Aim for the Top Oneesama!

I finally watched this landmark GAINAX franchise after picking up a (very cheap and almost certainly pirated) DVD box set from Stripey’s favourite R3 DVD shop. Both Top wo Nerae! OVAs have long languished as a ‘classic’ (defined as something everyone knows but very few actually have seen) in my book. But intermittently there have been reminders. Evirus spoke well of it (Gun Buster) and its sequel (Die Buster). Kurogane had much praise for the latter; Kabitzin described it as ‘feel[ing] like some kind of perfect amalgamation of Evangelion and FLCL’ – I’d also love to read his thoughts on the final ep and review the series as a whole *poke poke*. And, most recently, Myssa Rei’s comment on one of Stripey’s Gurren Lagann posts.

Despite the art style feeling a bit dated, I’m glad I watched Gunbuster. If only because that’s another ‘classic’ I can tick off. But also because I also managed understand and enjoy Diebuster, especially its conclusion, so much more.

Thus no prizes for guessing that I enjoyed Diebuster more than Gunbuster. The reason, which should be predictable for my regular readers, was that the sequel had a better focus and development on the Oneesama-kouhai relationship between the two leads. Noriko’s traumatic loss of her father and Amano’s anxiety about Co~chi~ left me non-plussed at best and distracted at worst. But the ups and downs of the Nono and Lal’C was the gattai of the MariMite and Gurren Lagann gen(r)es of this series at their best. Stripey holds up Nakahara Mai’s work as Tohika Mai by pointing to how Mai’s emotional states were effectively conveyed with the way she called for Kagutsuchi; I got something similar out of the varying tone of Nono and Lal’C’s ‘Oneesama!’ and ‘Nono!’ exchanges.

The first encounter of admiration. Admiration and the naming of Lal’C as ‘Oneesama’. Despite Lal’C’s obvious annoyance, she did stand up for Nono in a very cool way, was also deeply concerned about her safety during her battle, was aghast when she thought Nono had not survived (and then relieved by the proof that ahoge is life).

Revelations and hints as Nono’s concern for her Oneesama leads her to display her Lightning Kick and Lal’C’s breathless ‘Nono…’ said it all about her amazement at this strange girl’s abilities.

Not being Topless, Nono couldn’t move Dix Neuf but yet, when Lal’C swallowed her pride and called for Nono, who responded to her Oneesama in the affirmative, there was a mysterious power-up. Gattai without saying the word and yet another hint about the sources of power. And there was a nice moment of listening to your heart.

Things are, of course, not smooth sailing all the way. Nono is part of the Fraternity but does not have the psychic powers of a Topless. The struggle for recognition leads to tension; Nono wants to be useful to the one who seems most like ‘Nonoriri’ but Lal’C’s affection cannot overcome the nexus of pride and reason. One can become so captivated by piloting the Buster Machine that friendship pales in comparison; Nono realizes that she’s never really had a friend before Nono came along.

The truth revealed with Nono having found herself and proven her usefulness beyond a shadow of doubt. Thus her confident greeting of ‘Oneesama’ and a previously helpless Lal’C calling Nono shocked and awed.

Partings and reunions. But we often can’t handle the truth all at it and all at once. Lal’C had her confidence in Topless abilities to defeat all her enemies and her faith in the camaraderie of her fellow Topless ruthlessly stripped away. Emasculated and helpess, she finally learned that Nono was afraid too.

Let’s fly… together… Damn this was as cool as Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora’s key line was cheesy.

And another parting. Nono rejected the Earth forces’ dumb and suicidal plan, turned her back on Lal’C. Imagine the pain she was feeling. But this was the only thing she could, for now, so that her Oneesama could live on and not throw her life away in this senseless way.

Biggest cat fight ever. The cry of ‘I wanted you to call me Lal’C!’ revealed how being called ‘Oneesama’ could be a wall, a gap, a burden. From conflict, though, came understanding.

And the triumph of determination and guts. This, being between girls, is somehow a lot less gay than when it’s GAR.

A farewell to arms, I give you my heart.

It was rather sad that there was no happily ever after. By which I mean HAWT NONO X LAL’C YURI. But given how Buster technology was sealed away in the aftermath of Noriko and Amano’s return, it would have merely postponed Nono’s farewell. At least, with the final vision of opening the door, they had a final meaningful moment together. And, as with Nono’s speech after her awakening in Ep 4, Lal’C has reached the Top as she truly does have a Buster Machine in her heart and that Buster Machine is Nono.

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