Now boarding... a Galaxy Express/Ginga Testsudo 999 discussion prt II [Archive]

slerch666

02-14-2006, 02:53 PM

So, we finally reached the 100+ post mark in the other thread, so hereâ€™s part 2, since jmarken mention cutting it off at the triple digits is the preferred method for posting these long discussions.

If you are looking for synopses and discussion on previous episodes, please peruse the first thread in the series. (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showflat.php?Cat=1&Number=1231744&page=0&view=coll apsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1) I donâ€™t want people to lose track of the first thread since it has a lot of great info included in it. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Eps 63 Yamiyami no Shimai

What we have here is the 999 approaching a planet that is completely black. The only way you can tell a planet even exists there is because the black of the planet covers over the stars behind it. As the 999 approaches, the light within the train is also dimmed and the conductor has a comically difficult time making his way through the aisles.

So the 999 touches down on the planet, and Tetsuro doesnâ€™t want to disembark, while Maetel wishes to leave the train on her own this time. Tetsuro allows Maetel her space, however this doesnâ€™t prevent him from not being extremely worried for her. So we follow Maetel off of the 999 and find that she makes her way to, if I remember correctly, a building in a secluded area where she proceeds to contact â€œthe voice.â€? We now know that Maetel has become rather attached to Tetsuro, as she nearly begs â€œthe voiceâ€? to allow her to leave Tetsuro alone. All this really makes me wonder what exactly is going on with this whole thing. (please donâ€™t answer that!)

So as Maetel is conversing with â€œthe voice,â€? Tetsuro is sitting on the 999, awaiting her return. As he peers out the window, he sees a pair of glowing eyes floating in the darkness by which he is enticed into disembarking from the train. We learn this personâ€™s name is Miru and she takes Tetsuro to her house where her father is. This is where we find out that the other daughter, Leylan, is trying to return light to the planet of darkness. Miruâ€™s father then proceeds to ask Tetsuro to do something unthinkable; that being to kill Leylan to foil her plot. The father seems to know that returning light to the planet after so long is simply asking for trouble. Tetsuro doesnâ€™t seem to like the idea, but agrees with it when he believes a lot of people will be caused a lot of trouble if Leylan is able to have her way.

In the mean time. Maetel is captured by an unknown assailant, which we later find to be Leylan.

So Miru guides Tetsuro back to the 999 so he may retrieve his gun. When he is stepping onto the train, Miru tells him that if he gets onto the train and doesnâ€™t come back, he is nothing more than a coward. So Tetsuro retrieves his gun and sets on his way.

Miru is, again if Iâ€™m remembering correctly, knocked unconscious and Tetsuro is somehow able to find his way to Leylanâ€™s laboratory. We learn that Leylan captured Maetel because she fears the power Maetel supposedly possesses, and she requires Maetelâ€™s power to create her light. Tetsuro is held in check after breaking in to stop Leylan because he doesnâ€™t want anything to happen to Maetel.

On an interesting side note, Leylan sort of reminded me of Kei from Herlock.

So Leylan begins to fire up her light creating machine, with Maetelâ€™s unwilling assistance, when Miru finally arrives. Miru attempts to stop Leylan, but winds up being shot and killed in the process. The light device is activated and the light begins to be returned to the planet. We are then presented with the suffering, and dying, of the planetâ€™s inhabitants. It turns out the people were too accustomed to complete darkness, and their bodies adapted to it, that they cannot handle all of the light. Leylan has turned her self, basically, into a mass murderer. I donâ€™t remember the exact details, but she makes her way outside, only to succumb to the killing effects of the light she created. I believe she died next to the remains of her father, who was caught in the newly created light (or was it the other way around that the father died after she did?)

Maetel and Tetsuro return to the 999, and have their usual discourse after their incidents. Tetsuro is saddened by the amount of death on the planet, while Maetel explains to him that while the people all died, after a long period of time life will return to the planet in some other fashion. So I guess Maetel is a believer in evolution. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

So thatâ€™s that for episode 63. I have plenty more written up in terms of notes, and I expect Iâ€™ll have an episode or 4 by the end of the week ready to post about. Iâ€™m hoping to catch up to where I am in terms of viewing soon, simply because I NEED to continue on to the rest of the series.

