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.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

LOL at ‘my misfortune is that I have only known happiness’. ‘I have always wanted to be a tragic heroine’ FTW. And the swimsuit fanservice wasn’t very fanservicey – by today’s standards or even compared to back then in the ancient times? Or have I just been spoiled by memories of SHUFFLE?

EP-11: Finding Yourself in a ‘Routine Plot’ New Chulip, new artillery type weapon in the Kursk industrial area. Nadesico’s long range attack goes awry, surprise surprise; switching tack to a ground assault by the Aestis who are faced by that old 20th C favourite, the tank. Akito learns the value of comradeship.

Though he doesn’t seem to have fully absorbed the discipline required to be a good pilot. Gah, I really hate those supokon types that just get by with guts and passion – go and get killed on your own already and don’t drag down the rest of the team! Akito (eats the curry from Ryoko): ‘This is delicious!’ Ryoko: ‘Of course, you cooked it, you dummy!’ LOL

EP-12: Those ‘Unforgettable Days’ Friendly fire against the UEAF by Nadescio and its Aestis is traced to the ship’s computer Omoikane. Akito and gang battle to save the ship’s consciousness through an extremely cute graphical-VR interface.

Lovely Ruri-centred episode, the second of three in the series. She gets such good lines, like the opening when she described how the Jovians targeted the Nadesico in battle like they were responsible for murdering the Jovians’ parents and her wake up your idea line to Akito about self and belonging.

EP-13: There is No Single ‘Truth’ Erina Won tries to recruit Akito for Nergal’s organic boson jump experiments after he is dismissed from the now-militarised Nadesico. After turning his back on her and Inez, he returns to use Chulip Crystals to save his friends from the enemy… whose mecha has a cockpit filled with Gekiganger merchandise.

EP-14: Let’s Go with ‘Hot-Blooded Anime” A recap episode running thematically rather than strictly chronologically. And featuring the Gekiganger gang watching Nadesico as an anime.

Ah, reminded of Naze Nani Nadesico (The Why and What of Nadesico) and how we’ve seen homages to it in Naze Nani Mai HiME or whenever any anime has an explanation interlude.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

So the powerful Nadesico’s limitations in the atmosphere (phase engine needs vacuum of space to provide all the energy for continuous gravity blasts) and the enemy’s own distortion field has evened the odds. Plus the whole start-stop-delay thing. Well, they had to nerf the ship somehow to set things up for the next episode.

EP-07: ‘The Song’ That You Will One Day Sing Akito becomes hostile towards Admiral Fukube after learning that he was in charge of the defence of Mars, blaming him for the loss of of an entire colony. Fukube salvages a UEAF ship but then forces Nadesico to escape from the Jovians through a Chulip, staying behind to cover their retreat.

So who says human captains are no longer needed? The computer would have made the same decision but it can’t carry the responsibility like the two leaders did in this episode and the one before.

EP-08: The Lukewarm ‘Cold Equation’ The Nadesico appears out of a Chulip in the middle of a battle for the moon between the UEAF and the Jovians. Nergal has kissed and made up with the UAEF with ND002 Cosmos. Akito gets lost in space with Megumi and Yurika but all’s well that ends well.

Kinda like the Stargazer OVAs but definitely happier. They should have just sent out an armed Aestavalis with a properly trained pilot in the first place – but I guess it was still to early to develop Ryoko’s relationship with Akito.

EP-09: The Miracle Operation of ‘The Kiss?’Nadesico goes on a rescue mission, at the UEAF’s behest, amid ice, snow and water. Megumi and Akito play high school virtual reality simulation. A lovesick Yurika gives away their presence but the mission gets accomplished by Akito.

LOL at how Akito got out of kissing (and more) Megumi in VR. LOL at the ‘ambassador’. Good job to Yurika for not accepting Akito’s pity, even if she did descend into delusion again and completely forgot about how she stole Akito’s first kiss. orz

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.