(L) Shingeki no Bahamut ~Virgin Soul~ (S2)

[haseo0408]

I´m having a really bad premonition regarding Gabriel, it looks like she´s ready to blow up any second now, it´s really clear the woman does not like being challenged.

[Magewolf]

Originally Posted by haseo0408

I´m having a really bad premonition regarding Gabriel, it looks like she´s ready to blow up any second now, it´s really clear the woman does not like being challenged.

She is not ready to blow, I think she is about to crack completely. She has been putting up a front mostly so far but even then she was having trouble holding it together and her failed campaign against the humans hurt her even more. Losing El now looks like it will be the final blow.

I imagine she will be going kill all humans pretty soon.

[kuromitsu]

Yeah, Mugaro and Jeanne (with Sofiel) were right to jump ship before Gabriel loses it completely...

Really, Lucifer is the wisest one. Just lie back and watch as humans and gods destroy each other. Technically he's immortal anyway, so he's got all the time in the world. (It seems he doesn't exactly care about the fate of his own people at humans' hands. If Azazel is out there, and Cerby and some others are also out there, it really wouldn't have been all that difficult to organize some sort of low-key resistance or even just a basic relief effort. But eh, it's cold in Helheim and there are all those books to read. Maybe Cerberus was right and fallen angels are a stuck-up bunch.)

[Applehell]

Originally Posted by kuromitsu

I don't know, I don't necessarily think the black knights are the real bad guys, but they might just be even more obsessed with whatever Charioce is doing than the man himself, and take what happened in this episode as a slip in his dedication to the cause... (even though from all we've seen it's very unlikely to be the case) I wonder who the leader is, it seems he's been with Charioce for a very long time now so they have to have a personal history of sorts.

You know these guys might have been loaned to Charioce by whoever is manipulating him and reality don't have any actual loyalty to him.

Originally Posted by haseo0408

I´m having a really bad premonition regarding Gabriel, it looks like she´s ready to blow up any second now, it´s really clear the woman does not like being challenged.

She's always been like that. Gabriel pretends to be kind, but is totally a two-faced schemer who uses anyone to suit her goals. She was the main reason I didn't trust the Gods intentions with El and she is at biggest fault for his current behavior.

[SeijiSensei]

As I've said before, I'd trust Azazel before I'd trust Gabriel.

[Guardian Enzo]

ITA with that.

[magnuskn]

Uh, the show is on break right now?

[SeijiSensei]

Yes, another off week. Things get rolling again next Friday.

[thundrakkon]

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Originally Posted by magnuskn

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A few shows are off last and this week in order for the TV broadcasters to show the World Championships in Athletics. I wouldn't even know that the event was even going on if not for the fact that it was postponing the anime episodes.

[scififan]

If you were at Sendai International Center on August 5th, you could watch episode 18 and episode 19. That's about it.

[magnuskn]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Yes, another off week. Things get rolling again next Friday.

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

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Originally Posted by magnuskn

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A few shows are off last and this week in order for the TV broadcasters to show the World Championships in Athletics. I wouldn't even know that the event was even going on if not for the fact that it was postponing the anime episodes.

Thanks for the info!

[willyvereb]

Anyways, as I mentioned before and since it's soon be here the title of Episode 18 is "Invictus".

From that alone I predict two possible contents. Invictus means "undefeated" which might imply a major battle and of the curbstomp kind. Alternatively if the theories about Charioce preparing to kill Bahamut the episode could be also about the creature breaking out of its seal. I am not one of them, though. Doesn't make sense why aren't the Gods are the ones maintaining the seal. But hey, whatever threat is kept sealed by humans can also be an "undefeated" thing so that title can make sense.

The other alternative?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invictus

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul

I quoted the most famously referenced part about the poem. And I predict this would mean a long awaited Charioce flashback/backstory to more thoroughly understand his character. Charioce is a good example for both lines of the poem. He's a self-made man who took control of his fate and rules his heart with stern grip (his king persona is basically made by this).

Either way I guess the 2 week wait actually did good for Mappa and plausibly we get quite an episode. Then again, anime production is more complex than just working on the next episode for a week. But yeah, I predict something akin to a game changer next.