Keith

02-15-2006, 01:31 AM

I'm continually amazed at the depth of the series. I can't wait to find out what you think of the more condensed version of the story once you eventually get to the film adaptations.

littleharlock

02-15-2006, 04:08 AM

So four episodes left of the 3rd Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete DVD Box to be re-watched. Watched them the other day and the following are the usual comments/thoughts:

â€¢ Episode 52 "TÃ´meikai no Artemis" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
Continuing where the previous episode (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=1&Number=1277445&page=0&view= collapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1) ended TetsurÃ´, Maetel and SaishÃ´-san see that a beautiful young woman does come out of the stranded spaceship. She crawls on the ground of this planet saying "Mother IÂ´m back. ItÂ´s me Artemis" before the women looses consciousness. TetsurÃ´ and Maetel take her to the infirmary of 999, where Maetel "diagnoses" that this woman has only little more life left as sheÂ´s about to die. When Artemis gains conscious again, she tells Maetel, TetsurÃ´ and SaishÃ´-san her sad story. Artemis, one of the little bubble-like beings dreamed of getting herself a Mechanoid body and one day managed to sneak out from her mother. When Artemis arrived on a planet where she could get her Mechanoid body, she thought that this would be the fullfillment of her dreams. However, things are not for free, instead of Dai Andromeda where they hand out machine bodies for free, Artemis had to work in order to pay back the machinization costs. She has to work (with a lot of other newly turned Mechanoid people) at a factory, hard work day by day leaving Artemis very little life quality. One day Artemis decides to return to her mother and was able to steal a spaceship. However her escape didnÂ´t went over that smoothly as the ship had been attacked and damaged.
Meanwhile we get to see that the Galaxy Railway Administrative Bureau is about to prepair (destructive) actions in order to free 999 from ArtemisÂ´ mother
Thoughts:
A great conclusion to this two-parter. Next to "EikyÃ» SentÃ´ Jikkenshitsu" (episode 47 & 48) and "WalkÃ¼re no KÃ»kan Kiko" (episode 44 & 45) one of my alltime favorite episodes (though the WalkÃ¼re episodes are still my favorite two-parters up to now ^_^). ArtemisÂ´ story has been presented as wonderful though bittersweet in the end. Artemis managed to return to her loved mother, having realized that despite what she aimed for (fleeing from her mother in order to make her dreams come true) she can return to her loving mother. Her mother on the other hand was up for what destiny has planned for her, just thankful to "the kindhearted boy" for having shed tears for her beloved daughter and also thanking TetsurÃ´ for having worried about her body. The whole events of course remember TetsurÃ´ again of his mother as well

