Fencedude on February 12, 2012 · in Senki Zesshou Symphogear

Summary:

Chris (looking bustier than before) stands on a dock, ranting to about how it isn’t fair that Hibiki was able to use Durandal immediately, while she had to train for half a year to handle the Staff of Solomon. She tells “Finne” that she can do what she wants without the Noise summoning tool (the Staff of Solomon?), and Finne just smiles. Tsubasa limps around the hospital a bit, observing Hibiki and Miku running on the track below, while thinking of what she learned from Kanade, and what lies “beyond fighting”. On the track, Miku stops, but Hibiki runs past her, and as Miku watches her get further and further away, Hibiki thinks about how she much the power of Durandal scared her, and even more how willing she was to use it on Chris. Afterwards, in the bath, Hibiki promises to go get Okinomiyaki that evening with Miku.

Some talk about the fallout of Defense Minister Hiroki’s assassination, and discussion of the upgrades being carried out on the 2nd Mobile Disaster Relief headquarters, followed by a call from Ogawa, asking her to visit Tsubasa. Hibiki tells Miku there is something she needs to do, and Miku says its ok. At the hospital, Hibiki learns that Tsubasa is actually a total slob, and they bond while Hibiki cleans up Tsubasa’s room. Unfortunately, Tsubasa’s hospital room looks out towards the school library, where Miku just happens to be. Tsubasa also asks why Hibiki fights, Hibiki says she doesn’t know for sure, but part of it is because of that day, when Kanade sacrificed her life so Hibiki and others could live. She fights to preserve the life that was granted to her. On the roof, they discuss this a bit more, and Hibiki firmly conveys to Tsubasa her conviction to fight to protect those she cares about.

After a combination comfort food and advice session at Flower Okinomiyaki, Miku heads home. Unfortunately for her, Chris is on her way to confront Hibiki, and Miku finds herself in the crossfire. Hibiki transforms to protect Miku, revealing herself as a Symphogear. Hibiki then tells Chris that she wants to learn about her, to learn why it is they must fight. Hibiki’s determination allows her to use Armed Gear, and she delivers a devastating blow to Chris. As this happens, Miku watches, and cries.

 

Reactions:

In this episode of Being Miku is Suffering: The Animation, Miku suffers. But besides that, this was a bit of a transition episode, Hibki firmly has her determination, Tsubasa seems to have accepted her, and Chris…Chris is kinda crazy, but sympathetic nontheless. Chris clearly had a rough life, and believes that “Finne” (who may or may not be Ryouko, they certainly want us to think she is at least) is the only one who hasn’t abandoned her. Chris is very much Fate, and it seems Hibiki has nominated herself to be Nanoha (though I still think that it should be Tsubasa in that role…).

As for Miku, she’s pretty much got a free skinship pass with Hibiki, so things aren’t all bad for her, but keeping a date is proving to be impossible. Then she sees that Hibiki blew her off to be all happy and friendly with Tsubasa, whom she certainly sees as A Threat for Hibiki’s affections, though we know that she isn’t. And then to top it all off, she gets attacked by a crazy girl with a whip, nearly gets smashed by a flying car, and learns that Hibiki is a Magical Girl Symphogear. All in all, yet another day in the Suffering of Kohinata Miku.

Hibiki’s determination went way up this episode, she’s definitely taking things seriously now, her reaction to how she acted with Durandal shows she has a very firm grasp on the situation. Her discussion with Tsubasa was also enlightening, and Tsubasa’s acceptance of Hibiki was good to see. Tsubasa also seems to be opening up, and while she won’t ever be “over” Kanade’s death, it seems to no longer haunt her the way it used to. It was also very amusing to see her revealed as a total slob. Gap Moe! Hibiki’s fight against Chris was quite impressive, especially her Armed Gear, which reminded me a lot of a certain stake wielding robot, Pierce Through, Tachibana Hibiki!