#okami watches g-witch

[okami-zero]

*watches latest g-witch*

ARE YOU HAPPY YOUR THEORY WAS CORRECT? ARE YOU?!

(Spoilers below)

Seeiously, though, this episode just... is a lot and hits rather hard and kins of drices home that Prospera is not obly an antagonistic/evil force, but also 1000% off her nut.

So not only is Eri IN THE FUCKNG GUNDAM, she is basically handling the datastorm for Suletta. Though, from the image shown, still BLUE, not RED. Hopefully we get an explanation why this is. (Besides just being like "oh she's IN the machine, so it's different; it was also blue when she was connected to Lfrith).

Also Sophie's whole thing was just... so fucking visceral. And her loss actually made me sad. Yes, yandere witch was not nice, but their hatred of Spacians is warranted to an extent. And for her to burn out trying to reach someome unreachable.. Oof.

Also, we once again have an antagonist who wants to rewrite existence to erase the bad things. And it just made me think of that one world in Endwalker that Meteion shows you in the dungeon...

But yea, some heavy shit dropped this week. Chuchu being a fucking BAMF, as always, but she (and Suletta) had a couple flashes to the battle at the plant that shoq things aren't 100% hunky-dory. (And I am actually GLAD that Suletta bug smuching a dude is starting to actually process for her, if only a little.)

[okami-zero]

*incoherent anime screaming*

So just watched the latest episode of G-Witch, and per my usual, my rambling is below to avoid spoilers.

To say that I wish for Prospera's head on a gilded platter would be the closest I could get to the emotions wound up by this episode.

Now, I absolutely love Guel's return. He grew up a lot while he was away (and now has some fun PTSD! /s). But Prospera almsot gleefully abandoned her flesh-and-blood daughter for her tamagotchi stuck-in-Permet-because-of-her literal ghost-in-the-machine revenge. I will not let her pretend this is for Eri's benefit at all (and Eri deserves better). This is vengeance, pure and simple. She will blame the death of her husband and colleagues on Cathedra and Delling. She will blame Eri being made into a Gundam control system on Cathedra and Delling. She will blame the suffering Suletta is being put through on Cathedra and Delling (and being the duplicitous madwoman she is, throw Miorine in there for the last one). Only one of these is feasibly true. The last two are directly her choice to carry out and do.

And they just HAD to use Happy Birthday, didn't they? Fuck, this series is going to give people depressive episodes when hearing that song by the end of it all...

I will give Guel the props he deserves, he did very well considering he still hasn't processed everything that happened in the attack on the Plant and his accidental/self-defense patricide. He is becoming a fave. And his confession to Suletta was adorable.

So, we saw Suletta's heart absolutely break in the episode and dear gods, it has been a while since I have seen something that fucking tear-my-heart-out-and-stomp-on-it emotionally raw (Demon Slayer had a couple, need to get back on that). And you know "Lady" Prospera is going to capitalize on that shit (she probably knew form the start, so she gets to keep her little puppet, despite Miorine's intent).

Now we saw some of Miorine's reaction (not sure if she could hear Suletta or not), but all we really saw was the hesitation. Even when she pressed the button, the reluctance. And we know the girl is good at throwing up an imperious front. But I want to see how she really feels about this. I mean, we saw how fiercely she faced down Prospera for Suletta's sake. But I want to see what seeing this girl, who had basically placed her heart in her hands, who was willing to do so much for her, that was so in love with her - I want to see what seeing Suletta's heart break right in front of her did to Miorine. Because as good as she is at putting up a front... I don't believe that is something she could have done easily. And probably only had one shot to do it.

So yea, Prospera's head, gilded platter, let's make it happen!

(Seriously though, Prospera is an excellent antagonist here. She has a bit of the whole "revenge for my family" vibe from Char and Zechs, but she's just completely around the bend. And AGAIN with the creepy Bene Gesserit ladies! They always seem so fucking eager to just stab everyone in the back soon as they turn around. And Shaddiq, you tricksy mofo, I see you. You and your Treize Khushrenada vibe, I see you.)

Also, kind of sad Norea missed Elan#Five with that pencil, not gonna lie...

[okami-zero]

Today on Okami watches G-Witch

Oh. Oh damn...

