Lan was so adorable when she was younger.
This week we finally see things come to a head between Muginami and Lan. I had suspected that Muginami was not a ditzy person but I had no idea she was just toying with Madoka and Lan. It kind of makes me question why she saved Lan but I guess that it is possible that Muginami was under the assumption that Villagiulio wanted to take the Voxes hence killing Lan outright was out of the equation. This pretty much confirms that this is a Civil War and even with a third faction introduced in Kiss it only makes the war more intriguing. Villagiulio seems to be the head of his own noble house that is likely one of many that is caught up in the war. Lan comes from the ruling house which seems to have lost the support of Deme Trio (might as well use the Viz spellings), whether or not Le Garite even possesses their homeworld is a matter of conjecture as is the whereabouts of Lan’s brother who may or may not be King at this point. That Deme Trio probably mutinied and given Izo’s previous statements it seems that as a whole they have rejected the rule of La Garite while the nobles houses like Kiss seem to be jockeying for position once La Garite is gone.
I like how the characters from opposing factions know each other to some degree, as it really does make this war a rather sad affair. Clearly the bonds of friendship are not strong enough to overcome the factional divides and given how the controversy surrounds the Voxes the conflict in and of itself may carry a religious element given how Kiss wants to destroy the Voxes (though Villagiulio seems to have flirted with the idea of possessing them), use the Voxes for conquest, or to safeguard them. Right now it seems that all sides share the same cultural habits and technology between them is roughly the same. I wonder if possession of the Voxes, regardless of the legends surrounding them is where La Garite draws its mandate to rule. While Moid still has is eyes shut it seems that Lan is the one that is supposed to be giving the orders and given how Moid has yet to kill her despite being in the optimal position to do so I think the likelihood that he freed Array has decreased significantly. Moreover it seems that Moid and Villagiulio are on opposing sides and hold different beliefs about what to do with the Voxes.
On the one hand I am glad Muginami isn’t an air head on the other hand I am worried about her mental stability. She goes from nice to menacing at the drop of a hat and while it seems clear that she is no warrior, she was deeply devoted to Villagiulio and his cause. Now that Villagiulio has cast her aside I wonder how she is going to cope. I am unsure of whether or not there will be any truly malevolent bad guy since it is still possible that they are going to avoid that route entirely and make the Civil War more about a dispute over prophecy that has thrown an entire civilization into turmoil than simply the fall of a ruling house. However there is still the issue of who Deme Trio was fighting when all three factions were united under La Garite’s banner. Either that enemy is long since gone or they are still around but no longer a great threat. Come what may I wonder who Yurikano was since Kirius and Villagiulio seems to venerate his/her memory, perhaps Yurikano was the last ruler that was able to hold it all together or simply the greatest hero of their age.
Villagiulio seems to be an interesting fellow on the one hand he did seem to have good relationships with Lan and Muginami in the past but it seems that after both achieved memoria he decided that they could no longer be friends. It’s not that I think Villagiulio is out to crown himself, though it is possible that the House he leads wants to rule in La Garite’s stead. Again it comes back to how the prophecy is viewed and what is the fate of those who achieve memoria. Perhaps now that Muginami has achieved memoria she is fated to die along with Lan and Madoka if Villagiulio achieves his goal of destroying the Voxes. What is known at this point is that memoria can be achieved easily but there are weighty consequences to it, if the legends are true. Lan believes in them while Muginami dismisses the legends as silly superstition. It would be something if Villagiulio’s house was one of La Garite’s trusted retainers only for them to betray La Garite. Lan’s hostility to Villagiulio hints that to be a real possibility since when she was younger she believed that Villagiulio would serve her brother, on the opposite side Villagiulio did warn Lan that her brother would be fighting a war he did not want.
While the episode was generally dark it was humorous in places with Lan’s terrible at bat, and Hiroshi and Villagiulio fighting over gaudy clothing. It was a nice diversion with Madoka going to cloud nine when she got her club room and it seemed as if everything was going on the up. Now though I hope that Lan and Madoka can put Muginami back together again. It’s pretty clear that Muginami adored Villagiulio and went out on her own to do what she thought he wanted. Sadly she guessed wrong and now Muginami can no longer be a part of Kiss. I wonder if Muginami’s intense desire to have a peaceful time of plenty stems out of her never having had that experience. Perhaps the war has gotten uglier on other fronts and Earth is one of the few places that have been largely untouched by their war. Still it seems Villagiulio is getting reinforcements and I am curious to see the underlying reasons for their war. Muginami seems to be headed towards some redemption though I wonder if it’s still going to be all that happy by series end.
