Guilty Crown: Final Review

Back with the first final review of the Winter 2012 season, Guilty Crown. What started back in Fall 2011 was a series that turned out to have more melodrama from the fans than the show itself. Many people dropped Guilty Crown before even hitting the double digits, some who continued watching did so only to continue making jokes or quip about its unoriginality/slow (or stupid) plot/horrible cliche twists/something else that I don’t care about.

Guilty Crown follows the story of a high schooler, Shu, as he gets pulled into an epic adventure 10 years after “Lost Christmas”, a tragic event that caused a mass outbreak of the Apocalypse Virus and prompted the national takeover by the GHQ of Japan. He reluctantly joins a counter-government organization to use his “King’s Power” (the ability to a pull a “void”, an object or tool that takes shape and power from its owners heart and personality, from anyone after making eye-contact) to fight the oppressive GHQ and their Anti-bodies military force. Shu slowly grows stronger in his power but is plagued by his own personal shortcomings through most of the first 15 episodes. Despite making good strides in personal strength, he still finds himself breaking down in moments of crisis. While also shining brighter when he’s able to collect himself and save the ones he cares most for.

He ultimately has to face off with a GHQ that’s gone rouge under the control of Shu’s adopted mother’s brother, Keido, as it declares war on the world by using it’s satellite weapon, Leukocyte, to hold Japan hostage as once friend, Gai, and Shu’s on-and-off dead sister/stalker, Mana, try to recreate the world using the Apocalypse Virus. With the help of friends and a final leap in courage and personal strength, Shu is able to save humanity from the devious desires of his insane sister and the king of butthurt, Keido. (Gai was secretly on Shu’s side all along but knew that stopping Mana wasn’t as simple as keeping her from activating the Apocalypse Virus on the world scale).

From a plot perspective, Guilty Crown is impossibly complex. By “impossibly”, I mean that I can’t really delve into and explain all the details. Mostly because I’m sure there are more than a few subtleties that I’ve missed, and also because it’d ultimately give away the ending for those who haven’t watched yet. Although it had a few slower episodes, I can’t really say Guilty Crown had any fillers, which is a plus for me. Every episode either expanded the plot or gave character development. As far as premise, Shu’s “King Power” and the setting, albeit separately aren’t too unique, were very well placed and both had it’s own characteristic impacts on the story.

The cast was rather well-rounded, from the despondent, shy (in the beginning) Shu, overzealous, energetic Souta, the always cool, brilliant Gai, and cute, smart Tsugumi to the bats*** crazy Kenji, obsessed, mysophobic Daryl, and the real man Dan, Dan the Man. Cast members bounced and played off of each other every step of the way. Hare, the calm voice of support for the group later in the series, was probably the character I most hated to see die, but her character left a present mark on the remainder of the series. Even the quieter or less seen characters had their own impact, as Rowan gave Daryl his last, parting words to be nicer to people.

Now to the part I’m most happy about, the audio. If for nothing else, Guilty Crown should be picked up just for the epicness that is the background music. All of it, βίoς, Euterpe, Hill of Sorrow, it’s all so well played into the series that every scene just seemed to double in pants-p***ing awesomeness whenever the music rolled. (I want that robot in the picture from “Hill of Sorrow” by the way) Best example is the last episode, where it seemed to have dropping every last song from the soundtrack (which made me very happy because it was well done). Supercell and Hiroyuki Sawano did a great job with the audio, as expected.

The animation and visuals were of high quality throughout most of the series, thought  the animation seemed to slip a bit leading up to the last episode, but this probably more a result of cost-limits than anything else. The final episode was fully and brilliantly animated, despite the previous few dropping off somewhat. The visuals were what originally drew me to Guilty Crown, and the visuals sold me on the ending. That and the audio are the two irrevocable tenants of Guilty Crown in my opinion.

Now, time for the rating. Reminder: I grade on a scale similar to an academic grade. If it doesn’t “fail”, it gets 6.0 or higher. Any higher shows much I liked it or how well it was, and any lower shows how much I disliked it or how poor I think it was.

