
Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 11
Eiyuu no Tanjou
After Lavi found her determination last episode, she and Iseria set off towards the capital. But while those two are on foot, the Empire is on their giant Soldats and heading towards North Ambria. Rogan and his leading principles are cutting him close to anything and the Ambrian people are both oppressed and anxious. Makes sense when a mighty Empire several times their sizes is heading to annex them.

Even though we’ve seen some pretty impressive Jeagers, the anime is doing their damnedest to make sure they look like inexperienced mercs – especially Rogan’s goons. Those guys are yes-men that are both lacking in skills as well as wisdom. They didn’t even detect that something’s wrong with the Archaisms, and they have to rely on a bounded Lavi to get their asses out of danger. The whole squad would have been Swiss cheese if the Lavi didn’t act out of her kindness and absurd skills. And then they wasted it all by literally drinking from the most suspicious water sources in town after almost getting killed by their own gimmicks.
Honestly, even with the Jaegers united, I don’t think they have a chance against the Empire. They wouldn’t even get pass the Golden Rakshasa, not to mention the “hero” Rean Schwarzer himself. And with the plethora of fanservice for fans of the franchise, it’s even less likely. The showing of the Empire’s force including many characters that appeared in the games basically guarantee the Empire’s victory should both sides go all out. But still, Sara Valstein and Aurelia Le Guin looks amazing on screen. Finally the animation team did something good.
Honestly, even with the Jaegers united, I don’t think they have a chance against the Empire. They wouldn’t even get pass the Golden Rakshasa, not to mention the “hero” Rean Schwarzer himself. And with the plethora of fanservice for fans of the franchise, it’s even less likely. The showing of the Empire’s force including many characters that appeared in the games basically guarantee the Empire’s victory should both sides go all out. But still, Sara Valstein and Aurelia Le Guin looks amazing on screen. Finally the animation team did something good.

The Soldats animation in this episode is a bit rigid and awkward. They are pretty much just one model and cloned into multiples and their walking steps are very weird. Aurelia’s mech got a bit more attention but overall, there’s not much to talk about mecha combat in this episode because there are hardly any combat. The series is determined to keep the giant robots from clashing on-screen and only give us small and breif segments. I understand it’s more about Lavi and her JRPG quest to stop the war, but some decent combat wouldn’t hurt. At least Valimar’s animation at the end of the episode was pretty amazing. Rean is just a tad too OP in this series, dude just flew in alone with the Valimar and with one swing, effectively shut down the opposition. If he didn’t get off the Valimar just for the fun of it, North Ambria would have been finished right then and there.

On the other hand, Jayna’s evilness keep increasing. This episode reveals that she’s not just a schemer and mastermind, she also got some “interesting” magical toys at her disposal. Furthermore, she’s got a way of twisting a man’s mind to obey her, and I suspect Talion fell under her influence. That’s a pretty cheap way to explain his turncoat behavior, but it make sense at least. Now with Rogan completely siding with Lavi and the Empire’s forward personnel calling for a ceasefire, I reckon the last episode will be about exposing Jayna as well as resolving the war with North Ambria becoming a member state of the Empire. Because I don’t see how a peace treaty is going to stop the Empire from annexing Ambria without giving them something back.
Other Episode Review:

Ultraman Blazar ep 11: Conflicting Souls
Tension is running high not just at GGF but also between Gento and Blazar as the two butt-heads during a fight. What lead to Blazar’s first official retreat?

Synduality: Noir Ep 11 Review: Unknown Potential
The debut of DaisyOrge Alter! Kanata take to the battlefield with renewed strength and resolve, while Ciel lament her feelings in the background. And Kurokamen for the 3rd save in this series!

Ultraman Blazar ep 10: Love Comes In All Sizes
A love that transcend size and species. A mother and father’s dearest wish is to protect their child. But what about a Kaiju’s child? Blazar once again raise a concerning question.

Synduality: Noir Ep 10 Review: The Approaching Storm
The Silver storm is approaching, provoking! Synduality turn up the seriousness with a beginning of an arc that may or may not change the world.

Ultraman Blazar ep 9: Melody of Life
The melody of music can change each one of us, even aliens. A heart-wrenching tale of a symphony born out of love and hate.

Synduality: Noir Ep 9 Review: Memory and Present
Look at me, I’m the protag now! Ep 9 introduces us to the main character from the game, and also to Noir’s possible past.

