Last Exile "Simulwatch"

[MercenaryRaiden]

Overly pedantic correction to your ep 13 title coming, sorry. ^^;

Haha that's cool. Mondays i'm usually out from 7am till around 7pm, which leaves me utterly exhausted, and that was one such occasion. Hoping to avoid it tomorrow but that's looking rather likely to happen again :\

Also, the Disith stuff - remember they are having to leave their country due to an increasingly uninhabitable climate, trying to invade and take land in Anatoray, and as you saw the migration pods with people in in this episode crash.

Yeah I had forgotten a bit about the Disith factors at that point. I think I just expected it to be kind of dragged out! Normally some animes i've watched recently have taken the liberty of spreading it out a little too much for it to stay interesting, so for it to be done within about 2/3 minutes was kind of surprising!

Interesting observation. :s

Which has since been proven otherwise! I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen something alive in the Grand Stream - it could have added some element of mystery to it. Not nessicarily a good turn but...

fwiw, I would totally be going after Alis, the one by far the least likely to fall for his charms.

And I think this is the right decision!! I quite like Alister actually and i'm not sure why. Maybe it's because she hasn't been the center of attention. She seems to always be there for Tatiana, and sometimes Claus, whilst protecting her and looking after her. She comes off as one of the most dependable without the show actually spelling that out.

Interesting theory. She certainly wouldn't lack the guts to do it if absolutely necessary, I'm sure, but I also think that Alex would be looking to heed Lescius's advice about protecting his own Queen rather than focusing on capturing the other side's.

Yeah after Alex's little freak out at the end of episode 18 I feel like i'm going back on what I've said again (I feel like i'm doing that more and more as these episodes go on! ) I don't feel like he would want to go up against Sophia but if he got carried away in the moment he might do something rash that he'll regret (Although obviously after this episode we know it won't be against Sophia.) At least he has his crew backing him fully and looking out for him.

Episode 19 - Sicilian Defence

I loved Alex trying to play it cool when Sophia and Vincent came onboard. And at the same time it's great to see the engineers helping out Claus and Lavie. It was also great to kind of see some after effect of Mullin leaving the Silvana with the engineers missing him. The scene between him and Dunya was really sweet.

And so we move to enter the Grand Stream! It feels like this is one of the big points the series has been moving towards. The next episode is definately going to be a good one.

Claus bringing Al up was a good point. Its always been in the back of my mind that she's been connected with Exile for a long time. But she's the "key to Exile" huh. I guess we saw that a few episodes back when she caused the Claudia levels to spike.

Dio and his Mark of the Covenant are getting a bit more emphasis. It's a shame he's losing a bit of his cool but it's nice to get some backstory on him. It certainly doesn't feel like he's a bad guy at all and that he just wants somewhere to go. It's making his feelings towards Claus all the more clearer. Although I wonder what's going to happen with him and whether he's going to go up against Delphine or not. It's also making me wonder more about these story threads in general and whether they will all have a happy end or not.

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

Ugh yeah. Horribly long day. I really shouldn't have watched this today but after all this setup there's no way that I can't. So my apologises for what's likely to be a bit of a messy post:

Episode 20 - Grand Stream

Whoa! Claus with Dio as his Navi! It's something I should have seen coming a long way away with all this build up and it's a very clever move. In fact Dio got a lot of focus in this episode. It was nice to see everyone accept him as one of their own. They made a pretty good team as well!

Delphine showed off her more ruthless side by sending out people to take him back, including Luciola's brother Cicida. Obviously this is going to be the situation for the next episode. Hopefully along with some more Dio backstory, and possibly some Delphine.

It was another episode that went like clockwork but still managed to create a great atmosphere and sense of tension. Al's role is getting some more foreshaddowing again it seems. Also with the defence system and the way they were talking about it I almost thought Exile was alive!

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

Episode 21 - Rook Dio

This episode was interesting in that there was a lot more death then we're used to seeing. Delphine's made her move taking the Silvana and her crew. It was great to see Delphine in action rather than this Overlord behind the scenes. And it looks like we'll see a bit more of her in the next episode.