Guilty Crown: better than average plot with sometimes lackluster points, a truly developmental character set, good visuals, great music…. 8.2.
As mentioned, the animation slipped a bit, but the biggest problem (for me, mind you) was that Shu’s personal growths didn’t make as big of strides as I would’ve liked (for more on developmental characters, I recommend Yumeka’s post “Why Guilty Crown Isn’t That Bad“, and Yumeka, that scene in episode 21 made me cry, so, at the very least, you’re not alone.)

Rewatch value…maybe not immediate, but probably higher than most of the series I’ve watched, because once the story has started, I’ll want to finish it. (Notice how I never brought up Inori? It’s because I neither love nor hate her, she’s a bit manipulative, but has her moments. I guess I’m indifferent towards her.)

Until next time,
- BeldenOtaku

Senki Zesshou Sympogear: Massive Info Dump, Mankind’s Ageless Threat

What? Anime? Don't be ridiculous...

Back with the 11th episode of the Winter 2012 series, Senki Zesshou Symphogear. 2 episodes from the end, and Symphogear makes a potentially fatal mistake…inordinate amount of information dropped in a restrictive time limit. In a little under 10 minutes we’re informed of Fine’s true identity, the real purpose of the 2nd Division base under Lydian, and the master plan of our daring villianess. Now, individually or together at once, these things aren’t bad to know, but without any build-up or leading introduction, it certainly feels more forced and like I didn’t really know anything this whole time.

Lydian falls under assault from the Noise, at Fine’s (Ryoko’s) command. Miku stays diligent and makes sure all the students are evacuated to the bunkers before trying to escape herself. After joining Ogawa and starting down the main shaft of the base, they run into Fine, clad in her Symphogear, ready to bring her plan to fruition. But the 2nd Division isn’t to be taken lightly, as the Commander goes toe-to-toe with the former friend, nearly stopping her in her high-heeled tracks. But not before she can sneak in a cheap shot, and proceed to activate Kadingir, stealthy hidden as the 2nd Division base all along. The true purpose of the base from its inception was the collection of potential attuned and research using the phonic resonance generated by the students, along with the reconstruction of the ancient, god-reaching Tower of Babel.

Long ago, when all the world’s languages were split at the tower of Babel, Fine was merely a princess reaching out to loved god, who refused to come amongst the humans. From that day on, Fine lived as a buried consciousness, behind all the great paradigm shifts in history. 12 years ago, when Tsubasa first activated a relic, Fine’s consciousness was activated from deep within Ryoko’s genetics. Now, she’s returned to rebuild the tower, Kadingir, and eliminate “the confusion of the earth” by destroying the moon with Kadingir (a massive ion cannon). It all makes sense now (/sarcasm).

Whatever, so long as the girls use Symphogear to save the day, I guess I’m happy. But, that’s not the case, instead we’re treated to the courageous meanderings of Miku and the girls hiding underground… At least Chris has the chance to shine, when she launches herself in near orbit to take on the ion cannon, armed with her swan song…no, wait! DON’T DO IT!!!!!!

Chris launches her all out assalut swan song to counter the ion cannon blast, a fatal sacrifice that depletes a symphogear user’s life force in exchange for a massive power output. Her valor was not in vain, as the remaining ion blast only chips a portion of the moon, and she seems to be able to recover (please, let this be so!!). But now, Fine is left with a (I’d imagine) still function ion cannon that can easily bend the world at its knees. And we still don’t have much more solid information on the Noise, or how they play into this? Fine said the symphogear armors were merely toys for garnering government cooperation. What does that make the Noise? Expendable pawns in her power trip?

Until next time,
- BeldenOtaku

Another: Another Unnecessary Nightmare

Back with the 9th episode of the Winter 2012 horror series, Another. After Naoka’s untimely demise last episode, the class is left in mourning and confusion. A long-standing tenant of the calamity has been seemingly disproven…until it’s revealed that Naoka’s fate may have been sealed before he left the city. Earlier that morning, his parents recall a loud crash, but he was out of the door before they could find anything. It’s very likely that he suffered from a contusion, and was dead before the boat entered the harbor…looks like the calamity can one-up the “skip town” rule. As we’ll see again by the end of the episode.