Okay, so Feng and her partner aren't part of the Space Assembly League, okay. Their group seems to still be... a bit of a mystery, unless I missed something. They haven't fully come into view yet. That will likely change, and soon.

I like how Guel's grown since... well, the fucking trauma, but... I am not 100% on Kenanji. Can't get a solid bead on him, and I am not 100% sold. He's a good soldier, does his job, but... we'll see. And god, Miorine... so fucking close and then MOTHERUCKING PROSPERA has to go and fuck it all up for her self-righteous revenge plan!!!

Martin finally coming clean to his house was needed, and I am glad Suletta was dragged out of her depression burrito (which is allowed, she got hit with several emotional suckerpunches in a matter of a couple of days; that shit needs time to process). And of course it was Chuchu who caught her sneaking some food, and drug her ass to breakfast. xD Got I love that spicy little cotton candy-haired spitfire xD. Tiny, but fierce!

So Prospera fucks up any chance of Miorine becoming president (honestly, pretty sure she didn't give a rat's ass, she just wanted a free ride down to Quinharbor, and used Mio's feelings for Suletta to get it). Feng sacrificed herself to save Winston from Prospera's hitman (I sincerely want him to get Gundam-squished, I really do), and Suletta is getting a better handle on what is going on.

Woof.

I think this show will probably not go past 30 eps at most. I just hope they don't rush things, but it's been good so far. Just... Suletta on her upswing, but now Miorine's gotten the suckerpunch (this one figurative AND literal).

Fucking Prospera, I swear.

I get her wanting to wipe out Ochs Earth for their backhanded bullshit with what happened in the Prologue, but... yea, nah, she thinks she can just burn everything for her crusade, and then "fix it" with Quiet Zero, I guess?

And anyone who knows this kind of thing in anime, and Gundam in particular...

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, then self-righteous vengeance at the expense of all else must be the express lane. And she gonna DIE.

[okami-zero]

This week on Okami Watches G-Witch

*slamming table* YES YES YES!

Got some real strong "Zohar from XenoGears/Saga/Blade" vibes with that opening shot of Quiet Zero.

Also, the Assembly League Fleet switching to guided missiles - tactically sound. But what system is used for the guidance? *sigh* Also, on a slight tangent, they need better missile intercept systems, IMO (*shakes head in Armored Core anti-missile defense).

So, we've got everyone rallying around Earth House, which is great. And Rouji coming out of his shell a teensy bit. We haven't seen much of him, but he seems a very good kid.

And, what I thought was one of the bigger parts of the episode - Suletta getting to see Miorine. But first, she has to go through Guel. Who surprisingly, challenges her to a duel. Or maybe not so surprisingly, because I think he meant to test Suletta's resolve. ANd he did (giving back the Groom status I kind of did a O.O kind of reaction). And the heart-to-heart with Miorine. A bit of a switch, because before, it was Mio giving Suletta a push. But now, Suletta showing how far she's come, Mio making the move to push on. And, despite her being in rough shape, bedhead Mio was a little cute. Was kind of hoping for a hug (my inner self was screaming that the poor girl needed one), but the fierceness of their hands holding was enough.

Chu-Chu continuing to be the gruff badass kind-of tsundere when Miorine went to tell her Dad, in her own way, that he doesn't get to pop off any time soon. x3 Also, the fact that we are giving the pink pom-pom powerhouse the suit that will be able to operate sans-Permet is both awesome and also Bandai don't you fucking DARE.

And Suletta toughing out Calibarn's absolutely brutal interface. Side note: I was informed last week that the literary parallels in this series are drawn from The Tempest, so Calibarn is a reference to Caliban in that novel. Of Prospero's two servants - Ariel and Caliban - Caliban is the one who rebels. I will withhold reading it (or at the very least a solid summary of it) until after G-Witch.

Also, thank you Suletta for remembering your Gundam has head vulcans and using them in that nasty beam saber bind that almost cost an arm. (Surprising lack of use of those in some series.)

And now Ericht has joined the stage and the sisterly confrontation will begin. An exchange of words and blows, no-doubt, in true Gundam fashion.

