Meeting Date: 6/30/2018
Disclaimer: The Herald Anime Club discusses shows as they’re airing. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!
Samantha Ferreira: Happy Saturday everyone, it’s time for the Herald Anime Club! I’m Samantha Ferreira, and this week L.B. is back to talk some GGO again!
L.B. Bryant: Hello!
Samantha Ferreira: Tonight we’re talking up Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online episode 12, “I live for the way that you cheer and scream for me”, Applause
Samantha Ferreira: This week is the finale, and I have to say it “I called it! I freakin’ called it!”
L.B. Bryant: So… GGO finally ended and all in all, I have to say that I think they stuck the landing albeit it was a very safe and predictable landing.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, pretty much everyone figured out what the ending was largely going to be which is what I meant by a safe and predictable ending.
Samantha Ferreira: Exactly. You could see it from space
Samantha Ferreira: Still, I thought that they handled it well.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, overall I’m pretty pleased with the ending.
Samantha Ferreira: Still… holy crap that end of that battle.
L.B. Bryant: So let’s break this down… the fight between Pito and LLENN was awesome.
Samantha Ferreira: I did not see LLENN ripping Pito’s throat out with her teeth
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, that was freakin’ brutal
L.B. Bryant: I actually cringed at that (in a good way)
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. LLENN and Fuka being punked at the end was perfect, too. Like… “Yeah, you knew some assholes would do that” lol
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, I knew that they weren’t going to win but the point of the fight never was about them winning or losing so I didn’t mind that so much.
Samantha Ferreira: Exactly.
Samantha Ferreira: It was more a funny “Well, that happened” thing
L.B. Bryant: My favorite moment of the fight though was when Fuka cut her wrist restraints with the knife in her hair. I absolutely loved that they turned that aspect of her character design into a functional use.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. That was just great.
Samantha Ferreira: The whole climax was just wonderful – Pito’s monologuing, M being executed, best girl coming to save the day one last time…
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, that whole jump-slice-kick combo was just amazing to watch.
Samantha Ferreira: It really was.
Samantha Ferreira: The ending was just cute, too – seeing how Operation Sweets paid off, Fuka just stealing the show again… (“Hey, Police! :o”)
L.B. Bryant: hehe yeah, for a moment there I genuinely thought we were going to get that massive swerve I was hoping for but then they revealed the ending that everyone saw coming.
Samantha Ferreira: They built it up way too much. Like, they were hinting at this from episode 2.
L.B. Bryant: Though the idea of that tiny, cute pop singer hiding a super sadist personality inside kind of threw me for a loop. I knew that Pito was a sadist but seeing her real form just threw me for a loop.
Samantha Ferreira: That was the best part.
Samantha Ferreira: That and seeing Elza just be super gay made me smile. That segment was adorable.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, it’s funny to me in hindsight (the super sadist bit) but in the moment it just caught me off guard.
Samantha Ferreira: I thought that was the best part – like “Yep, that adorable short lady on stage is the embodiment of pure evil”
L.B. Bryant: So, do you think we’ll ever see a second season of this and can it be as good as the first was?
Samantha Ferreira: I think this one’s over.
Samantha Ferreira: It ended pretty concretely from an anime standpoint.
Samantha Ferreira: granted, the novels are still going, so it’s very possible.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah true but that hasn’t stopped anime before when they see a chance to squeeze the money udder. :)
Samantha Ferreira: Very true, lol.
L.B. Bryant: *coughMadokacough*
Samantha Ferreira: haha.
Samantha Ferreira: I wouldn’t be shocked.
Samantha Ferreira: And I will gladly watch it.
Samantha Ferreira: Shoot – I’m going to say something that I’ve never said – I’m ready to buy this show outright
L.B. Bryant: haha so overall I think this was a good choice for this season. I enjoyed this one despite little hiccups here and there.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. It was a fun, strong show overall
Samantha Ferreira: The action was exciting, the characters were great, and it just worked well
L.B. Bryant: Indeed
Samantha Ferreira: I genuinely enjoyed it
L.B. Bryant: Always glad to hear that. :)
Samantha Ferreira: I will probably be paying that $60/volume for this one
L.B. Bryant: Hopefully I can do that at some point too but I won’t be in a rush to pick this one up for my collection.
Samantha Ferreira: Hehe… fair enough.
Samantha Ferreira: Any final words this week?
L.B. Bryant: Solid ending to a very solid show and I’m glad I watched it.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise.
Samantha Ferreira: And as a quick reminder before we close out: We will not be back next week as I’ll be at Anime Expo
Samantha Ferreira: But after that, we’ll be starting up Happy Sugar Life
L.B. Bryant: Everyone should join us for that as it’s sure to be a lighthearted family friendly good time! ;)
Samantha Ferreira: Oh, yes! Absolutely!
Samantha Ferreira: Nothing bad will happen in this one, just like with Shadow Star Narutaru! Right? :D
L.B. Bryant: I don’t see how it could with a totally not misleading name like that.
Samantha Ferreira: Absolutely!
Samantha Ferreira: Til then, though, have a great night!
L.B. Bryant: Later!
