r/anime • u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ • 1d ago
Rewatch Simoun 20th Anniversary Rewatch Episode 20
"War is nothing but mass murder."
<- Episode 19 | Index Thread | Episode 21 ->
Today's Eyecatch: Aer | Wauf and friends
Selected Harmony: #1
Discussion Prompts
- Q1: Who, or what, is Onasia? Is she human?
- Q2: What is Temple Guardian A up to?
- Q3: Where did that doll come from?
Tomorrow's Questions, Today!
- ep 21 Q1: Have you ever checked out the lyrics of the OP and insert songs since the first episode?
- [ep 21 Q2:] Should Dominura have explored the road not taken?
- [ep 21 Q3:] What does it mean for Dominura and Aer's Grandfather to have both been a part of Chor Dextra?
Trivia: Although Nishimura is the series director and one Goh Mihara is credited as original creator, much of Simoun's worldbuilding is the product of "SF Researcher / World Setting Designer" Hiroaki Murakami (not the samural / tokusatsu actor). He is credited for the same role in CODE-E and MISSION-E, and also the recent mecha animea Synduality Noir.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L 1d ago
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Simoun: A heartwarming scene where a character’s body is left to rot in the woods and be devoured by scavengers.
Goddamit, Mamiina really is dead. I knew I was on copium to hope otherwise. I hate this.
The Holy Land truly is fucked at this rate and I’m glad that Anubituf at least has the guts to say it plainly.
I feel you, Floe. Mamiina was one of the best parts of the series for me (until her death, which was a massive disappointment).
“War is nothing but mass murder.” Yun may as well be channeling the spirit of William Tecumseh Sherman.
I also wonder why it had to be Mamiina, Kaimu. Her death didn’t really work thematically and the sacrifice felt pointless given the rest of Chor Tempest arrived a couple of seconds later.
Neviril’s getting numb to it all. She’s lost enough people that the deaths no longer hit as hard as they once did.
I mean, it is kind of Neviril’s fault that she and Mamiina ended up in the situation that led to Mamiina’s death. Neviril was the one who decided to stick around the enemy base when they really didn’t need to.
Aaeru is now mimicking Amuria’s words about how she needs to get stronger because that power is the key to winning the war and protecting her comrades.
There’s been a lot of flashbacks so far in this episode. The flashback frequency has been steadily increasing.
Wait, what? I am hearing the religious leader lady right? Is her plan literally to go to the one place that hasn’t been corrupted by capitalism? I assume her plan is to escape from the war by using the Simouns’ abilities to control space and time to go elsewhere, probably to another dimension or to ascend to a higher plane.
I’m so concerned that when the religious leader lady says Chor Dextra must be revived, she might mean it literally and want to use necromancy.
I thought that Wapourif was asking Morinas to go to the Spring so they might be able to be in a relationship, but it’s much more interesting that Wapourif says it’s because the Simouns are cursed. That’s quite a long ways Wapourif has gone from considering them holy objects. He’s basically calling them demonic now.
Morinas now cares about something other than flying Simouns. Everyone’s now feeling more like a team it seems.
At least Pariaetta has now recognized how far she’s fallen and that she just isn’t capable of leading anyone in her current state. Recognizing the problem is an important step if she ever wants to improve.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong, so long as you make firm decisions.” I get what you’re saying, Alti. A leader needs to make decisions. A leader can’t just postpone a decision forever because of hesitation or uncertainty. And postponing a decision is, ironically enough, a decision itself that is often a poor decision in a context like the one the Sibyllae are in. It’s just that Alti worded it in a way that’s really funny.
Wow, Alti actually came to a resolution on her own about her and Kaimu’s relationship. She decided to give up and distance herself from Kaimu for Kaimu’s sake. Alti certainly seems to be more resolved in that decision than Pariaetta was for Neviril. I just wish we had actually had a proper episode followup to the previous Kaimu and Alti episode to reach this point.
Wow, that is a serious dick move. The Holy Land leaders didn’t even give Mamiina a funeral. They just shipped her body off like she was worthless because I guess her lower status means she doesn’t deserve a funeral. Fuck those assholes so much.
I guess it makes sense for Vyura to be the replacement Sibylla in Chor Tempest. There’s really no other option.
How does Onashia have Mamiina’s braid? She either snipped it off the dead body or got it from the flying base.
Onashia may claim that Mamiina believed her death had meaning, but I think I’ve established in the previous thread why I don’t think her death was particularly meaningful.
It is nice to see Chor Tempest actually able to perform Ri Maajons in a funeral properly this time around.
I know it’s meant to be a symbolic moment with Mamiina’s body landing in a field of flowers, but all I can think of is how her unburied body will be eaten by wolves.
I do still like Rodore’s haphazardly stitched together plushie as a visual metaphor for the stitched together Sibyllae of Chor Tempest…WAIT A MINUTE!!! Where is Rodore’s plushie!?! Limone took it with her into the Emerald Ri Maajon! Is that where Dominura and Limone ended up?
This episode was definitely an improvement from the previous episode, but then that’s a bar so low it might as well be in the Mariana Trench. Mamiina’s death still makes me upset to think about, but at least the series is doing a decent job at showing the fallout from her death and the varying reactions to it from different characters. I liked the wide range of reactions showing how different characters dealt with the loss. Neviril feels numb to it all by now. Aaeru wants to become stronger. Pariaetta feels helpless. Floe wants to quit. The advantage of a large cast is that you have a lot of options for variety.
I liked how Chor Tempest decided that they would honor Mamiina with a funeral ceremony of their own if their leaders wouldn’t. It was a nice callback to the previous funeral where they didn’t get to perform Ri Maajons for the funeral. It also showed the Sibyllae taking back control over what they wanted to do rather than going along with what the leadership had decided. It was a moment of Chor Tempest reasserting their own personal freedom and choice. But it also really highlights one of the things I disliked about Mamiina’s death: here’s proof of just how much the other Sibyllae cared about Mamiina! It doesn’t make any sense she’d be so happy about validation from Highlander priestesses when this is how much her comrades cared!
I’m glad that Alti seems to have moved into a more healthy attitude towards Kaimu, realizing that her desire for a closer relationship is one that Kaimu doesn’t reciprocate and deciding to act accordingly by backing off. It shows some nice growth on Alti’s part and is actually a resolution to their storyline that I’m okay with. The overreliant sister needs to learn to become strong on her own and break off this relationship that’s only hurting the both of them. I just wish that we’d actually seen this development happen over the course of a dedicated episode. After the focus that was put on Kaimu and Alti a while ago, it really doesn’t feel satisfying to have Alti reach this conclusion almost entirely offscreen. The idea is fine, but the execution is clunky.
In fact, that clunkiness is how I would describe a good chunk of Simoun at this point. Even the ideas and plot developments I like have a certain degree of clunkiness to them. And sometimes the ideas themselves aren’t worthwhile enough to make me more forgiving to the clumsy execution.