Bonus thought: Is Prospera beholden to Eri (which kind of seemed the case for a bit) or is Prospera holding her daughter's leash? Guess we'll find out.

Also, I absolutely freaking LOVE that end card art! 😍

[okami-zero]

Okami Watches G-witch

Time for some more uncensored stream of consciousness on my current Gundam interest! Possible spoilers, so have a cut!

Miorine is heading for a full-blown meltdown. Or is in the midst of one. GFuel seems to want to help, but he's got no clue on how. His little brother is going to die. Like, end of episode, looking at the unfinished Benerit Gundam with murder in his eyes and blaming Miorine for everything that has happened (your brother killed your dad on accident, dipshit. He pretty much fell on his own sword, all thing considered). But, no. Murderous vengeance, untested mobile suit...yea. Death flags, ahoy. Or so it appears.

And Petra! She's not all clear, but she is hanging in there! She didn't die all out, but is in a very dicey spot. Shaddiq... I dunno, the whole "just blame me, let the others go" move is seemingly selfless, but I cannot take it at face value just yet. Grassley wants Miorine to cut them loose to save the Benerit Group, Mio is not keen on that.

AND THE BENE GESSERITS SENT A WHOLE FLEET TO THEIR DOOM! Because what better way to cover up your own absolutely shady shit (that no one in the SAL really gives a shit about because you're from Space) than to send the governing body after someone else doing shady shit!

Suletta has grown a decent bit, to the point that Secelia asks her about the difference she notices (and not to knock Secelia, girl is sharp). And the idea to use their stockpile of fresh tomatoes (that Suletta had been cleverly putting excess of in cold storage) was very on point. I agree with her that Mio would have encouraged it.

And then.

Prospera. MOTHERFUCKING. MERCURY.

Congratu-fucking-lations, you can bring about the world where your digital daughter can live freely. A world drowning in blood and fire and war, even moreso than what came before. AND! Brought about by the self-same daughter! So BRILLIANT, to multi-task those two things! Use your daughter as a WMD to bring about the world she can exist in! A twofer!

If I could fast-ship you a Reflex warhead, lady, I so would happily do it. So the slide into blind madness increases in speed.

And Elan-5... actually seems to be showing he can be more than just a fuckboi (I mean, that started last episode). We might be seeing some more to him than he was showing before (though part of that may have been Norea's brief influence). And I kind of want a showdown between Elan-Prime and Elan-5 (and I know who most of us would be rooting for. x3).

So. Calibarn. Hm. An interesting name. A reference to Caliburnus/Caliburn/Excalibur? And it's a "monster", you say? We handing Suletta her very own Wing Zero analog? Albeit with understandable reluctance from all parties.

And I love how Earth House is so fucking ride or die for Suletta. Like Chu-Chu. GAWD, I love that hot-headed little badass. It gives me a fear, but that never stopped me liking a character before (much to the detriment of my feels T_T).

A solid bits of small ups, some really big drops and one murderous younger sibling.

Hoo boy!

[okami-zero]

Okami Watches G-Witch

KILL THE BENE-GESSERIT BITCHES!

(Spoilers below cut, Episode 23)

SO. Thank you, G-Witch for subverting some of my expectations based on older Gundam shows and tropes. I was fully expecting fratricide of some sort (accidental/intentional near the end there), because in other series (not just Gundam), the thing that snaps a normally good character out of their red-eyed, self-destructive vengeance spree is either they come to a realization just before they destruct, or they kill someone they are fighting who refuses to fight back, due to some connection. And I was sitting here, absolutely flabbergasted and thinking "Fuck fuck fuck Guel what the fuck-" and THEN.

Not so divine intervention. x3

I will give Felsi and Petra so many kudos for being so damn spunky and stubborn and pretty much two of the only people who can deal with the apparent Jeturk bullshit without issue. I actually thought Felsi was gonna jump in-between them (another trope of the third party intervention, that still ties into the previous one), but no. She went one better than that, and stopped the bullshit from happening (now go get some damn therapy, both of you!).

That's actually an aspect about G-Witch that has been pretty neat, is how we have this absolutely huge supporting cast, and yet, a lot of them are getting moments here at the climax of the whole shebang. I love that.

