Senki Zesshou Symphogear – 03
“You called?”
 |
SZS might not be the most exciting part of my week, but hey, the great soundtrack and the (usually) well-choreographed fight scenes keep me coming back! Apologies for the lateness! |
The events of last week are put on the back burner as we’re once again thrown into a battle with some random Noise in a random place. (surprise, surprise!) Tsubasa easily handles the problem, chopping through the Noise like butter, but Hibiki struggles to maintain the same level of expertise. In fact, the majority of the she’s simply running away from the Noise’s attacks without any counter strikes. Back at HQ Genjurou comes to the realization that Tsubasa and Hibiki simply can’t work together.
In their dorm room, Miku tries to support the hopelessly tired Hibiki who is trying to write an essay. Miku is clearly worried, but getting through to the hard-headed Hibiki must be a challenge. In her sleep Hibiki has a flashback to the ending of last episode when Tsubasa decided to fight Hibiki. Tsubasa makes her intentions of not working with Hibiki clear, and even accuses Hibiki of trying to take Kanade’s place. Before Tsubasa can land a Heaven’s Wrath ability (the huge sword one), Genjurou intervenes and uses some strange power causing Tsubasa’s ability to fail. Tsubasa, now reverted to her usual form, begins crying. In an attempt to comfort her, Hibiki says she’ll try her best to “replace Kanade”. (Those … wouldn’t be the words I would choose.) In a very emotional scene, Tsubasa slaps Hibiki.
I’ve been waiting for this moment since Kanade died.
While in her dojo-like room Tsubasa has another flashback to the moments before Kanade’s death. Tsubasa then goes on to blame herself. Back at the dorm room, Miku wonders what Hibiki has been up to, but is still left in the dark. She reminds Hibiki that they have to go see the shooting stars together. Hibiki let’s Miku know that most likely things won’t get much better than they are now.
Hibiki arrives at HQ where Ryoko, Tsubasa, and Genjurou are waiting. We learn a little more about the Noise (if you hadn’t guessed already) they’re emotionless and only target humans. They’re basically a threat from an unknown location. However, Ryoko comes to believe that the recent attacks aren’t all that random because Hibiki’s music academy is the general location of the recent string of attacks. This is most likely because they’re after Durandal, a set of relics in the Abyss underneath HQ.
She’s actually a brilliant scientist … probably.
We also learn that the US is after Durandal because of a peace treaty and they cannot activate Durandal using Tsubasa’s voice without permission. Apparently there have even been attempts to hack into HQ, and because of it they can’t pinpoint America as the criminal behind it. Tsubasa’s manager interupts and leads away Tsubasa to talk about her latest album.
After eating lunch with their friends, who you might remember from last episode, Hibiki and Miku decide to head out and watch the stars. However, when Miku arrives with her bags Hibiki is gone. She gets a phone call from Hibiki, who apologized for having something to take care of.
BERSERK MODE.
Hibiki heads down a subway station where she fights off some Noise until coming across a new variation, one that shoots bombs that explode or form new Noise. (It’s oddly cute actually …) Hibiki, who is now fuming with emotion from having to break her promise to Miku, activates her berserk mode unknowingly. (YESYESYES) She tears apart the Noise without discrimination as if the whole thing was a game. The pink one that throws bombs escapes, but is dispatched by Tsubasa.
Hibiki confronts Tsubasa letting her know that she also has things she wants to protect, but their conversation is interrupted by a strange and villainous voice. A woman appears wearing armor from the Nehushtan relic (the weird glowing one from episode 1), and the episode ends! (ergh.)
An enemy who’s not Noise? Finally.
I feel like I might sound a bit redundant now, but this episode felt very similar to last episode. More hopelessly confident Hibiki, more Tsubasa angst, more boring drivel from that seductive scientist, and more Hibiki/Miku relationship building … that is, up until the last couple minutes. Seriously, I feel like I could have skipped most of this episode (except for the last end bit and some middle bits) and still know (almost) exactly as much as I did before. I mean, I like dialogue, but it mostly felt like a mess of exposition without much feeling behind it.