The part between Mullin and Dunya was again really cute. It seems like they're pushing them as a couple. I do get the feeling that these two won't have a happy end though...

They manage to mark the Mark Of The Covenant seem pretty terrifying without actually implying what happens. It's becoming clear that this is why Dio was running away from Delphine. Poor poor Dio. It's like he has been brainwashed. I expect Claus will be able to snap him out of it and re-add him to the harem.

It felt like a set up episode but it also felt like it moved significant enough strides forward to keep the plot going. There's still a few factors left to play out like whats happend to Alex, How Sophia is going to retaliate (With Alister and Tatiana alongside her), The imminent Guild Attack and of course Claus, Al and Dio. Lots to cover but this show has always felt like it knows where it's going so I expect it to be a solid conclusion.

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

Episode 22 - Queen Delphine

All those followers were like Zombies. So we learn why they go through the Rite of the Covenant - to be the next generation of Guild. The Trial of Agoon was a gladiatorial ritual. You really feel sorry for Dio. But where does it go now that he has the Sword? I'm hoping Claus will find a way to snap him out of it, or that he's just acting.

Poor Mullin. One away from his 20th medal? It's like they want to keep raising possible death flags for the poor fella!

Lavie finished repairing their Vanship and had a small conversation with Tatiana. It was nice to see them talking together but more importantly Lavie opening up to her. It was quite touching actually!

Delphine's pretty ruthless. The whole Rite Of The Covenant, Trial of Agoon, sending ships to die just for Exile and torturing Alex. It's pretty clever that Alex, seemingly, intentionally not learning the last Mysterion. But it's leading Sophia into danger.

So Exile is a colony ship for those who created the world! And we saw how Al acts as the key for Exile and that she saw it in her dream. The cocoon isn't fully open but i'm interested in whether we'll see what's inside it.

This was another one of those episodes that feels like it's setting us up for the bigger picture but it was still pretty solid and good.


As an aside I *might* struggle to get this watched on time this weekend. It hopefully shouldn't be a problem but real life stuff might mean I have to delay my posts from friday through sunday, which would be the last 3 episodes. I'm not sure if anyone's actually reading this other then us though! If so...Well thanks for putting up with subpar dialog from my end! Like with Real Drive i've really enjoyed doing this again, even if for large periods it felt like it was just me, and it keeps me constantly wanting to watch it (Lets ignore the fact i've delayed this for about a weeks worth of episodes shall we? ) I have also briefly really enjoyed the conversations we had when you posted in batches of 4 (In other words, Come back! )

There's a few series i'd love to watch but would struggle normally to find the time or motivation to watch, i'm mainly thinking Witch Hunter Robin here or a re-watch of My-Hime, that I'd love to do whilst discussing it with others - but I fear it'd end up with me just ranting like a blog which is why I'm hesitant on suggesting one for those.

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

I feel I should warn for spoilers...But this is episode 23 of the series. Spoilers by this point must be expected, right?

Episode 23 - Castling Luciola

Backstory on Luciola this far into the series! He's essentially treated as a slave by Delphine and just "giving" him to Dio. Essentially not able to do anything about the regime ahead of him even now. The flashbacks were really nice and made you feel sorry for both Luciola now and how Dio has become. Whilst the animation may have been a bit sloppy at times the choreography was excellent, especially set to that music. I'm suprised that I didn't see his death coming, especially as they used his backstory as a way to flesh him out whilst making us feel sorry for him, but as soon as Delphine gave him the ring...This is turning into a pretty dark end.

Then they really set Mullin and Dunya up in our face. They promise to go to the Silvana once this is over...But then the charge happens. Poor Mullin. I thought it'd have a bit more of an emotional impact but then i've been expecting something like this to happen. Whilst him and Luciola may have been supporting characters this episode still had quite the impact.

