Bokurano

[Zati]

This looks interesting and sounds similar to Gantz. Gonzo will be doing this hopefully it will be good, haven't read the manga yet.

Bokurano - Episode 01 - The Game - subbed by Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_01.avi.torrent)



Bokurano Anime (2006-12-03 12:21:42)
Bokurano, a science fiction / horror manga by Mohiro Kitoh (of Narutaru fame) and currently serializing in Shogagkukan's Ikki, will be animated by Gonzo in 2007, with two of its main staff from The Cat Returns: director Hiroyuki Morita and composer Yuuji Nomi. According to Japanese website Moon Phase, the format should be a Bokurano TV series.

This plot summary contains important information not yet revealed in the show itself (as of episode 3). This public info isn't a spoiler, but it gives away MAJOR plot elements. View at own risk.

Plot Summary: On a typical day during a summer vacation, a group of 15 children discovered a mysterious man living in a seashore cave, along with his high-tech gadgets. The man claimed to be a game developer creating a video game with 15 giant robots defending Earth from alien invaders and asked those childs to test the game for him. The kids agreed happily at first, but soon they began to find the game horrifying, not only because of its realism but also for the first fatality among them happened right after their first victory. Worse yet, they had no idea how to stop or leave the "game." (From ANN)

The rules of the game:

1. If the pilot is beaten or he can’t settle the battle within 48 yours, the Earth will be destroyed, and not only human races but the whole life will die.
2. The operator is chosen from the persons who have contacted in advance. The operator must be one person, and he can't change off with another person.
3. The robot is worked by the life of the operator. One battle deprives the operator of his life. (From AnimeNfo)

Links :
AnimeNfo (http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,3933,kqdnsx,bokurano.html)
AniDB (http://anidb.info/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=4861)
ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7213)
Official site (http://bokurano.jp/)

[Death13a]

Nnnnnniiiiiiccccceeeee I like the manga. it intresting as each one deals with imminet death. "if you going to die might as well take 10 billion people with you" or someone in specific.

[Lucifus]

Have no idea what to expect of this one. Hopefully it'll turn out interesting.=P

[Munsu]

This is from the mangaka of Narutaru, and the manga has been on my to read list for a while now. I hope this brings more interest to Narutaru in the future and they do a sequel.

[kooshi]

Whoo, the story does seem pretty kickass. I certainly like the concept of 1 victory = 1 death. The one thing that is bugging me is how the kids are going to die, no matter what, but they have the choice of trying to fight in order to save the world or just take the world with them. Out of 15 kids, I think there is a strong possibility that at least one kid will have that kind of mindset.

[kAi]

This has an interesting concept, I'll be giving this a look when it's released.

I might go have a look at the manga before hand.

[Munsu]

This will surely be the darkhorse of the season. Here's a preview I uploaded to sendspace:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/n1lvfn

[dark maginn]

looks cool and wierd in a way but gonna take a look at it when its out

[Zati]

A subbed promo just came out, says it's by Sei-kun @ rizon.net :

Subbed Bokurano Promo (http://www.datorrents.com/download.asp?id=19259&name=Bokurano%20-%20Promo.avi.torrent)

[Munsu]

Oh man, I can see it now... All those kids forced to kill each other or something. It's going to end up a cruel anime, I'm going to love it.

[Chaos]

Looks like Triad decided to pick it up:

http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_01.avi.torrent

[animus]

Character art looks a bit awkward The series so far has succeeded in creating an uneasy, strange, and mysterious atmosphere. Decent so far.

[masamuneehs]

OMFG! It's like Now & Then, Here & There had a baby with Zegapain! (which equals fucking awesome, just so we're all on the same page)

episode one grabbed me by the throat and sucked me right in. This looks like it'll be a merciless and very serious mecha/sci-fi.


This will surely be the darkhorse of the season.
Surely! Begin hyping this anime! Ready... GO!

[Board of Command]

First episode was pretty...out there. The animation style is pretty serious stuff. The opening reminds me of Fantastic Children for some reason.

http://i12.tinypic.com/48336dg.jpg

And that's pretty serious too.

[MFauli]

Comparisons between series are fine, but remember not everyone here has watched the same shows you have. Don't give away important events from those other shows in a thread not about that show; it's spoiling.

Warned.

masa

Yeah, Bokurano totally feels like Now and then, here and there and Fantastic Children. Also a bit like Noein.

A combination that HAS to be great.

Though to be as great as NaT, HaT, there should be more realistic violence between the children. I know it may seem sick, but it stated to get really interesting in NaT, HaT, when Spoiler Removed.totally unexpected violence.

[Death13a]

there should be more realistic violence between the children. I know it may seem sick, but it stated to get really interesting in NaT, HaT, when Spoiler Removed.totally unexpected violence.


You want violence between the children, continue to watch and it w i l l come. What they can't do with giant robot in their total control?

[Board of Command]

If you want internal conflicts within a confined group, Infinite Ryvius has plenty of that. I'm 99% sure that series was inspired by Lord of the Flies.

[constraint]

If you want internal conflicts within a confined group, Infinite Ryvius has plenty of that. I'm 99% sure that series was inspired by Lord of the Flies.


Yeah, It is more like Infinite Ryvius than other animes. These two animes remind me of lord of the flies. I loved Infinite Ryvius and i'm hopefully gona love this one too. :)

[Munsu]

Just watched the first episode, and this was pretty much what I expected which is good. Can't wait to see these guys destroying towns without knowing, maybe some of their hometowns. I wonder what's going to be the effect of the little girl not doing the contract, yet being among the kids.

The OP and ED are really good too, if I remember correctly.

[Munsu]

Episode 2:
http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_02.avi.torrent

[animus]

I totally thought Waku was the main character, wasn't expecting that. I guess this anime'll turn out to be a total tragedy.

