cartoon

I couldn’t really find ONE good image to use for the showcase so I had to use four. For a non-action episode, it is chock full of such great dynamic shots rivaling that of Episode 5.

Sandwiched between last episode’s events and a nascent invasion by Zaibach being set in its last few minutes, this episode tries to cut three sticks of tension-brand butter with one knife in its 22 minutes. Needless to say it succeeded, because it not only answers a lot of lingering questions but also reveals multiple dimensions of all our characters. The ones who gain in this regard are our two ladies: Millerna and Hitomi, as the episode focuses on them the most. Millerna gets a great scene at the beginning where she defends Allen’s decision to leave Astura from the displeasure of the Duke of Freid (who doesn’t take kindly to desertion). As per usual, the shots (as seen above), the music, vocal performances, and the fact that it takes place IMMEDIATELY after an episode with a more optimistic ending, elevate what could’ve been a mundane scene. Then it is bolstered by Millerna’s open declarations to Allen of her devotion to him over her country, and the subsequent revelation she learns in a chance encounter with her older sister Marlene’s diary. read more

Savour for a small moment this shot, for it speaks volumes about certain facets of each character’s personality. Once you’re done, move to the next paragraph.

Like I’ve mentioned earlier, the Freid arc is my favourite arc in the series. The crux of its appeal I will speak of later, but for right now, here’s a supporting reason why it is the case. Allow me to direct you to what is their royal palace:

Fanelia has Japan; Asturia has European canal cities; Zaibach has the Industrial Revolution; and Freid has the ancient Khmer kingdoms for inspiration. It’s a type of civilization we rarely see in animu, never mind other mediums outside of the successor countries (only other example I can think of right now is the Gamecube game Eternal Darkness), thus it is a unexpected but welcome sight. I’m very hardpressed to think of any other recent animu which takes all these unique civilizations and have them coexist in one world. The question is why haven’t they? Where is that recent fantasy animu in the vein of Escaflowne that does what it does oh so well? I’m open to suggestions. read more

Just like that, moments after Hitomi finds out of Van’s rather peculiar growth on his back, the show throws us into Van’s past without hesitation. Instead of dragging things out by shrouding his life story with mystery, it allows a continuation of a conversation he and Hitomi had during the last episode. Turns out Van’s mostly dead family is cloaked with its fair share of tragedy, and that certain Judeo-Christian manifestations of divinity have a more negative context on Gaea. A nice twist on convention to be sure, and explains the sad face Van gives to Hitomi at the episode’s beginning. read more

Predictably, the cliffhanger in the last episode is resolved without much fuss by a very effective Van, and thus allows us to delve into the topic of this week’s episode: Fiery passions. Although we’ve seen Hitomi gazing with longing eyes over Allen, it has been left on the backburner for the rather paltry endeavours of rescuing Van and brave escapes. With the inclusion of Princess Millerna to the cast, now comes the complications, and the show goes shoujo on us once again.

I don’t say this as a bad thing, since the first episode did it so well, and Van is too intense on his warrior-ring like so: read more

If that article subtitle doesn’t seem at all special it’s because you’re not having the small jingle played during most intros of Team Fortress 2’s “Meet The” videos pop up in your head as you read it.

In any case, yeah the scene where Dilandau tries to snipe Van from afar with that one Crima Claw is one of the great moments in the show. It does so much for it, establishing how far Dilandau will go to kill off Van whenever he has a chance, his noticing of Hitomi’s continued presence, how his actions clash with the diplomatic Folken, and the limits of Zaibach’s guymelef technology. It sticks with you, and it helps it is the only time you’ll ever see a guymelef do such a thing, thus cementing its memorability. It’s how Dilandau rolls on the battlefield and even in the capital of a country that is an ally to Zaibach. read more

If you’ve been paying attention to the show, the revelation in this episode shouldn’t come as a surprise. After mentions from Episode 1 (Van moments before going off to slay some dragons) and Episode 3 (the conversation before meeting with Emperor Dornkirk), it is finally revealed Van and Folken are brothers. The former’s pretty pissed off that the brother he thought died during the very ritual he went through episodes ago is on the other side, and the latter just likes to be enigmatic as all get out because of some big Gaea-saving Plan the dear Emperor has. It cements all those floating bits of info into one of the major conflicts of the show in a natural way that unveils quite a bit but not TOO much. read more

To celebrate 20 Years of Escaflowne, I’ll be following the original schedule of the Japanese run and doing weekly write-ups for its episodes. If you’ve been following my Cross Ange and Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans reviews you know what to expect. Also though, expect with each episode an extra section where I cover a memorable piece of music from the series by the legendary Yoko Kanno. Hope you enjoy.

Is it okay to wax panegyric on a show’s first episode, right from the get go? In Escaflowne’s case it’s definitely okay, because it is one of those shows that make an immediate, positive, first impression. To quote bishounen pretty boy Amano: it focused everything it has got, and launched itself forward. To its great fortune, it didn’t have something to get in its way of being a success, like say… a traveler from another world. read more