Now back in town, Kouichi sets out to find Matsunaga’s hidden clue to stopping the calamity. Somewhere in the school, so he sets out with Tashigawa and Mochizuki, and agrees to keep this search between the 3 of them (which lasts all of like, 3 minutes, until they tell the first people to ask what they’re doing at the school…). Mei also joins the trio in their exploration of the old class 3 room upstairs. After a few close calls (broken glass, falling lockers, y’know, the usual “Another” causes of death), Kouichi finds a hidden cassete tape in an old locker, a message from Matsunaga indicating it contains his secret for stopping the calamity.

They go to the A/V Room to play the tape, and possibly learn the secret to stopping the calamity. In the recording, Matsunaga recounts the events of the class trip to the local shrine. A run down monument, the class decides to clean it up and offer prayers, to which the teacher confidently declares that they are now safe. Almost not surprising, they’re not even off the mountain before a student is struck by lightening and another falls to her death.

Before Matsunaga’s tape retells how he stopped the calamity…A WILD TEACHER APPEARS!! So the gang takes cover until he goes away. Unfortunately, in his frantic attempt to hide, Teshigawa ruins the tape just before they hear what happened to stop the calamity halfway. Luckily, Mochizuki thinks it can be fixed. So we’re left still wondering how it can be stopped, and also why Kouichi keeps getting these nightmarish visions of his guiltiness regarding the tragedies of his friends and classmates.

Until next time,
- BeldenOtaku

"I hope they had insurance..."

…OHYEAH! That one girl I don’t really care about died after a rock hit the family car on their way out of town, apparently. And I feel like the heavy duty equipment crushing their house was just adding fiscal insult to injury…

Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon: Those Lined Up Above the Horizon/Final Review

Back with the final episode of the first season of the Fall 2011 series, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon. Now that Tori and Horizon are reunited, it’s time to book it and get back onboard Musashi.  The Far East ground forces are able to make their retreat from the K.P.A. Italia and the Pope on the airfield, but the captain of the Pope’s airship sets off to stop the escape of Horizon and their lost Deadly Sin Armament. After failing to ram the floating city, all cannons are locked and loaded, ready to blast Musashi out of the sky. It’s up to Horizon to boost the power of Lyte Katarripsi, but she still can’t do it without Tori’s help, thanks to his energy reserve sharing.  Along with decimating the K.P.A. ship, Horizon also regains a part of her original soul, and, for the first time, feels the emotion of sadness. Tori stands gently by her side, promising to recover all of her lost emotions.

The battle isn’t over, or rather, it’s just begun, because now Musashi stands against not only the K.P.A. Italia and Tres Espana, but also the P.A. ODA, who make a surprise visit, to show that Musashi’s stealth shield is useless against them. Bringing a dire warning of the fights to come for the currently festive citizens of Musashi, who are celebrating the safe return of the dear Horizon.  In style, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon leaves season 1 mid-battle, as Tres Espana forces (more like their baseball team, really) begins an assault on Musashi. But the students aren’t hesitant, and quickly jump into battle to protect their home.

While confusing at first, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon is finally moving into a forward step plot that explains (or at least recognizes the newness of new things) and shows character development (did you see that? Tori only made a few sexual remarks to Horizon, that’s called self-restraint *jk*).  Supposedly, the original novel included a long preface explain the Horizon universe, as well as the Testament which determines the path of human history and is set to end sometime during the series. This hasn’t been explained (or even touched) in the anime series, so I can understand why a majority of viewers are put off and don’t want to continue. I personally am advocating perseverance, as I feel like, given time, patience will pay off and Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon will be a series you’ll be glad you didn’t miss. Season 2 is slated for Summer 2012, can’t wait.

Until next time,
- BeldenOtaku

(I know, this really isn’t a “Final” review, as there WILL be a second season. But just think of this a final thought on season 1.)