Sora no Woto

[Buffalobiian]

remember the training part? they said there that they were signaling the destruction of unit - it was after one shot! it was the same trumpet melody.

Hmm, quite true.

Valkyria Chronicles (anime) is hardly a good source to learn battle tactics from.

[Kraco]

The main problem here is that their fired shot, regardless of its success, would never mean the whole battle is over. However, they acted as if it was, because apparently they didn't consider firing that huge cannon is essentially the same thing as waving a flag to the enemies telling "hey, we are here!". Of course the enemies will turn their attention right there, especially since they managed to kill that one tank and thus became a proven danger.

Modern warfare is about fire and motion. Like I said, I'm no armored division man but even in the AA forces, it was the basic rule that after every single shot (missile or otherwise) you had to pack the stuff up and change locations (except for special cases). Kind of annoying if you had the tent, communications, and other elements erected and everything properly camouflaged. But the trouble is infinitely better than getting destroyed by the enemy that now potentially knows your exact location. Just like this series showed in practice (and that the captain ignored dooming her team and vehicle).

[shinta|hikari]

Rather than it being the captain's fault, it seems it is a flawed cultural thing since as Xel pointed out, it was also done in training by the girls.

I wonder how many tanks have been blown apart because of this practice.

[masamuneehs]

i wait for the m.3.3.w releases, since this is one of those series i think the TL work is important for.

episode 6 was done in a very clever way, and although it's a gimmick that's been done before, it was done well here. even the sap with the side characters i couldn't care less about was tolerable

episode 7. fuck, man. i would have never guess it to be Felicia to be the one with all the baggage, but, man, it certainly made a lot of sense the way they presented her character and how they did this episode. the little tie-in's they do with "the old world was Japanese culture" worked pretty well in this episode, too, with the Obon festival traditions.

this whole show was mediocre, then this

edit - regarding the episode with Felicia's unit "deserving it"

Now, okay. Sure, we have this stupid music motif in this show. And that gets real soppy and useless when we're trying to think about it as a war piece (which this show ain't).

But stop and think for a minute. Those fucking people were fighting in modern day Japan (or not far from modern day), and they were fighting some fucking killer enemies. The Unknown Soldier said it himself, that they lost, but, at the same time, that some small remnant of humanity got to live on. Then you have the scene where the Princess herself comes in to rescue a single soldier.

It leads me to believe two things: A) Those opponents were jamming the living shit out of the humans. If they had to resort to audio communication like that, they were getting killed, and getting flanked the way Felicia's unit did had to be a common thing for front line units like hers. B) The humans knew (at least at the end) that they were going to lose a lot. The Princess was fighting for one individual as if she knew that one day all that might be left would be one or two people. It's not unthinkable that the entire war was fought just to make the Earth so unihabitable that the opponent couldn't/wouldnt want to continue after it. One tank kills one unit and sounds an advance so more units can get in range and take out one more unit a piece, and it really doesn't matter if each tank gets killed after they knock out an opponent, so long as they all move forward. That's power in numbers and an absolute objective.

Finally, The Invisible Death, to me, is dubious at best. Since the name of the front was close to the town where Mishiko lived, and her mom just died after something like getting infected, it's not too off the wall to imagine this was something the humans did to themselves, in order to stake off the opponent.

This series is full of fucking win. And i like it

[Kraco]

Hmm... My impression of the current state of affairs seems to be somewhat different from yours. I think Filicia was fighting in a normal war against other humans. The war against the whatever enemy happened hundreds of years earlier, I'd say. After that catastrophe, some small civilizations began to rise, pretty much from nothing, and there were occasional fights between them. So, logic dictates sensible battle tactics should be employed. Well, these kind of battle tactics paying no regard to the survival of individual soldiers were still seen in the early 19th century (although not with tanks...) so it's not all baseless.

[Ryllharu]

But stop and think for a minute. Those fucking people were fighting in modern day Japan (or not far from modern day), and they were fighting some fucking killer enemies. The Unknown Soldier said it himself, that they lost, but, at the same time, that some small remnant of humanity got to live on. Then you have the scene where the Princess herself comes in to rescue a single soldier.

It leads me to believe two things: A) Those opponents were jamming the living shit out of the humans. If they had to resort to audio communication like that, they were getting killed, and getting flanked the way Felicia's unit did had to be a common thing for front line units like hers. B) The humans knew (at least at the end) that they were going to lose a lot. The Princess was fighting for one individual as if she knew that one day all that might be left would be one or two people. It's not unthinkable that the entire war was fought just to make the Earth so unihabitable that the opponent couldn't/wouldnt want to continue after it. One tank kills one unit and sounds an advance so more units can get in range and take out one more unit a piece, and it really doesn't matter if each tank gets killed after they knock out an opponent, so long as they all move forward. That's power in numbers and an absolute objective.