[Board of Command]

Hmm...so whoever pilots the robot dies afterwards? So either the pilot wins and only he/she dies, or the pilot loses and the entire group dies.

[masamuneehs]

o
m
g

this is going to be my favorite of the new shows, i just know it.

Episode 2 and i feel like crying already. Fucking guy never saw it coming... Friggin perfect leader figure, typical fly-boy, take-on-all-comers, I work hard because my dad never gave me attention, first to die. Seriously, of all the one's to kill first, they take the one that, like animus pointed out, you'd expect to be the main character. Perfect sacrifice.

The thing with them all having chairs is very strange. It's from some school of psychology, that certain things in your life reflect who you are, though I can't remember where.

The animation for the mecha battles isn't great. In fact, the robots are jerky and the fights (so far) have been very simple. Rather than pay attention to thost flashy details, the animators seem to focus more on the chaos and destruction brought about by the fight. Not your typical shounen series at all.

What name is the genre of shows like this, Now & Then, Grave of the Fireflies? You know, the ones dealing with little kids in very adult situations? The most classic example I can think of is Lord of the Flies, where you have these children representing archetypes of human personalities. I love this kind, a very mature and 'thinking' kind of television.

Dung Beetle? Well, I like how they present the 'caretaker' of the machine. This character is very important, not because of its obviously very important logistical function, but because its character reflects many aspects of the show. On the surface, Dung Beetle looks cute, almost harmless, much like this show, a mecha about a group of rather innocent kids... But, underneath there's a very serious resolve. This isn't playing hero, it's risking, no, forfeiting your life in order to save the world. For Dung there is no BSing the mission. Also, his sense of humor is interesting. Normally the 'Help/CPU/Mechanic' characters are used for comedy or fanservice. Not here. Dung is funny, but it's a very dry, almost sardonic and cynical kind of humor.

I have no clue what to make of the Outsider character, that beach bum and his girlfriend. They don't fit into the story at all, not being connected with the plot in any special way, yet they've been in the first two episodes...

That is some fucked up shit that the little sister comes along even though the brother specifically reiterated that she be not a part of "the game"

[suckitdry]

This show deep. My love for it, it is like a truck. Big and runs on diesel.

I want flapjack now. I rule joo! Then kid die, sadness surrounds us. I always want pilot mech, but this one know way. Rather, let us acquire some beer on our way to the mall and get tore up (smoke while you do so!) and pass out in the hot hot sun.

[Munsu]

Hmm...so whoever pilots the robot dies afterwards? So either the pilot wins and only he/she dies, or the pilot loses and the entire group dies.
Well, we don't know if they actually die after winning. We only saw Waku losing consciousness, he could've simply died because of the fall, not because of being the pilot.. Still it's very plausible that they indeed die. We didn't see Kokopelli die, but he obviously disappeared. I really doubt he's dead, he'll probably play a bigger role later on, and I really wonder what is his objective, especially since he wanted to tell the kids he was sorry for putting them in this situation.

I too thought Waku might be the main character, but he became very annoying in the second episode and quickly discarded him and as we later learned he seems to have died. The two characters who I think can become the lead characters are Moji and Jun, if any of the characters become the lead that is.

[yallo]

Episode 3 by Triad is out...

http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_03.avi.torrent

Hopefully more of our questions will be answered here...

[animus]

Man, just watching the funeral service reminded me of my Grandfather's funeral. I just couldn't help but tear a little listening to them, and watching them cry.

[Death13a]

Well One important question was answered about Waku death. Waku died before hitting water.

[masamuneehs]

this show is like a sledgehammer to the heart. it does not pull anything, just straight up show's you how it would be. i don't think i've seen such a "realistic" anime in all my life (ok, Rescue Wings, but that's a special case)... The aftermath, the kids' reactions and plan, and then the funeral. I can't even tell you how many people I've seen die in anime, but I believe this was the clearest picture of a funeral that I've ever gotten. However, I do hope they don't go too much into the investigation and all that stuff. I'm much more interested in the kids, their families and their interactions.

When the mother was holding the picture of Waku and the father was droning on in that pathetic voice of his I really had to hold back from crying. There's an edge to this show that other 'fantastical' animes just can't bring to the table.

I really like Mogi and the frightened girl, but I'm already pretty sick of Ushiro's callousness and the Diet member's daughter's moral upstandingness. When that girl saw her chair in the living room and gave this little jump, I really liked that tiny detail.

I am having insane amount of trouble keeping the characters straight. I think I'll have to set up a little diagram in a while... The one guy who took Ushiro in and the de-facto leader Mogi are my two favorites right now, but all of the characters are good because they have very different personalities.

The look on Dung Beetle's face as he was rising up and the chairs started spinning... i think i'm going to have nightmares about that face...

Kid who wears glasses to look smart is up next, huh? Guess that answers my fear about the ED...

[animus]

What's that guy's name that introduced them to all this? It was some weird name, but I guess there's a high chance that he did die, since it was confirmed that Waku himself died not from drowning, not from the water impact, but as he ended his conversation with everyone on the Zearth. I guess that was why he was so incessant on the fact that he could only help them pilot it once, and once only.

[masamuneehs]

What's that guy's name that introduced them to all this?
"Ah...yes, uh... I'm... Kokopelli. Let's leave it at that."

Obviously he's something closer to GOD, at least the OP leads me to believe that might be the case. He certainly isn't any game developer...

And yes, Kokopelli's physical existence seems to have disappeared completely. He starts to apologize to them, but it cuts out before he can finish his words, the screen going to static, then black, and the next thing you know, the kids are on the beach.

This is notably different from when Waku dies, as the kids are still standing on top of Zearth and then Waku falls. The major difference is that there doesn't appear to be any physical remains for Kokopelli, while we clearly have Waku's body in episode 3. I wonder if that has something to do with the fact that people don't seem to see Zearth during the first battle (that bum and his girlfriend aside, he seems to be special...), but only during the second...

