I was bawling my lungs out at ep. 10 of God Eater today. Heard it took close to a year to release all of 13 episodes and ep. 10 was simply spectacular for all their efforts. But there were
months apparently between some of them and I should be glad I get to binge-watch this series. (Kekkai Sensen has been in my ongoing list for a year and it's probably there to stay. Rewatching doesn't sound very appetizing just for one final episode, all because it was one of the rare few I decided to watch in the middle of its run.)
I thought to compile this because I've watched a lot, there are certain episodes that ought to be highlighted for their brilliance and set apart from their parent series (which may not rank well overall). So I wouldn't say they should encourage you to check out their series, unless you're prepared to sit through 5 hours of common content for some intriguing 20 minutes... but for a couple minutes they can be
really good.
Sword Art Online Ep. 14
A pseudo-ending that led to a second arc that
never should have existed (the title literally wasn't Sword Art Online at that point). I think you'd be plenty satisfied if you took ep. 14 to be the real ending of SAO. A dreamy, soft and quiet collapse of a world lost in a place of reverie. I never understood Kayaba (or SAO for that matter but I had an inkling with Liz) until this. There's no plot you can follow with SAO, only delicate feelings and sensitivity.
Charlotte Ep. 5
The flying human episode. Delusional statements like his may feel rather classic but what he said directly before this was "I wanted to fly freely through the sky some day." Then he pulls this ridiculous dream out of his ass and actually means it. You could call some of the characters 'wacky' in Charlotte, or should it be 'strong?' This hit me hard because Charlotte doesn't do ridiculous for the sake of. There're people who'd do this irl if they could fly.
I personally think the entire series is worth a watch because you can't dispute Maeda Jun's talent at this point anyway. He wasn't being a professional with Charlotte throwing it every which way but I think it's saying something if I was enjoying the plot as butchered as it was. If you have to, don't watch beyond Yuu skipping back in time. The arc with his brother is horrendous (but I remain amused watching Yuu travel all over the world because funnily enough, his characterization is strong). The plot was so bad at this stage like a rebellious teen who couldn't care less but Yuu alone had the power to make me watch for him. That's how well he was built; to the point that he could defend his own person in a butchered plot.
Instead of getting detached from his emotions, Yuu broke down crying realistically like a frightened 5 year old as though he was voicing our thoughts about how nonsensical the story was getting. He's a well-defined mc who kept himself in my head for days after I've finished Charlotte. Best not watch if you're anal about story because it's a fucking mess; I was here for Yuu, the brusque Hijikata-like Nao and soul singer ZHIEND.
God Eater Ep. 10
...because there's no God to be prayed to in a world like this
Oh God Eater. I admit there were superfluous or overt parts like Iroha's non-platonic love for Lenka, the way color lights in little Iroha's hand after she touches baby Lenka or papa Utsugi's ideas on life, like an overly contrived, tragic backstory tailor-made for Lenka (I'd have closed an eye but the producers saw a chance to insert a bewitching moment and they grab it just to try and tug at more heartstrings, drastically reducing the effect it had on me)
because that was
exactly what Iroha's meadow field meant. It's awfully bewitching and enticing, but loses all its purpose when you realize it's there to add to the effect of their cruel world. Of course it was delicious when you could juxtapose her realities. The further her alternate reality, the better was it? On top of being family she fell in love with her adoptive brother? She could have had many things in wait for her? But instead she's here getting devoured by Aragami. Nom, nom... Her moment was rendered empty by that meadow field. Thank goodness they didn't overdo the family bit but even then I could tell they were struggling with subtlety. I have to wonder if they knew the material they were working with, because the meaning behind some of the events that've happened to Lenka is more than enough to drive his purpose and sadness through to the audience. I would have been shaking like a leaf as I hiccuped in tears either way. Subtlety is art. Buuuut...
I've been turned into a huge sucker for Lenka at this point. His only fault is that he's faultless, pretty much. His beautiful crying face, his quiet, unwavering determination (which I think surpasses that of the universe in Shingeki) because he is slated for death in a few years but he seems to be as resolved, peaceful and accepting as a sage. No doubt you can see the words of the people backing him as we're brought through a rapid flashback on the screen so you know he's human too, and that he can only be this firm because he's long since come to a decision.
I see a lot of reviews saying he's grown but it wasn't like he was reckless and idiotic in ep. 1? He was eager but composed, and all he did over the course of the series is to adapt to actual experience on the battlefield. It's not like his approach has changed? If you thought he stood dumbly in front of a Vajra I think it's more because it was his
first battle experience than to do with him not being smart enough to run. But anyway I digress. We were brought through his past to better understand his intentions in this episode; why would he bother with adjusting his bracelet instead of living the rest of his 3 years sedately, his vengeance with Aragami (he's still relatively calm in spite of everything, I like him, I really like Lenka)
I could feel all his pain and sadness in the instant he was asked for his resolve and he bites out "To kill... Aragami...!" in that quiet voice of his, and remains amazing enough to claim it's his turn to entrust hope to somebody else now. Ep. 10's a scene stealer.