I wonder if Lavie is going to get into a situation where she has to use that weapon. It'll be interesting considering her stance up to this point. I think the whole Anatoray & Disith vs The Guild should become more intense now that we've started the battle properly.

I'm also starting to wonder how this is going to end. There's a few major players still in this whose posistions aren't fully clear. What are Claus, Al and Dio going to do now? And what of Alex? I don't believe he's down and out yet. And, whilst this is possibly being influenced by the fact there's a sequel, I wonder if Delphine WILL actually die. And maybe if she does - Will someone step up to take over the Guild? I really hope it wouldn't be Dio but...It'd be one heck of an explosive ending to the series - Even if it was open ended. I guess I'll find out in 3 episodes! Nothing to do but rampantly speculate until then!

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

I probably should have watched this before The Walking Dead's mid season finale - Brilliant yet tear jerking. It put me in kind of a drained mood! But that's not taking anything away from this ep, which was another really good episode.

Episode 24 - Sealed Move

And so the lower part of the Guild ship fell. I laughed when one of the mission guys said the sky was falling but actually it must have been quite a scary sight!

I felt Al and Claus's return to his home in Norkia was a nice touch, including finding the manual written by Lavie. It adds another small touch to her backstory, especially with her father which we didn't see much of. So they're heading back to the Dragon's Fang to stop Exile. I've been getting the feeling that Al will actually control it to help the Alliance but that's only a weak theory. Still I don't quite believe the end of the episode trying to lead us to believe that the Silvana is gone. I think Claus and Al will end up saving the day somehow.

And so the big battle began! The guild ships certainly began more impressively. One of the nice touches was a small talk about technology as there is clearly a gap between the Alliance forces and The Guilds. It felt like the Vanships were a lot more effective then the big battle ships. A nice touch considering how personal Claus and Lavies Vanship has been during the series. All of the CG in these parts were really well done, even by todays standards.


So next episode is the penultimate episode! I wonder if they're gonna finish up the battle in the next one and leave the final episode for wrapping things up, or whether it'll spread out over the two episodes. I have faith that, whatever happens, it'll be a good set of episodes. All through out this series it feels like everything has been well thought out in advance and that Gonzo know where they are going and what they want to do with this. Of course there is that slight chance that my posts for the final two episodes may be delayed till tuesday/wednesday but i'm going to try everything in my power to make sure that's not the case! I'm not sure I can wait till tomorrow let alone 4 days!

 

[ilmaestro]

Noooooo~

Wait til Tuesday/Wednesday and I'll be caught up!

I've actually done my posts for eps 17-20, I just keep on forgetting to post them... I will try to get someone to email them to me tonight, as I'm not at the PC where I saved them.

 

[ilmaestro]

See, I'm not really behind (I have removed some more factual aspects of the following posts, though, where it would have basically been me repeating stuff you had said)!

Al believes me, right?

Episode 17 - Making Material

Emotional scenes all round, and not entirely unearned. Ralph's brother, Claus and Lavie's part in the war, all very nicely explored. Plenty of further setup for the end game, too, as the title would suggest.

 

[ilmaestro]

Episode 18 - Promotion Sophia

More than anything else, this episode will surely be remembered for the rain of petals which Delphine sends to "congratulate" Sophia on her coronation.

Not only is it a most striking visual, but the effect of her arrival on both Dio and Alex shows the sort of psychological tight rope that these two have been walking on for the rest of the series.

Quite a number of recent episodes have felt like good setup for a run to the finish, but now that we have a full-on declaration of war, the tension is palpable.

Mullin's arc also seems to have reached its final stages, he has been a good parallel for a lot of aspects of the show.

 

[ilmaestro]

You might think I'd be embarrassed by how far behind I've fallen in my own simulwatch, but I'm good, honest.

Episode 19 - Sicilian Defence

Just in case anyone was wondering, Delphine is Evil. ^^;

On the other hand, Dio is awesome. The variety to his character, and the way he has been brought along from potential rival to sympathetic friend, has been the highlight of the show for me.