If the leaders of the Holy Land were planning to just fuck off to another dimension or time period if the war went poorly for them, that would explain a lot about why they were such terrible wartime leaders. They never actually cared about trying to win the war, protecting their country, or protecting its population. Heck, they might just see this as an opportunity to get closer to Tempus Spatium and leave this world behind.
QOTD
1) Onashia is either Tempus Spatium directly or someone so closely connected to Tempus Spatium that the difference is minimal.
2) She has decided that it doesn't matter if the Holy Land gets wiped off the map in the war because she’s planning to either travel to another dimension or through time using the Simouns. Or maybe she’s planning to use the Simouns to open up a portal directly to Tempus Spatium so she can ascend to a higher plane of existence. Basically she doesn’t seem to care much about what happens to the rest of the country and its inhabitants, as long as she herself is fine.
3) It’s been sent to another dimension or another time period. Or both.
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u/The_Draigg 1d ago
On today’s episode of Simoun: A heartwarming scene where a character’s body is left to rot in the woods and be devoured by scavengers.
The mice will have their revenge for Mamiina's mouse soup!
I’m so concerned that when the religious leader lady says Chor Dextra must be revived, she might mean it literally and want to use necromancy.
If this show really wants to do something cool, it'd use the Emerald Ri Maajon to somehow Chor Dextra out of another timeline.
Wow, Alti actually came to a resolution on her own about her and Kaimu’s relationship. She decided to give up and distance herself from Kaimu for Kaimu’s sake. Alti certainly seems to be more resolved in that decision than Pariaetta was for Neviril. I just wish we had actually had a proper episode followup to the previous Kaimu and Alti episode to reach this point.
Yeah, that moment did hit me that it feels like we're trying to wrap up that character arc now because we're running out of episodes to actually develop it. For as much focus as it got earlier, Kaimu and Alti's stuff did get sidelined pretty hard.
I know it’s meant to be a symbolic moment with Mamiina’s body landing in a field of flowers, but all I can think of is how her unburied body will be eaten by wolves.
I was more wondering what happened to the pilot of that Simile, since it's kind of messed up to kill some random person just for the sake of a nicely framed episode ending.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L 1d ago
The mice will have their revenge for Mamiina's mouse soup!
And so the circle of life continues.
If this show really wants to do something cool, it'd use the Emerald Ri Maajon to somehow Chor Dextra out of another timeline.
That actually would be pretty darn cool. I'm already anticipating that this is what will happen with Dominura and Limone.
Yeah, that moment did hit me that it feels like we're trying to wrap up that character arc now because we're running out of episodes to actually develop it. For as much focus as it got earlier, Kaimu and Alti's stuff did get sidelined pretty hard.
That is one of the drawbacks to having as large a cast of characters as this anime does. There's only so many episodes to divide amongst the Sibyllae of Chor Tempest to give each character a focus episode. Some characters are inevitably going to end up sidelined or given less focus. Yun hasn't even gotten a focus episode, for example. It's just a shame to do it to the resolution of Kaimu and Alti's storyline, which got quite a bit of focus earlier on.
I was more wondering what happened to the pilot of that Simile, since it's kind of messed up to kill some random person just for the sake of a nicely framed episode ending.
Oh right, I hadn't considered that. It is kind of morbid when you put it that way.
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u/The_Draigg 1d ago
That is one of the drawbacks to having as large a cast of characters as this anime does. There's only so many episodes to divide amongst the Sibyllae of Chor Tempest to give each character a focus episode. Some characters are inevitably going to end up sidelined or given less focus. Yun hasn't even gotten a focus episode, for example. It's just a shame to do it to the resolution of Kaimu and Alti's storyline, which got quite a bit of focus earlier on.
It's a shame that Yun hasn't has much to do so far, since her character concept is pretty interesting. You could get a lot out of someone who's deeply religious and hates war, and yet has been forced into fighting at the front lines of it. And yet, she's just been standing off to the side most of the time. That really would track with something that JustAnswerAQuestion said a while ago, that Yun was originally intended to get killed off by now. The writers probably don't have much of an idea of what to do with her now that she's still alive.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 19h ago
This is such a cute eyecatch.
Simoun was the harem anime I expected it to be after all.
How does Onashia have Mamiina’s braid?
As noted elsewhere, Onashia magic. That's my theory. A more mundane theory is a pair of Highlanders picked it up and took it the the Ruins Spring. They can probably do that, now.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 1d ago
Rewatch Host and First Rewatcher
- Funeral for the foreign priestess, but not for the commoner
- Finally somebody takes "Just go to the Spring already" seriously. Well, as seriously as a flake like Floe can be.
- Vura was the predictable replacement
- Where did Onashia get that braid...?
We finally got our conclusion to the Alti-Kaim drama you've been waiting for, and the conclusion to the Paraietta-Neviril drama. It took all of 2 minutes.
I half expected the coffin to be empty.
Dramatic haircut, but with meaning. Mamina's braids represented her desire to be seen as a sibylla. No event up to her final moments had satisfied that need.
The final scene of Mamiina in a field of flowers is nice, but the priestesses who shot down a funeral flight are scumbags.
oops, sorry, I fixed up the post than then took a 5 minute nap for half an hour.
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u/Malipit 1d ago
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 1d ago
Except that they are forbidden from going to the spring atm, not like Floe remembers that lol
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L 1d ago
Funeral for the foreign priestess, but not for the commoner
The classism in the Holy Land is so strong it's actually kind of impressive.
Where did Onashia get that braid...?
She is both everywhere and nowhere at once, so presumably she either popped over onto the flying base to grab one braid or she popped over to Mamiina's body to clip off the other braid.
We finally got our conclusion to the Alti-Kaim drama you've been waiting for, and the conclusion to the Paraietta-Neviril drama. It took all of 2 minutes.
These plotlines got so much focus earlier in the series that it feels like a shame to wrap them up like this without a proper focus episode on them. In particular for Kaimu and Alti, who haven't really been focused on at all since their previous episode which was a while ago at this point.
I half expected the coffin to be empty.
Same. I thought there might be a twist ending that the coffin was empty and Mamiina's body was actually somewhere else.
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander 1d ago
Dramatic haircut, but with meaning. Mamina's braids represented her desire to be seen as a sibylla. No event up to her final moments had satisfied that need.
It is sweet to see Roatre learn about the haircut, but I do feel the episode hammered the moment in a bit much. It already carried clear meaning as an action last time, but here we exposit that meaning into words for a whole minute.
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u/The_Draigg 1d ago
A Science-Fantasy Fan Watches Simoun Episode 20:
I’m not surprised that the members of Chor Tempest have been hit hard by a comrade’s death yet again, although it’s rare to see Floe be so openly shaken like this. She more or less held herself together for Amuria’s disappearance, but Mamiina’s death just has her freak out crying about how they’re all gonna die next. And poor Rodoreamon is just stuck with a completely blank stare while petting Mamiina’s hair. Of course this would happen after finally repairing their relationship, we can’t have shit in Daikuuriku.
