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Vision of Escaflowne DVD 8: Forever and Ever

Episode 24. Fateful Decision: Hitomi wakes up back on Earth. She realizes that she's in a recap episode; with the replay of events, she also realizes that how much her best friend Yukari loved Amano. Hitomi gets signs from CLAMP, visions of feathers and then from her tarot cards. Allen realizes that his feelings for Hitomi are actually a projection of his siscon for the missing Celena who turns up home but later reverts to being Dilandau again and is retrieved by Jajuka. The war is at a standstill but Donkirk is confident that the mysterious element of Hitomi will return and set his plans into motion again. Hitomi does her re-run while Van takes off with Escaflowne towards the Mystic Moon and picks her up via the pillar of light but arrive in the midst of a battlefield.

Vision of Escaflowne DVD 7: Light and Shadow

Episode 21. Reaction of Fortune: Catgirls' Eriya and Naria's fortune runs out as equal and opposite reactions take place. The younger sister Eriya escapes back to the flying fortress Vione. The latter crash lands but still manages to nab Hitomi who then refuses to escape. Her belief in Naria' innate goodness is reciprocated when she is released. Van goes on a rampage but Eriya stops him from killing Folken; her words also cause Escaflowne to react with Vione's core, destroying the flying fortress. As the catgirls die in his arms, Donkirk gloats about the success of the experiment. This finally convinces Folken that Zaibach's methods are wrong and he escapes in the flying guymelef.

This was all very SUNRISE - the catgirls may have been portrayed as the bad gals but their back story makes them more sympathetic and are still shown to truly care for Folken. And finally it is those bonds of affection and the terrible cost that shatters Folken's loyalty to Donkirk. It's also the first instance of Hitomi taking her grandma's advice - trusting in her feelings and getting a good result.

Vision of Escaflowne DVD 6: Fate and Fortune

Episode 18. The Gravity of Destiny: Hitomi, Van and Allen are teleported before the Emperor of Zaibach, Donkirk, who reveals that he is Isaac from Earth and how he wanted to learn the laws of fate to end man's destiny of constant war. The three are locked up and Van is in agony as the Sorcerers start to dismantle Escaflowne. With Hitomi's help, Van activates Remote Control to bring the mecha to their cage prison. Rocket Form is engaged to escape from the pursuing Guymelefs.

Good grief, security at these Imperial headquarters are terrible! The converse of that old adage that the most dangerous place is also the safest place is also applicable. I loved how love between two people was described as a form of gravity given that attraction operates in both cases (though in different meanings); I don't know enough basic physics to know how far the analogy can be stretched but, hey, physics has never stopped animu before. Rocket dragon FTW!

Vision of Escaflowne DVD 5: Paradise and Pain

Episode 15. Lost Paradise: The vengeful spirits of the Dragonslayers slain by the Draconian in the 'Dragon' Escaflowne drag Van towards death with them. Hitomi dives in to save him and catgirl Merle manages to call both of them back from being swallowed by a vision of the destruction of Atlantis. Dilandau has a RONERY flashback and backdown. Millerna and Hitomi have a 'My friend's romantic dilemma' chat. Folken sends cat ladies Naria and Eriya who pwn a PTSD Van but they back off when Merle intervenes. With Allen's father's Atlantis otaku diary, Dryden pieces together the clues and the gang heads towards the Mystic Valley, home of the Draconians.

Merle is MVP for her two saves in this episode. It seems that there's plenty of anti-catgirl discrimination among humans. Though it didn't seem to be the case in Fanelia. Maybe it's because all the guys are jealous because there are not enough cat girls to go around and so not everyone can haz a cat girl? Certainly I'm jealous that Folken has the love and devotion of not just one but two cat girls! And the mechanical claw arm. And the wings. orz

Vision of Escaflowne DVD 4: Past and Present

Episode 12. The Secret Door: Duke Freid has returned and war preparations are underway. Hitomi feels the stress of Zongi's death prophecy and the pressure of everyone's expectations but she manages to give some kind advice to the shota prince Chid. Donkirk looks forward to seeing her power for himself and of meeting *surprise surprise* a fellow Earthling. But her tarot cards and Millerna's discovery of Marlene's diary point show that Allen x Marlene = Chid.

There was plenty of foreshadowing since the episode entitled 'The Blue Eyed Prince' so it was not particularly surprising. Having set up Allen as someone for Hitomi to fangirl over, this proves to be a serious knock on her image of him which foreshadows how Hitomi's relationship with Van holds the key to the fate of Gaea.