While on the one hand I don't agree with Kraco's harsh criticism of Filicia's former commander, they weren't fighting the nameless enemy that inspired the Sieze legend of the maidens and who's skeleton is lying under the river. They were fighting one of the other remaining empires. The Helveticans have been fighting with one of the other nations for decades, and that was just another battle fought in the middle of No Man's Land.

But you do bring up a good point about Princess Iliya. She is willing to fight on the front lines, and every soldier's life is precious to her. She is willing to risk her own life to save that of one of her soldiers. Rio, who was suspected by the Priest to be a princess herself (be it legitimate or not), shows some of those characteristics, but has a lot to learn herself. Filicia was inspired by that act, and treats all of her soldiers with care. She doesn't want any of them getting hurt, and wants to give them a peace and a sense of prolonged camaraderie that she lost. She knows it might not last, but she made a vow to protect them as much as she is able.

[Buffalobiian]

HorribleSubs - Episode 09








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The atmosphere was quite well done this episode. The whole "emergency" announcement actually sounded urgent, and carried its way through the whole typhoon incident (partly thanks to the omnious flashback of Ilya's deathbed).

Guess Rio's responsible for her sister's death.

I don't know how comfortably stockings are to sleep in, but they sure look sexy.

Noel must either had plenty of confidence in the cannon's pricision, or was also brought up with weird military tactics like Filicia.

[shinta|hikari]

I'm thinking confidence, since she is the most sensible and smart of the bunch.

[Buffalobiian]

HorribleSubs - Episode 10









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This episode was so.... different. After last week, I was about to start complaining that this show fell off the tracks a bit in terms of its focus on Kanata and her music career. Despite the first episode where the granny said (the girl today doesn't sound very good - as if there are multiple girls that rotate the morning call), it seems prior to Kanata's arival that only Rio could play an instrument.

In terms of the episode itself, it's comparable with episode 1 in terms of atmosphere, grandness, beautiful backdrops (we don't exacrtly get HEAPS of those), and music. (they even reused the water-throwing track, following a trumpet-track. The soundtrack does a wonderous job).

This episode didn't exactly "put it on track" so to speak, but it did bring it back to roots of sort and show us how far things have come now. (the tank helped - along with Noel's "shiawase" line)

Kureha crying for not reason (yet), with Noel comforting her tearing up herself was sweet in a saddening way.

I'm still very much interested in and enjoying this show, but I seem to have had the wrong expectation that this show would have a strong focus of sorts.

(The animation of Rio retracting her hand from Kanata's head and taking out the bell was a bit weird. Very badly disguised (if disguised at all) CG animation.

This would have made for a great Season 1 ending.

[Ryllharu]

The tank getting four legs gave me a rather foreboding feeling. If the tank is operational, the girls can get involved in combat again.

The episode didn't strike me in any particular way, but I got a strong sensation of, "this is how it has to be," from it. I wasn't sad, I wasn't moved notably, but it felt...right.

One thing I did like that was what Kanata saw in Rio. Kureha and Noel were both very shocked (Noel even has a bit of an emotional reaction in that scene!) and Kureha sobbed while Noel comforted her. On the other hand, Kanata knew. She saw so much of Iliya in Rio, that she somehow suspected, though perhaps not consciously, that Rio was meant for bigger things than Sieze. Kanata saw an air around Rio and she wasn't saddened by her departure at all, despite being one of the more emotional members of the squad.

The only thing that was out of place was Kanata's admission that her parents wanted her to marry and take over the household. While I see the connection, it felt somehow petty in comparison to what Rio is probably about to go do. It seemed so out of nowhere.

[Pandadice]

ep 11 is out

[pwq]​ _Sora​_no​_Woto​_-​_11​_[HD]​_[ED149AD0].mkv
[pwq]​ _Sora​_no​_Woto​_-​_11​_[SD]​_[DA2D6CD5].mkv

Two subtitle tracks. First without German translations (recommended), second with German included.

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man this is getting intense D:

[Buffalobiian]

ep 11 is out

[pwq]​ _Sora​_no​_Woto​_-​_11​_[HD]​_[ED149AD0].mkv
[pwq]​ _Sora​_no​_Woto​_-​_11​_[SD]​_[DA2D6CD5].mkv



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man this is getting intense D:

And who would have thought the Invisible Death was the chemical weapon created by none other than Noel. I shat bricks this episode, and I don't do that often.

[shinta|hikari]

This show is awesome.

Noel really is my favorite character in this series. She is a silent, smart, witty loli with platinum blond hair, and has a nice tragic past to boot.

It seems that she has scars far deeper than any of the girls. Being called the Witch of Helvetia and the Invisible Death takes a toll on someone, especially if they did it without knowing what it would be used for. She was completely taken advantage of because of her youth and naivety. This also explains all of her conversations with Kanata about the issue of morality regarding machines and inventions.

I totally cannot blame her for going crazy at the end. I think it is more of the nun's fault, chattering away when there are soldiers searching for them.

