Gate – 05-06
I think they’re gonna get along just fine.
Episodes 5 and 6 of Gate encompass the battle of Italica. And what a battle it was.
Her Worshipfullness
Aww, she wants to start her own order of knights? How cute!
Let’s get the buzz talk out of the way first, because it’s not particularly interesting. Yes, the princess’s name is Piña Co Lada. Yes, there are numerous references to Apocalypse Now in episode six. And with that out of the way, let’s move on to the meat of the battle. The first thing I want to take note of is Piña’s status. We had previously seen the emperor’s barely veiled contempt for her. As it turns out, she is his daughter by a concubine. So she doesn’t exactly have a stellar position in the royal family. This puts the emperor’s order for her to scout out the JSDF in perspective. If she succeeds, he gains valuable information on the enemy. If she fails, he gets rid of a sociopolitical eyesore. It’s a win-win situation for the guy. Next, we see that Piña doesn’t exactly hold the church of Emloy in high regard. She doesn’t hesitate to believe that the church would side with a bunch of bandits. And she even insults Emloy himself as a whimsical and nonsensical god. This is particularly interesting, as Gray, Piña guardian and mentor, expresses some concern for the princess’s disrespect. But his reactions don’t exactly suggest that blasphemy against the church is as severe a crime as it was in the older times of our own world. Perhaps this is because the Special Region has a fair share of fantastical beings besides gods and demigods, ranging from elves and sorcerers to monsters and monster girls (yes, that’s right).
I didn’t sign up for this…
Anyway, we really get to know Piña as a naïve and inexperienced knight. She has always been frustrated that her Rose Order was delegated only to ceremonial positions, and is eager for action. But now she gets more than she bargained for, with her task to scout out the JSDF and the defense of Italica. Obviously, the defense of the major trade city doesn’t go well under her command; the JSDF (aerial) cavalry has to swoop in to save the day. So I’m hoping that the fiasco has been a good learning experience for the princess. It’s clear that she’s learned some humility from witnessing the awesome firepower of the JSDF. But I’d also like to see her grow as a tactician and politician. And perhaps an emphasis on the latter might be more important as the show progresses. It’s clear that the Empire cannot hope to win a war against the JSDF, so the next logical step would be to negotiate for peace. The treaty signed in the aftermath of the battle of Italica is a good first step. And while it looks like Hamilton, one of Piña’s knights, was more directly involved in the writing of that treaty, we can be sure that the princess herself will have more direct political dealings in the near future thanks to Itami’s capture. Speaking of which, it was a rather brave move on Itami’s part to let himself be taken prisoner by the clueless Rose Order knights to avoid breaking the treaty. But what happened there still felt like a rather contrived development.
Veni (Vidi Vici)
Rory came…
Moving away from Piña, I suppose I must now dedicate a paragraph to Rory since she put on such a show in episode six. The revelation that the demigoddess channels the souls of fallen warriors in battle through her own body to be offered to her god, Emloy, is… different. I’m not sure what exactly it accomplishes to depict her sprawled against the wall in ecstasy. That was just awkward. And it gets even more awkward when she just abruptly picks herself up and runs with inhuman speed to the center of the conflict. That felt like a particularly bad piece of writing to me, as Rory’s sudden transition from orgasm to game face just didn’t flow well (though you can be sure other things were flowing). And the indifference that Itami’s men displayed to Rory’s very loud moans and suggestive motions was the cherry on top. They didn’t have to freak out at the spectacle or anything like that (they are trained men after all), but you’d think that they would be a bit more weird-ed out or embarrassed like Chuka was.
