This episode begins what can be considered the only real story arc, and touches upon the main issue of the series – the inherent folly in using adolescent children as killing machines. Not because they aren’t any good at it, but because they are still emotionally fragile and unstable, which can be problematic to say the least.
Anyways, we are introduced to a new gunslinger, Elsa, who refuses to associate with the others, and serves her partner with a single-mindedness that borders on obsession (which is probably caused by the “mind reconditioning” that was done to her). Her partner is a real asshole though, as he doesn’t really take care of her. In a way, even the ice-cold Jean is a better partner, since he at least ensures that Rico is in top condition, like a hunter maintaining his weapons.
This is put into sharp contrast with Jose and Henrietta’s relationship, as Jose treats her like his own daughter, and refuses to have any more mind conditioning/brainwashing performed on her. When Jose and Jean team up for a mission, Elsa finally realizes how crappy her life is, compared to Henrietta’s.
An old member of Neres who was left behind in a mission long ago returns, with a vengeance. Gloria, the self-styled “leader” of Neres, is rather loud and obnoxious…and a penny pincher too, which leads to some humorous moments. In this episode she “helps” Maia complete all the jobs she failed in the last episode – this time using violence as a tool. She’s also the weapons expert of the group, fittingly enough. I thought the last episode was rough for Maia, but this one looks even more painful. Check out the faceplant on the sidewalk as well as her fall out of the tree. In this context, her “Morning before meeting Gloria” and “Morning after” mugshots make a lot of sense.
Having found a job at the Neres Agency, Maia starts out as the low man on the totem pole, and gets stuck doing all the crappy jobs like washing the dishes and collecting overdue rent! However, she finally gets a break from the tedium when a client comes in with a request to retrieve his life savings from a thief. Maia now has to help Shizuka (the glasses-girl) track down the culprit in the gritty, ghetto district of the city…which happens to be where Shizuka grew up.
The episode was alright overall…nothing too special. Shizuka is such a bad shot, I don’t even know why they bother giving her a gun. Poor Maia has it rough being her assistant, though.
While Yuri’s “new and improved” Kaleido Stage has its grand opening performance (powered by expensive special effects), the trio are still living hand-to-mouth, as they desperately try to find some way to make money and rent a stage. After an attempt at a really crappy seafood restaurant job, all hope seems lost – until Sarah returns from her Sumo-wrestling sabbatical, and helps them land a gig at an amusement park! Sora tries to get together as many of the old Kaleido Stage members that didn’t join Yuri’s faction, but unfortunately fails to convince Layla to join. However, Rosetta the Diabolos (Chinese yo-yo) master heeds the call and returns from Europe! Sabotage later ensues, but the show must go on…but wait, who is this mysterious masked performer that comes and one-ups their performance?
This episode was quite fast-paced, moves the main plot along quite well, and ends with a cliffhanger. I’m also glad to say that the level of animation has returned to normal, after a couple story arcs full of low-budget still-frames. Sheesh, Gonzo really needs to get their act together!
This was a packed episode, with lots of little side stories being developed or tied up. In the last episode, Yuri finally got his revenge on Carlos, and forced Kaleido Stage to disband. As a result, Sora, Anna, and Mia are out of a job and are planning to somehow start up an independent performance group. They temporarily stay with Ken’s family until they are able to find housing (with the aid of Policeman-san…and you finally find out what his real name is!). To add to the drama, some light is shined on Sora’s relations with her surrogate parents, and throw some childbirthing into the mix to finish it off. There were some great comic moments in this episode, such as Anna’s sudden flash of shoujo melodrama (complete with Utena-style face and roses!). Overall, a very feel-good episode.
It all came together in Ed’s mind now the secret to creating the Philosopher’s Stone, so he proceeded on his way to doing so. However, the hidden group of Homunculuses (or is it Homunculi?), who’ve always been hidden in the background of the past episodes of FMA, have their own ideas, and they hold Al hostage in forcing Ed to create the Philosopher’s stone for their own uses. Ed’s screaming to Al to not proceed, as Al would have to sacrifice a group of prisoners to create the stone, and Ed is torn in his mind on what to do. A very moving episode on the issue of sacrifice.