â€¢ Episode 53 "Kagami no Hoshi no TetsurÃ´"
The Basic Story:
As can be guessed by the title this itÂ´s about TetsurÃ´ or better said about twins that look almost exactely like TetsurÃ´. Kagami no Hoshi (Star of Mirror), the wastelands surrounding the city are very heated at day. WeÂ´re introduced to Manabu and his older brother Takeshi (both looking like TetsurÃ´ with Takeshi only having slightly darker hair). TheyÂ´re on their way to the Kagami no HoshiÂ´s train station in order to board 999 and get a machanized body. ManabuÂ´s brother however doesnÂ´t make it in the desperate heat of the sun and is about to die. Before he dies, he hands Manabu the pass for 999 and tells him to go on without him, boarding 999 and get the wished for mechanoid body. After some time Manabu spent to lament over the death of his brother at his corpse, he continues to the city, not only for his own wishes to come true, but also to make his brotherÂ´s last wish come true.
Meanwhile 999 arrived, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel hopping-off as well. TetsurÃ´ says to Maetel that he wants to explore the nice looking city for a moment and will meet her at the Hotel.
At the evening an exhausted Manabu arrives at the city of Kagami no Hoshi. Happy to having managed to come that far, Manabu is about to take a little break and eat the bread his brother gave to him, when the owner of the town restaurant sees him and scolds him for "damaging the restaurantÂ´s business" as the smell of ManabuÂ´s meal could distract customers of his restaurant ^_~
Maetel taking a look out of the hotel roomÂ´s window accidentally sees the little fight going on between Manabu and the restaurant owner and of course thinks it is TetsurÃ´. So she rushes out of the hotel to help him...and thatÂ´s when the little "confussion play" between TetsurÃ´ and Manabu starts /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif
Thoughts:
Nice episode. One of my favorite moments was when Manabu rushed to TetsurÃ´ who lost conscious in the fight with Gizol (the cruel businessman that sold the fake pass to Takeshi and Manabu). Manabu sees the pass of TetsurÃ´ falling out of his cloak and for a moment he really considers to just take it and make use of his visual similarities with TetsurÃ´ in order to board 999. However Manabu is an honest young man and doesnÂ´t do that in the end. I think there were a lot of similarities between Manabu and TetsurÃ´ in the end, not just the appearance. Both have lost their most precious person in live through tragic circumstances, both aiming to get a Mechanoid body. On the more funny note it was pretty obvious that ManabuÂ´s pass was a fake. I mean when Takeshi showed the pass to Manabu in the beginning it said "Earth <--> Dai Andromeda"...I mean shouldnÂ´t it state as route "Kagami no Hoshi <--> Dai Andromeda"? Or does the Galaxy Railway Administrative Bureau really rip off customers and let them pay for the full route when they just board 999 halfway on the road to its final estination ^_~
Once again decent ending narrations "There are a lot of stories that start out similar. There are a lot of stories that even end similarly. Only time shifts those stories a little.

â€¢ Episode 54 "Owarinaki Natsu no Monogatari" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
999Â´s next stop Owarinaki Natsu no Wakusei (Planet of Endless Summer). As the name says this planet appears to be a summer-like paradise. When TetsurÃ´ and Maetel wander around to explore the planet a bit further, they soon have to realize that not all those insects on Natsu no Wakusei are that harmless. Maetel gets kidnapped by a giant bee-like being and TetsurÃ´ canÂ´t help her (as he forgot his Cosmo Dragoon on board of 999 ^_~). So he runs back to get his gun (on a rather funny sidenote, when he returned to 999 and told SaishÃ´-san why heÂ´s in such a hurry, SaishÃ´-sanÂ´s basic reply to this events is that they should keep in mind that 999 will soon depart...that scene felt like "hey whatÂ´s up with Maetel?" "Kidnapped" "Oh kids, donÂ´t forget to return from playing at lunch time" /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). Anyways, TetsurÃ´ soon gets trapped by the same bee-like creatures soon afterwards as well finding himself trapped in a quite technological basement hanging above a giant bowl. As he realizes heÂ´s reunited with Maetel again, but well now theyÂ´re both captured by the Queen of the Bee-race introducing herself as JoÃ´ Sharpsrock. According to Maetel, the Bee-race is known as Insectors, insect man which are life-forms of mechanical nature after which humans modelled the mechanoid bodies. These Insectors that rule over this planet. JoÃ´ Sharpsrock has hanged TetsurÃ´ and threatens to boil him in the giant bowl. What she did not now is that some hot water wonÂ´t kill a human in a matter of seconds and so TetsurÃ´ is surprised and amused by the way JoÃ´ Sharpsrock tries to kill him.
Sharpsrock runs away, after her plans of killing Maetel and TetsurÃ´ have been crushed (with the help of one of MaetelÂ´s deadly weapons, the ring ^_^) and the two hurry in order to make it back to 999. Meanwhile JoÃ´ Sharpsrock gathered with her proud Insector soldiers planning a final ambush on the arriving passangers, hinting that this would be a fight that would decide the future of the Insector Race.
When TetsurÃ´ and Maetel are about to return to 999, they meet SaishÃ´-san...stranded high up on a tree. He brings them back to 999 to show them what happened. As he tells the two, 999 has been attacked by the Insectors while they were travelling back and has been woven into a gigantic cocoon!
Thoughts:
Yet another two-part episode. While the story of this one sure sounds a bit weird, I enjoyed it due to several reasons. The most obvious being, that "Owarinaki Natsu no Monogatari" included yet another personal interest of Leiji Matsumoto. As can be seen in a lot of his manga (especially is his Insect series), Matsumoto is kind of fascinated by insects, often comparing/relating them to mysterious lifeforms from different worlds. This episode included this personal interest of him with the appearance of the Insectors as well. While they appear as fearsome creatures only attacking 999 out of selfish reasons in this first part, the next one is showing quite good that there are better reasons for their actions.