Something doesn’t look right here…
Since I’m on a roll with complaints, I would also like to pick on the strange split-panel approach that episode six took. Stylistically, it looks like we’re reading a manga. But the problem is that instead of each panel being a complete frame like in a manga, the show essentially crops different full-sized frames and sticks them next to each other. The result is multiple incomplete scenes appearing at once. It looks weird and breaks the visual flow of the episode. I understand that perhaps the intent was to demonstrate Piña observing the consequences of her own inexperience and the horrors of the battle. But the same message could have been conveyed in a less jarring manner by simply showing us her shocked face after several scenes of carnage and mayhem. But I digress; I’m supposed to be talking about Rory. I hope that the whole channeling dead souls thing will serve some important function in the future, because at the moment it’s just a strange thing that happened so that we could hear Risa Taneda pretending (or otherwise) to have an orgasm.
One-Sidedness
The cavalry has arrived!
As the last item on my agenda, I would like to address the concerns some of the viewers have over the show being so completely one-sided. I have just three words to say: deal with it. It’s hard to argue with a technological advantage, especially with such overwhelming disparity between the two sides. I know a lot of us like to support the underdog; it’s kind of a western culture thing. But a medieval army just cannot stand up against a modern one. This isn’t Star Wars, where a gang of teddy bears wielding wooden spears and arrows can fight off an imperial army equipped with laser guns (technically plasma) and armored vehicles. The point of the matter is, unless a more technologically advanced army completely flounders when it comes to logistics and strategy, it is essentially impossible for a more primitive force to prevail against them. Good tactics can certainly turn the tide in many situations, such as a numerical disadvantage. But there’s little that can be done when you’re trying to fight gun with sword.
Extras
Next episode should be a good one, as we will see how Piña deals with her side breaking the treaty almost immediately after it was signed. I personally think she will treat Itami as a guest and turn him over as quickly as possible, because of the fear she has for the JSDF’s might. But only time will tell. I’m also interested in the prisoners that Itami took custody of. We know that they are all women. And while the show plays that off like a joke, I think the deeper meaning behind Itami’s decision is that he suspects the female prisoners would be subject to… hostile treatment. Recall the brief moment of disagreement over how prisoners should be treated in episode six? Also, who can argue against taking in a harpy who can apparently use wind magic? That sounds like a pretty handy asset to keep around. And it’ll be a good way to start exploring some of the other races that inhabit the Special Region.
These girls are gonna get Piña in trouble.
About Sumairii
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
My only problem with the use of overwhelming force is that maybe the show revels in it a little much. I really wonder if a force that is trying to make overtures to not only the town but also the whole surrounding area, and even the empire if they can, would they really have that cobra pilot mow down all of those guys? Or kill all of the hostiles outside the gate? That’s the part that has me cringing a bit, in a “I know it’s coming, but wish they wouldn’t go that far” kind of way.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Well, these fictional character were dead set on invading and pillaging…so, I can’t feel to bad for them.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Indeed. They got what was coming to them for ill intentions. Pina already elaborated they’d kill the men and rape the women in episode 5, so there’s no need to show sympathy.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Burn! Pillage! Rape! All in that order! Wait… there’s something…..
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
I have to agree, these guys were designed to be fodder for the JSDF to show off. And no one feels sorry for them, since they are essentially a bunch of savages that came and attacked this town for no other reason than to just attack it. I mean, they didn’t even really want to take over the place. They were pretty suicidal. So, yeah, no merciful feelings from me.
And they were enemy combatants, making them fair game, militarily.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
It’s worth noting that one of Emroy’s domains is madness. Death, war, punishment of crime, and madness. Piña has good reason to think that the followers of Emory don’t behave in a rational fashion.
Censorship. No really. And maybe cuts to save time. The manga, at least, had the men reacting… significantly to Rory’s reactions, making it clear that her moaning was a major turn-on, despite the situation. As for why Rory could get up and run, that’s because she was heading into battle. That allows her to effectively release the tension (so to speak) that was building up. People die all around her when she’s fighting, but it doesn’t hinder her in the least; in fact it spurs her to fight with an even greater frenzy.
As for how relevant this is for the future, keep in mind this means that if anyone dies anywhere nearby, Rory will know.