Arg, I almost made it to 5 in a row before Kungfucious was able to end my tyranny! Anyway, Popotan 9 was a return to the stuff that makes this series so enjoyable. Although it started out very lighthearted (as the sisters wonder if Mai has a child out of wedlock!), don’t be fooled; this episode is rather thought-provoking and sad. The mansion has traveled 40 years into the future, and Mai meets up with Konami’s daughter (who is also named Mai). It’s a role-reversal as Mai ends up trying to help… Mai. Keith shows up to make everyone feel bad as well. Despite some brief moments of happiness, the end of this episode is a bit depressing. Also, Mii rains down “Divine Punishment” and Unagi gets trapped in the bathroom during the previews. Can’t wait to see what happens next episode!
Episode 8 was a filler episode, as the sisters show Nono and her grumpy grampa the meaning of Christmas. It had nothing to do with the series, but even the filler on this show is pretty entertaining. I noticed that the sisters have yet to sell a single item in their shop, although they were pretty successful with the ice cream last time. Anyway, this episode was pretty predictable, but there was plenty of cuteness. Mii gave Nono a tour of the house that included cosplaying with magical girl and maid outfits, rummaging through (and making snide comments about) the lingerie of Mai and Ai, and having the obligatory Mii bath harassment scene. I know Mii is just a little girl and all, but the idea of a mandatory “puuni puuni” check makes it seem like she is a serious pervert. Nono and her grampa are adorable, and I have to say that this was filler done right. Also, Unagi seems to have reclaimed her job as preview narrator.
Jiyuu does her best to live a normal life, but those pesky Siberian Yagyuu fellows just keep dragging her back in. Without Kita’s aid, they concoct a cowardly scheme to distract Mikage (with a kitchen knife demonstration) and lure out Jubei by kidnapping Felicia. The level of Jiyuu’s determination is not to be underestimated, as she is able to show those wussy Siberians a thing or two. Will she have to transform to save Felicia?
For some reason, everytime I see Jiyuu in that outfit I think white mage… Not as much action in this episode, but the story moves along nicely. I am really anticipating episode 6 to see flashbacks of chibi-Felicia in sword training!
More time warping madness, as the mansion teleports 30 years into the future this time. On the beach, the girls encounter Daichi, the camera kid from episode 1, who’s older and a dad. His wife looks like the girl he liked from episode 1 too, so looks like his camera stunt was successful. However, he’s no dummy and suspects that something is up with the popotan sisters. Also, in this series is mysterious bishounen Keith. The fact that he looks like a certain someone from Yugi-Oh! must add to his appeal, because he is able to put some serious (cheesy) romantic moves on Ai. Ai clearly does not watch enough anime, however, because she is unaware that all bishounens with long white hair are evil (and Jiraiya from Naruto does not count as a bishounen).
Last time the OP animation was different; this time the ED was tweaked. Unagi sleeps through her preview narration and the sisters take over her spot!
Gunslinger Girl 9
This episode begins what can be considered the only real story arc, and touches upon the main issue of the series – the inherent folly in using adolescent children as killing machines. Not because they aren’t any good at it, but because they are still emotionally fragile and unstable, which can be problematic to say the least.
Anyways, we are introduced to a new gunslinger, Elsa, who refuses to associate with the others, and serves her partner with a single-mindedness that borders on obsession (which is probably caused by the “mind reconditioning” that was done to her). Her partner is a real asshole though, as he doesn’t really take care of her. In a way, even the ice-cold Jean is a better partner, since he at least ensures that Rico is in top condition, like a hunter maintaining his weapons.
This is put into sharp contrast with Jose and Henrietta’s relationship, as Jose treats her like his own daughter, and refuses to have any more mind conditioning/brainwashing performed on her. When Jose and Jean team up for a mission, Elsa finally realizes how crappy her life is, compared to Henrietta’s.