War has come, and the tone of the show has changed significantly. The grim foreshadowing has slowly come into place. I have to say I am very excited on how it will all turn out. Kureha's death would make this the pinnacle of awesome, but I guess that is too much to ask.

[Buffalobiian]

According to wiki there will be 2 OVAs coming out this year. Judging from the scope of things, 1 episode would certainly make for a rushed ending.

Noel really is my favorite character in this series. She is a silent, smart, witty loli with platinum blond hair, and has a nice tragic past to boot.

I laughed at how desperately(?) she was blowing that food so the Roman would eat it. Seriously, after seeing that face, how could you not?


edit: It seems those OVAs will be BD episodes to be shipped with two BD volumes. We may get an ending to this next week after all. Fingers crossed that it ends well. Not necessarily in a happy fashion, but well.

[shinta|hikari]

I also have this affinity for characters dubbed as witches. The reason should be obvious for those who know me long/well enough.

[Ryllharu]

edit: It seems those OVAs will be BD episodes to be shipped with two BD volumes. We may get an ending to this next week after all. Fingers crossed that it ends well. Not necessarily in a happy fashion, but well.

I'm pretty sure one of these episodes will be the missing episode inferred by the part where Kanata told the Priest that she would tell him some other time how she found out about the bootlegging operation (during the telephone episode).

I think that the one part of this episode that caught me more than the Noel info, more than Aisha's huge jumblies, is Yumina cross-examining Aisha about the Roman beliefs. Aisha calls Yumina a heretic, and each part of her version is the precise opposite of the Helvetian version.

The winged demon is an angel of judgment.
The Flame Maidens are...?

It looks like this entire centuries-long war could be a religious crusade. Moreover, Yumina called Aisha's grandmother a soldier, while Aisha (according to HorribleSubs) said that she was a Maiden. I would how long Sieze has actually been a Helvetian city.


Edit:
And lest we forget, the Helvetians speak French (dubbed into Japanese), and the Romans speak German. History always repeats itself.

[Buffalobiian]

Figured if I'm watching a Crunchyroll rip and archiving another, then it doesn't really matter who does the ripping. Bring on the finale!

Commie - Episode 12 END










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Man, the Takemikazuchi sure was a surprise. seeing how it slowly shifted its weight during launch and heavily lifted itself out of the hanger, I all but expected it to just take off like that. It's gait did look a little clumsy, but boy was it fast. Nothing compared to those 4-legged units.

My favourite scenes would be Aisha forgiving Noel, as well as the Roman Legend retelling. In particular, how the different interpretation twisted the "facts", such as taking turn to soak up the angel's blood as opposed to putting out the spewing fire.

The music and use of sunlight was good too - I'd say exactly the way the first episode was. In that sense, this anime really has come full circle. I liked how they threw in the bunch Kanata knew from the train as well.


Thank goodness no-one decided it was a good idea to finish with "Girls, be ambitious".

Rio still doesn't look very princessy, I have to say. The dress was alright, but the way she carried herself seems all too similar to how she commanded back at the fortress. It's probably not a bad thing considering she's announcing a cease-fire to soldiers. (edit - on second watch, she didn't do anything particularly wrong. Maybe it's just her voice)

Considering how the flame-maiden story talked about sacrifices, yet we got a 100% happy ending here, this does put things on an artificially happy mood, but to me it really wasn't that bad.

There were times in this series where I thought it was about to derail from the whole plot and become another slice-of-life show that only used an interesting 1st episode to catch your attention. In restrospect, it's forgivable, and even a good thing when you consider the examples of previous anime that were way too complex to tie itself up neatly in 12 episodes.

[shinta|hikari]

Takemikazuchi was bad ass. What impressed me the most was its armour. It can take tank shells head on with almost no damage. The material used for it must indeed be at least a civilization apart from what they are currently using. This also explains the great pains the girls have had to go through to reconstruct it.

My favorite scene was when Kanata played Amazing Grace at the battlefield. I have always loved that song, and it is one of the few songs that can actually make me tear up. I knew she was going to do it, but it was a great scene nonetheless, cleanly rounding up the different aspects of the series, from its war facets to the musical elements.

Since Durarara is not ending this season, this show is definitely my favorite. It has great consistent art, good characters (even the irritating Kureha was somewhat redeemed this episode), fantastic world, and the delivery is spot on, no matter how simple the story may be.

Even the fairytale end of having Rio back in the platoon had a believable excuse, even if completely unorthodox.

[oyabun]

Damn Takemikazuchi was awesome. It was an all terrain tank, that can go to almost anywhere. The climbing ability was imba considering their battlefield was moslty ruins or mountains. This explains why Noel is having a hard time restoring it.

I was also afraid that Sora no Woto would derailed from its plot but im really glad how it ended. Episode 12 was really good.

[Buffalobiian]

[Nipponsei] Sora no Woto Original Soundtrack.zip

That French insert song better be there...