Kasahara is told that she is not GOOD ENOUGH to be involved in the defense of Odawara Archival Center. She is hence assigned to protect Inamine for a funeral procession by the willful decision of Dojo. She is down due to the hurtful words of Dojo, but she decided to take this security job seriously.
She got more than she bargained for. There is now a group of suspicious people that are trying to lay their hands on Inamine in order to bargain for the Media Purification Brigade Militia.
Episode summary
The group kidnaps Inamine to bargain for the archives secured by the Library Task Force in Odawara. Kasahara tried to escape, but the group warns that they will bomb up the funeral procession if she tried to flee with Inamine. Inamine decides to go with them. Kasahara insists to follow Inamine to protect his human rights, and the kidnappers allowed her request. Back at the headquarters, Genda realize that the group lied about the bomb.
The police also arrived to help in the investigation, along with Maki to report on the event. Kasahara tries to take care of Inamine, and reminds him jokingly to put it a good word for her. He smiled and said he would. Kasahara realizes that she has to do the best she can before the Library comes to save them. The kidnappers called the Library and Genda wished to talk to the hostages. Kasahara tells them to inform Shibasaki to cancel their appointment in Transall. She adds that the place is very expensive.
Komaki told Dojo not to worry, since Kasahara is in high spirits. The kidnappers also informed Genda to burn the archives within two hours. The police is unable to detect the source. However, after calling Shibasaki, it turns out that Kasahara’s words was a hint about their location (Tachika). The information is currently getting replicated, but Shibasaki reports that it might not be in time. Dojo decides to check on the process, while clearly worried for Kasahara.
Inamine seems to be hurting in his right prosthetic leg as he requested to remove it. Kasahara remembers about how Inamine lost the leg in the Hino’s nightmare. The removal of the leg is actually a location signal to the Library. Genda orders the Task force to move off. The police tells them that they should be in charge, but Genda says they have not gained their trust after the Hino’s Nightmare.
The police says that the area is out of the library’s jurisdiction, only for Genda to proclaim that they will purchase all the land surrounding it to make it theirs. Genda also sarcastically said that they can construct a new library. In the worst case scenario, they will pay the penalty to break their contract with the landowners. Dojo thinks about how similar Kasahara is like him, and how he hurts Kasahara due to his own fears. Kasahara wonders if her hint is enough for the Library Task Force.
Dojo makes Kasahara realize that he’s out there, and the Task forces charges in to save Inamine and Kasahara. Inamine promises to tell Dojo about Kasahara’s good job. Dojo praises her and apologizes about saying that she is not good enough. Kasahara is surprised how happy she is with his praise. She tells him that she will go beyond him, but started quarreling when Dojo picked on her. Kasahara also rejected Tezuka, as it is clear he dated her because Dojo says he can learn something from her. Kasahara also realizes that her parents will be coming over to meet her.
All right, despite being a really cute episode (YAY FOR Kasahara x Dojo moment), I do have some complains about the episode. For one thing, I know that the context is not really foolproof. However, Genda’s reaction to buy everything within the area to get in their jurisdiction was very unrealistic. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw it since it is like trying to suspend reality. They are really trying to make the Library so cool that they will cut steel.
One more thing that annoys me must be the Hino’s Nightmare. Yes, the police fouled up. Yes, 12 people are killed. Yes, the Library has huge hate. Let’s not forget to give the enemy some credit. It’s part of strategy that the Media Purification Brigade Militia that they beat the police. So, seriously let it rest already. I really think that the Library is totally blinded by one incident. It is a symbolic event rather than a true massacre, but it’s just over-exaggerating in the hatred for the next 20 years.
Before I start complaining how the already thin background and story is trying to go out of proportions, the main bite of the show fulfills its promise completely. The Dojo monologue is downright awesome, with him showing his insecurity and sensitivity toward Kasahara. It might not be love as yet, but it is clear that he sees a reflection of himself on her. He does not want her to get hurt because of her. However, she did now because of his decision to leave her out.
He reprimanded himself and just wanted her to be well. I must tell you all to watch that scene of monologue IMMEDIATELY because it is just about the sweetest scene I have seen for a long time. Dojo’s seiyuu, Tomoaki Maeno, really pulls off the voice of Dojo excellently. He has really impressed me with his vocal capabilities and that firm yet gentle feel. He’s giving a good display of himself, and he is also going to be in the sequel of Someday’s dreamers (which a speedsub I am in, will be handling, unless it gets licensed).
