English Translation: For Your Sake...
Er... I’m not exactly sure what I should pinpoint on in this episode. To put it bluntly, it left me with a bunch of mixed emotions... A very twisted bunch of mixed emotions..... However, I find the progression of the plot really well done and it’s clear we’re finally going somewhere in a solid direction. They did slot in a few important issues related to the main story in the episodes before this, but that was done in a small scale and they didn’t have much of an impact apart from stalling the events so that we could all experience an explosive finale at the end. Imho, Episode 24 served as the ideal penultimate chapter of the series. The way the writers glued all the separate fragments together and then building them towards the climatic end was brilliantly done. Couldn’t have thought of a better setup. On the whole, I still enjoyed this ep very much although there are certain things which don’t sit well with me, and I’m sure some of you already know and agree prior to my thoughts on what those things are. Right, that’s enough of an intro from me, lets get moving...
~Highlights of the Episode~
Natsuki’s Ol’ Biker Days
WAI!! Natsuki finally gets to sit on a bike again! And not showing us her skills in riding it. Bu T_____T... Miss her trademark black leather suit. This one made her look like some 60’s pilot with the goggles and all.
The remaining Two
This is one of Sunrise’s noticeable flaws in their series. Too many characters and too little time. It sure took them long enough to finally introduce Maya Bryce and Sala Gallagher. It might have been better if the writers put them in earlier, say around halfway through the series or appointed somebody else as the Columns. Honestly speaking, I see Yukariko, Mai or even Maria to have a more fitting role. Maya and Sala may be the most powerful Otomes along side the other three, but somehow seeing them in the same bunch as Natsuki, Shizuru and Nao completely doesn’t look right, and I blame it on the late introduction. All we can expect now is see what they’re capable of in the remaining episodes.
Rivalries revealed
I’ve been impatiently waiting for the day when the top two ex-Corals would at last bring their rivalry to the surface and biatch-slap another, although it seems Tomoe is the only one who’s getting the treatment :p. This little spat proved to be intriguing in that it causes both girls to finally take off the professional mask they’ve been wearing all this while. Even though they seldom spend time with each other, their interactions always turned out to be interesting whenever they share a scene together. Both know their places, and they’re not afraid to restrain themselves when it comes to expressing their thoughts as well as actions. For once, Tomoe actually said something sensible to Nina when she told her that she didn’t want to know her thoughts because of the things Nina did. Who knows whether this would be their final meeting, but I do look forward to the time when they would do more than just “watch each others’ back”.
Begging for sympathy
Psychotic Lesbo + Fake Drama = WIN
Have to give credit for Tomoe’s performance. She placed herself in a sorry state so well. It’s too bad for her that Shizuru already knows about her “schizophrenic” nature and will almost certainly shatter the younger girl’s heart in a dramatic way later on (If the preview means anything, it’s evident her reaction can be frightening... Really frightening). I do feel sorry for Tomoe though, mainly because her feelings towards Shizuru are truly sincere, and the latter is using them to her advantage. Well, I suppose I could let it slip if that means publicly hooking her up with Principal Kruger.
A Star among the minor characters
Despite Irina’s role being quite small in the series as a whole, her efforts in taking responsibilities and leading her classmates in the Shinso rescue mission is definitely praiseworthy. This is one of those times she deserves a mention for doing something significant in helping out the big shots when before, all she did was probably play the occasional jester in Arika’s class. Kudos to her.
The Knight and the Maid
This scene is so fluffy ~^^~! It’s hard to miss the fact that Chie has been caring for Aoi and visiting her every night. I am kind of worried about Chie after seeing that expression on her face. It may be an ominous sign of bad things to come, especially because she’s now in the battle field where she’s expected to fight the Calvary against her will.
Untold Feelings
Nina reading Erstin’s posthumous letter is undeniably the most emotional scene in the entire episode. Just hearing Ers-chan again is enough to fill my mind with sad nostalgia, although I did feel warm and mushy when they showed how she and Nina met. Ah~ Sweet love. I like the way Nina had that tender look on her face when she smiled and showed genuine kindness towards Erstin despite her being the cold and aloof person we saw very early on in the series. Erstin is probably the only friend she lowers her heart’s defenses to and lets the former get on her soft side.
Happier times... Erstin’s commentaries here reminded me of the cruel fate that was so unfairly forced onto her. It’s obvious she cherished her friends more than anything and wished the Black Letter would never come so that they could always be together. It’s unfortunate she’s not rooted enough to oppose her family’s ideals because of the way they messed up her mind when she was young. It’s heart-wrenching to see her tell Arika and Nina they are both strong after indirectly admitting her own weakness, and that she loved them both dearly.
Nina completely broke down after Erstin ended the letter by telling her that she was happy and blessed to have been together with them. It’s really touching how Nina’s tears fell on top of Erstin’s own. Furthermore, “Kaze to Hoshi ni Dakarete...” served as the perfect background song to draw out the emotion conveyed by the latter when you take the lyrics into consideration (although they left out probably the more relevant verses).
Crossing the family border
I’ve forgotten how many times I’ve used the phrase “Damn you, Sunrise!!” and more than ever before, I’m about to abuse it after watching this. Gawd, Sergay!! What the h3ll was he thinking?! I actually don’t mind him having a romantic relationship with Nina later on *shivers* but the way he gave himself into her request like that was so wrong. Why did he do it? Did he surrender to Nina just because he felt sorry for her after watching her cry? That she admitted she could never be like Rena, his Blue Star? Those flashbacks before they kissed made him look more like a pimp with a loli harem. Geez... It might have been less repulsive if they didn’t include those. Of course the big question now is “Did they really do it?” Why was Nina still able to use the Harmonium? Does it always require all three elements to be present for the player to be able to use it? I noticed in Episode 23 when Nina was attacking Ealis, she wasn’t wearing her Robe when she used the Harmonium. Does this mean that once it has chosen its player, it overlooks the presence of the other elements? If Nina really lost her powers, then consider the final showdown between her and Arika to be curtly cancelled. Damn...
Well earned acknowledgement
LOL Nao’s “WTH?” expression is always award-winning :p. She’s usually the one who makes everybody else wear that face but it’s fun to see her get poked once in a while. I’m glad Natsuki finally gives Nao the recognition and gratitude she deserves. It’s about time someone realizes the significance of the latter’s role when it comes to support. Nao hates responsibilities but it’s clear she understands how important Otomes are to the society. Despite being a delinquent herself, she knows who the real enemies are, and it’s really commendable that she’s even willing to betray her own country’s leader to help Natsuki and gang liberate Garderobe and Windbloom. Can’t wait to see her kick @$$ with her new (fugly) Meister Robe. ~^^~
This. Is. WAR!!
Ooh YES!! Seeing each faction’s stand and preparations for the huge war just made me all the more excited and impatient about tomorrow’s one hour long finale! I can safely say the battles that will take place will surely be far more thrilling than HiME’s own “Fuuka Gakuen Recovery Operation”. Props to the Windbloom Liberators who will be taking on the Harmonium as well as Artai and their allies in full force. Moreover, Mai, Mikoto, Miyu and the Aswad Knights are joining and backing them up later on so it’s a guarantee the final showdown will be fanservice galore.
Wait? Of course we can’t... Not if the remaining two episodes are delivering what is to be the most explosive chapters of the series yet.
~Entry by Dav~