Okay, and Suletta's argument with her sister was interesting, and I may have to watch again because it was in the midst of a damn dogfight. But the Bits thinking that Eri wouldn't kill anyone (where here she is clearly edging toward the realization that she will probably have to kill her sister to stop her) and their eerily chirpy, happy response that their MOM will do it for them. While using Aerial, and the Bits. Which is, y'know... very "Gendo turning on Unit-1's Dummy Plug to override Shinji not willing to kill another pilot in that berserk EVA, and then Unit-01 nearly doing so" here. Paraphrasing Shinj, she will kill anyone who gets in her way, and will use Aerial (Eri's hands, essentially) to do it.

And THEN.

THEN.

Those Bene-Gesserit hags! (Note: I am aware they are not of the weird religion thing from Dune, but when I saw them and their absolutely creepy overly-Botoxed, always smiling faces and garb, that was the first word that jumps to mind.)

They and Elan-Prime went behind their own fucking Group to seal a deal to wipe out AN ENTIRE. LAGRANGE. SECTOR. To seal their own fucking skins. And we see this series Novantic Cannon/Space Fortress Barge/Space Battleship Libra. It's like the over-'roided big brother of Gundam X's lunar microwave cannon. But bigger. Like, holy SHIT.

And Eri put herself, the Bits and the Gundvolva still remaining in its path to keep Quiet Zero and everyone in/around it from being obliterated. Now, she might have only been thinking of her family, but - the classic sacrificing protagonist smile thrown Suletta's way... guess we'll see how things boil down, but not looking good for Eri. Let's hope the L1 death ray "power transmission laser" has a flaw like Libra's.

And Elan-4. Damn, this guy is just... hopefully doesn't die. T_T Because I have actually started to like him, he's saved everyone's bacon. Maybe it's because he's free of the constraint of the Bene-Gesserit taskmasters, so... Wait... could "Benerit" be a portmanteau of "Bene-Gesserit"...?? O.o It would make fucking sense! To me, anyway, I might be the only one who has that weird mental connection... >.>

AND! On the subject of Elan-4 and his peerless markmanship. I didn't think a headshot on Propsera would kill her, that brain bucket is FAR too thick. BUT! that revealed something else interesting - Prospera's Permet link wasn't in her helmet, it's in her HEAD. This makes sense, since she would need to be able to communicate with Eri outside of the cockpit, but I was like, "Holy shit!" Maybe the helmet also helps insulate her from the data storm?

BUT. The BIGGEST QUESTION.

WHO INTERFERED WITH QUIET ZERO?

When Eri was about to casually wipe out Suletta's friends, there was (stated a few moments later) "data interference". Eri actually was speaking to someone else for a moment, asking them why they stopped her, complaining that all their wishes could come true.

...who else is in the Data Storm?

[okami-zero]

Fuck... G-Witch really coming for my feels, dammit...

I didn't watch IBO, because it didn't grab me like previous series. And I haven't actually seen a new Gundam series since Build Fighters/Try. Which honestly felt like the series taking a breath with some levity.

But this series is definitely more intense than the previous series I'd seen, but that isn't saying too much. Gundam Wing was relatively intesne, though a bit more political, I think. G Gundam was intense, but in a martial arts anime kind of way; however the anti-war sentiment is still there in G. That's kind of been the message in a lot of the series, the horrors of war and such.

But this one is really hammering it in. And we've got all sorts of shit hitting the fan now. Buckle up.

[okami-zero]

Today on "Okami Watches G-Witch"!

...WELL.

I just spent...nearly an HOUR on a fucking post for this because there was a LOT a fucking LOT to unpack and go over.

And then when trying to fix a formatting mistake, I hit Ctrl+Z.

And all my words and GIFs just... gone.

FUCK!!!!

Anyway, there was a LOT here. Skull-duggery, clarifications, political machinations (and I had a witty little Gundam-related aside, too T_T) and just...wow.

And at the center of it all, a young woman whose whole fucking world has just shattered into more pieces than there are stars in the sky.

[okami-zero]

Today on Okami Watches G-Witch (and is totally normal about it. No, really!)

...fuck.