[kuromitsu]

Well, we know one thing for sure, Azazel and Mugaro are finally going to reunite. I hope the scene is going to be as good as it deserves to be! I also wonder how Azazel's presence will influence Mugaro, if any, considering how he's been pretty much a mini Azazel recently. Maybe after all that happened Azazel has finally managed to grow a little, and he'll recognize the dangerous signs in Mugaro? Maybe he'll tell him "kid, don't make the same mistakes I did".

As for Invictus, aside of Charioce it could also refer to Bahamut himself ("Shingeki no Bahamut" means Bahamut the God-Slayer, after all, referring to his strength that surpasses even the gods', and his fierce independence that caused him to go on a rampage and get sealed in the first place), oooor... well, there's also Gabriel. Without Mugaro she can't stand against Charioce, but this might drive her to some desperate and very crazy decisions.

As for Charioce, at this stage I don't think we're going to get an episode dedicated to his backstory, there's probably simply no time. I think there's still some puzzle pieces missing - what his early life was like, how he came across the forbidden power, who the black knights are, etc. but they can just weave that info into the plot.

Personally I don't expect much of a "big bang" episode in terms of visuals or fights - if there's going to be anything big I think it's probably going to be revelations or plot twists. I think with this episode they'll start building up to the finale in earnest.

[willyvereb]

We have 7 more episodes left, more than enough. Certain series reveal and introduce the "true big bad" at around episode 20 or even 22 and yet we still get a satisfying conclusion. Heck last time SnB Genesis wrapped up the entire "heroic adventure" portion under this length. We have more than enough space for a Charioce-centric episode.

Gabriel being the center of an episode titled Invictus? I can't ever imagine this for anything but ironic reason. Gabriel cannot control her fate, cannot control even her personality. The Gods are also now anything but undefeated. I can only imagine this as a "F U Gabriel" if the episode's plot decides to do anything significant with her.

As for big action centric episode? There's a chance for it but you can "blow budget" on scenes even without there being a massive battle. So I both agree and disagree. Indeed, there's a much higher chance for a character-driven episode than a full action piece. But it's still possible that Mappa makes use of this time to tune up the quality. Either way, time does benefit them, IMO.
We'll see.

[willyvereb]

Well, I did generate all this hype about the episode but turns out it barely has anything to do with the title.
Oh well...

Spoiler for Shingeki no Bahamut Virgin Soul EP18:

It starts exactly where we have left off. Nina returns and strangely nobody takes note of her changed appearance. Azazel also came back, he was busy with his demon contact while also working on to saw off his binds. He pretty much ignores Mugaro/El, so if you expected epic reunion this won't be it. As latter shown he doesn't hate El or anything, just have a hard time to associate with a god, his ancestral enemy.That being said Azazel is mad salty that Nina can transform into a dragon at will now. He's still plagued by the memories of his failed assassination plot. He's a changed man, I guess. But this is given since Genesis-era Azazel wouldn't give two shits about fellow demons beneath him so there's no way he'd pull a Rag Demon stunt.

Another plotline involved the humans. They are on the edge and discontent grows after the last battle. Yet Charioce keeps pushing on, prepared to advance his plan without the slightest delay. The Onyx Soldiers report to him, including new sightings of the Red Dragon. Charioce basically says that cut the bullshit as both of them knows what happened between him and Nina. The Captain removes the armor from his right arm to reveal a terribly looking skin, with marks akin to what Charioce's wrist has. He reaffirms that he and the rest of the Onyx Soldiers laid down their very lives for this plan so don't go quit them on it now. Outside the throne room he meets Alessand who feels insecure about his status and begs him to be accepted into the Onyx Soldiers. The Captain says that Alessand doesn't worth it but my guess is that he just doesn't wish to sacrifice someone who isn't dedicated to the goal.

That being said, Alessand may finally gets to shine as four days from now on there's going to be a ball with only the most influential people involved. As son of a fairly important aristocratic family Alessand is the key to get the heroes infiltrate the palace. He was in an awful mood after the Onyx Captain's refusal and felt worthless so Kaisar's speech about him treasuring all his subordinates hit at the right place.