The name Kokopelli is no coincidence. It's the name of an Anasazi (American Indian tribe) god.


Kokopelli is a fertility deity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertility_deity), usually depicted as a humpbacked (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpback) flute (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flute) player (often with a huge phallus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus) and antenna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antenna_%28biology%29)-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by many Native American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_%28U.S.%29) cultures in the Southwestern United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_United_States). Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth) and agriculture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture). He is also a trickster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickster) god and represents the spirit of music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music).
Notable among the many Kokopelli legends is that he was a child with an abnormally large head who was made into a clown to entertain the other children of his village, but a goddess had pity on him and gave Kokopelli the a magical flute that would bring joy and good harvest wherever he played it.

I'm not sure quite how the Kokopelli in this anime corresponds to the mythical one, but it surely points to the idea that Kokopelli is some kind of god playing some sort of grandious 'game' with all of humanity hanging in the balance.

[Death13a]

by Triad ep4 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_04.avi.torrent)


MAJOR Spoiler Quote:









Dung beetle: This thing moves by using people's life force.
So, you see...
That pretty much means you are absolutely gonna to die after you battles.

And THAT is why i love the series.

[Board of Command]

I wonder why the enemy robot was trying not to damage the town... Very interesting part there...

[MFauli]

Wow...
NOW im excited for their next battle...knowing that whoever controls the robot will be dying.


I wonder why the enemy robot was trying not to damage the town... Very interesting part there...

Im sure now that there are children within the other robots. You know, within the little ball that has to be destroyed to finish off the robot. Makes kinda sense imo. Also, perhaps those children in the other robot knew that by not killing humans, their pilot will not have to die or something linke that.

Oh man, how i love this series. Exactly what i wanted when i read about it before it´s start.

[Board of Command]

^ Now that makes a whole lotta sense.

[animus]

Great episode, and I was totally wanting that kid to die. Glad he did. Also, does the intro song creep anyone else out?

[Board of Command]

The intro song is awesome. It sounds very "surreal" which accurately portrays the show.

[MFauli]

Great episode, and I was totally wanting that kid to die. Glad he did. Also, does the intro song creep anyone else out?

Hey, i loved that kid :P

Though disappointing that he freaked out about after seeing his dad dead. Would have been better if he reacted like "People have to die, and he´s been chosen to die."

Well, he was a kid, after all, it seems ^^

[masamuneehs]

i really started hating Kodama in this episode. It was shocking that I didn't feel bad for him when he was a wreck and about to die... Little bastard...

[02:01] <Yukimura> it didn't really grab me, since the robot fight was so slow and lethargic, but I've heard it's got good story elements and isn't about the robot fights as much
[02:01] <Yukimura> but i'm nto following it
[02:01] <masamuneehs> yeah, it's not about the fights at all

...

Wow M, that's an absolutely great theory. All of the enemies so far have had a "cockpit" like weakness, a command center that had to be destroyed, no matter what kind of robot it was. Zearth looks to be the Earth's combat mech, which is good because it seems to kick some extreme ass. Also, each of the opponents seem to have different "personalities", ways of fighting. Whatever was piloting the enemy in this episode was clearly aware that other living things were around it, and it tried (initially) to not harm them...

what doesn't make sense by that theory is why they always fight on Earth, in the same town no less? That kind of home field (dis)advantage seems to be weird if the fighters are all coming from different planets. I think this theory is on the right track though.

Also somewhat supported by this line, From the preview for episode 5:


Seeing them panic is how I get my kicks. No matter who shows up, what can the Earth monkeys really do? Next time on Bokurano: Weakness. After all, they're all going to die anyway.

This has got to be one of the coldest, straight up most stoic and stone cold lines I've ever heard. The voice of Dung Beetle is absolutely perfect, I was shocked how casually he told the kids "that pretty much means you're absolutely going to die after your battles". This series is so freakin promising.

i happen to love the OP song. Fits and sets the mood perfectly, and it's a pretty cool song. The ED one fits, strangely enough, because at the end of an episode I always feel pretty sad, and that little lullaby- or whatever it is- that gets to me

[yallo]

Im sure now that there are children within the other robots. You know, within the little ball that has to be destroyed to finish off the robot. Makes kinda sense imo.

Omg, reading your theory literally sent chills down my spine. How absolutely horrible if it turns out to be true!!!

It struck me as very strange that apparently nothing like this (i.e. fights between huge robots) has happened before. It seems as if this entire saga started from the point where Kokopelli made all the kids sign up for his game. Which makes it extremely unlikely that those are evil alien robots coming here to destroy Earth. I mean, which enemy would be so kind to conveniently wait until we have recruited our soldiers before launching their first attack?

Everything points to all these being truly just a game thought up by Kokopelli. Aaarrrgghhh I'd absolutely hate it though, if MFauli's theory is right, because that's simply too cruel.
:(

[eat_toast]

I started watching this today and ... anyone else notice the lights winking out, one by one on the (I guess you call them face plates?)? Eerie.... but it would support the idea of other teams of children piloting these things... one victory, one death, one light.

Holy fuck am I glad I didn't miss this series.

[animus]

Episode 5 - Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_05.avi.torrent)

[Death13a]

MAN That one f**ked up episode. I loved it And Next one will be continue ownage.

[Sandldan]

Interesting turn of events, did not expect anyone in the world to believe them on such a scale so soon. Thought it would be just something between themselves, and the appeareance of dung beetle in front of everyone kind of surprised me.

Well guess i have been seeing it as Gantz a bit too much so far

[Board of Command]

This series kicks more ass than Jack Bauer.

Ok not really, but it does kick a lot of ass.

