Come one and all to read my all important opinions!/sarcasm
Seriously though, I just felt like posting this. Haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love, apathetic people will be apathetic. So let's get this done!
Episode 26 - Love
My rating for this episode is 10/10. That's not to say I thought this episode had no flaws (I will list them thoroughly, so not to worry ;) ), but I think the good, great, and simply wonderful aspects of this episode eclipse the flaws so deeply that I couldn't rate it any lower.
To start with....
The Bad
-Kagura gives up on having Mikono. We've known from the beginning that Kagura's obsession with Mikono is psychotic, primarily a result of Mykage's torture. On top of that, AmataXMikono was the predictable and probably only logical resolution to this episode as it unfolded (not to be confused to any other point before the episode, that territory still belongs to the shippers). So while Kagura's psychopathy is probably part of what makes KaguraXMikono interesting, it made sense for Kagura to let go of those feelings in support of his other half and in opposition to Mykage. What was bad about this scene was poor build-up and execution. A single minute would be enough to expand this and let Kagura struggle with those bad feelings, perhaps emphasize that he's deep down a gentleman enough to let Mikono choose who she wants to be with or something to that effect. So essentially, an execution error.
-Speaking of execution error, Mykage gets shot by Amata's LOVE blast (get your mind out of the gutter ;) ). I don't have much problem with Amata using Gattai to hijack Ancient Aquarion and turn it into Aquarion Love, as we've seen Kagura control Solar Aquarion with his voice at the end of episode 23, so it implies that both have the potential to control Aquarion regardless of who is inside it at the time. What I mind is that it was merely a sudden pink heart blast and BAM! Mykage is exiled from the device. More time here would have helped too: it would be cool to see Amata and Mykage's emotions clashing with some cool animations and Amata winning.
-Mikono was useless. Well, actually I don't think she was technically. She apologized to Mykage and her mutual love with Amata was what allowed them to end the Violation Gattai. It would have been nice to see her and Mykage clash (again with some cool animations) after she announces that she can heal Mykage's soul, perhaps have Mykage nearly loose control before finally restraining her in the way he did in the actual episode.
Essentially, it is that section of the episode that had the writing weakness, and that would be helped by some more time and elaboration. I keep reading rumors about a director's cut release on AnimeSuki Forums, so maybe we'll get to see that. :)
The Good
-No one dies this episode, not even Mykage. I think this is an excellent outcome, in that no one gets revenge. I'm sure Altair and Vega were both screwed up by Ancient Aquarion, but Aquarion Love seems to have fixed things, and Amata can let Altair know that Ianthe was the real Curse of Eve and that they need to switch to renewable energy. ;)
-Everything accumulated: Shrade and Zessica's vectors; Cayenne had the beautiful Gattai that Shrade predicted and envied; Yunoha fought for both Vega and Altair; Crea used her teleportation (I loved how she said "Teleportu!"); Andy and Mix got to Gattai, and the Big Bangs are BACK!!!; Zessica is saved and seems to be recovering; etc..
-Plenty of action: Infinite Palm of the Buddha is awesome, and we learned that Mykage's element is the denial of causality, which makes sense for someone that opposes the ultimate form of causality, love; Trinity Requiem and All Together Attack were awesome and along with Andy and Mix's hole attack show how far everyone has come in regards to their elemental powers.
The Great/Awesome/Beautiful/Exceptional/Etc..
-Mykage's Mugen Speech: Mykage and Fudo have had some great philosophy moments in Evol, but this is one to remember. I've read some arguments that say it is ridiculous for Mykage to have an ability related to enlightenment, but I disagree on the grounds that irregardless of his motives his mental facilities are fare beyond any mortal's.
-Amata and Mikono are together: People will argue for their preferred ship, but I consider this ending beautiful regardless of who I wanted together because it is so awesome for these two to finally be together and complete the 12,000 romance. And on that note....
-Fudo and Mykage are together: It is also awesome that the 24,000 romance has been redeemed. I'd say Fudo didn't exactly put on the moves with Mykage, but if he claps his hands you know he's committed to it. The entire scene, particularly the ending, left me unsure how I felt, somewhere between joy that Mykage's suffering is over or sorrow at how deep that suffering was.
A lot of people are debating on whether or not Fudo should have gotten more involved and tried to fix things. I think Fudo did exactly the right thing for who his character is: he was once Apollonius, Angel of Slaughter, and thus like the other Shadow Angels in that he had no idea humans had meaningful emotions. His whole world gets turned around by Celianne, at the cost of his engagement with Touma, so I'm guessing he felt really rotten about how he acted before and after Celianne, and decided to let other people sort things out while giving the most appropriate amount of advice to Silvia/Mikono as possible.
-Kagura and Zessica's ending: So Kagura and Zessica both lived to see another day and may end up romancing each other. I'd argue that both characters had unhealthy obsessions and thus overcame them, even if many shippers will disagree, but that's okay. Some see this as something pulled out of Kawawori's ass, but I think it was the best twist of the season and I'm glad they got a happy ending.
In regards to Zessica's sad expression in the school picture, I'll say what I posted in the thread: it was a tough school year or whatever it is she went through, and she's not going to be instantly okay. More importantly, she was the happiest we've seen her in this episode since Amata indicated "no", and she clearly forgave Amata's rejection and was willing to help him save Mikono. I don't see how this is a problem, it is a better ending than anyone could have predicted for her short of actual AmataXZessica, which we know wasn't going to happen.
General Series
My final rating is, and this may shock you since I gave this episode such a high rating, 8/10. I do not think the Apollo is not Apollonius twist was illogical or contradicts Sousei No Aquarion (other forum members have discovered plenty of evidence to suggest that SNA supported Apollo=Pollon). I do think however the explanation could have been better somehow, though I don't know exactly what and that topic has been debated to death so I won't revive it. I also found sections of the plot throughout the season moved awkwardly, and Ianthe's role in Altair's Curse of Eve should have been a " duh!" for Altair's government. However, even at this rating I recommend this to anyone and everyone, especially those that watched SNA (no matter what the haters say) because even if this series is continued some closure in the relationships happened and it is completely worth it.
Feel free to challenge any points above. Cheers!
EDIT: To clarify my position, I give the show 8/10, but the message 10/10. What Aquarion Evol is and is about is truly a beautiful thing, even amid flawed human production values. ;) |