I'm not crying YOU'RE crying. T_T

Oh FUCK YOU SUNRISE! HOW FUCKING DARE! That ending art was just...too fucking much! TT.TT

Guel's skeleton is out of its closet, and he shows us how much he's grown, even if he's still a more than a bit reckless and headstrong. His late in the fight turn around was rather brilliant.

Too many flags in this episode, fuck, I just... Petra's talk about Laudna, and Norea dropping her book. Elan-5 actually seems...different. Bit of character growth there. But... damn.

And Nika's got some work to do, especially with Chu-Chu, but they'll get there.

And Suletta... jeebus fuck. Girl's got so much heart, and it is hurting. Hopefully her friends can help.

Mio's in a rough spot, too, but...oof. Fuckin' Norea, gawd, I had the sneaking suspicion she was going to die (the other half of the pair did, and that generally means the half that survives an incident is also doomed; not a trope I am fond of, but it happens a lot).

Just... fuck. Last week's was a LOT, but this was at Asticassia, and...it was even MORE.

And THE ENDING CARD ART WHYYYYYYY!!! TT_TT

Someone's cute hopeful AU fanart becomes a fucking knife twist. I think... like, I know it's a widely used trope, the whole "prior antagonist goes on violence bender, starts to come around, then is annihilated" kind of stings (a LOT, in some cases), but...fuck. I mean, this was a war, in every sense but...oof. Tthe trope is used to drive home the point that war is fucking hell, I guess, which is, for the most part, Mobile Suit Gundam's whole deal.

...I still have that art up, I'm gonna have to find it FUUUUCK.

In case you couldn't tell, I was more fond of Norea than Sophie, but still... the whole "curse of the Gundam" thing.

[okami-zero]

"You can't come here"

*watches latest G-Witch*

There it is! The seething vengeance behind that mirthless smile, hidden by a helm that obscure the eyes. Possible spoilers below (but if you are keeping up with the show, not really).

I was waiting for it. Waiting to see behind her facade, to see what embers smoldered that burned away Elnora Samaya and left Prospera Mercury. The remnants of her motherly love for her child twisted to create a weapon from her child/children. With a remaining desparate (mad, perhaps?) hope to resurrect her daughter through the use of Quiet Zero to rewrite reality. (This always goes SO WELL whenever it's attempted. /s)

Lots of people are debating/speculating that the GUND-Bits are failed Eri clones, using Ple and her clones from Gundam ZZ as a parallel. However, based on what we saw when she nearly fried Elan-But-Not-Really's brain, if she is just Permet data now... perhaps they are merely copies. Or shards. Connected and with a limited independence, but still linked to Eri's core consciousness. The fact that Aerial can act on it's own without Suletta's input (seen in the fight with Sophie) is also concerning. This basically reduces Suletta to a battery and "starter" for the Gundam. Once the Permet level hits...Six, was it? Then Suletta doesn't seem to be 100% needed.

However, this conjecture is based on Aerial's cease of attack against Sophie being not because Suletta begged her, but because she had already overloaded the poor girl's brain. I don't think there's a clear cut answer for this just yet. Also as an aside, Norea's blaming of Sophie's death on Nika feels a bit hypocritical, until one considers one simple thing.

They may not have ever lost before.

It's easy to pontificate how mobile suits, and Gundams specifically, are made for killing people when you are the one doing the killing and not the dying. But being the one doing that (well, that was mostly Sophie, poor kid), then getting angry when your comrade is killed by one such weapon of war... it is understandable, perhaps even relatable. And horrible. But the asshole response of "Well, guess you were right" hovers in the back of my mind.

This is where things start getting stickier, I reckon. Hope this ends up at least the standard 25 episodes (not counting the Prologue).

So now, we have an election for President coming in. In the running being Shaddiq, Miorine...maybe Guel, too? Someone from Peil, certainly. Or maybe. Keeping track of factions is going to start needing a scoreboard...

Peil Technologies (creepy Bene Gesserit-looking ladies creep me the absolute FUCK out)

Dawn of Fold

Benerit Group

Earth House/GUND-ARM, Inc.

Shaddiq

Lady Prospera

And now The Moderators

Hoo boy.