â€¢ Episode 55 "Owarinaki Natsu no Monogatari" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
So 999 is woven into a giant cocoon by the Insectors, unable to contact the Galaxy Railway Administrative Bureau and call for help. TetsurÃ´, Maetel and SaishÃ´-san suddenly see that the Queen of the Insectors Sharpsrock is flying around inside the cocoon. Taking a close look at the strokes the Insectors have tied 999 with, TetsurÃ´ & Co. realize that there are little egg-like cocoons placed on them. As Sharpsrock tells them, the Insectors were trying to use 999 in order to make their race continue existing, because 999 should be the meal of the new born Insector larves. While TetsurÃ´ soon takes out Cosmo Dragoon to protect 999, he simply canÂ´t shoot the (real cute) baby Insectors and so they board 999 continue eating up the inventory! The gigantic cocoon however looses itÂ´s consistency and begins to fall appart, enabling 999 to finally depart from Owarinaki Natsu no Wakusei. When 999 does use this chance, we see a dying JoÃ´ Sharpsrock waving her children hoping for them to have a bright future (so it really was an attempt to ensure the future existance of her race). When 999 is in (safe) space from the planet SaishÃ´-san is seemingly bothered over the situation soon shall find out that the problem is about to be solved by itself. The Insector babies start to die...as we learn the Insector race is not able to live on any place else than Owarinaki Natsu no Wakusei and die once theyÂ´re departing from the planet. Bothered and feeling sort of responsible for this, TetsurÃ´, Maetel and SaishÃ´-san decide to pay their last respect to the "hope for the future of the Insectors" and return them to space (covered in bandages). TetsurÃ´ being frustrated over the situation, suddenly hears a familiar sound and starts looking around 999, as he believes that the sound he heard was the sound the Insector babies made. When he reaches the infirmary he realizes that he was right, as one of the many babies survived. TetsurÃ´ & Co. donÂ´t want that this sole survivor of the Insector race is going to die like the other babies and so SaishÃ´-san contacts the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau to ask wether it would be allowed for 999 to return to Owarinaki Natsu n Hoshi in order to return the baby to the planet. Given the way the headquarters have reacted in regards of requests by SaishÃ´-san in the past you can pretty much guess their answer. Time being once again precious, as the baby becomes weaker and weaker as 999 continues on its route...will Maetel and TetsurÃ´ find a way to return it to its homeplanet?
Thoughts:
This episode was what IMO makes this two-parter somewhat great. I admit it IS still a weird story (thought the upcoming episodes on the fourth DVD Box include a bunch of even more weird one ^_~) however I found the twist the story took here was pretty neat. So JoÃ´ Sharpsrock is not only the cruel leader of the fearsome Insectors, she furthermore is worried about the existance of her own race which somewhat explains her actions. TetsurÃ´ is once again feeling a responsibility for others adds IMO another positive aspect to his "kindhearted boy" character. The final moment of this episode, when the capsule with the baby has been sent back to Owarinaki Natsu no Wakusei was really neat in artistical aspects (TetsurÃ´ being reminded of his early childhood when he was a mere baby in the cradle with his beautiful mother singing a lullaby, when he saw the capsule containing the Insector baby gently floating home was IMO a very good end to this episode).
Also interesting to know, this episode featured Kazuo Komatsubara (famous for his decent character designs for UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock) as Animation Director.

So, IÂ´ve finished re-watching the 3rd DVD Box of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999, planning to start re-watching the fourth one later today/tonight and posting some thoughts by tomorrow. In the meantime...anyone up to get a pass for 999 for real? Yes TetsurÃ´ wasnÂ´t lying the pass is definitely expensive (and up for purchase here (http://6829.teacup.com/999/shop/01_01_01/001/)...but probably a fake as it says Hoshino TetsurÃ´ on the pass *j/k* /images/graemlins/tongue.gif).