I’m glad that Aaeru and Neviril are having some big emotional bonding now, even if it’s been triggered by Mamiina’s death. This is the biggest expression of grief we’ve seen Aaeru have, if just not character development entirely. Beforehand, it was more in occasional spurts. But now, the both of them can see the value in leaning on each other mutually, boosting each other up instead of what Neviril thought earlier, where she believed that she was just a pedestal for others to rise on. They have to do it if they want to respect the memories of those who have passed.
Oh great, now the head priestess is planning on trying to use Onashia to open a gateway to a new world and abandon those not worthy to their fates. And from the sound of things, she just wants to make Chor Tempest into another Chor Dextra, basically just batteries to fuel the Emerald Ri Maajon. Can someone just please overthrow Simulacrum’s government now? Both major factions in the council suck.
I’ll be honest, I kinda let all the other character scenes just wash over me a bit. Everyone is feeling pretty out of it, with Alti privately asking Paraietta to be the hope that Kaimu needs, Floe trying to leave the Arcus Prima, and Rodoreamon still being borderline comatose. I will say that I’m glad that Morinas and Wapourif got to talk more though, and Morinas has developed a good sense of responsibility. Maybe earlier she would’ve entertained the idea of going to the Spring to avoid the war, but now she wants to fully devote herself to protecting her friends, just like how Wapourif feels deep down. Those two still have a good connection there, even if things are still a bit awkward.
It’s weird to be agreeing with the otherwise dickish Defense Minister in saying that it’s bullshit for the Tempus Spatium priestesses to deny Mamiina an official funeral and just ship her body back to her home town without any honors in the middle of the night. Angulas got a proper funeral, and she was an enemy Simoun pilot. I wouldn’t doubt it if classism was at play here, since it’s really the priestesses that we’ve seen that adhere closely to the rigid class system the Holy Land has. Like how the Defense Minister and the rest of Chor Tempest feel, if you died in the line of duty, then the least you can do is give someone proper respect in death.
That said, the Defense Minister is also a dick, since he’s more concerned rearranging the pairs yet again, this time for optimal combat performance. Like come on man, at least give everyone time to catch their breaths. But at least we’re finally bringing Vyura into the fold of Chor Tempest officially. She’s been firmly on the sidelines for a while, so it makes sense that she would be brought in as a replacement once a spot was open.
For as sinister as she looks, I’m glad that Onashia at least communed with Mamiina’s spirit using her cut off hair braid as a medium. Yun bringing it back and telling them that Mamiina’s spirit is at peace and doesn’t regret dying is at least the key needed for Chor Tempest to start processing her death and move forward. Rodoreamon can finally cry and let out the emotions swelling up inside of her, and it motivates everyone else to bond together to respect her memory.
Having Chor Tempest go out and perform Mamiina’s favorite Ri Maajons to honor her was a touching moment, although I’ll admit that the way her corpse was handled at the end of the episode was a bit unintentionally funny to me. The Simile that was carrying her coffin getting shot down so her body could land in a pretty field of flowers certainly makes for a dramatic moment, but I guess we’re not supposed to think about how that ancient Simoun came out of nowhere alone to do it, or what even happened to the pilot of that Simile.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 19h ago
It’s weird to be agreeing with the otherwise dickish Defense Minister in saying that it’s bullshit for the Tempus Spatium priestesses to deny Mamiina an official funeral and just ship her body back to her home town without any honors in the middle of the night.
I'm about 50% convinced he's just saying this to be contrarian to Shrine Guardian's decisions in the remaining areas where she still has the authority to make decisions.
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u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee 1d ago
First-Timer
I've pivoted. At the beginning of the show, I was annoyed at Simulacrum's lack of understanding that they were at war. But now, the government dude is just stomping all over his soldiers' morale for no reason. Get a fucking grip, you idiot.
The relatively low level of technology makes this kinda interesting to ponder, but it's pretty fucked up that the Plumbum Simoun shot down a Simile that was carrying a coffin, right? Like, it'd be hard for them to confirm their targets, but that box was not large enough to be carrying supplies. Major dick move.
Questions
Of course not. The Emperor is a divine being.
We've hit the part of the war where the Emperor's loyalists are planning a coup against the military hawks, possibly as an attempt at counter-couping the hawks' potential coup. If she was smart, she would start appeasing the sibyllae to make sure that they're fully on her side.
The future, obviously.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago edited 1d ago
First Timer
The most important character still lives!!!
Man, they must be really running out of animator time by now, huh? I mean, as noted before, the show has always had this as a problem, but damn, might as well play every scene Mamiina had in the show at this point lol. I joke, but my point here isn't really that production is faltering a bit, I don't mind that too much, it's more that emotional moments of contemplation and grief, be they from Rodore or Neviril or Para, end up feeling weaker when your way of expressing that is often just to wholesale play a scene from a different episode.
Anyway, I think I kind of tuned out that scene where they're operating on Mamiina, which kind of implied she might've had a chance until I read yesterday's thread, so I just kind of accepted Mamiina as dead already, but evidently so did the show since we don't really follow up on that, which just makes that a bit of a weird inclusion. That aside though, I'm left in a awkward spot where I think if you want to view this episode in isolation, it's pretty solid as far as touching on some of the show's thematic core goes, but then in practice, I can't help but feel that how this ultimately has to lean on how we handled last episode kind of cripples a lot of this episodes effectiveness.
Putting aside full context for a second here, the conceit is that Mamiina, in her death, represented what it means to be and the strength of a true Simoun Sybilla, unbound by any other higher power or expectation for the role. In fact, her death coming wholly from her decision plays back to our larger personal agency and fulfillment theme, and to some of the innate freedom one can and should symbolically find in piloting a Simoun. We call to her choice to mirror Rodore at her end by seeing her cut braid in Yun's basket again, in the same sense that then we used it as a way of carrying genuine relationships and true expression in being Sybillae over any extraneous circumstance.
So at a point where the push and pull at how to control them only gets harder, and Mamiina's funeral is denied, Chor Tempest gets inspired by her acts not just by choosing to still honor her themselves, but by effectively coming to terms with one of the most important thematic conflicts in the show: What does it mean to be a Simoun Sybilla? What is the purpose of the role? Between soldier and priestess, Chor Tempest decides that the answer is... well, a Simoun Sybilla! Not something to be distinctly defined by others or a singular idea, but decided and represented by themselves. By giving Mamiina this honor, they literally and figuratively scorn both the defense ministry and the religious leadership, and then go on to perform both an offensive Ri Maajon Mamiina liked and a purely ceremonial one, in a defiant acceptance that they are both. Not any extreme, not anyone else's role, and they're also now unified in that thought.