Ultraman Blazar ep 8: The Rainbow Vanishes
Part 2 of the Rainbow Saga. Earth Garon Mod 2 first deployed and a question of humanity’s existence was put on the line. Will Blazar win this time?

Synduality: Noir Ep 8 Review: Pool And Dream
The childhood friend strikes back! A fan-service episode with lots of swimsuit and even a concert. But amidst it all, Ellie finally found her courage to advance.

Ultraman Blazar ep 7: The Rainbow Cometh
The spotlight is back on Gento – our Ultraman. But this spotlight has 7 colors! Another ancient Kaiju that comes with a rainbow might just be Blazar’s first challenge.

Kyoukai Senki: Kyokkou no Souki Ep 1 & 2 Review
The new Kyoukai Senki is here and it’s dead serious! An entirely new battlefield filled with Obari-senesi’s badass aesthetic and a cast that’s more inline with a war story.

Synduality: Noir Ep 7 Review: My Wonderful Master
A new challenger appear! The triangle is forming! Ciel barged into Kanata’s life and he found his way into her heart. The plot thickens as Ciel’s song resonate throughout the battlefield.

Ultraman Blazar ep 6: Earth Garron Ex Machina
Do you even lift bro? Yasunobu show us what brain and brawn combined looks like. A love for machine that transcend human spirit and electrical signal, a mechanic risk his life to save the world.

Synduality: Noir Ep 6 Review: Casino and Diva
A reunion with a beautiful diva and a mysterious man. Kanata saved a girl’s dream while Noir fulfilled hers. A very melodic episode.

Synduality: Noir Ep 5 Review: Newlywed Honeymoon
Ep 5 crank up the romcom. And we see a returning face from literally the last ep. A sinister plot will test Kanata and Noir’s connection.

Ultraman Blazar ep 5: A Promised Land
The focus character of this week is Anri Minami. She show a lot of personality and determination in this episode. And we revisit the rule #1 when it comes to ancient artifact/god: just leave them alone.

Synduality: Noir Ep 4 Review: The Orge That Protects Daisies
Ep4 show us a new and determined Kanata. But as they say, an overhyped rookie will make rookie mistakes. But thankfully Kanata meet someone new to teach him a thing or two!

Ultraman Blazar ep 4: Among Us Ultra Edition
Emi shows us why she’s the waifu of the show. Courageous with a sense of justice, but all the while also very much a maiden at heart. And also the first team-up between Blazar and Earth Garron!

Synduality: Noir Ep 3 Review: Bromance In The Brothel
Episode 3 introduces us to the Char Clone of the series. However, the place we met him is pretty unorthodox. As well as his Coffin and Magus. Let’s welcome Kurokamen!

Ultraman Blazar ep 3 Review: Burn up, Blazar! (Literally)
Its name is Earth Garron! The debut of SKaRD Mecha Weapon went both awesome and horrible as Blazar swoop in once again. The comic relief is funny though!

Synduality: Noir Ep 2 Review: A New Bond
Episode 2 of Synduality continues to keep up the interesting plot and decent character development. And a new bond was form between Magus and Master!

Volicia of Pluto Ep 1 Review: Someone Get This Man A Studio!
With enough passion, you can accomplish anything. Young animator AsH has proven it with his indie mecha anime that blow us away with its potential. That is Volicia of Pluto!

Ultraman Blazar ep 2 Review: Fishing For SKaRD!
We went from action-packed spec-ops to comedic hi-jinks with a middle-aged man and his team, then back to action-pack again. Blazar is starting off very strong this season.

Synduality: Noir Ep 1 Review: I Picked Up A Robot Waifu And Become A Mecha Pilot
The new couple is in the house! Synduality: Noir debut with a good episode with great worldbuilding and gorgeous animation. We’ll see if this becomes Bandai’s new money-maker.

Ultraman Blazar ep 1 Review: It’s Monke Time!
The new Giant of Light debut in a dark and violent episode. A unique atmosphere along with a new style of protagonist that send the whole fandom into monke!

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 24: End of the Mercurian Witch
The final…magic show? A last episode with no battle but only space magic galore. And the happy forever after ending for everyone that is just like the Tempest.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 23: All you need is FAMILY!
Brother vs brother! Sister vs sister! And the most dramatic of all: mother-in-law vs wife! The action packed episode once again left us no room to breath.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 22: The Witch is real
The Witch from Mercury is real! Take back the bride, ride the Gundam, stop her mother – Suletta is charging through to her family with Miorine in tow!