<regarding the first Movie>
[ QUOTE ]
Keith said:
I can't wait to find out what you think of the more condensed version of the story once you eventually get to the film adaptations.

[/ QUOTE ]

Personally I loved it. It includes a lot of decent elements, like wonderful animations, great character designs (though I will probably NEVER get used to KomatsubaraÂ´s different designs for TetsurÃ´!) and I think Rintaro and the staff did very well in adapting the original story, or better said the highlight and connecting them good enough to make it a great movie. Of course the series/manga includes a lot more depth in terms of character development and story development, but given the limited running time of the movie I canÂ´t imagine what could have been done better or different (to be honest the whole story the first movie covers in these over 2 hours running time felt "enough" to me, meaning that it probably would have "dragged on" if they would have included more of it).
The third movie Eternal Fantasy is still my favorite though ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

Keith

02-16-2006, 01:49 AM

[ QUOTE ]

Personally I loved it. It includes a lot of decent elements, like wonderful animations, great character designs (though I will probably NEVER get used to KomatsubaraÂ´s different designs for TetsurÃ´!) and I think Rintaro and the staff did very well in adapting the original story, or better said the highlight and connecting them good enough to make it a great movie. Of course the series/manga includes a lot more depth in terms of character development and story development, but given the limited running time of the movie I canÂ´t imagine what could have been done better or different (to be honest the whole story the first movie covers in these over 2 hours running time felt "enough" to me, meaning that it probably would have "dragged on" if they would have included more of it).
The third movie Eternal Fantasy is still my favorite though ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you know how mad I was after I saw Eternal Fantasy & found out (I think in 2002, perhaps 2001) that there hadn't been more made? /images/graemlins/happy.gif

But I agree on the movies, only I had the opposite problem, I wasn't at all expecting Tetsuro's potato design when I saw the TV series, not that I love it any less, it was just a shock to see how much the design had changed for the movies. Although now I've actually got another question for you. I recall at one point you stating that the Manga had a different ending from both the TV series & movies. I don't suppose you'd mind giving me a quick synopsis of the manga ending perhaps in spoiler text or in pm?

slerch666

02-16-2006, 07:16 AM

OMFG. I finally got around to watching the next disc which was episodes 79-82. Holy crap, I am kicking myself repeatedly over not watching this one sooner!

littleharlock, I'm a little upset that you let me just stop... on, for me, what were easily the 3 greatest episodes of the series! I started it up last night and the ~75 minutes these 3 eps took up just FLEW by. The eyecatch would show up and I'd say WTF!? It's been that long already? Then the credits would come up and I'd still be scratching my head at how quickly the time went.

When you (littleharlock) said to watch for Ryuzu's return, I thought you meant in a literal fashion. I didn't realize you meant she'd be connected to someone in the episode, that being her sister Riryuzu. And the scene where Tetsuro falls into the past, and seeing how PISSED Maetel got, holy shit was the an tremendous scene!

Every time I stop watching the series for any length of time, this time in a hope that I'd catch up on my synopses, and I start the series back up, I'm continually amazed at how amazing the series is. I'm honestly thinking of marathoning the last couple of discs this weekend and saying the hell with trying to catch up with my synopses. I'll get them all posted, but damn if I don't have this drive telling me to watch, watch, watch.

As much as it pains me to say it, if a person can't afford the R2s and can't understand it, I could easily understand why someone would buy the questionable release (or d/l fansubs if they exist), and... well, I won't go so far as the recommend they do so, but I'd definitely understand. This series NEEDS to be seen by everyone, no bullshit.

mistressh

02-16-2006, 11:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
OMFG. I finally got around to watching the next disc which was episodes 79-82. Holy crap, I am kicking myself repeatedly over not watching this one sooner!

littleharlock, I'm a little upset that you let me just stop... on, for me, what were easily the 3 greatest episodes of the series!