Oh! Oh! Wait, I almost didn't talk about poor fucking Suletta! Who is all but a freaking puppet, with absolute faith in what Mama says to do! And while Miorine is upset by Suletta basically saying "I'll do what Mom tells me, because she's always right!" mindset is actually MORE upset with Prospera having turned her daughter into a completely obedient and subservient puppet than she is directly AT Suletta. And also horrifed that Prospera would do that, to her own daughter, no less. I mean, I am with Miorine, that's absolutely horrible, but righteous fury and all-consuming thirst for vengeance are things that push all other concerns and emotions aside.

And this is merely the BEGINNING.

I say again:

Hoo boy.

Edit: When I was writing this, and went to find the quote for my post's title, Crunchyroll was having fits. Finally got it to come up, though. Guess we're just overloading their servers. xD Also HOLY SHIT THIS IS EPISODE SIXTEEN. This is going to be more than a standard 25 ep show. Or at least, I hope so. I have seen what happens when you try to cram everything into limited episodes. >.<

I don't think it'll hit Gundam Wing length (oh, but if it did, ooooh, a treat! A treat for Miette!) but we shall see!

Edit the second: Forgot in my original post to have our Earth House/GUND-ARM, Inc. underdogs on the list of factions. This nigh-egregious error has been rectified.

[okami-zero]

Latest episode of G-Witch was interesting. And finally we get a bit more clarification on GUND technology. And Miorine's company get set up! Or does it...?

Saddiq seems super freaking shady to me. And I am a little leery for Prospera too. I am not 100% thinking she is bad, but I feel like she's not telling us everything (which, duh, what happened to your other other daughter, ma'am?). Little bit of a cute moment with Mio and Suletta. x3 And I absolutely love Chu-Chu, grumpiness and all. xD And I have to agree with Mio's thought - if it was faulty, it could be analyzed/iterated/fixed to not be so. So why outlaw it?

Well, being developed in space, it gives the Spacians a even further leg up (though we saw and anti-GUND bit suit, so... hm.) But also, if it is harming pilots, why was it continuing to be used? That part is easy - probably something between Spacians desperate to stay in control and governmental disregard for pilot safety (which are not mutually exclusive).

Things are getting interesting, though I would like to know a bit more about how Space became the top dog in this Gundam universe.

[okami-zero]

*Okami watching late G-Witch*

[okami-zero]

AND THE ARTIST TWEETED ABOUT THE END CARD ART!

Her text translates to (via Google Translate):

I drew the episode 20 end card! The future I wanted to see...

TT_TT

Today on Okami Watches G-Witch (and is totally normal about it. No, really!)

...fuck.

I'm not crying YOU'RE crying. T_T

Oh FUCK YOU SUNRISE! HOW FUCKING DARE! That ending art was just...too fucking much! TT.TT

Guel's skeleton is out of its closet, and he shows us how much he's grown, even if he's still a more than a bit reckless and headstrong. His late in the fight turn around was rather brilliant.

Too many flags in this episode, fuck, I just... Petra's talk about Laudna, and Norea dropping her book. Elan-5 actually seems...different. Bit of character growth there. But... damn.

And Nika's got some work to do, especially with Chu-Chu, but they'll get there.

And Suletta... jeebus fuck. Girl's got so much heart, and it is hurting. Hopefully her friends can help.

Mio's in a rough spot, too, but...oof. Fuckin' Norea, gawd, I had the sneaking suspicion she was going to die (the other half of the pair did, and that generally means the half that survives an incident is also doomed; not a trope I am fond of, but it happens a lot).

Just... fuck. Last week's was a LOT, but this was at Asticassia, and...it was even MORE.

And THE ENDING CARD ART WHYYYYYYY!!! TT_TT

Someone's cute hopeful AU fanart becomes a fucking knife twist. I think... like, I know it's a widely used trope, the whole "prior antagonist goes on violence bender, starts to come around, then is annihilated" kind of stings (a LOT, in some cases), but...fuck. I mean, this was a war, in every sense but...oof. Tthe trope is used to drive home the point that war is fucking hell, I guess, which is, for the most part, Mobile Suit Gundam's whole deal.

...I still have that art up, I'm gonna have to find it FUUUUCK.

In case you couldn't tell, I was more fond of Norea than Sophie, but still... the whole "curse of the Gundam" thing.