Xam’d Episode 12 - The Throes of Angst, of Yaoi & Yuri, But No.
This was a rather emotional episode. But in a way, too, this episode is much like others where things are built up and set up yet not a whole lot happens.
Despite all of that mushy sentiments, when I took a look at the screen caps I had, I can’t help myself but to weave slashy fic-style narratives out of them. It’s begging to be lampooned. So I’ll give that a shot after I get the SRSBZNS over with.
Funeral is SRSBZNS!
The jist of episode 12 plot-wise is how Nakiami realizes and makes a decision. It’s a turning point where she is now owning up her destiny as a member of whatever the hell she’s a part of. Departing, she bids the family she has on the Zanbani farewell. Akiyuki conveniently tags along as a part of his Hiruko’s calling. However he’ll probably take a detour and stop on Senkan Island next episode. It ought to make a mom happy.
Ishu gives Akiyuki a farewell boot to the buttocks.
The key realization of this episode is how Furuichi is somehow infected with some kind of Humanoid-Weapon-Related problem. He ought to get that growth looked at. But in terms of character development, Haru and Furuichi got to make up. Aww.
For designs this week, it has to be the full-course meal. Mmm.
Although the Nakiami Rape Monster is a good runner-up. Very…Spirited-Away-ish?
Ah, yes, the rape monster. It’s really hard to tell what it did. I guess mind-rape is more like it? But Nakiami said things like “violated” which makes you wonder what the hell it does exactly. All we saw was how it envolopes Nakiami and then disappears?
Yes, she bawled huge tears. But to save herself from the kids she made some convenient lie?
Meanwhile Furuichi does his bishie emo line.
/cut /cut /cut.
Ishu is in a weird mood in this episode. First Yunbo tries to reconcile like old friends do…
Is this friendly banter or something more?!
Raigyo flirts.
Note that she’s wearing a very different dress today. Must be for the funeral. And no boots!
Nakiami takes the opportunity to confess her feelings for Ishu.
No, he definitely doesn’t want to hear about that.
The episode ends when they realize TakumiFuruichi was out for a tofu delivery…
Yes, that is his mom.
A technical post script–the encode this week has gone back down to 720p. I guess they posted an upscale last week? I don’t know what was up with that.
That monster was crazy! It was like leaked out belly juice tentacling Nakiami and then swallowing her… wtf?!
Furuichi is not as dumb as I originally thought. Nice play to get Haru hugging you in your room!
I can’t but feel that Furuichi is going insane considering the tone of his last 2-3 lines in the episode. Poor Haru.
That monster scene was a reference to scenes in the Nausicaa manga. This show has a number of references “homages” to Nausicaa. I’ve not seen Spirited Away. Miyazaki may have reused the concept.
I haven’t seen the Nausicaa manga so I’ll take your word for it, but he does reuse some design style and elements across his films.
But at any rate, right, it is a Miyazaki homage. As if Nakiami wasn’t already one. I wouldn’t really pin it just on Nausicaa simply because since 1984 that stuff has been all over the place, but being swallowed by a translucent monster is quite the major part of Spirited Away.
>> Furuichi is not as dumb as I originally thought. Nice play to get Haru hugging you in your room!
Kabitzin: Furuichi is being honest for once, and breaking out in front of Haru is the smart thing to do. He should’ve done it like, 3 weeks ago! Although on one hand, it makes you wonder how attached Haru is to Akiyuki–it is just because she’s a fierce friend or is it because it’s something more?
That “monster” looked quite a bit like the Dorok emperor’s spirit form from Nausicaä indeed O_O. Anyway, this was a good episode that defintively leaves a promise of the plot movign forward. We’ll see Akiyuki doing a quick visit to Sentan Island to reassure his parents, I suppose, and then it’s off to Tessik village for Nakiami and Akiyuki, I guess…
so… how many nakiami tentacle rape doujins do you estimate there will be? over 9000!?