mecha is one genre where it's best to just go for something as fun and flashy as possible, and kick reason to the curb as a certain famous mecha character once said.

Heh,the more mecha shows I watch,the more I truth I see to that statement. It's a really a shame though. We could see the use of mecha in the form of exoskeletons suits & walkers where the focus of the show wouldn't be on which mecha is better,but on who makes better use of them. Both individually and in a group - ESPECIALLY in a group.

[Irenesharda]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I have to admit that after watching Buddy Complex and now the first episode of this show, I'm kind of missing Valvrave and Majestic Prince. Maybe mecha is one genre where it's best to just go for something as fun and flashy as possible, and kick reason to the curb as a certain famous mecha character once said.

I still haven't finished Buddy Complex, but I've heard it's pretty much a watered down Gundam Seed. I loved Valvrave, and while MJP had a slow start, I liked it in the end.

I think I agree with you in terms of the spectacle that is the mecha genre. I'm a mecha fan, and I usually watch it for the visuals, the plot, and the characters. My favorite are the war ones, but I just feel that Argevollen maybe too generic and it was only okay. Nothing wowed me, the characters were either boring or unlikable, and the animation was only okay. It's still the first episode so I'll watch for a bit to see if it gets better.

[Asuras]

Originally Posted by MgMaster

Well,maybe they were just marching slowly to keep formation and they can actually move faster if need be. And even so,one clear advantage these walker mechs would have over tanks is that they'd be able to traverse terrain that tanks can't. Although at the same time,it might've been better off to invest $$$ in creating superior tanks instead.

But eh,I don't think any of this is gonna matter soon anyway as all these mechs & tanks will be cannon fodder for the "gundam". And of course,we should probably expect more of them soon and all that will matter will be who has the better machine,or plot armor.

Agreed. As much as I disliked the slowness, you raise a good point; sooner or later it's going to be a bunch of Argevollen's running around, more than likely. The stumbling mechs will be overshadowed by instantly more agile combat.

[jeroz]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I have to admit that after watching Buddy Complex and now the first episode of this show, I'm kind of missing Valvrave and Majestic Prince. Maybe mecha is one genre where it's best to just go for something as fun and flashy as possible, and kick reason to the curb as a certain famous mecha character once said.

I hope you watched Kenzen Robo Daimidaler last season. It was classic Super Robot to its fantastic core.

[Baldurkai]

Originally Posted by Asuras

Agreed. As much as I disliked the slowness, you raise a good point; sooner or later it's going to be a bunch of Argevollen's running around, more than likely. The stumbling mechs will be overshadowed by instantly more agile combat.

Yup I'm guessing it will head in that direction, which IMO would be a total shame, rather liked the slow moving larger tanks reminds me a lot of mech warrior mechs

[Obelisk ze Tormentor]

Just watched the first episode, yeah a not-so-big wall is a very effective defense against giant mechas .

Also, the Wright Brothers did not exist in this universe, did they? Where’s the air backup or at least air surveillance?

Btw, the young commander reminds of Chihaya Gunzou from Arpeggio of Blue Steel. He seem to have strategical prowess and commanding presence like Gunzou. Let's see if Argevollen can exploit that aspect of him as well as Arpeggio did with Gunzou: more brain less brawn. Oh, and I still like Argevollen's design.

Originally Posted by MgMaster

For a while there,I was getting hyped. I thought:

"Hey look,all our cast is already in the military,which means there won't be any highschooler that get's caught into a war,bla,bla,bla; they'are already in it.Oh,the mech designs look pretty nice too with a lot of metal & rainbow colors and they hardly seem overpowered or anything. This actually might be a mecha anime that will rely more on the tactics & strategy our protagonists will use to triumph over their foes instead of some all-powerful,gundam-ish mech."

But from the moment I saw that large truck I began to worry. The moment the MC started being stupid and went ahead on his own was the 2nd alert. When the girl was entering the code I knew it was already too late. I knew(and probably most people too) that there's gonna be some super-mecha there that will allow to MC to overcome his foes when he should've otherwise been dead - not because of his own skill & wit,but simply because of the much superior machine. But of course it's gonna be like this. After all,this is much easier than making an actual war drama with tactics,strategy & some enjoyable camaraderie between characters who's lives depend upon each other. I know that's asking a lot,but the 1st half actually gave me some hopes for that.

Originally Posted by MgMaster

But eh,I don't think any of this is gonna matter soon anyway as all these mechs & tanks will be cannon fodder for the "gundam". And of course,we should probably expect more of them soon and all that will matter will be who has the better machine,or plot armor.

It's a really a shame though. We could see the use of mecha in the form of exoskeletons suits & walkers where the focus of the show wouldn't be on which mecha is better,but on who makes better use of them. Both individually and in a group - ESPECIALLY in a group.

Actually, except for the exoskeletons suits & walkers, The 08th Mobile Suit Team pretty much already shown what you wanted to see above, which is ironic, because it's a Gundam show .

Originally Posted by Irenesharda

I still haven't finished Buddy Complex, but I've heard it's pretty much a watered down Gundam Seed.

I think a “watered down Gundam SEED” is both an overstatement & understatement for Buddy Complex. That series is actually a love story with time travel, mecha, & brothers-in-arms elements thrown in it. Since BC only granted 13 episodes, it’s focusing more on romance & bromance than anything else.

[Faerie]

While I hear some of the complaints people have with this first episode, on the whole I found this to be quite enjoyable. I already like this more than Buddy Complex, which I couldn't finish. Mainly because I got the impression that there may be a story here, not just mech porn and rom-com drama within a watered down sci-fi setting (just my opinion, I know a lot of people enjoyed BC). Story-wise this appears to be somewhat up my alley

I like that while the MC is relatively typical, he does not get into that new mech and pilots it like he instantly knows what to do, despite it being vastly different to what he knows how to pilot.
He actually has to ask and is shown to have some issues with it- even if it's quite brief, I appreciated that. It is a nice contrast to the typical loser wish fulfilment MC who comes straight from school into a battlefield and wtfpwns everyone.
Yes, he still falls into a lot of cliches of the genre, but it doesn't bother me as much as it does elsewhere.
I also liked the female character, she seems both amusing and interesting- and surprisingly smart.
The visuals/characters are crisp and nice, the setting is interesting (Liking those uniforms). While certainly nothing groundbreaking, it's left not too bad a first impression. It is approximately what I expected and I'll be sticking around to see where this goes.