[MFauli]

Awsome ep.
So freaking awsome, when dung beetle cut of the arm :-/
Cant wait to see next episode...rape? :p

[animus]

This is a big collection of some messed up kids.

[masamuneehs]

jesus christ this is some fucked up, yet somehow awesome stuff.... they brought sex and lust into this series out of nowhere! I thought the kids were a bit too young, but apparently not...

that one girl turned out to be such a slut, or at least a tease... Looks like next episode sticks with her and Kako... and as MFauli picked up and the episode 6 title suggests, it's going to be a really dark one.

Dung Beetle might be the most cold hearted character i've ever seen in an anime... He just keeps on fucking with everyone and even causing anguish for the kids. I seriously think he's the most vile character I've ever seen. I must have watched the arm removal about twenty times... and when Dung's alone, is he talking to Kokopelli?

i've never been more shocked, enthralled, horrified and moved by an anime. Not even NtHt, not Berserk, nothing. This is it. Bokurano is the fucked up king of my world right now.

i've started to read the Bokurano manga, just going to stick along with what the anime covers. There's been some interesting things omitted from the anime (which i will stay mum on unless asked to, and then will be more than willing to PM people if they're interested, but not post any manga-only out in the anime forums). It's quite good.

edit - oh, and I figured out who the VA for Dung Beetle-sama is. None other than Akira Ishida (Athrun, Judeau, Kaworu, many others)

[Yukimura]

OMG! I was bored and masa was harping so I decided to give this another go. I had only watched the first ep and judged the show as a Mecha and thus decided it wasn't good. I might as well have just shit into my mouth, chewing for 60 seconds and swallowed. This show is amazing. The massive psychological stress overrides pretty much everything else (which is also pretty cool) and is just awe inspiring. We've got a middle schooler banging her teacher and proud of it, all kinds of of weird family structures, and now poor Karo-kun, what will he do to that girl in the aquarium.

Thank you masa for leading me to give this another chance!

[animus]

Episode 6 - Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_06.avi.torrent)
Episode 7 - Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_07.avi.torrent)



Edit: Man, those were some fucked up episodes. I knew that guy was scum, the first time I saw him.

[MFauli]

Wow, i hated the first ep.
Why wouldnt she give him a f*** when she knows that he´s going to die :P
And then she....bit** ^^

Second ep was super-weird. One whole ep about he pedophile relationship, lol.

[animus]

I wouldn't fuck some dude that's going to die. Especially when he attempts to rape you with that sick demented face, and that shitty attitude of his.

[Lucifus]

I'm surprised how serious they made this out of a show full of kids. I loved those two eps, hated that pedo guy from the start. Pure ownage. I wanna see what she'll do next ep. Gonna be sweet.:cool:

[Yukimura]

One the one hand, you can't make people bang people if they don't want to, and she's still a kid so something like the idea that fucking the unstable pilot of the robot that has to save the world might not be a bad idea in the long run, since she and everyone else on earth won't die after he loses it and can't fight might be a bit much for her to wrap her head around. That being said, even most adult women I know wouldn't be able to take on for humanity and fuck some unhinged guy just because he was the only thing standing between earth and a giant monster. It's interesting to note however, that none of the monsters so far have seemed interested in destroying the earth, they only seem to fight with Zearth and get beaten. Maybe after they'd beaten Zearth they'd go on rampages but there's no real way to know if these monsters are really planning to destroy everything or not unless one beats the kids.

[masamuneehs]

fucked up shit.

i like how this show actually has a realistic approach of how the Japanese government might respond to such an extraordinary event. Then again, it is a little tiresome watching the military, since you know they're not going to be able to do anything.

I think the only pilots I've liked so far are Waku and Kokopelli... I really did not like Kako. He's been a d-bag from day one, and now a rapist right at the end. ...although, watching episode 7, i did feel a bit bad for him. one-sided affection always sucks. (but nothing justifies his behavior in episode 6).

At first I thought the teacher was going to be an OK guy. He seemed nice and honestly interested in his students' well-being. But, well, he's a slime ball who is good at lying. No wonder he was so mad about getting fired from basketball coach, since it'll make it harder for him to get material for his online lolicon hobby. The worst part of that episode for me was how Chizu's family was such a bunch of idiots... And I did feel bad for Kako...

Knew she'd be the next pilot. Painfully obvious. Also, the markings appearing on people's faces is new, isn't it? It didn't happen with Waku or Kodama.

Since they lost a pilot, do they automatically lose? Is this why they might use the little girl as a replacement?

[animus]

I kinda always thought that the core you crushed to disable the enemy robot, actually was actually their life force or whatever. So, maybe destroying that orb, is destroying yourself. That's what I thought could've been a possibility instead of just the robot running on the lifeforce of a human to move.

I'm not quite sure what you mean about the little girl as the replacement. Are you talking about the little sister of the abusive brother, who did not input her data into the computer (or whatever)? Weren't they going to use Chizu (which I thought you were talking about at first)? I thought that since they lost Kako, and since we saw the spinning chairs in preparation for the choosing of the next pilot, they get a new pilot right then and there. And since we're seeing her past, yeah it's her.

[masamuneehs]

sorry for the confusion.

you're right, Chizu was picked to pilot since Kako was killed prematurely. But, I was saying, since 14 people signed the contract, that it would require 14 pilots. Kokopelli already said his didn't count. Also, I don't see her as never getting involved. It's just my hunch.

I changed my opinon of Kodama after reading his fight in the manga (chapters 6-7). They draw a much better picture of him... I won't go into it here, I posted in the manga section.

...i've stopped reading the manga, due to some differences in chronology between the anime and the manga. also, the anime adds lot of stuff about the Japanese government early on that the manga simply doesn't have.