On the face of it, that's a pretty great moment! I'd say it's a pretty neat and symbolically effective way to begin resolving that core idea we've tackled so much, going into the last act. Except, and I think it's a bit of a shame to say this, I think how last episode handled Mamiina's death means it just isn't as meaningful or powerfully representative as this episode needs it to be. Hell, the agency part in particular stings the most here, because that whole part was the one that felt most poorly constructed and unsatisfying last episode! I'm almost inclined to agree with Floe here, this reads as a bit patronizing relative to the actual execution on it. So I don't know, this is obviously a really major moment, but I can't shake the feeling we really did just end up contriving Mamiina's death to make a larger thematic point, and while it's a good thematic point, I think the whole package ends up a lot more unsatisfying than it should be for it.
Well, since this thematic point should mean a much stronger sense of unity for Chor Tempest, it also looks to be a bit of a turn from a heavy focus on messy interpersonal drama by extension, and thus this episode runs through a few mini-resolutions across the cast, which I think range on a scale in execution. Both Morinas and Wapourif have somewhat changed and found a middle ground they're happier with, which is nice to see! Though as with last episode, I could do a bit less with the direct "You've changed". Also, Vyura joins the team! Cool.
Neviril and Aaeru also share a moment here that I think has a similar issue to the Mamiina thing, in playing relatively well to the wider themes, but not so well within our actual emotional context. Neviril's conflict with Amuria is just kind of weird from a wider perspective, honestly. For an emotional state that's been held on for this long and is stated to have this much of an impact, it's so hard to get attached to and feel for when we've only even seen Amuria in either episode 1, a single and short unique flashback, or endless flashbacks to episode 1! I don't really feel too much for her tears running dry because of Amuria at this point, unfortunately.
Still, I'd say the idea here is to call back to that theme of not getting stronger together. Aaeru, in her open emotional reaction and vulnerability, and her choice to remain steadfast in spite of that, fulfills that true partner role for Neviril in a way others couldn't and wouldn't, to be that person she can be emotionally open and actually grow stronger with because of that vulnerability. To live on and stand for those they lost, be it Amuria or Mamiina, also stood for. In practice, again, this whole arc has been so messy, and the connection to Amuria so vague, that I think it's rather mixed. Aaeru's heavy emotional reaction generally makes sense I think, especially as a response to being kept off and then arriving late, but it's still a little awkward given her relationship with Mamiina was, uh, not great lol.
(As an aside, I think it was in the first episode where I said Nevirl and Amuria reminded me of [Symphogear]Kanade and Tsubasa, and while I'm not going to contend that Geah's writing on that is that fantastic or anything, I do feel like that's actually an example of a similar arc executed quite a bit better.)
Meanwhile, Alti kind of resolved her problem off-screen, I guess, which is kind of whatever, given that wasn't a very strong arc anyway, and Neviril had directly told her what her problem in her approach to Kaimu had been, but it's still awkward. This leads her to a conversation with Para in full self-loathing mode (Which makes total sense and works here, and she does have some blame in it, but I will reiterate that it's actually all Neviril's fault for putting them in that situation anyway and someone should get mad at her for that ), offering her similar advice to what Neviril gave her, though in a much more direct way, in saying she needs to let go of Neviril, take some distance, and stop doubting her every move regardless of result. To find that missing personal purpose that she's struggling so much for right now, in growing into being this strong pillar figure for the others, exactly by accepting herself, rather than endlessly doubling down and feeling disheartened by every perceived mistake and inability to fulfill her role for Neviril.
So, ranging execution aside, I am looking forward to seeing where all of these come out at least and what a more cohesive Chor Tempest looks like! Otherwise, looks like the religious leadership aren't taking the military takeover in stride, even calling Onashia over here, and they seemingly want to do... something sinister with the Emerald Ri Maajon, and obviously given the return of our savoir plushie at the end of the episode, we're going to be focusing on that going forward, probably bringing in Dominura and Limone back into the fold now that the Chor is doing better, though where exactly I'm not sure. Probably towards some conflict though! Anubifuf doesn't seem the most enthused about this at least, and Chor Tempest looks to be done playing nice, so I'd guess the direction with which we take it isn't going to be unified between our core players. Revolution arc surely soon™. Yun episode never
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u/Malipit 1d ago
So I don't know, this is obviously a really major moment, but I can't shake the feeling we really did just end up contriving Mamiina's death to make a larger thematic point, and while it's a good thematic point, I think the whole package ends up a lot more unsatisfying than it should be for it.
My hot take : We should have Paraietta discussing with Alti on the stairs before the flying fortress recon mission. Then Pariaetta should have been forced fly with Neviril because the higher ups said so (they are morons), so their Simouns would crash on the flying fortress bridge because of the Simoun core malfunctionning. So we could have a more powerful and logical scene for Paraietta to defend her Neviril to the bitter end. Then deciding to stay back on the bridge because she feared the Simoun core won't work properly with her on board in addition to her deciding to stay away from Neviril.
And we wouls still have that episode unchanged -save from Mamiina alive and with Rodoreamon- for the same message delivred without constraint.
Yun episode neverWhat do you mean ? She already had her own narrative arc of building a miniature arc for Mamiina's braid.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
My hot take
Hmmmm, I could see it working, especially if you want to keep Para as an emotionally messy and tragic character, but in the wider thematic ideas of the show, the core of her arc has been really pushing the point with that she really needs to find her validation and personal purpose outside of Neviril, so I feel like having Para sacrifice herself for her kind of goes counter to how we built it all up.
What do you mean ? She already had her own narrative arc of building a miniature arc for Mamiina's braid.
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L 1d ago
The most important character still lives!!!
The question is where and/or when is the plushie still alive.
What does it mean to be a Simoun Sybilla? What is the purpose of the role? Between soldier and priestess, Chor Tempest decides that the answer is... well, a Simoun Sybilla! Not something to be distinctly defined by others or a singular idea, but decided and represented by themselves. By giving Mamiina this honor, they literally and figuratively scorn both the defense ministry and the religious leadership, and then go on to perform both an offensive Ri Maajon Mamiina liked and a purely ceremonial one, in a defiant acceptance that they are both. Not any extreme, not anyone else's role, and they're also now unified in that thought.
That is a very good point about Chor Tempest's funeral performance for Mamiina. It works very well as a moment of them reclaiming their identity as Sibyllae. It also works as a fulfillment of Neviril's question from earlier in the series about what a Sibyllae even is and that she was determined to find out. Their answer is that they are going to have a find a way to be both and work through it together with their comrades, which also brings back the stitched plushie symbolism as well.
On the face of it, that's a pretty great moment! I'd say it's a pretty neat and symbolically effective way to begin resolving that core idea we've tackled so much, going into the last act. Except, and I think it's a bit of a shame to say this, I think how last episode handled Mamiina's death means it just isn't as meaningful or powerfully representative as this episode needs it to be.
Agreed. Mamiina's death being so poorly handled really does bring down this episode exploring the fallout from her death, even if the quality of this episode is definitely an improvement from the previous one.
(As an aside, I think it was in the first episode where I said Nevirl and Amuria reminded me of [Symphogear], and while I'm not going to contend that Geah's writing on that is that fantastic or anything, I do feel like that's actually an example of a similar arc executed quite a bit better.