As much as it pains me to say it, if a person can't afford the R2s and can't understand it, I could easily understand why someone would buy the questionable release (or d/l fansubs if they exist), and... well, I won't go so far as the recommend they do so, but I'd definitely understand. This series NEEDS to be seen by everyone, no bullshit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh heh... You, me both mate! <g> And isn't Harlock just AWESOME in his passive "Man with no name" cameo?? Makio Inoue, you are "Da Man"!! ;-) From his entrance as the mysterious cloaked stranger on the train, to the quiet "Let him go" speech (and showing off his quick-draw-shoot-behind-him-without looking, the great drama-queen!!) in the bar, it's just great. I was grinning like a loon from start to finish! Plus it really does highlight how unsubtle the film version of these scenes are - instead of Harlock's quiet overwatch, he barrels in shooting everything that moves!! 

Oh - and Le Ryuzu's song... beautiful. Simply *beautiful*. You really can imagine the great softy sitting down to listen! I just bought the Memorial song collection for that one track alone!!

More later, after your review!! ;-)

H

slerch666

02-17-2006, 02:12 PM

Eps 64 Chinmoku no Seichi

When the episode begins, Tetsuro makes mention to Maetel that she looks depressed (he JUST noticed? LOL). Her response to this is, of course, that it is nothing. The Conductor comes in and is whispering the details of their destination. Tetsuro doesnâ€™t understand the reasoning behind this and continues to speak in his normal voice. Both Maetel and the Conductor try and quiet Tetsuro down, to little effect.

Maetel decides to leave the 999 on her own, leaving Tetsuro on the train. Tetsuro, after a little while, begins to wonder what Maetel is up to and becomes worried about her. As with all the times he is separated from her, he decides he needs to go find her (which always lands him in trouble, without fail).

While Tetsuro is walking around town, he constantly scares people, but heâ€™s not sure why. Tetsuro is then told he should return to the 999 by a woman who seems to be concerned by the attention he is bringing to himself. Tetsuro also finds it odd that all of the people he speaks with are all whispering to him, if they reply at all.

Cut away from Tetsuro to Maetel, who seems to be having a conversation with â€œthe voice.â€? Maetel is all but pleading with â€œthe voiceâ€? to allow her to leave Tetsuro and not take him any further. â€œThe voiceâ€? denies her request, telling her that this is her job (or something along those lines).

Cut back to Tetsuro who has gotten himself into quite a mess. After annoying a lot of people and making a lot of noise, the secret police (complete with Nazi style swastikas) are after Tetsuro. He is then captured (though a woman who showed some interest in him tried to warn him several times) and it is decided he is to executed for making too much noise.

When Tetsuro is being marched to the gallows, Maetel breaks him free with the assistance of the woman from earlier. It turns out her name is Silvia and her husband had been executed for the same reason as Tetsuro, making too much noise. This is where we learn that people here are all implanted with mechanical ears which sharpens their sense of hearing, making them very sensitive to loud noises.

As the 3 are being chased, Tetsuro screams out (I believe he screams for his mother) and discovers this causes people to fall over in pain. Once they learn that Tetsuroâ€™s voice can paralyze their pursuers, Tetsuro begins a rather lengthy scream session. This causes all of the people in town to pass out from the pain, and destroys anyone in ear shotâ€™s mechanical ears. Tetsuro and Maetel make their get away, while Silvia remains on the planet.

With that incident over, as the 999 departs for its next destination, Tetsuro wonders to himself why Maetel always looks so sad. He thinks to himself that as long as he is with Maetel, they can overcome any hardship.

Well, thatâ€™s all I have time for today. Hopefully I can knock a few of these out over the weekend, if not I should have some downtime at work next week at which point I should be able to type up quite a few synopses.

littleharlock

02-19-2006, 04:35 AM

Watched the first couple of episodes included on the fourth Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete DVD Box the other day, but again IÂ´m going to post thoughts/summaries in two posts as it would be too much to cover 7 episodes within one post (because of the "all covered in spoiler tags" problem I mentioned before). On a personal sidenote for myself, IÂ´m never ever going to re-watch seven episodes of a series over two days and chose to type up the summaries/thoughts on the next day...heck that took me some hours of typping ^_~