Before I get into what I didn’t like … let’s focus on the positives. Okay. The biggest improvement this episode for me was bringing back the berserk Hibiki we came to love in the first episode, despite only having seconds of exposure. It adds a much needed layer to Hibiki, you know, the side of her that’s not constantly upbeat. Sure, tying emotions to power has been done to death, but at least we’re getting to see a new side to her. (And woah, she was pretty intense when it happened.) The soundtrack was as outstanding as always, and this episode we also got a new introduction, another attuned. Apart from looking awesome, I’m really hoping we’ll get an established villain out of her. I also complained last week about the lack of variety in the Noise, but we actually got some a new form … even if it looked about as evil as a newborn kitten.
Okayokayokay, now I totally understand the feelings of Tsubasa over the death of Kanade (as well as her feelings towards Hibiki), but here’s the thing … I honestly don’t care as much as the show probably wants me to. That’s the thing with killing off a character in the first freaking episode, how the heck am I supposed to feel any emotional connection to the death when all I saw was a short conversation and a dance routine before it actually happened. When a character dies, I want to be able to bawl my eyes out (like, Notebook style bawling), but without that connection and the development behind the characters, I just … don’t feel like I want to feel. It also makes Tsubasa’s actions all the more irritating because all we’ve really seen is that she and Kanade were good friends. (Is that reason enough? I suppose, but not when it’s one of the driving forces of a main character.) I really did like Kanade though despite what little time she had, I kind of wish she would have lived.
On the production side of things, what the heck was going on this episode. The scene where Tsubasa and her manager are walking together had to be one of the most awkward scenes I’ve ever witnessed. At first it looked like they tried to put a little effort into animating it, but then it turned into the two of them bouncing up and down and they just gave up on her hair altogether. I’m probably being a little critical, but I also noticed that things in certain scenes were disappearing, and sometimes the character models felt a little … off.
… but hey, we still have awesome music. ;D
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 207 comments
When berserk Hibiki showed up, it was so sudden for me. Talking about the promise, and then BAM next shot, her head is all black, and creepy smile. I think that’s probably one of the things that makes me want to keep watching more XD.
All of my expectations, were, surprise surprise, dissapointed all around. From last first episode with the awesome clifffhanger, to last episode with Tsubasa wanting to fight Hibiki. Every time I expect something so more cooler the next week, but then it just repeats the cycle again. Though HOPEFULLY this new enemy can make some news to me.
I also have to agree with you on Tsubasa. I mean I honestly understand what they are trying to do, but, every time Tsubasa goes all like that, I just get so annoyed with her character. I have to agree, Kanade was really cool first episode, but I couldn’t latch on to her too much, since it was the FIRST episode. So Tsubasa is just a tad bit irritable right now.
And yes, good music is good music 🙂 (This show at least has that going for it)
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Disappointed … I feel your pain! DX It seems like each week the episode ends off with some awesome cliff hanger only to not follow through the next episode. And yes, HOPEFULLY she’ll bring something new to the show since the Noise were getting a bit redundant imo.
POWUH: iLurker with 2 comments
Tsubasa and Kanade just friends? Hmmmm… I dont think so…
And Hibiki… seriously, dont read the mood, at all. How can she say “I’ll replace Kanade…” Geeez!!
Anyways, Im enjoying this. Even with the QUALITY times.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Right!? After she said that it was like instant facepalm, I understand Hibiki can be a little airheaded sometimes, but that was just … uncalled for. >__<
True, true. Their relationship was probably much more than friends. Maybe it's just my inner Kanade-fanboy bias speaking, but I just felt like killing her off was a cheap way to involve Hibiki in the story. To be honest, I'd much rather watch a show where Kanade and Tsubasa are the main characters. *shrug*
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
Perfectly put Hawthorne, I totally agree.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So far this anime is continuing on a straight line. It’s neither bad nor great.