And the show once again demonstrates great skill in involving the side characters- giving such a key role to Wina is a really fun idea.

 

[ilmaestro]

Anyway, I have the perfect defence against anyone who wants to pass comment on the tardiness of my posts. I simply choose not to hear them

Episode 20 - Grand Stream

Al just steps to the top of tree in this episode, her determination to help Dio enjoy his birthday is just adorable. The juxtaposition against the end of the episode is kind of obvious, but still works really well. And I still maintain that your assessment of a living thing inhabiting the Grand Stream was an interesting one. :s

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

Noooooo~

Wait til Tuesday/Wednesday and I'll be caught up!

Haha i'm afraid i've found the time tonight! I could really do with finishing this weekend anyway before all my coursework projects start on monday. I know i'm pretty bad with stuff on the net anyway but I might start the sequel or I *might* start Chihayafuyu. I heard *someone* said that it's pretty good...

Al believes me, right?

Fantastic shot

More than anything else, this episode will surely be remembered for the rain of petals which Delphine sends to "congratulate" Sophia on her coronation.

Not only is it a most striking visual, but the effect of her arrival on both Dio and Alex shows the sort of psychological tight rope that these two have been walking on for the rest of the series.

Yeah I think the comment made by Lavie was fantastic as well. Something along the lines of "The sky was totally red it was so pretty" compaired to how everyone else saw it. It made such a stark contrast with just one simple sentence.

And I still maintain that your assessment of a living thing inhabiting the Grand Stream was an interesting one. :s

I'm still not sure what I was thinking when I said it, apart from that one flashback with the guild ships tail. The Disith have talked about how they follow the rainbirds down from the Grand Stream. There's certainly things to live off of there but...I dunno

Episode 25 - Quiet Move

It's...Weird. Despite being the penultimate episode there's not a lot to say despite the forward movement! It didn't feel like a set up episode but everything went as smoothly as you'd like, although the battle in the Grand Stream was pretty good but not to the heights of the previous episode.

It was cute when Al was trying to navi in the Vanship with Alister. Even now we get a bit of side character development with Ethan having a crush on Alis? You can't blame the guy! Everyone helping out Claus and Al get back was pretty awesome. It felt like a really nice way to help resolve some left over character issues. Lavie as the last one with their Vanship? Great touch.

Claus's manuevers with the guildstarfish were excellent again and goes to reconfirm how much he's grown. It's something I really noticed in this ep that the series has been much more about Claus and his journey. Lavie, whilst being a main character, hasn't had nearly as much focus since about episode 10. And yet they still come back to their promise right at the very end. Tugged at the heartstrings a little...! As did the very final moment of the episode with Dio turning up...


No idea how the last episode is going to go. From my vague recollection of years gone past I don't seem to remember any decent endings (or to clarify a bit - endings that I've liked) to a Gonzo anime, bar maybe Chrono Crusade. This is of course a bit of a foolish statement to make though. I think it's mainly because previous series I've always been into the source material (but that does include Chrono Crusade) although some things were on going like Gantz and, I think, Black Cat...

 

[ilmaestro]

but I might start the sequel or I *might* start Chihayafuyu. I heard *someone* said that it's pretty good...

That person sounds like a pretty cool guy. :s

But yeah, I think you'll end up wanting to watch the sequel. "someone" will probably try to sell you on that idea, too. ^^;

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

(oh heck this is going to be a long post...It's going to have bad grammer and all that jazz but meh it's quarter past 12!)

but I might start the sequel or I *might* start Chihayafuyu. I heard *someone* said that it's pretty good...

That person sounds like a pretty cool guy. :s

But yeah, I think you'll end up wanting to watch the sequel. "someone" will probably try to sell you on that idea, too. ^^;

I heard he has pretty good choices in Idols too...