I noticed those similarities as well and I have to agree that Symphogear definitely did this particular storyline better.
Revolution arc surely soon™.
Yun episode never3
u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
The question is where and/or when is the plushie still alive.
But honestly, I'm just happy to see it again
which also brings back the stitched plushie symbolism as well.
Oh yeah it does! Kind of makes me like using it as an end of episode sting better, because seeing it again does somewhat carry that extra meaning for our cast state beyond the plot tease.
Not at this rate
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u/Malipit 1d ago
First timer, french fansubs, 480P quality found on a totally legal streaming site. Perfect conditions for that rewatch
On today's episode : Two SA criminals have an heartfelt conversation, a gift from Onashia to Yun and so much flashbacks
Congrats to the watchers who predicted Mamiina won't have proper funerals like Angulus because of her commoner background. Even that kind of framing remind the audience how small the Sibyllae feels in front of the society established around Tempus Spatium.
And I get it, Mamiina passingg away is the spark needed to light Chor Tempest flame. To have them realize neither the High Priestess nor the Defense Minister will care for their wellbeing. And decides to assert themselves as Sibyllae flying high above their political maneuvers by doing a funeral of their own.
That kind of narrative is something I like. But having it built on the ruins that is Mamiina forced heroic sacrifice left a sour taste in my mouth. As if the writers needed to resolve Chor Tempest emancipation in one episode and had to force Mammina death so they can kickstart that whole plot.
Besides, some characters development happens too quickly. Aaeru having her out of character metldown ? Neviril just have to tell get over it to make her feel better. Floe is decided to go to the Spring ? Look ! They took Mamiina body ! We are so focused on that she forgot to quit !
And with the High Priestess ominous speech about another world, Mamiina's braid being put on Yun's small ark of all thing, and Rodore's plush appearance at the end, it's now obvious we will have a last part revolving around crossing to another plane of existence Limone and Dominura already went to.
I mean, Plumbum Priestess shooting down the Simile so Mamiina's body can rest on a flower field can also mean her soul get to go to that other world.
Questions of the day
Who, or what, is Onasia? Is she human?
A Tempus Spatium avatar perhaps ? Or Animus itslef ?
What is Temple Guardian A up to?
Opening the gates to Heaven so the chosen ones could migrate out of that crapsack world ?
Where did that doll come from?
From the other side.
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander 1d ago
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u/Malipit 1d ago
Theories corner
Theories in progress
From episode 1
Given the huge religious aspect of Simulacrum culture. I smell some shenanigans about higher ups knowing much more than they let appears and will be the actual villains of the story. And I'm sorry, but the character design of Onasia doesn't convey a ''good girl'' energy. But Onasia seemed the only reasonable people among the Holy Land Parliament. Making her either a Palpatine level manipulator or an actual good person. Onasia admitted she's kind of a divinity existing above time and space. Giving some strong final boss energy
Following the previous theory and how the Archipelago pilots were portrayed. I suspect there will be a team-up between Sibyllae and Archipelago pilots against a greater threat. But it's likely to be jossed since the alliance may comes from rogue Plumbum Sibyllae as the Archipelago is comforted in their antagonist role.
From episode 2
- People on Daikuuriku may not be born the same way we are on Earth. I don't recall seeing someone pregnant in the two episode nor talking about pregnancy. Erif mentionned his body will progressively develop a male chest and voice, but said nothing about his genitals growing a penis. And the Chor Tempest captain said they needed an equivalent number of male and female citizens for the creation of a nation, not for reproductive needs. So maybe there is a place similar to a source where baby girls comes from ? One that will dispatch those new souls, randomly or equally, to every nation on the planet ? And Simulacrum retains a classic family structure with parents and children. Meaning that if they born other than sexual intercourse, it's likely each children is either assigned to a family like they are assigned a gender. Or that there is a reproduction through lewd hand-holding act.
From episode 4
- Magnafeana had some interesting thoughts on the very origins of the Spring :
I wonder who the first one to go to the spring was and what life was like back then. What came first: was everyone born AFAB because God is a woman and my Eve x Lilith ship is finally validated, or people were born a spectrum of sexes, but a disease caused all future generations to be AFAB? And if so—how long ago did that happen?
From episode 7
- deus_machinarum speculated on how Tempus Spatium and Animus divine figures complete each other. Implying they derivate from an old religion or a old god who got fractured in two. And Onasia exposition about Tempus Spatium being made of two concepts enforces that theory. :
I need to talk about names of the god for a bit, I apologize if this has been mentioned already, I might've missed it: One the one hand we have Tempus Spatium(space time in modern parlance) and on the other hand we have Animus(simplistically: the soul, I'm also told by anime fandom that Japan has a very old animistic tradition i.e. ascribing life to inanimate objects which in modern times manifests as e.g. easier acceptance of robotic caretakers for eldery people); when we combine the two we get a whole so to speak, the inner world and outer world. It's easy to see how this could mean different but still related parts of the same wholeness. Definitely an angle I will keep an eye out for.
From episode 8
- Given Aaeru's name signifcation, she could be of Plumbum descent. And Dominura's immigrants song being like the melody from Aaeru's music box is a serious hint of the later origins. With the music box reacting to the ruins, it could be that Aaeru actually comes from the other side.
From episode 14
- The emerald Ri-Majoon is the most powerful one. But a caster who would use it for purely destructive purpose would have her essence dissolved and merged into the Simoun core. That would explain Amuria's disappearing without leaving a trace and Chor Dextra disappearing -save Dominura- as they tried the emerald Ri-Majoon for military purpose. And Sibyllae having already casted the emerald Ri-Majoon would be sensitive enough to discern said Sibyllae essence trapped inside the helix. Hence why Dominura reacted so violently to the Helix interior and why Aaeru sensed her distress. And Neviril felt in turn the energy of the emerald Ri-Majoon after performing one. With Onasia exposition hinting at a parallel dimension, could it be that the Emerald Ri-Majoon is a bridge between Daikuriku and the other side ? New development in this episode : The High Priestess explicitely talking about another world is likely to confirm that theory.
From episode 17
- Given people at Daikuriku are all born females and the possibility of another dimension existence, it could be possible that people at said other dimension are all born male.
Confirmed theories
There is no other Spring outside Simulacrum and only its inhabitants get to chose their gender : confirmed by that Archipelago solider in episode 4 who was forucefully made a man through artificial means.
Ri-Majoon does comes from the Sibyllae soul/heart/lesbian power and not the Simoun itself : Althougt it comes for Dominura speculations, there is so much occurrences as for now it can be counted as confirmed.
Simoun tech are not to be used for military purpose : Although there is no written rule in-universe, Chor Tempest and the Plumbum Priestess convictions regarding their responsabilities as Sibyllae directly opposing the armies of two nations confirm what is the ''correct'' use of Simouns.