Deme Trio has got some fleet...
I just wanted to DAWWWWW again.
Lan doesn't seem to have many issues with bed hair.
I trust that love will make it delicious...
Yuri Harem SUCCESS.
You don't have to spar over everything you know...
Muginami wants to hear those sweet words pass through your lovely lips...
Oh come on Iwabuchi-sensei you can correct her you know...
Well at least she held on to it...
I really hope Muginami feels some affection for Lan.
If only Lan's suspicions were unfounded but that's why she is so special.
I wonder if they are going to use this art style more...
Though in Hiroshi's case it isn't very flattering.
Too old dudes fighting over an out of style coat...
Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for Hiroshi at least no one can mock him with "Dude Looks Like a Lady."
Apparently Madoka doesn't take kindly to having to do chores while Hiroshi gets drunk.
Nice try but you can't play hooky on Madoka.
She is altering the list, pray she doesn't alter it any further...
I guess booze does affect aliens...
She can wear striped if she wants...
Yeah Muginami isn't as dumb as people think.
Yep... that's a funny place to put it to say the least...
What an awful way to describe it...
I hope you heard him right...
I am disturbed by how happy you sound at that prospect...
Screw that YURI is the way to go.
But you really should be on Lan's side...
That better not be a lie.
Oh look a shooting star just passed by...
I disagree Madoka makes the impossible, possible.
Well she can cook...
I take it you wanted to achieve memoria?
That's not nice...
Lord Gigiolo it is then...
Well she hasn't paid her rent yet...
Yeah what I wouldn't give to see Madoka deck a man twice her size...
Maybe there is some civility in this Civil War...though those are some outrageous demands.
Poor Muginami, I told you to stick with yuri, boys are treacherous lot.
Don't worry Madoka I am sure Midori can kick this guys ass.
I think he just made Madoka mad... Villagiulio is going to regret this...
I wonder who is Yurikano...
Well it looks like a BIG FIGHT is coming next week.
Maybe Madoka should teach Lan the lost art of bunting...
21 Comments
Mm, yes. I think you’re right that this series isn’t going to go down the route of having a true ‘villain’. When we find out the different factions actual motives, they’ll probably all be as valid (or face-punchingly retarded) from their own perspective as each other. Well, I hope it chooses that route at any rate. Speaking of there being no bad guys, was I only one who thought that Villagiulio’s sudden 180 was a little suspicious. I mean, he could have just been acting pleased to see Muginami at first, but I think it might be telling that he only went into dickhead mode after Muginami stated that she wished her time with Madoka and Lan could last forever…
No, you’re not the only one who thinks that. It certainly looks like he was playing the jerk so that Muginami can stay with Madoka and company. This is reinforced by the look of regret he gave when he glanced at Muginami as he was walking down the stairs, and what looks to me like relief when the uncle told him to get out, almost as if he’s glad he can stop being so cruel.
As for Muginami, I don’t think her ditzyness is faked. I feel that she probably is that air-headed and naive, and didn’t even realize what she was doing to Madoka and Lafinty was wrong.
Hmm, airheaded? I don’t really think so. I think that the way Lan has deviated from the emotionless blue haired girl template has taught us that Lagrange doesn’t like to play its character types entirely straight. If she was really just an airheaded ditz, she wouldn’t have been able to break into the military base and achieved Memoria (speaking of which, why are all the Voxes perverts?). She may be naive in that she hasn’t truly thought through her goals and priorities, let alone her choice of friends, but from what we’ve seen of her so far she is clearly far from stupid.
I’m not saying that she’s stupid. Maybe airhead was the wrong word. An adult-child with no sense of right and wrong. Naive, yes definitely.
Possibly but still for some reason he chose to be Lan’s enemy. I am not sure how much we should trust him, seeing as how Lan felt so betrayed.
Oh, I’m not saying he’s to be trusted. He’s quite clearly an enemy. I’m just saying that he probably isn’t a complete and utter bastard. I just think he chose to do the kind thing for Muginami and leave her where in the long run she’ll be better off, and did so in spite of the fact that deciding against it would have bought him a very tasty advantage in the war. But yeah, if you chose to trust every enemy who has at least one redeeming humanising characteristic, you would probably be fairly dead.
