[ Episode 20: True × Trial ]

This episode is hands-down my favorite of the entire series so far. I was very worried about Mana and Shingo going into battle with Russia especially since they were so powered-up and their crew seemed to already be significantly affected by mental erosion. I didn’t expect Shingo and Mana to be so enveloped in Junova’s illusions that they’d have illusions about what they want (Shingo having a family) and what they don’t want (Mana having those close to her turn against her). Thankfully they managed to break out of those illusions and successfully defeat Junova all while rescuing their rivals. With this episode though I have a few questions. Just how powerful is Susanoo? Is Susanoo’s power more directly linked to Shingo and Mana? From what I’ve observed so far that seems to be the case but of course I could be wrong. I’m also wondering what the brass’ intentions are. That one bastard seemed to be glad when they thought Susanoo was blown to pieces in the explosion at the end of the battle. Are they in collusion with America or something? I’m guessing the remaining episodes will be looking at that since I doubt Japan vs. America will be happening in the next episode.

Oh, and lastly, Shingo and Mana almost kissed! I gotta give it to Shingo though, he’d rather kiss her when they both don’t have to force themselves because of the situation. I hope their relationship goes at least a little further before the end of the series.

[ Episode 19: Savage × Specter ]

Wow…I wasn’t expecting India to lose to Russia. I also wasn’t expecting the battle to be so short. Needless to say I was confused to how they lost at first but then I remembered Junova’s mental attack technique. It made India’s Gigantic attack itself…and Lily and Raveena lost their lives. Lily, from her words, already knew what their fate would be though I didn’t even pick up on it when she said she was “an awful woman” in the flashback. That most likely means she already knew their future at that point but just couldn’t tell Raveena about it. Meanwhile, Russia’ crew seem to be suffering from the physical erosion much more than Shingo and Mana are at the moment. I also must say that their kiss scene was pretty heartwarming. It was almost as if they were preparing themselves for the worst-case scenario.

[ Episode 18: Remaining × Roars ]

Now this was a really good episode. I think India’s Pilot and Translator are my top favorites other than Mana and Shingo so far. I especially like Lily, the fortune teller, who is so beautiful and pretty much prefers to avoid conflict if she can. While her thoughts were right in concern of the battle it just can’t be expected of a country to back down simply because you asked them to surrender…but at the end of the episode I understood why she said what she did. Ishtar is a pretty brutal Gigantic and pretty much crippled Ceres but luckily Evita and Amalia survived the battle thanks to Ceres using the last of its life to protect them. We also know now that India is the country that America was weary of in the episode it was mentioned. With only four countries left that leaves India, America, Japan, and Russia left standing. I gotta wonder what’s in store for us, especially with the brass in Japan plotting something that’s obviously devious.

[ Episode 17: Quarrelsome × Quest ]

A mother and daughter team. I never really thought about such a team until Evita and Amalia debuted in this episode. They had a rough relationship in the past but all of that smoothed over once Evita understood why her mother never came home at certain times. That is, she was protecting them since the army was basically holding them hostage. I have to say though that I’m surprised that Venezuela even has a Gigantic. They’re going up against India so next episode will introduce their Pilot and Translator. I can only wonder now if there are going to be any casualties…

[ Episode 16: Past × Peril ]

Hmm. So Masahito and Kana, Mana’s little sister, were once Pilot and Translator for Susanoo in the past. It’s a pity that they’re in the condition that they are in though. Masahito already has to rely on that tube device and Kana is slowly losing herself from her actions in this episode. Mana is also revealed to have the physical erosion or what I call “neon green veins” on her body as well but it seems like no one besides her knows of it. I also find it strange how Shingo only has the physical erosion and has absolutely no mental erosion. Perhaps he is truly special, especially with his negative conformity values that are said to be enough for him to control Susanoo on his own. I hope that Shingo and Mana don’t erode anywhere close to the levels of Masahito and Kana though.

[ Episode 15: Ominous × Omnipotence ]

Why am I not surprised that America’s Gigantic is so damn powerful? Well, I can’t say much for the pilots except that only the daughter from the duo is likable. I don’t care for the father. I’d like to know how America got their hands on information about Japan and Susanoo’s resonant sympathy ability as well. Leaks are so lame sometimes. I’m glad that Michael and Elena are okay as well though the way their government abandoned them was a bitch move. The first Gigantic I thought about when America commented on being careful of it was Junova-VIII. If that is the Gigantic they were referring to then I would hope that they win or come out in a draw since I’d like to see one more match between Japan and Russia. Another suspicious part of this episode was the order to not using the resonant sympathy on America’s Gigantic. What the hell was that?