But yeah I don't think I can dodge the sequel/No sequel question anymore considering this is it! I think what i'm worried about is the fact that I can't keep on top of what I'm currently watching already (4/5 eps behind on Idolm@ster, although that's down to fear for the next few episodes after how good the Makoto one was! , and about 6/7 behind on Fate/Zero) and then we throw in a new series or two. Not to mention can I keep up enthusiasm jumping into ANOTHER 20 odd episodes set in this universe? It's a lot of...Fickle questions i'm aware...But then if I don't start it now...When will I...? It's this indecision that made me not watch the series for this long!!

Argh. I think i'm overthinking it! I'll make a decision sharpish (although i'll never have time on a monday :\) and just go with it. But more importantly right now - This series, and simulcast, is done!

Obviously rather large spoilers!

Episode 26 - Resign

No time for the opening! Right into the action between Delphine and the Alliance. Exile destroying a quarter of the forces in just two minutes. Sophia shows off how good of a captain she is in Alex's wake and why she became the Empress. A totally natural leader able to steel everyones resolve.

Dio! The bit with him asking navi tasks of Luciola was pretty sad, but it helped him to remember his race with Claus. I guess that's it for him though...Seemingly falling out of his Vanship in the Grand Stream. I had expected it to be a bit more drawn out and dramatic but...Nope. That was it, which is a shame

Holy crap Alex! He managed to kill Delphine and get his revenge! But then he was in turn killed by the Silvana. Pretty damn tragic...Wina saying that he said Sophia's name was also fairly sad. Visitng his grave was also quite a poignant moment. The first water joke from the mechanics was excellent in so many ways.

Lavie, Claus and Al managed to make it through the Grand Stream. Lavie's determination not to red-out this time was really heartwarming. They spoke the full Mysterion and activated Exile. Even right to the end it was pretty beautiful, alligning the skies. Finding their dads Vanship inside Exile was another really great impact point.

The bgm version of the ending leading up towards a slower version used at the end was really good. It actually raised my awareness to how good the song used for the ending is. It's not a point I mentioned at all but the music in this has been a key component, even though it doesn't stand out as much as other series. And MULLIN!!! Goddamn fake out got me! Another emotional moment that this episode was full of.

Having Claus and Lavie soaring blue skies as the end was the perfect way to end it. It was really satisfying and tied up a lot of the few loose ends it had built up. I think it helped that the story was really solid and didn't deviate into some crazy plot twist that would boggle the mind.


This was brilliant from start to finish. I can only think of 1, maybe 2 if i'm pushing it, episode that I didn't enjoy or wasn't that good. Which over the course of a 26 episode series is fantastic. From a somewhat quiet and humble start it fully embraced the war yet still kept true to it's roots and characters. I don't regret starting it this late because after all the trouble I had with that faulty disc 1, all those years back, it would have soured my experience of the first few episodes completely. This is potentially top 10 series material for me but I'm not quite sure yet. It's definately going to retain a place in my memories for some time to come. And of course...There's the sequel. I have NO IDEA of the premise of that either. In fact...After watching this I have no idea! Will it be about Anatoray and Disith getting on? Will there be a new Guild? I...Really want to know these answers. And I think the prolonged answer to the question is yes - I need to start the sequel asap.

And so another Simulcast i've been a part of is done. I appreciate everyone who posted, even just the once or twice, and tried to be a part of this. I said to maes a while back in a few pms that this community is one of the nicer ones I've joined and it kind of shows even with that. Even at times with my inane ramblings no one came along and went "you're talking to yourself you crazy person!" or ridiculed my fairly simplistic style. I'm not even sure where i'm going with this praise so...Yay everyone?

Still, despite there being a few periods of just myself posting, it has been really fun to be part of something like this again. I felt myself getting a bit reinvigorated when I was able to do a bit of discussion again and I would hope that we could get another one of these going at some point with more discussion.

 

[ayase]

For what it's worth, I've really enjoyed reading your posts Raiden. Being a fan of Last Exile myself it was nice to read such a detailed account of someone experiencing (and enjoying) it for the first time. Well done for persevering! I'm not sure I could have found so much to write about each episode.