Villagiulio can be said as the enemy of all women here. Miking an impression as a Bishi Oniisan when Lan was still as loli. Being a Dandy Oniisan to Muginami. Breaking their hearts…
Madoka on the other hand can be perceived as anti-bishi and anti-dandy hence on guard to Villagiulio. He offered alcohol to a minor and peeked up her skirt. Being disappointed its a swimsuit not a white pantsu.
Though out of the three Villagiulio likely found Madoka the most attractive due to her personality resembling somebody he knew.
That being said young girls should be hidden from this lolicon.
Certainly it seems that Villagiulio has a habit of betraying women and earning their ire. Still it was great that Madoka got in a shot before he took off.
Top 5 things about this episode:
5. Madoka not screaming stereotypically when upskirted…
4. … and stomping Villaguilio. Just too bad it wasn’t in his damn face.
3. Madoka’s “How can you say I’m not involved” outburst.
2. Muginami’s troll facade. Facade, because I still can’t figure out if the ditz persona is intentional or not.
1. Potential Yandere Muginami. Those tears + Jersey Club Nakama = mecha pilot yandere moeblob.
Also the words “yandere” and “moeblob” really should be used together more often.
Madoka does make an impact once again, but poor Lan didn’t get to nail Villagiulio.
So long ans Yandere Muginami focuses her violence in the direction of Madoka’s enemies I see no problem with this, still maybe now Muginami can join Lan in the Betrayed Otome club.
Hm, hm. This episode was surely more serious than the last ones. But I guess we need to get the story rolling and find a good reason why Muginami will now be firmly on the side of Team Madoka.
Oh, well. The show is still way more laid back than Aquarion, which continues with its own brand of awesomeness. Looking forward to your review of the new episode of that show!
It is certainly more laid back but I am still pushing for peace and harmony in the Jersey club after what Villagiulio pulled.
* Lan definitely has bad luck with men: not even counting the ominous undertones regarding her brother’s fate, Lord Villagiulio betrayed her (at least she appears to take it that way), and Moid is reading his horoscope during a briefing. Let me rephrase: an alien is using a set of beliefs based on one of many human calendars and the solar system’s celestial bodies’ motions to help him analyze his situation – and said situation is about other aliens to boot ! He is either insane or trolling Lan, and I’m not even wure which would be worse…
* Muginami went from suspicious to frightening. Lack of empathy, impulsiveness, faking emotions… I hear some dangerous sociopath/psychopath bells ringing there. To make things worse, her single-minded dedication to someone else’s goals makes her a fanatic as well.
Now that she has been abandonned, there is no telling how she will take it. She may well attach herself to someone else (Madoka being the obvious candidate), but what would happen were “Brother” to come back later saying he forgives her ? Unless her mental issues get cured – and that would be a difficult, time-consuming process – she could very well switch sides again and betray the Jersey Club team. The only plus I see is that, as far as soul-healing goes, Madoka would be immensely helpful: she is after all one of the sanest, most grounded character ever.
Lan does seem to have it tough dealing with guys, but maybe we shall see her brother at some later point.
Muginami is a bit disturbed to say the least though Madoka and Lan’s love might be the thing that is needed to heal her heart. I am not sure if Muginami will go back to Villagiulio, as they say once burned twice shy and certainly Madoka and Lan have ample time to bring Muginami firmly behind their cause since Muginami wasn’t fighting for ideology.
I really, really dislike that Virginallio guy!
Beating lovely, lovely Muginami’s spirit’s into pieces like that!
I am sure going to enjoy Madoka teaching him a lesson soon. better yet, please let it be Muginami that’s deals the punch of justice!
Dude has no taste!
May Madoka kick Villagiulio into the other side of the universe for his insolence and dual betrayal of Lan and Muginami.
Are you and EO hogging the two good series of this season?
No just me, myself, and I for Rinne. EO might come around but at this point I haven’t been able to convince him.
Also, EO should do Hyouge Mono. It’s his cup of tea.
Don’t lost your Harem, Mado, don’t Lost
Granted at least for now there do not seem to be any external threats to Madoka’s happy yuri home.