[kenren]

i wasn't really into this series when i watched the first episode..
now, it's a damn good series to me..currently on episode 6..so, according to Wiki..there's a slight change in some characters' storyline. I will definitely read the manga soon.

*downloading episode 7*

[masamuneehs]

Bokurano - Episode 08 - The Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_08.avi.torrent)

Your number is up, slut!

[Board of Command]

So this episode pretty much confirms that the other robots are also piloted, and most likely by kids as well. They often show shots of the robots' "faces" during the battles and they all have lights as well.

[animus]

That episode was great at the end. It was such a heart-wrencher to learn those facts.

[kenren]

well.. can those two from the army even pilot Zearth? i mean.. they did not sign the contract at all.. i guess i need to wait for the next episode then.. =)

[animus]

Neither did the little girl the sister of that glasses jerk, but she has her very own seat inside the Zearth doesn't she?

[Yukimura]

I think the little girl sits on someone elses audoman (or Ottoman...whatever that thing is that you put your feet on which is separate from a big comfy chair). Someone mentioned the lights earlier but and now we have confirmation, but what I don't get now is how they ended up 2 ppl down instad of only 1. Kako died early but everything else should have been okay with Kokopelli having takien the place of the little girl.

[Death13a]

So this episode pretty much confirms that the other robots are also piloted, and most likely by kids as well.

As far as i know Kokopelli wasn't a kid. So it piloting isn't limited to kids only.

[Board of Command]

I never said it's restricted to kids, but I think the other pilots are kids because they were told that this is also a game.

[Darknodin]

So this episode pretty much confirms that the other robots are also piloted, and most likely by kids as well. They often show shots of the robots' "faces" during the battles and they all have lights as well.

whoa... I just checked the first ep. the enemy had 15 slots for lights (like Zearth) but only 12 were lit which meant that this wasn't its first fight.... 12 also for the second one, 14 for the third one, not sure for the last one...

because of this I don't think those are kids, at least not human kids.

[Board of Command]

because of this I don't think those are kids, at least not human kids.
Because of what? I don't see your connection here.

[Darknodin]

Because of what? I don't see your connection here.


All the other robots have been attacking Zearth which only defended itself. also, they all had fights before. I this works like a video game. they are after somekind of goal and they have to destroy Zearth to get to it. I guess they could still be kids, but they, unlike the Zearth kids, would have to have some sort of ambition.
also, Zearth looks human. this may be just artistic, but this show is really detailed so it got me thinking that maybe the other robots look like their pilots in a way (although, now that i think about it, it wouldn't fit much with what the show's been so far... but then again Dung Beetle felt out of place at first too).

of course, it could be something completely different, and that from the other pilots point of view, Zearth is attacking them. The robot that didn't want to destroy the city puzzles me.

[shinta|hikari]

Because if they are human kids, that means that they must have fought elsewhere and lost the pilots (missing lights). And fighting with huge robots isnt exactly something that you can cover up easily. If they are fighting somewhere else on earth, then the Japanese government should already know about it.

[Yukimura]

First of all the most recent enemy was a really bad design choice and totally deserved to lose. A giant saw that doesn't spin all that fast, how could that beat anything with moving parts? All they did was knock it of once and it was out of commission for several minutes.

Back to the important stuff, I'm guessing all the enemies are trying to take over each others planets. Maybe there were even some kids abducted from another country on Earth to pilot Zearth: Ambassador Edition to try and conquer other planets as all this is going on.)

As to the odd behavior of that one robot, if we assume each enemy is piloted by a single person at a time like Zearth then it's possible that some of those other pilots might not have wanted to destroy everything in their path and just wanted to defeat Zearth. We've seen drastically different behaviors from the different human pilots so far so it doesn't seem like much of a stretch.

[Xrlderek]

Bokurano 09 - The Triad (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_09.avi.torrent)

[animus]

Man, that sucks I actually liked Daichi. He always seemed like the big brother that keeps his calm and thinks rationally. I seriously thought he was goinig to be one of the last ones to die for that reason. But as we've seen this series kills off peopel when we least expect it, like Waku (Is that his name?) who we all thought was going to be the main character due to his personality archetype. When Daichi asked his Uncle to take care of him and his siblings, I seriously was about to well up and tear, because I knew what his fate was going to be and we knew why he would say something like that, because he will no longer be there to take care of his siblings.

[Death13a]

Is Dung-beetle going insane from lonliness or was he talking to Zearth?
I like how Daichi have done almost no damage to town. And that Roller flatened it but buildings that got in the middle weren't harmed.

[Board of Command]

I think Dung Beetle is talking to Kokopelli.

[Darknodin]

Man, that sucks I actually liked Daichi. He always seemed like the big brother that keeps his calm and thinks rationally. I seriously thought he was goinig to be one of the last ones to die for that reason. But as we've seen this series kills off peopel when we least expect it, like Waku (Is that his name?) who we all thought was going to be the main character due to his personality archetype. When Daichi asked his Uncle to take care of him and his siblings, I seriously was about to well up and tear, because I knew what his fate was going to be and we knew why he would say something like that, because he will no longer be there to take care of his siblings.

yeap... very well done ep. is it me or the enemies keep getting weirder? and... who will be next?

[kenren]

Obviously Dung Beetle isn't talking to himself..it's like he's being asked some questions related to the children. Heh, i like Daichi too.

[MFauli]

Felt like a filler episode, but was very well presented nonetheless. Though i hope to get more info in the next story.

[animus]

I don't know how you could've thought that was a filler with one of the children dying, and as we've all seen before, their background is introduced before a pilot dies.

[masamuneehs]

I completely hated episode 8, right up until the end when we learn about the lights. Slut is dead, and I am happy, but her and Kako fucked it up for Tanaka...

Since the other enemies have lights, they're piloted, no doubt. It seems to be some strange competition where the Earth is the prize. Humanity is represented by these kids... I like the theory about the other mechs resembling their respective lifeforms.