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 21: All Quiet On The Mercurial Front
Strap into your Permet score because the show is going into overdrive! So many things happening at a breakneck pace. However, the debut of Quiet Zero and Suletta’s new resolve are the highlights.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury episode 20: And It Comes Tumbling Down
Let loose the horrors. When Prospera told Suletta to live freely at school, surely she didn’t mean a bloody academy with the student bodies dropping like flies.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 19: A “Peaceful” Meeting
Ah yes – a peaceful protest and negotiation – a term non-existent in Gundam. Tension run high as Prospera enact her plan and stir up conflict just when Miorine and Guel found out the truth about Shaddiq.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 18: Our Empty Selves
Betrayal upon betrayal. Suletta found her courage thanks to her friends to confront Mio, but what she received was the cold hands pushing her away by her loved ones.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury Episode 17 – Run And Lose One; Move Forward, And You Lose All
A redemption for the young lion, but it didn’t come for free. A cruel and painful wake-up call is awaiting our precious Tanuki. All the while the fight for Benerit Group intensifies.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury episode 16: The Witch’s Blessing/Curse
The return and revelation. The prodigal son make his comeback while the obedient daughter reveal her true allegiance.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury episode 15 – Fathers and Children
A second fall from grace of our previously most obnoxious character – Guel Jeturk. But his journey through purgatory has made him a man among the fiery battlefield of Earth.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury episode 14: The cracked reality
It’s happy time…but trigger-happy. The school is facing a threat that might undo everything. And Prospera is dropping another bombshell on us.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury episode 13: A Stormy Return
It’s back to school time…or so you thought. Season 2 of G-Witch started off explosively with duels, conspiracies and almost a…casualty?

Megaton Musashi SS2 EP 15: A Happy Cliffhanger
The final episode that resolve as much as they can, while still leaving a ton of questions unanswered. But as far as the main characters are concerned, this is a happy end!

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 12
The finale to a lackluster saga. A mastermind revealed and defeated in the most uninteresting way, and a result that didn’t really carry much meaning.

Megaton Musashi SS2 EP 14: Dead End
An episode filled with losses, pain and grief. The loss of one led to change in another. Arshem and Yamato was separated by a wall seemingly insurmountable.

Episode Review: NieR:Automata Ver1.1A Episode 8
A heartwarming expedition with just 2B and 9S, but it maybe their last. With 9S venturing too far in his quest for truth, he landed himself in hot water.

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 11
Our heroine returned to the capital, but accompanied by not-so-bright people. As the capital was surrounded by mindless robots, a sinister plot took place.

Megaton Musashi SS2 EP 13: Mother’s Sacrifice
Beat the drums of courage and feel love in space! A hot-blooded battle, a passionate romance and a mother’s emotional sacrifice. All in this episode.

Episode Review: NieR:Automata Ver1.1A Episode 7
More progress to the story and this time it takes us to A2. Along the way, 9S and Pascal ponders about the “heart” of an android and machine.

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 10
Lavi survived by the skin of her teeth and experienced what it’s like to be loved and protected. She realized what it means to be a hero for the people around her.

Episode Review: NieR:Automata Ver1.1A Episode 6
Lily revealed her dark past and her previous encountered with YoRHa soldiers. A small story that show it is possible for androids to work together towards a common goal.

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 9
Rogan’s revolution is in full effect and the Aurora Phenomenon is prepping the country for war despite its internal chaos. Lavi wants to do something, but does she know what to do and can she do it?

Megaton Musashi SS2 EP 12: Musashi X
An expected betrayal and the arrival of the long-awaited trump card. Yamato and the gang took to space and participate in a grand 3-way battle.

Episode Review: NieR:Automata Ver1.1A Episode 5
2B and 9S visit the peaceful village of Pascal. However, underneath the tranquil mechanical life is the bad parts of humanity.

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 8
A Coup d’etat, a Revolution and Assassination. Lavi found herself caught in the whirpool of politics due to her status. Now, she must make a choice!

Episode Review: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War ep 7
Lavi returned home and happened upon a massive secret. The flames of war are slowly being lit, and various hands are moving the actors across the stage.