POWUH: iLurker with 12 comments
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
It doesn’t need multiple panels for it to be significant. And the statement “$*&t, I’m hard!” “Me too!” seems to be a pretty solid indicator that she was getting to them.
I don’t know how things were in the LNs, but I have seen it said that they were actually a poorer adaptation of the original novels than the manga is. Take that how you will.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I’ll take the anime at it’s face value, as I feel arguing from “the source” is total bollocks.
As for the solider’s level of discomfort towards what was going on with Rory? They seemed plenty unnerved to me, so I guess it’s a matter of how much was necessary for each audience member…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I’m glad I came here….uh…yeah….
Anyway! I have some theories as to why Rory went all “awkward”, but they might be half-baked at this point. She gives off the air of being pleased to serve Emoly, but these scenes to push the boundaries quite a bit. Perhaps there are times when she had been reluctant to kill, and the god wired her pleasure center up that way to get her to comply? Wow, that really is half-baked…But, Death Gods, they might be necessary, but they don’t have to be pleasant…
As for the split screen? It feels like Bayhem. IOW some crappy director, like Micheal Bay, sees something cool from a good director in a film and says, “I’ll copy that and make it look cooler” without stopping to understand what made the original shot work in the first place. Here, it’s just like you said, it pulls you out of any possible immersion.
As for taking Itsuki captive? Maybe they feel whatever information they can get from him is worth the tactical risk?
Also, as you point out, bird girl is my first piece of evidence that this fantasy world is the same world from Monster Musume!
Also, props to Condescending-chan and Rory’s back to back badassery!
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
Missed this the first time… She’s a siren. Her name is Myuute. She became a recurring minor character in the manga. Note that she’s feathered, but lacks wings. A harpy has wings in place of arms: we’ll see one later, if the anime goes on long enough.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I would like to address the concerns some of the viewers have over the show being so completely one-sided.
It kinda makes sense if we consider the author’s viewpoints; especially if the source novels were written as a love letter to JSDF superiority and Japanese militarism (albeit toned down for public release).
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Why would we consider the original author? This is an adaptation of an adaptation, and you say the tone has already been altered. Original intent is murky at best. For me, the less I consider the wing-nut writer and his wing-nut ideals, the better. It all comes down to sword/ground forces vs. advanced weapons/air superiority. It cannot be a real world metaphor…cause reality.
POWUH: iLurker with 12 comments
It’s actually an adaption (anime) of an adaption (LN) of an adaption (novel) of a web novel.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Well, then both of us make the point that it will/has “suffer/suffered” from adaptation decay. Or, at the very most, very careful editing and/or shaping for it’s (anime) medium…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
The Japanese equivalent of…
Michael Bay.
POWUH: iLurker with 12 comments
I concur, I’m always wondering about the critism that the Japanese military is presented too positively in Gate, when when it’s the same or even tamer compared to your run-of-the-mill Hollywood action movie.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
I think that’s because of difference in cultures. In America and the West, it’s pretty much the norm. In Japan, it’s overdoing it.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 163 comments
The Japanese are intensely proud of the fact that their military is a “Self Defense Force” and that their constitution (written up by Douglas MacArthur’s staff) prohibits offensive capability (depending how you loosely define that).
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Yeah, that’s what I mean. In Japan, it’s “self-defense”. In America, it’s “the best defense is a good offense”.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 163 comments
I suspect (or hope) that the show will go the way of Log Horizon and delve into the fact that even though one side has overwhelming military strength, that does not mean that they hold all the cards at the negotiation table. In Log Horizon, the adventurers had overwhelming battle strength, yet they had to negotiate with the People of the Land anyway because they represented their own economies and systems that the protagonists wanted to take advantage of rather than simply smash.
If you want to maintain the agricultural economy and avoid this becoming a humanitarian crisis, you can’t just rely on Apache attack helicopters and chain guns. You have to come to amicable agreement with local rulers, merchant guilds and so forth. You can’t just force an economy to run at gunpoint.