An addition thing about Toshokan Sensou in the background is about Inamine’s leg. In this rather dysfunctional future, it seems that technology has gone in such a powerful way that all digitized information can be easily tracked by either party. If you think how a mechanism as sophisticated as the prosthetic leg can be created, it is likely that the only possible way to transmit information is through books. That is perhaps why it is a battle of books. Needless to say, it is still highly surreal but who knows what the future lies?
History has told us that humans have been poor in predicting the future. Ten years ago, The Internet has been predicted as a source of political pluralization and a new age for democracy. We are now at the present. The number of voices have increased, but the influential voices remain to an elite few: the elite of popularity. The Internet is also said to free nations from the shackles of oppression, and lead to a new age of information sharing.
Is it true right now? Information control techniques have developed to cover most common users except the deviant who finds a way past such strict protocol. We know about the great firewall of China. We know how more sophisticated technology can be utilized to track every single step of a suspect. Technology is always developing. Can we really say that such drastic information control will never happen to an authoritative central government in Asia, or the world?
19 Comments
I think Genda was merely making an empty threat to “buy” the land. In truth, the Task Force was not about to entrust the safety of their own personnnel to inferior forces. Bear in mind that they are supposed to be better than the police and the JSDF, if Shibasaki is to be believed. That being the case, why should Genda allow the police to take jurisdiction?
In a nutshell, Genda simply said, “Back off. Stay out of our internal affairs.”
I think it’s significant that Kasahara is unconsciously following Dojo’s footsteps. She has already admitted as much when she realised how much his praise means to her. Too bad she’s too thick to realise that her “Prince Charming” is already standing in front of her.
…Are these people fighting with Uzis and MP5s?
If i’m not mistaken, the Uzi and the MP5 don’t really have very long effective shooting ranges. While useful for urban combat (which is what I assume the nature of this war is), when it comes to battles, shouldn’t they use something a bit more… … … powerful?
If they can afford to use Assault rifles for training then why aren’t they using assault rifles?
Yeah, i’m picking at details here, so sue me.
@TinyRedLeaf: Well, it is perhaps true but it is also in the law that the Library has no power to enforce beyond its borders. So, I do not really think it’s an empty threat of any sorts. It’s against the law (or their law, which they can screw it, i think not) to exercise their military offensive.
Heh, I think that it’s very cute when she sees a vision of her prince charming when she thinks about DOJO. I want dojo x kasahara fanfic now. NOW!!
“I want dojo x kasahara fanfic now. NOW!!”
Me too, me too! *waves*
Anyway, I have some Dojo x Kasahara related fanart
on my dA-Account. It looks like i’m the first none-japanese person that has Toshokan related fanart. *waves* I’m also thinking about drawing a short doujinshi.
i only watch this for kasadojo. i generally ignore the part about the war but it’s a good background for their personalities. i’m looking forward to the next episode.
@DrmChsr0
I believe the Task Force uses a variant of the MAC-10 submachine gun with an extended barrel and forward grip for better stability in full-automatic fire. The Media Improvement Brigade uses the Heckler & Kosch MP5.
I do wonder why the Task Force chose to use their submachine guns instead of their Type-89 rifles (JSDF standard issue weapon). I can think of three possible reasons: 1) They expected to fight most of the battle in-doors (which they eventually did); 2) For heavy suppressive fire (submachine guns are fully automatic, while assault rifles are semi-automatic by default); 3) They wanted to avoid inflicting lethal casualties. Submachine guns fire pistol calibre rounds that inflict substantially less damage than the 5.56mm rounds used in assault rifles.
By the way, I believe the Task Force snipers were using Remington M700 rifles. Can anyone verify? Thanks!
Well, I wished I could watch shows RAW but poor me can’t so I just skipped to the thoughts. Impz has something to complain about?! Now I really have to watch this, plus the “YAY FOR Kasahara x Dojo moment” and “cute episode” XD
Cool Episode Just got around to watching it Today going to post. Interesting yake on that books vs internet there. I guess books are still the best way to share information.
I guess its a policy of the task force not to kill but disable/suppress, like they mentioned in previous episode, thus sub-machine guns would be more appropriate, besides it’d be bad press for them to go in guns blazing killing and blowing stuff up.