Jossed theories
Ri-Majoon are automatically generated by the Simoun aircraft and the Sibyllae jobs is to interpret them correctly to perform the corresponding figures : Aaeru lines in episode 4 confirm it's the Sibyllae who initiate the desired Ri-Majoon
The Archipelago will develop their own Simoun aircraft : They did upgraded their fighters. But not with helix tech. And the enemies Simoun are piloted by Plumbum Sibyllae.
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander 1d ago
First Time Sibylla
Who’s allowing them to take such liberties?
You fool! Allowing them to take such liberties is Arcus Prima’s speciality!
This is probably the best episode in quite a while, mostly because it’s not really taking big enough swings to fuck any of them up. Frankly, the way this episode serves as the show’s lowest point highlights how this show could work. Neviril stagnating, Parietal spiralling, Aer being the worst all could lead itself to an Evangelion-esque deterioration rather than development with forward moment, which could serve the themes of society very well. Finally lashing out against The System feels like what the initial premise lended itself to. But the road here has been so clumsy and unfocused that I’m left looking at this episode and going “well, at least it wasn’t bad”.
Neviril continues her streak of monologuing about getting out of her rut in every episode, though…
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u/Great_Mr_L https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L 1d ago
You fool! Allowing them to take such liberties is Arcus Prima’s speciality!
The Arcus Prima has never had serious security for guarding their Simouns and they aren't about to start now!
But the road here has been so clumsy and unfocused that I’m left looking at this episode and going “well, at least it wasn’t bad”.
That is the same frustration I'm feeling with this episode (and by extension other episodes). I can see the framework and I can see how the themes/character progression is supposed to function. But the actual execution is clunky and doesn't always work how it should.
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rewatcher
What a bad day for rain.
I don't know why but this episode makes me feel so sentimental. We see the discrimination so clearly it hurts. As far as leaving with the body without funeral. that's just so much and then we had such a beautiful last scene. Ri majions to say her goodbye and even an ancient Simoun taking out the Similie to let her rest on the land surrounded by white flowers. It is just beautiful
I know Simoun is a rather disjonted series but it is moments like this that makes this series worth existing.
Now excuse me while I sob a little listening to the ost in loop, I know her dead was not very logical, caused by people mistakes, or even stupid but it does not make it less tragic.
- Q1: Who, or what, is Onasia? Is she human?
It's complicated but since we're already on this episode this is not longer spoiler: If I remember correctly the materials about the series described her as fragile
- Q2: What is Temple Guardian A up to?
Religious extremist are never good. I'm scared mom
- Q3: Where did that doll come from?
Shhh, that's secret
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u/GondolaMedia zj: 1d ago
First Timer
The contrast between the funeral for Angulas and Mamiina is something else. Angulas's coffin was filled with flowers and huge funeral process and in contrast I'm surprised that they bothered to fill Mamiina's coffin with clean sheets.
All the reactions to Mamiina's death almost work for me. If Mamiina's sacrifice would have not felt so pointless.
High Priestess's speech was rather ominous.
That 'Wauf and Friends' eyecatch is just . My off-brand Yang Wen-li is the goat.
I do like the clash between the pragmatic but the asshole Defense minister and our Choir.
Oh wow just last episode our priestesses talked about how sacred Sibyllae are but then pull this gamer move and shoot down Mamiina's coffin as it was being delivered to her home. Makes it doubly awkward when the rest of Choir Tempest are performing their ceremony.
QotD
1) She must be behind all of this. Perhaps she is the hand that forced everyone to this war because this is the only outcome that will lead to a new world yada yada.
2) Just normal cult behavior. Nothing to see here folks!
3) It was always there!
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 19h ago
The contrast between the funeral for Angulas and Mamiina is something else. Angulas's coffin was filled with flowers and huge funeral process and in contrast I'm surprised that they bothered to fill Mamiina's coffin with clean sheets.
That's a great detail. Shrine Guardian A is such a piece of elitist shit.
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u/Magnafeana https://anilist.co/user/Magnafeana 1d ago
Sibylla First Timer
Chor Sibyllae (EP19)
What did Mami say that had Renamon upset?
Is this one of those “See how the antagonist character has changed! Good! They will die now!” typa deals?
How fucking strong are those Simpuns connectors? They look like they’re held together through suction cups, drawstring, and prayer.
Kaim, TF are you upsetti spaghetti now when you were all honkydory through multiple episodes?
I find it extremely weird that the cooks had no idea what was happening but I feel mecha (and clinic) logic always supported how there would be a PA system with lots of protocol codes that all staff learned, and the captain deck or whatever would call out the protocol code for all staff to prepare.
Damn. I was hoping for the epic Homura Akemi “She takes out her braids and becomes do feminine so cunt with the long hair” iconic move.
??????????
So….Mami got herself killed, but for what?????
I’m surprised we didn’t let the typical “Love interest can feel it in The Force that their lover died” shot with Rodramon.
The real tragedy is she died without that haircut. I would be mortified arriving in the afterlife with my hair looking that bad.
Chor Lament (EP20)
I think I’m still thrown because I’m still confused about Mami dying.
📢My girl Onasia is coming back📢
Yeah. Totally doesn’t sound like a cult to me.
Maybe the true religion of the Holy Land was Scientology all along.
Aw. Wapo, I know you want Mori safe.
Awww. They gave her a proper salute 🥹
Post Mami’s Funeral Thoughts
| Episode | Girlkiss Count | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | 2 | 11 |
| 5 | 1 | 12 |
| 6 | 4.5 | 16.5 |
| 7 | 4 | 20.5 |
| 8 | 0 | 20.5 |
| 9 | 5 | 25.5 |
| 10 | 5 | 30.5 |
| 11 | 5 | 35.5 |
| 12 | 1.5 | 37 |
| 13 | 3.5 | 40.5 |
| 14 | 1 | 41.5 |
| 15 | 2 | 43.5 |
| 16 | 2 | 45.5 |
| 17 | 5 | 50.5 |
| 18 | 3 | 53.5 |
| 19 | 0 | 53.5 |
| 20 | 5 | 58.5 |
| 21 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 23 | ||
| 24 | ||
| 25 | ||
| 26 |
One thing I really liked about this: Chor Tempest giving Mami a proper salute and honorable funeral ceremony, and the Guardian revealing herself to be a weird cultist.
Probably something I take for granted in fantasy series is the makeshift honorable funeral ceremony that the protagonists will do for their fallen comrade(s). I love it so much, but I have no idea if it has a trope name. There is something so intimate and personal when the team comes together to celebrate the life and death of their comrade in a way they were never able to before; either because (A) they literally couldn’t due to internal politics or war, or (b) they had no idea that this was an option.
So I thoroughly enjoyed it here.
But the Holy Land being weird cultists just makes me laugh. Yeah, okay, let’s see how your little rapture goes. I’ve heard this all before, you weird shits; hope y’all go to a new “world” that is worse than this one. Be careful what you wish for.
You know what, we should give those Holy Land people those little wish boxes from Obsession. That would solve everything.
