Last Exile "Simulwatch"

[ilmaestro]

Episode 24 - Sealed Move

Another spectacular and beautifully choreographed episode.

The return to Norkia was very well judged, a wonderful juxtaposition with the carnage going on in the skies above. While a style of warfare inspired by Claus's actions looks to have given the allied fleets the edge on the Guild, Claus is left with just his thoughts and memories to guide him.

There was great emotion in the communication between Claus and Lavie, as you would expect, but the whole "phone call" scene was high quality, with a suitably dramatic ending.

Now that Claus knows where he's going, and the Guild is on the run, it really feels like we're on a crash course towards the end of the series. Hold on tight!

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

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.

That's cool, I wouldn't expect you too. I'll start adding spoiler tags when I hit the latest episodes though, just in case. Although I might start tagging if there are any cross-overs with Last Exile, in case there are some people who are waiting for a physical release.

Of course, we can assume that she had to overcome a similar trial to Dio's in order to become the Maestro,

This is quite an interesting one actually. We know that Delphine is evil and she's portrayed very well like that - but we don't get a lot on her background. It's pretty well done in that regard.

In fact thinking about it we don't get that much background for Al either...

There was great emotion in the communication between Claus and Lavie, as you would expect, but the whole "phone call" scene was high quality, with a suitably dramatic ending.

Mmm yes. It provided a really good build up for what happens in the next 2 episodes, but also to serve as a good notch of sorts for their relationship. It gives it the nessicary stepping stone that was taken in 25 and 26.

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

Aha. Yeah for once I feel pretty impatient and that I can't wait for the dvd/blu-ray release. I still have some left over questions (Mostly what direction is the sequel going to go in after that ending!) but I must admit i'm interested in seeing what they do with the world now that they're animating in HD. So in fact lets do it!

Last Exile ~Fam, The Silver Wing~ - Episode 1 - Open File

That's...A lot of moons in the sky. So we get a rather interesting (I swear i'm cutting down on this word from this season onwards.) introduction to one of our protaganists - Fam. Who...Likes to strip sleepwalk off the sides of aircraft! The throwaway comment of "birdbrain" almost feels like a "sleepyhead" from the last series that'll stick around for a while! It's a rather striking image and one that seems somewhat different from the Fam in the rest of the episode.

We then get a bit of action with Fam and Gisey in their Vespa - A rather small vanship compaired to the ones we saw in Last Exile! It's a curious one to think about because obviously the technology seems to have improved a little bit. They've even developed headsets to talk to each other in the sky. But then OH GOD DIO DIO DIO!!! He survived!! And he's his usual happy, cryptic self singing the birthday song! I actually almost teared up a bit at seeing him! He damn well nearly stole the entire episode! Absolutely fantastic

Even from the small bits in this episode we see that Fam is a lot like Lavie, very outgoing and boisterous, whilst Gisey is certainly like early episodes Claus, a bit timid but good at what she does. They certainly have guts to go up against a huge ship like that! We learn that they are Sky Pirates which I think is a really nice set up and suitably different from the background that Claus and Lavie came from.

So the plot seems to be something similar to Last Exile. Two opposing factions, The Turan Kingdom and the Ades Federation, at war with our protaganists somewhere in the middle! The arrival of the Federation was akin to how Delphine showered the sky with rose petals, by blotting out the sky.

The opening song is a lot more...J-pop like. After the orchestral Cloud Age Symphony from Last Exile this feels more like what you'd hear these days in modern times rather than something from the shows time period. The imagery in this op feels like they're going for a bit more symbolism. The ED is another nice slow song but I prefer Over The Sky.

Still, it was a fantastic first episode. It was as good looking as I was hoping, if not better. The CG was excellent and the colours felt a bit more vibrant than Last Exile's! It's easy to draw character parallels to characters as it's the first episode but I suspect given the time to grow and they'll stand out in their own light. But no sight or sign of the Last Exile crew (Bar obviously Dio and his mention of Sophia!) but I suspect we'll see them in due time. The new characters seem to be backed up by a good wealth of talent, although I adore the fact that Miyuki Sawashiro is in this as I'm growing really fond of her voice lately.

 

[fabio de lunatico]

I have to say that while I loved the design and colour palette of Last Exile, and didn't dislike anything in particular (aside from Gonzo's typically inconsistent 2D animation and sloppy character rendering), the series left very little impression on me. The plot seemed to meander along and the characters, on the whole, were not particularly memorable.

It's interesting reading the thoughts posted here, as most of it just washed over me

 

[ilmaestro]

Crap, I forgot I didn't post about the last two episodes yet. D:

--

Episode 25 - Quiet Move

This episode sure lives up to its title, in terms of the atmosphere and the main narrative thread of Claus's journey through the Grand Stream. I totally agree with MR, this sequence really hammers home how much this show has been about Claus with Lavie having a less significant part for most of the show. There really wasn't much else to say about this episode, but thumbs up for having the conviction to go for something a bit reflective at this stage of the game.

 

[ilmaestro]

Episode 26 - Resign

For my general impressions of the episode, I will defer to MR's heartfelt enthusings. There were few, if any, bum notes hit in the conclusion to the series, and several emotional moments. The real highlight of the episode, and maybe the series, for me though, was Alex's showdown with Delphine.

The scenes between the pair are brutal and poignant, and the pacing of the action is just so to leave you on the edge of your seat. It also provides the sense of tangible catharsis that I don't think comes through as strongly in Claus and Lavie's crossing of the Grand Stream, or even when they find their fathers' Vanship.

Most notable for me is the desperation in Wina's voice as she tells the rest of the crew that she can hear Alex from within Delphine's ship. One of the standout moments of voice acting I've ever heard, and I really wish Nagata Ryoko had been in more shows up to now.

 

[ilmaestro]

Last Exile

This show is a big, fat 10/10. I love the setting and world building, the visuals are more than occasionally spectacular, and the narrative follows a pretty sensible path to a satisfying conclusion.

We see Claus in particular go through some solid character progression, and the way his relationships with the rest of the cast weave together is probably the hallmark of the show.

I had actually forgotten just how much I enjoyed this show (although I am a self-confessed Gonzo fan to begin with), so I'm pretty pleased I went back to it, even if it took me... oh, a month longer than planned to watch it? ^^;

MR, have you checked out summaries of what happens after the end of the series? You can pretty much work it out I suppose, but there are details out there about what happens in the immediate aftermath, and there is a manga running that links the two TV series.

 

[MercenaryRaiden]

Last Exile

MR, have you checked out summaries of what happens after the end of the series? You can pretty much work it out I suppose, but there are details out there about what happens in the immediate aftermath, and there is a manga running that links the two TV series.

I haven't actually, I'll give them a read over before I watch episode 2 of Fam. Might not be for a while though, nursing a killer hangover from an amazing night in London!

Great sum-up at the end. I agree with your feelings on the show completely. Still not sure where to put it in my top 10!

I have to say that while I loved the design and colour palette of Last Exile, and didn't dislike anything in particular (aside from Gonzo's typically inconsistent 2D animation and sloppy character rendering), the series left very little impression on me. The plot seemed to meander along and the characters, on the whole, were not particularly memorable.

I can see why you would think that though, there was character development but a lot of it focused on Claus whereas some characters backstory were only mentioned in passing at times. It's weird that it has huge strength in building up Claus's character but not others, like say Al. We don't get any reasoning as to why she's special (Although maybe we did and I just really can't remember right now...)