Cross Ange

[shinta|hikari]

1726

Synopsis from ANN/My Anime List:

Due to humanity obtaining the data technology that has evolved to a great amount—called "Mana"—the human race is able to subjugate all wars, starvation, pollution, and other problems on Earth by using its power, which is similar to magic. Earth has obtained the utopia of complete peace and no wants.

First princess of the Misurugi Empire, Angelize. As with everyone else, she also had no wants or worries. She was celebrated by the people of the empire, and was supposed to wear the crown. However, she realizes the shocking truth that she is a Norma. "Norma": An irregular existence that cannot use Mana, and are treated as heretics and as "things" rather than people. Having everything stolen from her, she was thrown away on a remote island where she endured living a life in hell .

What was waiting for her there was a fateful meeting with a group of Norma girls who know nothing but battle. The girls spend their days riding humanoid robot weapons called "Paramails" hunting giant dragons that have come from another dimension to invade. Having her name taken from her, what will soldier Ange see at the end of the fight? What can she believe in? What will she obtain? The story of a single girl's fortitude starts now.
Read more at http://myanimelist.net/anime/25731/Cross_Ange:_Tenshi_to_Ryuu_no_Rondo#jUI4SkzSOMykuR Sr.99

-----

This was a pleasant surprise. I had expected this to be purely tits and ass yuri fanservice, but it actually has good action and an interesting plot (not the fleshy kind). Having a badass female protagonist is pretty refreshing after all the shounen LN/shoujo manga adaptations we have been getting.

[David75]

It's true that it is quite enjoyable.
And even the only noticable male protagonist is OP when it matters. But somehow his lips always get in contact with Ange's lower ones...

[Shadow Skill]

Tusk is one lucky guy. :/

[shinta|hikari]

For being forced to put up with the moody Ange? If anything, I'd consider him unlucky. With those skillz, I'm sure he can bed tons of norma women if he wanted.

[NeoCybercoin]

Been watching this as it came out. First part reminded me a lot of Freezing with the whole abuse and stuff. Then it gradually got better.
And as Tusk said in the preview.....there are only women there.....time to get a harem :P

[MFauli]

Started watching this, just finished episode 2.

This is so weird. There's a good, serious story going on ... but it's countered by the thickest layer of near-hentai scenes.

I hope the anime explains why there's only women at the Norma-base. You'd think there'd be male personnel at least, and regular rape would be occurring.

Also is there a proper reason for why everyone's wearing a super revealing outfit? I guess it's either to intentionally humiliate the Norma, or .... it's anime, duh, lol.

Anyway, despite the ridiuclous perv scenes, this is actually interesting to watch. Great animation, too.

[MFauli]

Episode 10:

You know, I'm enjoying this series, BUT: The absolute hatred of everyone towards Norma makes NO sense.

They can't find any difference unless they test the lacking magic ability. Literally no other difference. Considering Norma only are weaker than the rest, hating on them is even less logical. Like, no mercy at all, going full-hate instantly. And none of them sees how evil the other acts? Eh.

Also Tusk is fantastic

[shinta|hikari]

You do realize for most of history, even now to a lesser extent, people IRL hate other groups for even less difference than a measurable and proven lack of a specific ability, right?

[MFauli]

You do realize for most of history, even now to a lesser extent, people IRL hate other groups for even less difference than a measurable and proven lack of a specific ability, right?

That's exactly the thing: Ofc all racism is bad, but to treat a black person badly for being black as a white person is an instantly obvious thing. You immediately see that the other person is different (in a superficial way, ofc).

That's the issue with real racism: People don't ever find out that those different looking people actually are the same as themselves on an intellectual level. But in Cross Ange, everybody KNEW that Ange, and other Norma for that matter, had the same behavior, feelings and intelligence as they have. Their racism is solely based on "OMG, THEY CANT USE MAGIC!!!11". And that's dumb. Like, really dumb.

[Ryllharu]

Well, there's a rather funny classroom scene in Europa Europa (1990 German Film) that you might be interested in.

[MFauli]

episode 17:

You know, this anime is actually REALLY good. Great even. The one issue is the overt sexual stuff. I don't mind that shit usually, but here we have an actual serious story and good characters, but then there's ridiculous outfits all the time. lol

Ange and Tusk might be my favorite anime relationship ever, though. Yes, there's those constant pervy accidents, but ... Ange never reacts as if she truly hates it :D They both feel so much like gf and bf, I've never seen it done this well and maturely. Like, you have nice relationships in other anime, too, but those usually put all things sex aside. Ange and Tusk clearly acknowledge that sex is part of getting to know each other and they treat it ... normally. Like, neither of them is too horny, but both have a reasonable interest in it, and it comes from both of them, not one preying on the other. I like that. Unfortunately, most people will never experience this anime because they'll brand it as ecchi trash ... and you can't really fault them too much for it.

My biggest complaint about this series so far is the super lame villain. Embryo looks like he'd fit right in to Yugioh. Lame design, lame "I'm almighty and can do anything" powerfulness. Meh. The protagonists are great, though. Even Hilda, who I hated initially, is now fantastic. Curious to find out how everything ends.

Oh, what's fucked up: So these dragon people keep sending hundreds of their own into battle, knowing that they always get murdered. LOL. I mean, they're all human, after all. That's a bit too casual imo.