I can finally go and read Volume 3 of the manga now. Like I mentioned, the order of the fights is different from the anime, and I really wanted to watch the anime first, as it's a bit more detailed and alot more moving (i cried in episode 9, i'll admit it). Daichi, Waku and Moji are my favorites, no doubt.

I wasn't sure if Kokopelli counted as a pilot... I also am not convinced that Dung Beetle is conversing with him, or if there is some other entity inside Zearth (they often focus on the light towards the top of the cockpit area)...

In my attempts to find more info about the enemy robots, i accidentally saw a massive spoiler (i advise you all to avoid the Wikipedia entry on this series, as it's almost all based on the manga and there are spoilers galore), but I'd like to get thoughts on what was said at the end of episode 8, about the fact that it may be possible that one of the contracted survive. I immediately thought that they'd have to save Ushiro's sister, since she really didn't sign the contract, but I also remembered that Waku grabs one of the girl's hands (think it's Maki) and 'forces' her to sign the contract.

[masamuneehs]

Bokurano ~ Episode 10 ~ The Triad ~ avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_10.avi.torrent)

Twinkle twinkle, little light, you gon' die after this fight. Fin~

[kenren]

i have been waiting for a very..very..long time..

DOWNLOAD.

[Xrlderek]

Finally. I love this anime. I got a bit surprised when she asked for a customer, didn't see that coming.

[Death13a]

Phone call isn't in manga. Next episode will be "lively".

[masamuneehs]

wait... was that just an uplifting episode of Bokurano? I mean, I kept waiting for it to get dark and depressing, but it seemed to be positive all the way through! I so thought the fat businessman was going to be the 'customer' and then I thought the actual guy was going to turn out to be some crazy sick weirdo... I was totally expecting something else from this episode.

So, Nakama's mom was really just an honest working woman now? And that guy didn't do anything to Nakama? And nobody got hurt in the battle?

What was with the location of the fight? Every other one happened right outside of the pilot's house or in their neighborhood, but even Dung Beetle didn't offer any kind of explanation for why this fight was different...

Crap, preview looks like Moji's up next... he's my favorite... T_T

[kenren]

i'm half way through the episode..i must say.. i got stunned when the fat guy came..i thought he was the customer @_@..

EDIT: if phone call isn't in manga.. then Kana requesting to find her brother's mother is also made up?

[Death13a]

Triad - Bokurano 11 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_11.avi.torrent)

[Yukimura]

Woot! Been a while since we've seen any kids dying or giant robots getting beat down.

[shinta|hikari]

You mean kids dying WHILE (well, after) giant robots getting beat down.

[masamuneehs]

i freakin' cried. this show just does it to me... i feel like i'm about to be in tears just as the OP closes...

Moji was my favorite... Heroic beyond words, and brains to boot.

That had to be the hardest fight they've had yet; basically a two on one, with a false core and giant freakin swords. (I was confused though, as I thought Blue was defending, and Yellow cut off Zearth's head, but then Moji yells about how that means the non-attacker is a coward, and the core, and then stabs Yellow? I was confused...) Although I think I understand, that the enemy defending its 'fake core' thought Moji was doing the same thing, and so attacked the head instead, revealing that the one which wasn't defending actually did have the core... a pretty risky strategy...

Was Moji actually protecting his core? We still don't know where it is...

Dung Beetle was so nasty early on in the episode (though you knew he would grant Moji's wish, this show isn't that twisted) and Ushiro seriously needs to get beat the fuck up... I can't stand him.

[shinta|hikari]

It was insanely risky. What if the core had been in the head?

[masamuneehs]

Moji tells Dung Beetle that he knows where the Zearth's core is (using his sixth sense, the only lame part of the episode). I think it actually is in the chest where he was protecting, since the head got sent flying and the abdomen got pierced pretty badly. Besides, humans almost always ride in the chests of mechas.

[Board of Command]

I'm pretty sure Zearth's core is in its chest. Dung Beetle, despite being a twisted little fella, seemed to confirm that.

[masamuneehs]

Double dose of angst, giant robots, and dying kids
Bokurano - The Triad - Episode 12 - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_12.avi.torrent)
Bokurano - The Triad - Episode 13 - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_13.avi.torrent)

[Death13a]

They sure expanding manga's content but i like that they doing it while staying true to characters. The truth about Zearth and battles was reviled.

[Lucifus]

WowZorz! Those two episodes were teh shyt. Won't spoil anyone just yet.:D Love the plot. Christ, I love how they develop the characters. Awesome ending.

[kenren]

Pure awesomeness!
Seriously, I love the concept of the battles. I've always thought Zearth would be battling robots from other countries.I can't wait for more =)

[masamuneehs]

talking about episode 12 and 13...
wow, that is NOT what I expected to be going on AT ALL!

Just when it felt pretty safe to guess that the opponents going againt Zearth were aliens, we get this bomb dropped on us. For me this was the most gripping fight so far. Moji's was a little more tactically interesting to me, and I never really cared much for Ano, but seeing the 'other humans' cheering on their fighter and then actually seeing the actual enemy pilots was really something else... I got shivers when the stars started to disappear...

Funny that the whole 'parallel universes' was just discussed in This thread (http://forums.gotwoot.net/showthread.php?t=14966) and now these two episodes came out... Now I know what Kokopelli meant when in the first manga chapter he mentioned that he was "human, but not from this Earth". Seems like whoever served as the Dung Beetle for the enemies in 13 told them the truth and that information then got passed on to the public... makes 'our reality' look not so great by comparison...

Weeding out future universes... what a premise...