â€¢ Episode 56 - "Reiketsu Teikoku" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
999 is approaching the next destination on the route to Dai Andromeda, KyÃ´ryÃ» no Hoshi (Dinosaur Star). As can be guessed by the name this star is at primeval state, with raging volcanos on the surface (which adds a very significant sulfur aroma that surrounds the planet *as TetsurÃ´ notices when 999 is about to approach*). The planet itself is inhibated by a neanderthal-like tribe, led by Bobambo and his *obviously dominating* wife Babamba (youÂ´ve got to love those names /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). The natural tribe of Bobambo is very unaccepting of foreigners that approach this planet, so its adviced for visitors to stay at the small town of KyÃ´ryÃ» no Hoshi. When Maetel and TetsurÃ´ arrive, they do what they do everytime they reach a new planet...they check in at the nearby hotel ^_~ The hotel itself is glass constructed (meaning a majority of the walls are out of glass as well) giving its visitors a nice overview of the jungle like surface of KyÃ´ryÃ» no Hoshi (and which leads to an amusing "Maetel taking a shower" incident). At night, TetsurÃ´ who previously heard strange howling coming from the nearby jungle, has a rather fearsome encounter. As he looks to their roomÂ´s window he sees...a dinosaur watching them! Scared to the bones he wakes up Maetel (who can "calm him" a bit) and takes out another very nice as well as handy equipment from her suitcase...a translator, that translates dinosaur language (or better said howling) to human language ^_~ However the dinosaur soon leaves (before TetsurÃ´ could even use the translator) and walks off back into the jungle. As we learn pretty soon after this incident, part of the reason for the dinosaur leaving is BobamboÂ´s tribe, whoÂ´s in alarm mode, because they noticed that their dinosaur friend named Chibi walked towards the teritory of the oh-so behated foreigners. On his way back dinosaur Chibi meets yet another dinosaur, the female Rede (itÂ´s a red dinosaur ^_~) whoÂ´s moreover his girlfriend. Together they walk around the jungle at night and Chibi once again romanticises about the foreigners and foreign "culture". As itÂ´s been told soon laterwards Chibi plans to board 999 in order to get himself a mechanized body. Rede, despite her strong feelings for Chibi and realizing what itÂ´ll mean if heÂ´d leave KyÃ´ryÃ» no Hoshi for her does endure the romanticising of Chibi.
The next day TetsurÃ´ decides to walk into the jungle equipped with the Dinosaur translator in order to use it and talk with the dinosaur (being fascinated by the idea). Anyways, TetsurÃ´ happens to meet Chibi again (whoÂ´s about to get himself some "healthy meal"...a gigantic apple ^_~) and with the translator enabling him to talk with the dinosaur, Chibi tells him about his dream to board 999. TetsurÃ´ being amused (and worried) about ChibiÂ´s plans, because TetsurÃ´ thinks 999 isnÂ´t designed to carry the weigth of a dinosaur. Chibi doesnÂ´t want to accept this at first and walks off, leaving TetsurÃ´ behind with the big apple. In the meantime Maetel being once again worried about her dear TetsurÃ´ who walked off in the jungle, does the same in order to find him and bring him back to the soon departing 999. After a quick search, she finds TetsurÃ´...with an overfilled stomach (yeah, ever-hungry TetsurÃ´ did indeed try to eat the big apple Chibi left). When she tries to help him to stand up and walk back to the station, the two however find themself surrounded by the tribe of Bobambo. The tribe has noticed foreigners having entered their territory and well theyÂ´re not amused about this intrusion and moreover Bobambo (and Babamba) are not pleased over the beginning friendship between their friend Chibi and the foreigner TetsurÃ´
Thoughts:
Yeah I know, from this description it really sounds like a very strange and bizarre plot. It is in fact the start of a bunch of such "weird" stories that the 4th Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete Box contains. However the plot works. So we get another lovestory told...this time between two dinosaurs (youÂ´ve got to love the scene when Chibi and Rede are enjoying their moment of "whispering sweet nothings" at night ^_~) which is kind of odd to relate with or to feel for. Despite that I think this two-parter does include some nice story elements. One of the themes that is going on here is discrimination. BobamboÂ´s tribe bearing a hatred against foreigners may be partwise understandable (especially if tourists arriving on KyÃ´ryÃ» no Hoshi are up to behave similar like the self-acclaimed scientist that thought it would be nice to take some pictures of this "primitive people") however certain events in the next episode gave me the impression that their hatred is also sort of a blind hatred caused by bias as well as certain events in past. This first part of the Reiketsu Teikoku" story features Yoshinori Kanemori as animation director again (IÂ´ll post some more thoughts on why this is important to me laterwards ^_^).