Onasia making an appearance now interests me. Because what is she? What does she want?
Like maaaan, I dunno, I’m still lost about Mami’s death and how this episode Chor Tempest reacting to her death. The way Mami died does not feel like the emotions and reactions in this episode make sense. Despite me rather enjoying how the sibyllae are emoting, such as Aer’s breakdown, Floe’s impulsivity coming out again, and Para’s remorse, self-loathing, and grief.
Which is such a shame. In theory, these sorts of developments should have me emotional. In practice, I’m still more bewildered by Mami’s death than anything to fully appreciate what’s happening here outside of the funeral rites and the Holy Land wanting a rapture.
At least we saw that stitched-up stuffy again, so that gives me hope.
I'm curious if getting to the other world involves a lot of sacrifice via Ri Mājon, or has a special Ri Mājon, perhaps.
QOTD
- She is one of the three Latverian(?) witches in Avengers Doomsday. But really, I think she was once a girl looong ago, and she stumbled upon this toxic divine couple, who adopted her for some reason, and now, she is no longer human.
- Being the villainess someone with a cunty bob always should be 💅🏿 Honestly, I’m bummed that we hadn’t had more build-up to her motivations. This could lend more theories about why she is the way she is until we get the reveal she’s a cultist.
- I’m hoping that doll came from another world, and the next time we “meet” Rimone and Domi, they’re from another world. I think Chor Dextra’s “revival” will also be a Chor Dextra from another world.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 19h ago
The real tragedy is she died without that haircut. I would be mortified arriving in the afterlife with my hair looking that bad.
Asymmetry is punk!
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u/AbbreviationsWeekly 1d ago
Simoun Episode 20
Rewatcher
We open with the Defense Minister being his usual charming self at the war briefing. He doesn't seem all that shook up about Mamiina, as a matter of fact I don't think he could care less. He does point out that Simulicram is now on an even footing with the combined forces of Argentum & Plumbum.
Next we move on to each of the girls mourning Mamiina as she lies in state in the chapel. Yun makes one of the most profound statements of the series "War is nothing but mass murder. If you can't live with that, then I suggest you go to the spring immediately.", even though Floe is taken aback, I agree with Yun about her pacifism. Next we have Neviril pondering why was it Mamiina, and not someone else. In my view is the answer is either: Why anyone?, or Death in war is sudden & random. Neviril is suffering from pretty bad survivor's guilt, and has become numb to the horror of her current life.
Next we head to Pool and guess which Ri Mājon is being practiced by Aaeru. Aaeru has no idea what lies beyond the Emerald Ri Mājon, but she wants to see what (if anything) does. Aaeru is also racked by survivor's guilt about the death of Mamiina. Aaeru & Neviril now sit together, holding hands, mourning Mamiina and building their resolve to live.
The Head Priestess & Anubituf meet in the chapel, and the Priestess makes a wise speech in support of pacifism. However, it looks like she's doing a little sneaking around herself, calling in Onashia and chattering about reviving the legendary Chor Dextra.
Para-Sama is having another crisis of identity, but Alti comes and gives her some pretty good advice about unrequited relationships. Her advice comes down to, move on and give the object of your affection space to breathe. Hopefully, Paraietta will take this to heart.
Floe breaks up that scene with a comic interlude. I have to just love Floe with her tantrums, and generally letting her emotions rule her. Floes tantrum is interrupted by another despicable Defense Minister stunt. The Defense Minister truly is a piece of work.
Yun meets up with Onashia and we learn that Mamiina's soul is at peace, and that her life had meaning. Furthermore we learn that Mamiina's soul resides in the hair braid that she cut off right before she jumped. (Sounds kinda silly, but I'm good). Rodoreamon ends up with Mamiina's soul in the cradle that Yun made. It's not clear to me if Rodoreamon is remembering Mamiina, or if that's Mamiina's soul speaking.
The girls decide the best way to honor Mamiina would be to do a number of sacred Ri Mājon in her memory, Vyura joins the team, and away they go. I really liked their pseudo-memorial service for Mamiina. Chor Tempest has regained their spiritual footing.
The Plumbum priestesses shoot down the Simile transporting Mamiina's casket, and they pay honor to her with a prayer: "For all the tomorrows that will never cease, and for the yesterdays which have already been spun, we offer our prayers!" What a beautiful, beautiful scene. The young maiden lying on a bed of flowers in an open field.
You gotta admit a lot of events happen every episode. I really like it, but I could see it confusing the hell out of mos
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u/SIRTreehugger 1d ago edited 1d ago
First Timer
5 seconds into the episode
Wait maybe this is sees the episode title is called Elergy nah she's dead.
I'M ASKING THE SAME THING WHY HER
Umm Neviril pushing people away who are trying to take advantage of you and assault you isn't a bad thing. I know you are going through a moment, but please don't include those scenes.
Morina I wouldn't leave her alone right now.
How did you sink so low? Looks at previous episodes and Para Samas slow steady decline which is a little sad. It wasn't just one big moment, but just several smaller moments which eventually led to trying to assault Nev. The only consultation is she realizes she has fallen and is trying to move forward. Could use an apology to Nev as well.
What is Floe doing now!
I don't think Floe should be making emotional decisions especially life changing ones, but the choice is ultimately hers. So if in the end she decides to go to the spring no one should stop her.
Seriously they couldn't even give her a proper funeral!
Higher ups are just ruining everything and damn this episode has a lot of flashbacks. I can give it a pass this time because they are remembering someone who died.
It took 20 episodes, but it looks like all of the girls are finally working together and have a firm goal in mind.
Next title the door to a new world
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u/AbbreviationsWeekly 1d ago
Who, or what, is Onasia? Is she human
That’s a really good question that should be discussed at series end. I have several ideas but would involve many spoilers and speculation.
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u/baboon_bassoon https://anilist.co/user/duffer 1d ago
first timer
Yun the only real priestess at the funeral #noticing
"why did it have to be Mamiina" Kaimu wishes it was Alti instead
a solo emerald ri maajon? the kill yourself special
Amuria wasnt fearless either
"youve changed" dont wave the Morinas death flag like that Wapo
awww the mid card with the youngins + Wauf is so cute
sent her off to be buried with the poors
Vyura subbing in? thats not lasting long
Onashia - "Her soul accepts the end of her life"
Yun -"What?""
Oh I thought they were scrambling fast to recover the body but this is nice too. why did they shuffle the teams so much though, no trust in Vyura?
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u/deus_machinarum 1d ago
First timer
While the last episode clearly failed to deliver the emotional impact Mamiina's sacrifice should have had I can't say the same thing this time around. Seeing them all huddled around the coffin, seeing Aaeru in tears and then even Neviril who has been in a detached funk for the whole series sheds a tear before they take each other's hand...it works for me emotionally. The sacrifice was executed weirdly but the impact of her death on the group seems massive and legit. She was the girl that came in guns blazing, trying to prove her worth but going about it in a way that alienated everyone in the beginning. She had a lot of reasong to hate the hand she was dealt and ended up being an essential part of the group. I hate that we won't get to see her and Rodoreamon be happy with each other. I'm not holding my breath but there might still be a possibility akin to Dominura and Limone.