Ano's otaku dad was really funny to me. Episode 12 felt a little off, and I didn't care for the music, but it was nice to have some slice-of-life humor (only in a show like this does a 13 year old girl getting spanked by her dad qualify as humor). Episode 13 was absolute craziness. And that ending!

the new ED is very good. I'm glad they didn't replace the OP either.

[Board of Command]

So basically, we're just watching an anime version of The One (http://imdb.com/title/tt0267804/). Same concept but a lot more interesting.

[masamuneehs]

So basically, we're just watching an anime version of The One (http://imdb.com/title/tt0267804/). Same concept but a lot more interesting.

only on the very broad level of 'Zearth' vs. 'Alternate Earths'. they make it pretty clear, the battle is between different worlds. While they look similar at times and are all populated by humans, the actual people fighting are all different. Ano says it herself in Episode 13 when, "but this Earth doesn't have my mom or dad or baby brother on it".

I will grant that the concepts have some similarities, though...

but i'd rather take slow, plodding giant mecha battles over fast-paced martial arts, provided the former has an excellent story (or stories, as this series seems to be composed of lots of little stories weaved into a larger one), while Jet Li's flick was, um, well, it didn't leave me 'moved', that's for sure...

[Board of Command]

We don't know if the different universes have different people or not. Like The One, it could be the exact same people living different lives in parallel universes. Ano didn't mean that literally, since there's no way for her to have such knowledge. She meant her family, the one that raised her and cared for her, doesn't exist in this parallel universe. There might be another Ano in this universe. There might not. We don't know that yet.

[masamuneehs]

Bokurano ED2 Album - Boku wa Mada Nani mo Shira nai - Vermillion (http://tracker.minglong.org/torrents/%5BNipponsei%5D%20Bokurano%20ED2%20Album%20-%20Vermillion%20%5BIshikawa%20Chiaki%5D.zip.torren t)

fucking win :) :)

Tracklist:

1. Vermillion
2. Lost Innocence
3. Uninstall
4. Mislead
5. Utsukushi Kareba Sore de Ii ~ Full Size Remix
6. Namida
7. Boku no Sora ni Kisetsuhazure no Yuki ga Furu
8. house
9. Little Bird
10. Suisou no Naka no Tetora
11. I'll Kiss You

edit - it's freakin awesome. i was looking for some good J-pop with less... well, less 'pop'... Something with a bit more heartful soothing effect. This fits the bill brim to spill.

[MFauli]

Argh, what the heck is wrong with the subbers of Bokurano?
Yeah, they´re doing it without asking for money, but you cant addict people to a series and then leave them with nothing for more than a month...i want episode 14 :-(

[Board of Command]

Tell that to Mendoi -____-

[Chaos]

Tell that to Mendoi -____-

Hahahaha, that's a good one. Seriously though, Triad is doing a good job with the series and their not really that far behind(I think the raw is up to 19). If your really desperate you can check out an anime blog site that covers the series.

http://psgels.blogsome.com/

[ody]

I've seen four episodes so far and it seems kind of weird.

The fact that these kids nonchalantly shrug off the deaths of thousands of people is so unrealistic. How about some more emotion? When Kodama was rampaging through the city they basically just told him to be more careful as if he bumped into a lamp.

The whole rule set so far seems too linear and I hope they're are some twists in future episodes. If they all just die after each battle without a chance to somehow preventing their death then this anime will be a disappointment for me.

[animus]

I've seen four episodes so far and it seems kind of weird.

The fact that these kids nonchalantly shrug off the deaths of thousands of people is so unrealistic. How about some more emotion? When Kodama was rampaging through the city they basically just told him to be more careful as if he bumped into a lamp.

The whole rule set so far seems too linear and I hope they're are some twists in future episodes. If they all just die after each battle without a chance to somehow preventing their death then this anime will be a disappointment for me.

That's the point of it, and the draw of the anime.

[masamuneehs]

i thought there was a good deal of emotion expressed about killing bystanders... but the kids are also scared to death that they'll lose... also, if the premise doesn't appeal to you just because it's laid out from the third episode, then you're probably better off with shounen stuff centered around the main character trying to find crazy ways to avoid death.

[Yukimura]

This show is really about overcoming the next opponent, it's about the kids dealing with the fact that their life is going to end once they are picked. I think the only reason they bother showing the battles is for the drama of seeing the kids work through doing what they have to do to save the world.

[ody]

i thought there was a good deal of emotion expressed about killing bystanders... but the kids are also scared to death that they'll lose... also, if the premise doesn't appeal to you just because it's laid out from the third episode, then you're probably better off with shounen stuff centered around the main character trying to find crazy ways to avoid death.
Without spoiling anything specific, do the kids actually somehow find a loophole in the rules or are there twists?

[masamuneehs]

you'll have to have watched up to episode 8 before any 'loopholes' or twists appear....

In Episode 8 Moji reveals his theory about the lights on the face of Zearth, that each light represents an individual bound to the contract (to pilot and then die). Kako's death and the fact that one of the lights faded when Chizu died mean that three were used for that one fight (Chizu is implied to have been pregnant and the baby dies with her).

The point about Chizu's child is important, because it too was contracted, even though it didn't really have a choice. Also, Seki and the other military officer have entered the contract, so that makes up for Chizu's child and Kako having died without defeating an enemy.

BUT, at the end of Episode 8, there are only nine lights left on Zearth. But there are eleven pilots remaining (including Kana and the two officers). A light goes out per pilot, but two people are either not bound by the contract or... or something else... So it's heavilly implied at that point that at most two of them may survive.

[shinta|hikari]

Or none.

[masamuneehs]

Bokurano - The Triad - Episode 14 - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_14.avi.torrent)

Bokurano - The Triad - Episode 15 - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_15.avi.torrent)

Bokurano -= The Triad - Episode 16 - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_16.avi.torrent)

yay.
yay.
and triple hooray for this awesome helping of my favorite kids dying, universe disappearing, super giant mecha seinen show.

