Huh. Is “Guren” some mecha-related word in Japanese? You’ve got to give or take an “R,” of course, but I figure there just has to be some connection between Kallen’s big mecha and GURREN LAGANN. I’m sure one of you lunatics has an answer. Enlighten me.
I forgot to comment last time that I noticed some quick additions to the intro’s animation. It isn’t a total overhaul, but there are a couple choice changes that better reflect the ever-evolving status quo. The most noticeable bit, of course, shows Lelouch in Zero garb leading the Black Knights - - and commenting on that has made me realize how quickly the total cast has just exploded. I feel like we’re almost up to BROTHERHOOD levels, only it's about 50 episodes earlier. And I should say that the intro’s grown on me enough that it’s something I’m looking forward to every episode (though I can’t say the same for the outro, I can’t even remember that enough to hum it!) The joyous, exuberant J-pop doesn’t exactly seem to fit the tone of such a daring, politically-charged show but, then again, why not? I’d rather have that any of the dreariness of, say, GUNSLINGER GIRL.
Anyway, as I’ve said before, I’ve been digging the battle tactics and strategy to be found in this show’s mecha action. The Brittanians’ counter offensive/ambush, Kallen using the environment against the enemy… it’s a lot more engaging to watch then the usual “bad guys shoot at us, so we shoot back” dynamic we usually wee. I also like how something of an arms race is developing with the mechs here. How the Black Knight's have scavenged, old suits while the Brittanians have those new, shinny purple ones; how the Lancelot has advantages of speed and maneuverability while the Guren Nightmare's got pure destructive power. It's a more interesting approach to creating a more clearly-defined playing field without resorting to boring RPG stats.
Watch this episode "Guren Dances" below, decide for yourself and then read my comments on the previous episode here.
Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of HYBRID BASTARDS! & UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon here & here . Follow him on Twitter: @tompinchuk
Wait till they get pinned in the cave....
I still say dreay is ok when it fits the show, as it does with gunslinger girls, but hate it all you want..I'll keep defending it just like bacano.
Y'know I've wondered about whether or not Guren is a word too. Personally i think it's just a coincidence that two red mechs from shows released within a year of each other have the same name. But i don't know what it actually means.
The whole "arms race" aspect doens't get prominent until Rakshata shows up. It gets pretty ridiculous in the second season (in a good way).
And just out of curiosity, what did you think of what happened to Jeremiah? A lot of people (myself included) inexplicably love that rascist bastard. So what do you think of his death?
That he is good at chess is just symbolism for his strong understanding of tactics and strategy.
The theme song is rather catchy. Years after watching Geass it's still stuck in my head. It's called "Colors" by FLOW if you are interested.
And yeah, sometimes Lelouch's knowledge of tactics can sometimes seem exaggerated, but it never seems ridiculous in my opinion.
The tactics and battles are a big reason why I love this series. God I need to buy this boxset!
The models that the Britannians are currently using are both Sutherlands and Gloucesters. The Japanese models are called Burai, but those are just modified Glasgows. If there is something you want to know about the KMFs. Just check out the concept page. I filled out information on all of them. They are basically organized by the generation of development and their appearance in the series. All the KMFs also have their own individual pages, as well.
As a person who really enjoys playing chess, I like that this series uses tactics in battle and always has a chess theme. Kallen's code name of Q-1. With the Guren, Kallen has truly become the Black Queen to Lelouch's Black King. The Queen is the most powerful and mobile piece on the board.
The Queen of Britannia is Suzaku in the Lancelot.