Meeting Date: 5/23/2020
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: Hi everyone, and welcome to the Herald Anime Club! I’m Samantha, and I’m here with Anthony and L.B.
L.B. Bryant: Hello
Anthony Simpson: Evening
Samantha Ferreira: Tonight, we’re heading back to Taisho-era Tokyo for Sakura Wars (2019) the Animation episode 8: “The one with the A+ face game.”
L.B. Bryant: This was such a silly episode that left me with so many questions.
Anthony Simpson: I have questions as well.
Samantha Ferreira: Oh?
L.B. Bryant: Let’s start from the beginning… did I miss something with this contest? I don’t remember it being mentioned in last week’s episode so it felt like it totally came out of left field.
If I’m misremembering, please feel free to remind me.
Anthony Simpson: The challenge letter was shown at the end right before the credit if I remember correctly
Samantha Ferreira: Yeah. The challenge letter was sent out at the end of the last episode, which is where Sumire went before the big day-off hi jinks
L.B. Bryant: Got it. I couldn’t remember that happening. Thanks for the reminder.
Samantha Ferreira: It definitely sank into the background against the big Gintama send-up
L.B. Bryant: So with that out of the way, was this really the best way to settle their beef with each other? A dance off and a bread eating race? I know that I’m missing the decisive round in that but I’ll get to that in a bit.
The way the first two played out, it felt like such a big time waste just to get the main event.
Samantha Ferreira: It was meant to be played out for entertainment. The dance content makes sense, given the dual nature of the Combat Revues
The bread-eating race was apparently just a spectacle for Oba to sell more bread rolls at the shop or something. That said, Oba and Reiji are amazing together
Anthony Simpson: They play well off each other.
L.B. Bryant: That was one highlight of the episode. I loved their commentary, lol
Samantha Ferreira: They just dive right in and they’re so fun – I’m glad they’re getting more time in the spotlight
L.B. Bryant: So… did they have worldwide live broadcast abilities in the Taisho era? That also struck me as a bit peculiar.
Samantha Ferreira: They have smartphones, so I just kind of rolled with it, lol
Anthony Simpson: I mean you have flying ships so I wouldn’t say that would be out of place in this setting.
Samantha Ferreira: That too. We have a literal skyhook run by ballerina robots
L.B. Bryant: Okay, I have other questions about the final third of the episode but I’ll save those for later when we get there. I’ve monopolized early conversation enough I think heh
Samantha Ferreira: Bah, it’s fun to talk about this stuff
L.B. Bryant: I will say that I agree with Sam’s statement earlier; it was nice to see the character’s faces express some genuine feelings this episode :)
Anthony Simpson: Same it was good to see that.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. Also, the outfits from the various cast members were outstanding. Like, Margarethe in the suit, or Lancelot in her casual outfit.
L.B. Bryant: So, ignoring all the issues I had with the first two thirds of the episode… the final act this week was really quite good.
Samantha Ferreira: It really was. The escalation was fantastic… and they found a use for Reiji’s goofy robot!
L.B. Bryant: lol I was wondering about that. I couldn’t remember when in the series we had seen it before. I think this is another case of a joke that will play out better in future marathon re-watches.
I do have to question the wisdom of putting Klara into a glass box with giant-ish robots fighting around her though. Poor girl could’ve lost an eye!
Anthony Simpson: She could have, but with her powers I think she could have found a way to heal herself
L.B. Bryant: Yeah but no one from the Flower division knew about her powers at the time so it still felt a little odd to me.
Speaking of her powers… I’m very curious about next week to find out what tf is up with that and her sister.
Anthony Simpson: Given that God was mentioned I believe they’re angels/fallen angels. I think
L.B. Bryant: I was going to ask Sam to explain but I think I’d rather wait and let the series attempt to answer all my questions.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. I’m thinking the show will answer that one, since it’s not 100% clear They appear to be high Kouma or fallen angels, though… And the “False God M” ties into this – who, I’m still expecting to be a big throwback reveal.
Samantha Ferreira: So, what do you think the deal with Kaminsky will be?
L.B. Bryant: He’s got kind of a complex going but I have no guesses on what his overall deal is yet.
Samantha Ferreira: Yeah…
L.B. Bryant: He certainly has enough issues to start a subscription plan though.
Samantha Ferreira: That’s saying it lightly
Anthony Simpson: I don’t know what his deal is either.
Samantha Ferreira: We should just start calling him Kindle with all the issues he has.
L.B. Bryant: lol
Samantha Ferreira: But yeah… any other thoughts this week?
L.B. Bryant: No Moon division this week. Sadness.
Anthony Simpson: None from me
Samantha Ferreira: Very sad. They need to come back
L.B. Bryant: Agreed there.
Samantha Ferreira: But that’ll do it for this week. ‘til next time, remember: Reiji and Oba are best announcers.
Have a great night!
L.B. Bryant: Laters :)
Anthony Simpson: Goodnight
After the meeting…
Samantha Ferreira: Oh god, this is the same plot structure as the games.
The next 4 episodes are probably going to be nuts.
L.B. Bryant: lol, sweet
Samantha Ferreira: lol, Buckle up.
L.B. Bryant: My body is ready.
Samantha Ferreira: Sakura Wars plots are… special. That’s all I’ll say
L.B. Bryant: If it’s anything like the plot of the OG TV series, yeah we’re in for a wild final act.
Samantha Ferreira: Yuuup. Even the games, they know how to escalate
