Opening scenes of Gargantua prancing around with his troll trio and demoness Seiren in attendance. What a waste of time. The story proper features Hazuki and Lilith in a caveman world. The latter is mistaken for a god which represented by a huge eye because of her hat. Cavegirl Kuiru acts as interpreter, goes akogare on Hazuki and later offers herself up as a sacrifice. The real “god” shows up for dinner and is defeated by Hazuki who is installed as the new god. Hazuki and Lilith spot Ayaa and Kuiru loses her babelfish. Another dead end. Was well chuffed with plenty of Kuiru-Hazuki flirting and Lilith jealousy.
Lilith is quite used to being mistaken as a god - a reminder of her sinister nature in the previous episode. She was also quite prepared to just let Kuiru commit seppuku in sacrifice even though she would not have benefited from it. Anyhow, I love her hat and I think it has an air of mysterious creepiness (especially when it swivels to look at you) that beats Hogswarth’s Sorting Hat anyday.
This was a lovely scene as Kuiru gets through to Hazuki - even though she doesn’t reciprocate, she doesn’t brush Kuiru off either. And we’re hammered over the head with lesbian imagery i.e. the lilies which are literally called “yuri” in Japanese and have been adopted as a symbol by such groups as Yuricon.
This episode also added a compassionate dimension to Hazuki’s character - she stops Kuiru’s self-sacrifice because she can’t bear to see her kill herself before her own eyes. This was important to me because Hazuki can seem self-centred and consumed by Hatsumi tunnel vision.
Hazuki rescues the damsel in distress with her dazzling sword play (ooh, how phallic!) and defeating the big-eyed sabre tooth monster (which reminded me why I dislike the character design for the Kanon and AIR girls). Kuiru glomps her, much to Lilith’s displeasure.
Back to the light and silly as Lilith offers herself up as a sacrifice to Hazuki, a play on the eating connotation of sacrifice. They spot Ayaa who has appeared in every other world with them so far. What’s his significance to the plot?
Lilith’s hat does play a role, although it’s not mentioned or depicted in the anime version. But I guess that’s to be expected.
I think there was a hint about the hat in Ep 3 when it showed Eve in Lilith’s getup, wearing the hat. Later in the series, Eve reclaims the hat and returns to the library as well. Does anyone know a summary / FAQ page for this ROOT game, something like The Moonlit World webpage for TYPE MOON games?
Is there an anime out that has the main character, guy or girl, actually take people up on the offering of themselves? that isn’t hentai? I ask that, because A) I thought you might know and B) I don’t think I could have possibly refused Kuiru, I’m not that strong. ;)
I thought Ayaa’s purpose was a visual cue that the episode was coming to an end, and to keep the story moving. Have never played the game, I can’t comment there.
I second your opinion on the Kanon/Air character designs, it seems to date them back 10-15 years. When I first saw Kanon, I thought it was done in the early 90s.
@Chalcahuite: Taking the offering of themselves up? Symbolically or literally? The only series that I come to know that imparts her totality to another person is Ai Yori Aoshi’s Aoi Sakuraba to Kaoru.
@Zyl: As far as a summary library goes, nope. Although it’s a popular ROOT game, it’s not high enough as Kao no Nai Tsuki OR as deep as Fate/Stay Night. ;) You’re better off looking for its anime guide (which doesn’t say much, unfortunately).
Well, Hazuki’s motivation is Hatsumi so going for Kuiru would wreck her character though she did seem just a wee bit tempted. ;) About characters who take up offers, the one that comes to mind is Takayuki and Mizuki in KimiNozo (not a h anime but from a h game). Kira and Frei in Gundam SEED. Yamato and Honoka in Suzuka though they never do have sex.
@bakaboobie. I was thinking baser instincts, so “literally.” Though “physically” would probably be a better word for it. ;)
@Zyl. I know Hazuki has a one track mind, that’s why I opened up the question to anime in general. (Yes, putting someone like Haruka or Sei or Shizuru in Hazuki’s place would have made it a MUCH different show. One I would SO pay an exorbitant amount of money for ;)
Of the shows you both mentioned I’ve only seen SEED and I thought that was more of a case of Frei manipulating Kira rather offering herself to him.
I was really thinking of situations where more than one person would be willing if the main character wanted to; situations that you often find in these game conversions and harem anime, but never happen because they’re always waiting for the “ONE”. I think it’s possible to indulge/test drive a bit, but I don’t think I’ve seen a series where this happens.
Ooh yeah, I second that! Sei Satou worldhopping in search of Shiori with Yumi and Shimako in tow? Ah it wouldn’t be the same without Sachiko jealousy…
The One vs Test driving. Hmmm… KimiNozo might not fit your criteria but boy it’s a great series if you like angsty drama. In Suzuka, Yamato gets rejected by Suzuka and then goes out with Honoka (they nearly have sex but don’t) but she dumps him after she realises his heart is still on Suzuka. Still can’t think of any that fit your criteria so far - this goes against romantic anime convention perhaps?
Still can’t think of any that fit your criteria so far - this goes against romantic anime convention perhaps?
Probably. Which is most likely why I don’t watch a lot of these. The frequency with which the convention happens seems unrealistic to me;)