Just in case anyone was wondering, Delphine is Evil. ^^;

Yeeees, but... Delicious Evil.

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

For what it's worth, I've really enjoyed reading your posts Raiden. Being a fan of Last Exile myself it was nice to read such a detailed account of someone experiencing (and enjoying) it for the first time. Well done for persevering! I'm not sure I could have found so much to write about each episode.

Thanks! I was a bit worried about my writing coming off as a bit "samey" though. I think when the episodes got to double digits I realised that in every post I wanted to refer to everything as interesting Which to be fair it really was!

Yeeees, but... Delicious Evil.

Delphine, like a lot of the characters in the show, was really well built up to. When Dio went absolutely crazy we didn't fully know why, but the build up with the scattering of rose petals and the Trial of Agoon was really well done! She felt more fleshed out then Generic Dictator In The Background.


Anyways maes I've got a question for you for when you've finished up! I know this was specified as a Last Exile simulwatch...But what would you feel about doing Fan The Silver Wing in here as well? Obviously it wouldn't be daily but weekly so i'm not sure if it's even worth it! I guess i'm just wondering whether I should carry on in here or take it over to the viewing journal?

 

[ilmaestro]

Just in case anyone was wondering, Delphine is Evil. ^^;

Yeeees, but... Delicious Bustline.

I agree!

Anyways maes I've got a question for you for when you've finished up! I know this was specified as a Last Exile simulwatch...But what would you feel about doing Fan The Silver Wing in here as well? Obviously it wouldn't be daily but weekly so i'm not sure if it's even worth it! I guess i'm just wondering whether I should carry on in here or take it over to the viewing journal?

Absolutely! I don't think every show has to be confined to the VJ thread just because it is currently airing, this thread would make perfect sense for it. I might not rewatch the eps that have already aired, but I would be interested to read your thoughts.

Also: I knew you would want to go straight into the sequel, hehe.

 

[ilmaestro]

Episode 21 - Rook Dio

This episode had a tremendously unsettling atmosphere, carrying on from the teaser at the end of the previous episode. Sometimes it almost felt like a dream within a dream.

There is a nice enough official interpretation of the title, to do with Castle symbolism and such, but I like my version also - rooks become far stronger pieces as a chess match goes on and reaches the end game, once they have had a chance for some of the pawns and minor pieces to be removed to give them more room to work with.

The scene with Delphine at the dining table were perfectly judged, her character is quite strikingly defined, even if it isn't completely well rounded.

Claus is also becoming (or is being asked to become) mentally stronger and stronger as the series goes on, which has been quite a compelling part of the entertainment.

 

[ilmaestro]

Episode 22 - Queen Delphine

The Guild's arguable crazy Maestro has been overdue her own episode title, but whilst she was certainly involved at the center of things, the more interesting developments were with either Dio or Alvis. I'm not sure that the Dio Real Dolls that Delphine commissioned to celebrate his victory are in entirely the best taste, though.

The extent of Alex's planning shows how well he understands both other people in general, and Delphine in particular, but I think it would be hard to argue that he has ended up on the better side of the exchange at this stage.

And the Exile, whilst "probably" not alive in the regular sense of the word, certainly has a degree of sentience.

 

[ilmaestro]

Episode 23 - Castling Lucciola

This episode very effectively sets up the reasons for the depth of Lucciola's relationship with Dio, and says as much about the latte as it does the former. Which, by extension, paints Delphine in an even worse light than before, if that's possible - but also marks her out as more of an individual threat than anything that we've seen so far. Of course, we can assume that she had to overcome a similar trial to Dio's in order to become the Maestro, but the ease with which she kills Lucciola (in that Lucciola doesn't even pretend that it would be worth struggling against her) is remarkable, considering the strength and grace Lucciola showed when fighting his brother.

The other emotional half of the episode felt almost inevitable. Mullin was a character who deserved his extended time in the show, but perhaps they could have had him trip one fewer death flags before bowing out. ^^; I wonder how Lavie will react.