What is more, if Japan’s SDF mishandles the situation and causes a humanitarian crisis, it will give the USA, Russia, and China an excuse to forceably intervene on “humanitarian grounds.” Japan’s position is a delicate one that cannot be solved with guided missiles.
I hope the show explores that angle, and so far, it promises to do so.
And yeah… I thought the orgasm scene, the Apocalypse Now ripoff, and what’s-her-face throwing away the advantage of her guns by charging into close combat was all incredibly stupid. But those are side gripes.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Pina is right to feel fearful of the JSDF. If they wanted to, they could grab the territory up with ease and little to no resistance at all.
My mind’s still on Pina being a princesswhile at the same time, the child of a concubine. Really, these royals probably engage in extramarital affairs for the thrill to stave off boredom every now and then.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
Piña’s status means that the emperor acknowledged her and placed her in the succession, but that she carries the stigma of her birth despite that. So she could, technically, be considered a candidate for the throne, but a lot of nobles would be unwilling to follow her because they’re a bunch of stuck up snobs about proper lineage and such.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Would princesses really be in line to the throne in this world? The world seems pretty male-centric, I can see them skip over the girls in favor of a male heir. And I’ve heard from someone that the emperor does have a son who is a male heir apparent.
And from the way that the emperor really doesn’t care about Pina’s life and just sent her off on a suicide mission, I highly doubt she’s very high on the list of succession, if she’s even on it. She’d be like 23rd in line or something.
POWUH: 400-499 with 462 comments
She is the fifth child of the emperor, and she doesn’t tend to consider herself a candidate for the throne. However, a little further into the story someone with reason to know believes her to be a very strong candidate for the throne, and the fact that she’s a woman is never brought up. On the other hand, the fact that (essentially) her mother was a whore gets thrown in her face or whispered behind her back more than once.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Oh come on! We have to sing the song, at least!
Her name is Pina Co Lada, and she loves getting caught in the rain…
But anyhow, I’ve never seen Apocalypse Now, and the only things I know about it is the famous “napalm in the morning” line, and that it’s loosely based on Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. So, all those scenes with the helicopters really threw me for a loop until someone explained.
As for Pina, she’s a little annoying to me. She’s one of those female characters that have a bit of a chip on her shoulder because people don’t think she’s capable because of her sex, and yet she really doesn’t have much to back up her capability. She talks big, but doesn’t walk the walk much. And her stubbornness and pride a pretty big turn-offs for me. She’d rather have everyone get slaughtered than ask for help from the JSDF. I know she doesn’t have a reason to trust them, but really that all goes out the window when it’s life or death. Survival instincts should have taken over.
I have no problem with the JSDF being all powerful, that’s what drew me to this series to begin with. I just knew that was coming when they left episode 5 as a cliffhanger. And it was…so…AWESOME! The estrogen and testosterone filling the air! It was great to see them just mow down these fodder evil soldiers. And the princess hasn’t even seen what a modern military is really capable off. This was only a bunch of helicopters and jeeps. I want to see the heavy artillery next time. And lets get the air force and navy into this! I want whole-scale military carnage! 😀
And now the princess’ men have just captured a JSDF officer, after they just signed a treaty. I don’t think that’s going to go over very well with the Japanese forces, especially since he’s supposed to be reporting before the government in a few days.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, what they got this time was the warehouse retail version of the military. That’s as opposed to Itami’s boutique retail version fighting the dragon protecting the refugees, or the wholesale version that the opposing armies met on Arnus Hill.
I don’t really fault the princess for being in over her head. Knights like that aren’t really supposed to be a defense force, and it’s a certainty that she’s all book learnin’ and no experience. And I don’t think her hesitance to involve Itami’s squad after the barbarians were at the East gate was born out of not trusting them. I got the impression that she felt guilty about asking them to come help when it was obvious she’d sent them out to the South gate to sink or swim on their own, something she thought would certainly be a suicide mission if there was an attack there. She didn’t think they’d come because of the disrespect she’d shown earlier. That they came anyway just added to her shame.