@TinyRedLeaf
Actually, those are Mineabea PM-9 SMGs. They’re based on the IMI Mini-Uzi, so they’re licensed by Minebea.
Let’s not forget that in in the 1st episode, the LDF also had acquired Howa Type 64 rifles and Sumitomo M249 LMGS (Licensed base on FN Minimi). But they’re yet to be seen.
LDF snipers are using Remington M24s. JGSDF bought them due to the criticism that Howa Type 64s with scopes aren’t good enough as DMRs since the sights would misalign if they’re heavy movement (e.g. porting it in your hands, having a sling to carry it).
Feel free to ask me on the JSDF weapons used by the LDF. XP
Ok, I’ll leave it to the gun experts to verify the weapons. I’ll limit myself to discussions of small unit tactics. XD
If I really wanted to be fussy, there are so many other things I could quibble over. Where are the section NCOs? How come the Task Force assembled so close to the hostage building? Why wasn’t any MIB member watching the windows? Etc, etc. But it’s ok, because in the end, who cares? We just want more KasaDojo, lol.
Oh yeah, regarding why the LDF trained with the assault rifles, it’s most probably because they were undergoing endurance training in Ep1, and were therefore carrying a heavier than normal load. Given the wide variety of weapons the LDF deploys, their members are probably required to have range practise on all weapons. It’s just that we only got to see them practising with their assault rifles.
Perfect, TRF (In Scottish accent). You and me can be teammates on this. LOL! XP
But, am I the only one who likes Asako? -_-;
@Kaze: Wow, you are such a good artist. You remind me why I never had a deviantart account. I keep to my blog sadly, since I really cannot draw for nuts. On a completely different note, go watch Itazura no Kiss. The couple there is wonderful.
@Binkita: Heh, I actually like the background (as long as they try to keep it humanely possible). This is perhaps my occupational disease since media is my field of studies.
@Tinyredleaf: I am getting Crusader, our resident military man in action. I am no military man. Guns are not my specialty, i care about the love. THE LOVE!
@Blissmo: I always have things to complain. I generally try to keep it to a minimum, since my job is not about flaming shows or be nitpicky. I am here to promote what deserves to be given a look. However, when the weakness becomes glaring, it is also important for me to warn my readers about it. That is how I see my role as an author in THAT Blog.
@Akiraman: Heh, well, the thing is that it is really the only entity that both parties cannot control. Equipment to replicate the digital format is easily forfeited. However, for existing books, other than burning all books away (which is going to cause decent amount of outroar like Qin Shi Huang’s style \O/), the only way is armed combat.
I do have my complaints about the context of fighting books though. It is a bit ridiculous but the foundation of information control is hardly irrealistic.
@Ominae: hehehe, shibasaki has that rather haughty feel about her. I kinda like her, but the fact that I am too fanboyish toward the sweet romance of Dojo x Kasahara means that I hardly have time to concentrate on anyone.
@Impz: I see I see! Well, I guess when you complain loads of people read it cos they either agree with you or are totally against you. But still, I didn’t expect Toshokan Sensou to have anything to complain about except the lack of blood and action
@Impz – Actually, I like the background of the story too. But too many people have thought that the premise is just too out there. Though I’m a total bookworm that’s why I appreciate it while others go “WTF the plot!”. However, it literally took me several watches to understand the war part… I got to enthralled by the KasaDojo pairing.
Bah, I’m the resident Asako fanboy around here anyway (and a JGSDF small arms fanboy too…)
XP
@Blissmo: heh, well, i simply put up a point. If everyone agrees with me, it will be boring. It is the reason why we make reviews. We have our own opinions about things as a writer, and we present in as simple a way for the readers to understand and interpret. There’s tons of actions too O_O, the military stuff.
@Biankita: Well, i cannot deny that. I don’t think i am a bookworm, but i am more interested in the overall context of the show, particularly in terms of “information control”.
@Ominae: you should really read Crusader’s entries in macross frontier, allison then. He is our military man here in THAT.
The definition of an assault rifle is a selective-fire weapon firing intermediate cartridges. Selective-fire means BOTH semi-auto and burst/auto fire modes.
Anyway, I’m liking this show so far: Minebea PM-9s are rare enough (never exported, as per Japanese law, and currently slated for replacement) to get me going “OOOH!”
From what I heard, MP5s are the current candidate.