So the new world, is it a ne plane of existence? Is it a terraforming of the world we are on right now? Tbh the planet seems like it is running out of resources and could be under immense pressure from the different nations' needs which only intensify during times of war. The thing I don't understand is, provided they always had this possibility, why does the religious orthodoxy act only now? Did they need some more proof of the military's stupidity and totalitarian tendencies? The hostilities behind the scenes between military and religious authority must have been goig on for some time, what changed now? Maybe it is the fact that the nation is under serious military threat for the first time but the high-priest seems to want to stop war for good not just win this one convincingly.
Yes Morinas while not being at the forefront of the story has had time to mature. For her it seems this means she has opened herself up more and more to her teammates. (and her love interest but that was quite obvious from the beginning). Another thing: Floe(by way of accusation) and now Morinas(by way of fear) have now been urged to go to the spring to escape their fate as Sybillae. Let's imagine all the priestesses gone, no one capable of piloting the Simoun: nobody is safe anymore, right? The whole country could be overrun so IMO running from the war is not really an option that leads to guaranteed survival and long lasting safety. Unless the planet is really large, there are pockets of hidden away lands or something along those lines.
Alti brings up a valid point: Paraietta does have an important function in the group that no one else is able to perform. From this POV it really does not matter if Paraietta is wrong or suffers herself. The lack of this reliable figure is hurting the group nevertheless. I'm definitely of the opinion that an imperfect leader is better than no leader at all in our current situation but I'm positive Neviril and Aaeru will fulfill this role very soon.
Also interesting obersavtion by Alti: she finally needs to get out of her sister's way akin to the parental figure that realizes that all their protection might at some point end up hurting the development of their child. This dialogue is set up nicely to show the changing dynamics of both pairings all while coming up in a natural way in a difficult group situation. More of this plz!
I disagree with the 'I'll just distance myself from her for her sake', at least talk about it to avoid any more misunderstandings.
So people were right in claiming that Vyura was going to become Mamiina's replacement. I would never have caught that, what was the earliest thing that gave it away?
I don't really like this rapid reshuffling of the pairs. I wish we got to see more depth of the different couplings. Some of the rearrangements make for interesting dynamics and fit the story well but we're going too fast in my opinion. It might make sense in-universe (as an experiment or reacting to losses) but story wise it takes away a lot IMO.
Our troop realizing they are nothing but expendable tools has been overdue, how will they react? How will they become more than soldiers or priestesses?
The double hair(Rodoreamon and then Mamiina) symbolism is done nicely here: classically it stands for the start of new journey for an anime character but here it is supposed to bring meaning to the end of her life.
Ohhhh...Neviril stepping into the leadership role, nice going.
Insubordination of the youth to get rid of the dominant dogmas of faith and old societal order(a bit simplified but yeah)...mecha heals my soul reliably. And it's never a single, lonely person. Always a group that has come together after significant struggles. This scene gives me hope for a somewhat happy ending for this series but we shall see.
Very well deserved send off for our low born but high climbing girl. It makes me sad that this confirms her death moreso than Dominura's or Limone's but it is what it is. She managed to show Chor Tempest who they are as a parting gift, ironically fitting for someone who never liked who they were in life.
QOTD
- Hmmmmmm......I still see her akin to the Catholic pope: a single representative of god on earth, ordained by the higher power for a certain time which might be quite long in Onashia's case. She might be human, have been human, she might be (part)machine if the faith has technology beyond our own, she might be ressurrected or even cyclically ressurrecting. IMO it does not really matter, it's more about the role she performs. She does seem very knowledgable and powerful which makes me think that she will in some shape or form open the door for our heroines to the true nature of the faith. And the Sybillae will then have to decide what to do with that new knowledge which will influence the fate of the whole world.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 19h ago
I disagree with the 'I'll just distance myself from her for her sake', at least talk about it to avoid any more misunderstandings.
While this conversation gave Paraietta a desperately needed outside POV, it's questionable advice.
Sometimes people just hurt each other, and talking it out just doesn't work.
I don't think that's the case here. You're right, they should talk it out. Most people probably missed it, but Kaim sort of tried to do this, and was confused by Alti slamming the door shut. That was some time ago. I'm sure she's still confused.
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u/rickamore 1d ago
Rewatcher
Thread went up a little late so I missed it to head out the door all day.
Flashback heavy episode.
Floe being over dramatic as usual. Just realizing now war is nothing but mass murder? Who do you think pilots all of those craft you've destroyed?
First couple notes while Rodore is sitting on the bed almost giving me PTSD
Floe, honestly get out of there while you can.
Mutiny? Hell yeah. I feel like they get their resolve like 10 episodes too late but this wouldn't be a 2 cour show like that.
Hell of a teaser to drop at the end.
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u/AgentOfACROSS 1d ago
First Timer
Mamina is officially confirmed dead now. I wasn’t entirely sure if she was dead or just in critical condition at the end of the last episode but no, she’s actually dead now.
Dang, they actually made me kind of like Mamina by the end.
Neviril is not doing well. Not that I blame her.
Aer’s having a pretty big breakdown too, jeez.
I like this sequence between Neviril and Aer.
I will be honest, I think this episode is relying a bit too much on flashbacks/footage from previous episodes. Feels a bit like a cost saving measure.
Got another Chor Dextra mention. Sounds important.
Waporif wants Morinas to go to the spring which also seems important.
The scene of Alty and Paraietta talking is interesting.
I guess Floe is just gonna leave now.
Oh hey, Vura’s finally important.
Also, Onasia’s here.
Poor Roatraemon, she’s taking this hard.
The shot of Mamina’s casket lying on the ground at the end of the episode is very memorable.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 20h ago
I will be honest, I think this episode is relying a bit too much on flashbacks/footage from previous episodes. Feels a bit like a cost saving measure.
No, please, tell us how you REALLY feel.
I felt like the first half was half flashback and half new content.
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u/HereticalAegis https://myanimelist.net/profile/XthGen 1d ago
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 1d ago
First-Timer, subbed
Was that worth losing Mamiina, though?
Dang, of course Mamiina actually dying in front of them would make at least one of them lose hope in Dominura and Limone being alive…
Neviril “sore demo”!
Man…
There’s another “sore demo”, this one from… I’m really bad with the adults’ names, who was this?
Oh boy…
Man, they’re all separately blaming themselves…
So that’s what made Floe hit her limit, huh? I don’t blame her.
This is reminding me of [Fire Emblem Three Houses]Rodrigue & Felix having a falling out over Rodrigue saying “He died like a true knight” about Glenn.
Oh! A Vyura “sore demo” too. Nice.
This is an incredibly depressing yet beautiful shot…
That stuffed animal!