Last scene is Nina sorting out her feelings... by basically shouting "love you" at the Moon. Favaro joins in and again confirms he was tracking them and now well aware that she's in love with Charioce. He draws parallels with his own relationship to Amira and how it did end. He warns Nina to choose wisely because whatever happens she's going to lose something precious. Favaro himself is still doubting if his choice was the right one so he offers caution.

Post-credits is that the Onyx Knights hire a shady figure to hunt down the Red Dragon. This dragonslayer figure looks suspiciously like a Skyrim character so I almost expected "FUSRODAH". Anyways, he might be a demon. He might me a dragonfolk like Nina. Either way he's powerful and the Onyx Knights are confident he could do the job.

[Mistyclear]

This episode isn't really what I expected with a title like invictus.
Though all it was a pretty good episode.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by willyvereb

Well, I did generate all this hype about the episode but turns out it barely has anything to do with the title.
Oh well...

Spoiler for Shingeki no Bahamut Virgin Soul EP18:

It starts exactly where we have left off. Nina returns and strangely nobody takes note of her changed appearance. Azazel also came back, he was busy with his demon contact while also working on to saw off his binds. He pretty much ignores Mugaro/El, so if you expected epic reunion this won't be it. As latter shown he doesn't hate El or anything, just have a hard time to associate with a god, his ancestral enemy.That being said Azazel is mad salty that Nina can transform into a dragon at will now. He's still plagued by the memories of his failed assassination plot. He's a changed man, I guess. But this is given since Genesis-era Azazel wouldn't give two shits about fellow demons beneath him so there's no way he'd pull a Rag Demon stunt.

Another plotline involved the humans. They are on the edge and discontent grows after the last battle. Yet Charioce keeps pushing on, prepared to advance his plan without the slightest delay. The Onyx Soldiers report to him, including new sightings of the Red Dragon. Charioce basically says that cut the bullshit as both of them knows what happened between him and Nina. The Captain removes the armor from his right arm to reveal a terribly looking skin, with marks akin to what Charioce's wrist has. He reaffirms that he and the rest of the Onyx Soldiers laid down their very lives for this plan so don't go quit them on it now. Outside the throne room he meets Alessand who feels insecure about his status and begs him to be accepted into the Onyx Soldiers. The Captain says that Alessand doesn't worth it but my guess is that he just doesn't wish to sacrifice someone who isn't dedicated to the goal.

That being said, Alessand may finally gets to shine as four days from now on there's going to be a ball with only the most influential people involved. As son of a fairly important aristocratic family Alessand is the key to get the heroes infiltrate the palace. He was in an awful mood after the Onyx Captain's refusal and felt worthless so Kaisar's speech about him treasuring all his subordinates hit at the right place.

Last scene is Nina sorting out her feelings... by basically shouting "love you" at the Moon. Favaro joins in and again confirms he was tracking them and now well aware that she's in love with Charioce. He draws parallels with his own relationship to Amira and how it did end. He warns Nina to choose wisely because whatever happens she's going to lose something precious. Favaro himself is still doubting if his choice was the right one so he offers caution.

Post-credits is that the Onyx Knights hire a shady figure to hunt down the Red Dragon. This dragonslayer figure looks suspiciously like a Skyrim character so I almost expected "FUSRODAH". Anyways, he might be a demon. He might me a dragonfolk like Nina. Either way he's powerful and the Onyx Knights are confident he could do the job.

Actually, Azazel and El's reunion was great, it's just that it was delayed a bit because Azazel needed to sort out his feelings. I'm sure they'll be even closer than before from now on. And yep, Azazel has completely changed. He even cried thinking of the demons who died because of him! And he blames himself rather than others (though he is pretty mad about Nina).

I'm glad we didn't get a whole subplot about the Onyx knights betraying their king. Charioce saw right through their leader and gave him permission to hunt Nina down.

[willyvereb]

I don't think he gave an outright permission to hunt Nina. He just declared that they should end the charade as they both know what happened that night. The fact a merc is hired for the job tells me that the Onyx Knights are doing this behind Charioce's back. The Captain was also dissatisfied with things after leaving the throne room so yeah.
They won't dethrone Charioce for sure but they are certainly doing this without his approval. For the "greater good" of course.

