[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Gasaraki episodes 11-13
It’s another interesting instalment of Gasaraki, in which Yoshiro and Miharu set out on their journey of self-discovery. Meanwhile the Gowas are playing with fire when a TA test run goes horribly wrong, and they have to track down a wandering Yoshiro to help them minimise the potential damage. It doesn’t provide much in the way of explaining the background this time, although there are some great action scenes - it’s real edge-of-your-seat stuff, and makes a nice change from the exposition and mystery of the previous outing. Although I don’t agree with spreading the series across eight discs it means the individual volumes alternate between action and drama.
The main event is the nail-biting TA experiment, which sees pilots being given a shot of some unidentified substance before being sent out onto the testing ground with a prototype mecha that has a greatly enhanced endurance. On this side of the screen it’s obviously a recipe for disaster and, sure enough, three out of the four TAs suffer a breakdown and the pilot of the fourth goes nuts. The chase is on to rein in the rogue TA before it leaves the safety of the training area, which is difficult when 1. the pilot in question is operating something that outstrips the current front-line gear and 2. the drug(s) he’s pumped with make him almost impossible to stop.
I quite enjoyed this segment, which delves into the nature of the TA technology and how it ties in with the kai/kugai element. By Gasaraki standards it’s very tense and fast-paced too, and the truth behind what the poor test pilot’s high on is quite shocking. The sight of a hyperventilating, helmeted soldier in the claustrophobic cockpit of a TA with blood, sweat and tears pouring down his face is a terrifying sight. Sucks to be him.
In comparison Yoshiro’s and Miharu’s journey along the paths of the kai doesn’t seen nearly as exciting, which is unfortunate since it’s probably more important to the story. There are one or two flashbacks that trace the connection between them all the way back to the Heian era, which adds to the mystery surrounding the Gowas’ plans. The military detachment we saw in Belgistan make a welcome return, which includes Ataka going along with Misuzu to catch up with her brother. At this point, Misuzu seems to be given little opportunity to do much more than run around looking confused and upset; I think the writers could make better use of her character because she seems a little stuck as to what to do with herself.
All in all it’s another great instalment but I suspect that the fan following this show as is probably very small in number - it’s a shame but shows that takes themselves as seriously as this rarely seem to get the attention I believe they deserve.
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