Tsubasa is obviously powerful in her armor but boy, did she get surpassed by her armorless uncle. Stopping her attack on Hibiki in a DBZ way. I thought he’d be a boring character but now he has my respect.
Tsubasa and Hibiki are basically ying and yang. Hibiki is always in an optimistic mood while Tsubasa is full of emo angst. The best part for me was seeing Hibiki going berserk on the noise with a murderous smile on her face over a broken promise to Miku.
And that seductive scientist, she’s one of many females I’ve seen with a possible yuri personality this season. They all fancy younger girls. Especially the way Ryoko nibbled on Hibiki’s ear.
A new enemy with armor and unrelated to the noise? This should be good. From what I see, everyone’s armor is similar to those from the anime version of Witchblade.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Genjurou came out of nowhere with that! XD I have lots of new questions buzzing around in my head now as to where that came from and whether or not he’s an attuned. It’ll be interesting to find out.
Hm, maybe not completely unrelated. After all, the Nehustan relic (or whatever it’s called) was doing some pretty weird things at the same time as the concert attack back in episode 1. Maybe she’s even working with the US! xD
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
berserk Hibiki is awesome! My only complaint was the over use of DARK SHADOW over her face…is that a censorship thing? Or are they trying to be “cool” and “different” than other shows? GIVE US SOME YANDERE FACE <3
Yeah I am getting tired of Tsubasa always complaining! WE KNOW YOUR PARTNER DIED...That sucks! But like you said hawthorne we do not care anymore, we never had time to get attached to her.
LOLOL YES! That hallway scene with Tsubasa and producer-guy walking was like random and soooo bad! It was like they were puppets or something?
At least the music is good = great point xD
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
Hibiki with a yandere face … oh geez, I’d love to see that. It seems like they’ll probably be sticking with the creepy shadow face though, unfortunately for us viewers!
lol! Right? I kind of hope we get more scenes like that because it gave me a good laugh. xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
She’s actually a brilliant scientist … probably.
My first thought was…Oh great, another loli yuri chick. Get in line, Doctor. Your number will be called shortly…probably.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, there is a line. Don’t forget Nobara from Inu x Boku SS and Mao from Mirai Nikki. Things are looking good this season. Lots of hidden yuri girls.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Lemon from Ano Natsu. I’m not putting her in the line yet, but I wouldn’t put it past her.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
lol, that’s so true, I never realized how many characters were putting off the yuri vibe this season. XD
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
Totally agree with you about Tsubasa partner’s death. Sure, I get all teary and all, but I don’t know her enough to feel bad for her until episode three.
And what the hell is up with that time skip
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
It seems like the show likes to jump around a lot. Sometimes I feel happy for Hibiki when she wins a fight … and then I remember we already know she’s dead. >__<
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I feel like everything in this episode was pretty hollow. I felt like I was re-watching the previous episode as well. We learn things and characters interact, but there’s no weight behind it. I’m with you 100% on not feeling bad for Kanade’s death. It’s very rare that killing off a character right off the bat has impact, because while all the other characters may have a long, meaningful relationship with them…the viewers sure as hell don’t <_< This just makes Tsubasa incredibly annoying for me. URRGGG. But yes...we still get awesome music LOL. I swear I'm just watching for the battles and how cute Hibiki is when she's..um..not in Berserk mode.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
*nods* I can think of a few shows that had characters die in the first episode, and in almost every one I felt about the same as I do now. Though, at least they tried to develop the character/relationships through flashbacks. All we’ve been getting with Kanade are the same flashbacks to scenes that all feel the same, Kanade playing the older sister role to Tsubasa. It’d be nice to learn more about how they met or even just more about their career together. Dx
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about Tsubasa though! xD