[kuromitsu]

Originally Posted by willyvereb

It starts exactly where we have left off. Nina returns and strangely nobody takes note of her changed appearance.

They do - that's why Rita asks if she had turned into a dragon. I thought that from everyone's behavior it was obvious that they were all aware of it, too. (Except maybe Mugaro but he was otherwise occupied.)

Originally Posted by willyvereb

He pretty much ignores Mugaro/El, so if you expected epic reunion this won't be it. As latter shown he doesn't hate El or anything, just have a hard time to associate with a god, his ancestral enemy.

Au contraire - this was exactly the sort of reunion I'd been expecting, and I loved every moment of it. Azazel is not ignoring Mugaro - he's avoiding him because Mugaro reminds him of his own failure. (Same with Nina, he's angry with her, sure, but he's a lot more angry at himself.) This doesn't really have anything to do with Mugaro being an angel - I wonder if Azazel is actually aware of that or not, although I guess the others most likely briefed him on the situation - and everything to do with Mugaro being one of the people that Azazel utterly and completely failed. It was such a great little scene when Mugaro apologizes, and Azazel just goes "no, you don't have to apologize". And then the smile and the hair stroking and Mugaro's unabashed relief and joy, it was just so sweet. (The voice acting continues to slay me, too. It seems that Morita reserves this gentle and sweet voice for the Azazel & Mugaro scenes, and I swear that if Mugaro was a girl the romance flags would be all over the place now. Alas, he's a boy and I guess when it comes to that sort of thing this show only has eyes for Kaisar and Favaro, haha.)

My hunch about Azazel's storyline was right - this is a character development arc for him, a much needed one, really. It's been one and a half seasons, but finally he's facing the consequences of his own arrogance, irresponsibility and hotheadedness. And it seems it's hitting him hard. In S1 at least there was Beelzebuth and ultimately Bahamut for him to take revenge on and externalize everything, and heal his wounded pride. But here there's nothing, just a bunch of dead comrades who had trusted him and died because of that, a girl whom he had tried to take advantage of without caring about her feelings, and Mugaro, the one he genuinely cares about and yet completely failed to protect. He needs to process his guilt and the lessons he's learned. It's a really good character redemption arc - no over the top gestures or monologues, just the character understanding his role in what happened and his responsibility for the consequences, putting two and two together, and going "....shit, I really screwed up, didn't I." It doesn't exactly make up for all that he's done (I wonder if he'll ever face Kaisar and Favaro about what he'd done to them, specifically) but self-awareness is always a good first step.

Damn, this show is making me care about Alessand. In a way he's completely relatable. He joined the Orleans Knights out of admiration for Jeanne whose power and influence greatly diminished after the Bahamut incident and Charioce ascending the throne. He held out because he had hoped to prove himself and achieve something, but nope, under Kaisar things went even worse (as far as Alessand cares) and the Orleans Knights became a shadow of their former selves. Sure, he's very petty in the great scheme of things, but compared to the larger than life figures of the main cast he's all too human and very understandable.

And Kaisar in demon host cosplay, complete with make-up and wig. Yes sir, thank you sir, may I have another, sir?!

I love love love the Favaro and Nina relationship, they're adorable and so much fun together. Favaro is still not over Amira, I guess it's kind of difficult to get over having to kill the one you love for the greater good ("kill", anyway, I'm pretty sure that Amira is still alive within Bahamut, somehow). I wonder what this means for Nina and Charioce. Because Favaro's warning to Nina is two-fold: do the right thing; but have no regrets. But he's perfectly aware that in this case doing the right thing may mean having regrets. I guess in the end Nina will either figure out a way to do the impossible, or (more likely) Charioce will simply destroy himself saving her the trouble. (And, well, leaving her with regrets.)

[Wandering Soul]

This episode honestly makes me wish that Favaro joined up with the group earlier simply so we could get more scenes with he and Nina. The teacher-student bond those two have is both cute and entertaining. It was interesting to see Favaro draw comparisons between his relationship with Amira and Nina's with Charioce.