Before I fly off to my conference in Portugal, I got some spare time to watch Library War Episode 6. It is definitely something worth the watch! I will not spoil those as yet, but it turns out that Production I.G might have answered our wishes. No, it is not a Dojo x Kasahara romance brewing sadly, but it is something that gives us a bit of history.
I will leave it as it is, but I felt that it is perhaps one of the strangely enjoyable episodes for me. In addition, as there is a very long flashback that is broken into a few parts in the episode, I will be putting the flashback at one go for better flow.
Episode summary
Komaki and Kasahara are in a tight situation after being chased by the Media Purification Brigade for a book of prophesy. They have gone to a second hand bookstore to retrieve this book for the library. It seems that the book is a translated book from an American author sixty years ago about the restriction of information by the government (which seems to predict the current scenario right now). A French director also made a film but they are banned. The group’s van is then flanked by the Media Purification Brigade,as they stopped the van.
Two of Komaki’s compatriots acted as lure, as Komaki and Kasahara escaped with the book. Genda’s call to Kasahara alerted the enemy, and the spotlight is on them as Komaki is shot at the foot. Kasahara screams at them, as they are not allowed to fire a shot in the streets as it is a designated neutral ground. The shot merely glazed Komaki’s ankle. Komaki simply told her to run off, and they ran off. The Library Task Force also moved out to meet the two, as Genda’s calls were continuously hung down.
When Kasahara commented about the atrocity of that gunshot, Komaki simply smiled. They finally moved to a isolated container, where Kasahara reported to Genda about the incident and Komaki’s injury. Komaki says that her injury report will worry them, and told Kasahara that complaining will not help, as they used a silencer late in the night and no civilians will report it. Their mobiles were running low on battery after that call. Kasahara asks Komaki why he is smiling over her reaction just now, and he replies that she is very similar to Dojo.
Komaki re-accounts the defense of a children’s library when the both of them are still in training for the Task Force. Due to the simple graphics of these children books, it is easy to understand and the government wished to seize control. Komaki told Kasahara about the irony and complexity of infighting within the government, which is why such conflicting rules are set. It seems amusing that no one in power wanted such a ridiculous scenario, but it is the current situation they are facing.
As the children’s library is about to open, a few kids want to go in. One of the kids sneaked in and a member of the Media Purification Brigade gave a warning shot. However, it is already against regulations to fire at civilians. Dojo screams at their actions (just like Kasahara) and charged out to attack the person who made the shot. The others followed to join Dojo under Genda’s orders. Dojo made a letter of apology, but Genda gave him a promotion instead. Genda seems to hint that giving Dojo some responsibility will help him.
At present, the Task Force arrived. They wondered what strategy to use as they are outnumbered. Tezuka asked about whether a shot was fired, and Dojo affirmed it. Later on, Tezuka is spotted using a mobile phone on their movement. Kasahara tells Komaki to escape, while she acts as lure. Komaki says that action is just like Dojo. The two of them are caught, but the book is not with them. It turns out that it is hidden at the first train that is leaving the depot.
Eventually, the two escaped with the help of the Task Force, and there seems to be a warning by their superiors to stop as a civilian reported the sound of a gunshot. Dojo asks who shot Komaki, and it turns out to be the same person in the Library’s event. Instead of punching him, Dojo simply gave him a stern warning that this will not be the end (showing his improvement). Dojo wondered if that civilian reporting is from Tezuka. It is also clear that Shibasaki spent the whole night worrying for Kasahara.
To me, this is perhaps one of the best set up episodes for a flashback. Usually, flashbacks (particularly extended ones) feel somewhat forced, but the flow for this made it logical. I felt that it is really due a Dojo flashback of what he did that resembles Kasahara so much. In addition, the whole episode gave a very heartwarming idea of how much Dojo has matured and blossomed into a top class lieutenant.
Komaki finally gets some focus, even though it is sad that we still don’t know much about him other than being a smiling person that enjoys the antics of the people around him. I felt that it is a little wasted that Komaki, despite appearing quite often in this episode, is not given a chance to shine at all. That, to me, is a great disappointment because two other side characters are given more attention too.
First of all, Shibasaki really shows quite a bit of herself despite the limited appearance this week. Her frentic attempts to call Kasahara over 20 times showed her deep concern of her friend, and it is clear that Shibasaki is very sensitive despite her taunting demeanour. In other words, never take someone’s exterior for granted. There’s nothing better to learn about “judging a book by its cover” here. Tezuka is also the one who saved everyone’s skins quietly, and he is really impressing me with his cool head.
In the end, I feel a bit happy that they bothered to point out the irony of such a ridiculous plot, and blame it on a realistic theme: the corruption of power. Due to the dirty infighting of the politicians, they brought their own country into a state of dispute that will make any outsider laugh. It is really sad that they presented a truth that people often do things against their will when they wish to obtain prestige, rank or power among others.
Before we criticize them for being overly silly, will we be able to think about apartheid being awful if we are part of the White majority then? Is it possible that slavery is not seen as anything that is against human rights a few hundred years ago? In an age where information might become more important, will those people with this “power” wish to control it for themselves, while others set up organizations to seize power themselves?
Let us pray not.
8 Comments
Dojou with black eye! Gotta watch this!!
Oh and I think I got some ppl fanboying over you here:
http://yukan.dasaku.net/?p=452
So it was the same idiot that tried to shoot the kid that shot Komaki? I’m surprised (and totally impressed) that Doujou managed NOT to lay the smack down on that *long string of curses* AGAIN. The next episode seems to be on Tezuka and Shibasaki, so yea it does seem slightly disappointing that Komaki might not get the chance to bridge out of his “laughing in the background” role in the series.
Hmm, on the contrary, I wasn’t thrilled by this episode. But I look at it as a transitionary step into the next story arc, so I didn’t mind it so much.
Yes, the political situation behind the library war is probably more complex that most viewers realise. It seems impossible in real life, but truth is often stranger than fiction.
Similarly, the relationship between the Library Corps and the Media Purification Brigade (personally, I still prefer calling them Media Improvement Brigade) is more nuanced than I had expected. There seems to be a level of grudging professional respect between the two factions. I mean, if the MIB were truly out to kill, Dojo would be a dead man by now. In fact, the whole “war” increasingly feels like a petty dispute between two rival gangs that would prefer to settle their arguments with as little real harm as possible.
But that level of respect is limited only to the official members of the MIB. I think the real enemies of the Library Corps are not the professional soldiers, but rather the independent groups affliated to the MIB, such as the splinter cell that kidnapped Commander Inamine. They are far more dangerous because they clearly have no qualms about using violent tactics to achieve their ultra-nationalist goals.
By any luck, Doujou can help Kasahara develop maturely like him. Well, I do suppose that is his goal. She’ll be so cool! ^_^
k505? I am going to assume that means 505 kelvin which i thing is close to 450 Fahrenheit… i wonder why they did that…
That ‘Book of Prophecy’ is surely a reference to Fahrenheit 451, mm?
This episode was screaming Street Fighter….
The book’s called “Turansufua K505″ which just means “transfer Kelvin 505″.
451°F is the same as 505K.
It’s a nice innuendo to 451°F
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