[Death13a]

WOW at those three episodes.

14: The officer kinda contradicts herself
15: Suicide! (someone had a bad day)
16: WOW Kirie sure is scare and smart when serious. (Don't abuse chubby people, you never know what they are capable of!). DB has a little sister!

[shinta|hikari]

Silent dogs bite the hardest I guess. What a waste he can only fight once. Had he been able to pilot for everyone (and simply use them as gas), the battle is practically won.

[masamuneehs]

Bokurano - Episode 17 - The Triad - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_17.avi.torrent)

and suddenly the episodes start flooding in!

[kenren]

Episode 18 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_18.avi.torrent)

GET !

[Death13a]

WOW I didn't see that coming. This show is truly merciless (not a big news since it happened before). This series will go down history as a must see .

[Yukimura]

That was crazy! When the yakuza guy showed up I thought maybe she'd be alright but...damn. No one is safe.

And the revelations about Machi and Dung Beetle...what could this 'final task' be? I'm thinking that the last one standing will have to go to a new Earth and set up a new team, but since this show has done quite a few unpredictable things it may well turn out to be something completely out of the blue.

[kenren]

Episode 19 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_19.avi.torrent) and Episode 20 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_20.avi.torrent) by Triad out!

[Board of Command]

What a twist! Who would have thought that Kokopelli was actually one of the victims?

[Death13a]

Bokurano 21 (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_21.avi.torrent)


Well. You do the crime, you do the life.

[kenren]

So Kokopelli survived after "guiding" the kids in the first battle..correct? or did I misunderstood the whole thing.

Now we know what does the orange light emerging from the Earth in the opening song shows.. lol.

[MFauli]

Hm, the question now is imo:

When you are the last person to survivaa, like Kokopelli, your planet is saved. But is it saved or eternity? Or for how long is it safe?

[kenren]

Naturally, no. The people of the "saved" planet will develop programs like Zearth Program which enable the "Masterminds" to suck life force out of the Earth. Just like how the enemy robot sucked energy and started moving again. ( I'm not sure, maybe I did misunderstood the whole thing. lol.)

[Death13a]

The way i understood that Zearth Program is for Earths that try to unlock mysteries of Zearth.

[masamuneehs]

man, there was that long period of no releases... and now they just keep coming... Never thought I'd be needing to catch up on my Bokurano...

well, here's 22
Bokurano - Episode 22 - The Triad - avi (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_22.avi.torrent)

[Yukimura]

Bokurano - 23 - [Triad] (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_23.avi.torrent)
Bokurano - 24 - [Triad] (http://a.scarywater.net/triad/%5BTriad%5D_Bokurano_-_24.avi.torrent)

[Death13a]

DAMN 2 of my favorites(bokurano and moribito) are ended today. WAHHH

Excellent series comes to end. The ending under tree was perfect for this series.

[kenren]

Is Moribito good? :)

Bread actually provided Ushiro with life force to last for 30 hours or more?
Ending under the tree was okay. The next time I'm seeing this series again would be the manga.

[MFauli]

Nice ending, though im disappointed that it´s not explained who set all that up...you know...WHY does tihs natural selection exist...giant robots....all that.

[Yukimura]

@kenren Seirei no Moribito is quite a good show, amazing quality and detail, along with a really good story and interesting characters.

I too was a bit sad that they put in all those the hints about the 'Others' and the Zerath system but none of that really got fleshed out. The last two episodes felt rushed plot wise compared to the previous ones. I guess they decided to sacrifice the main plot for focus on Ushiro and Kana and their relationship at the end, but still a lot of ends were left loose. Maybe the manga goes into more detail and further, perhaps following Kana-chan's life or maybe it just stops there, I might actually check it out.

[Psyke]

Just picked this up and watched 4 episodes in one go. Good stuff and probably won't post till I've caught up......

[DDBen]

Good series but man was that rough to watch definitely not something to marathon. I can't say I'm usually one for pointless comic relief characters but this series sure could have used a little something to break up the endless stream of depression that it seemed to be based on.

[seanos]

Watched first episode when it first came out, and for some reason didn't bother again till yesterday. For me - at the time, the first Episode was a little off-putting, though after spending all day watching the remaining episodes - have to admit it's well worth it.
Though I do like mecha-anime, I liked how this didn't concentrate on the mecha side of things (battles were ~5ish minute range?).
Raises various questions, and makes some fairly interesting observations of human behaviour.

[Darknodin]

Well... I did marathon the last few eps (10-24) and seriously, the series is not as sad as I thought it'd be. After watching the first few eps, i thought this would get into a sadistic frenzy, but it ended up being a great drama show with believable characters.
yea, we didn't end up knowing about the Masterminds or the battles, but in the end, that's how it'd be in real life. I personally find that the story is complete.

About the bread being the lifeforce... it didn't work like that. They always could fight for 48 hours. Ushiro was simply starving from fighting that long (like he would in other situations). The fight in front of the tower was also very long (where the tower was controlling the robot).

In the end... great show... i do recommend it. although, make sure you have time before you start the season... because stopping will be hard :).

[Harima Kenji]

Just finished watching it in about 3 days..

stopping in between is incredibly hard. My experience was that I had to stop for a few hours after every 7 episodes or something to let it all sink in. Up until the last episode I thought that it would end the 'it was just a computergame' way, with all the kids waking up in the cave or something.. I couldn't believe that it all really happened. But it did :p. the final episode ended great. No miracles or anything. I'd love an additional series or OVA that explains the loose ends discussed above.

[Psyke]

You can always check out the manga. I've been planning to, but there isn't much time for reading. I hear that there's quite a significant amount of difference between the 2 versions, due to the fact that the director for the anime didn't really like how the manga version turned out.

[Harima Kenji]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.