â€¢ Episode 57 - "Reiketsu Teikoku" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
As shown by the end of the previous episode, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel are surrounded by the tribe of Bobambo. Being pissed-off by the intrusion due to Maetel and TetsurÃ´ being some of the hated foreigners, the people of BobamboÂ´s tribe take the two as prisoners. So what do primitive tribes obviously enjoy doing with their prisoners? Either cook or burn them /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif and TetsurÃ´ & Maetel are tied to a pile by BobamboÂ´s tribe in order to be burned. Meanwhile Chibi walks of to a nearby mountain. Chibi has sort-of given up on boarding 999 as of now and decides to find himself first (of course walking a mountain is the best way to find oneself ^_~) asking his lover lady-dinosaur Rede to pass on this decision as message to TetsurÃ´. However when Rede arrives, she sees the two being toasted by Bobambo & Co. and so Rede decides to help them (and free them). The two manage to escape the tribe of Bobambo and arrive at the station in the end. Rede in the meanwhile walks off to go look for Chibi to tell him what Bobambo and his tribe did to his friend TetsurÃ´. At the station TetsurÃ´ is sad because 999 is soon about to depart and he didnÂ´t have a chance to say goodbye to Chibi, however only some moments before 999 is about to depart Chibi shows up at the station, telling TetsurÃ´ that while it may not be possible for him to board 999 at the moment, he is not giving up his dream of doing this in future (and adds that heÂ´ll board 999 once a train that will be able to carry him will be made ^_~).
Thoughts:
I know not a detailed summary of the events, but than again I tend to suck in summarizing in the end ^_^" The end of the "Reiketsu Teikoku" story moreover wasnÂ´t what IÂ´d call pretty neat either. I mean it was a nice action-heavy way of ending the events...but well not much to say about it in the end. The pretty much best moments of this two-part story were already included in the first episode (i.e. the final scene when Maetel was covering TetsurÃ´ from being harmed by the maces BobamboÂ´s tribe threw at them.)

â€¢ Episode 58 - "Ashioto Mura no Ashioto"
The Basic Story:
How about a little horror story for a change? Ashioto Mura (Footstep village) is the next stop on 999Â´s route. Arriving at midnight, Maetel and TetsurÃ´ check-in at the nearby hotel run by an old lady. When Maetel plans to use the hotelÂ´s hot spring, TetsurÃ´ at first want to stay at their room (you know, TetsurÃ´ and water not the best combination ^_~) however when he hears mysterious sounds of water drops his fear overweights the dislike of water and so he joins her. Soon both of them hear the strange sound of dripping water (with TetsurÃ´ being that scared that he jumps towards Maetel in the hots spring /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif) As the owner of the small inn tells them, the planet is named Ashioto Mura because itÂ´s said that you can hear the footsteps of dead souls wandering the planet at night. Not the best story to tell TetsurÃ´ before he goes to sleep ^_~ At night, TetsurÃ´ feels the natural urge to pay the toilett a visit and after some time he overcomes his fears and rushes out of their room towards the toilett. On his way back to the save area (aka their hotel room) TetsurÃ´ gets to have his much feared spooky encounter though, as a water from the boil (to wash your hands) next to the toilet follows him! At first TetsurÃ´ is of course scared to the bones, however the water ghost/spirit does try to communicate with him (with the water forming into writing). The spirit tells TetsurÃ´ that her name is Yayoi and that she seeks TetsurÃ´Â´s help as friend. TetsurÃ´ being kind-hearted as usual overcomes his fears and is about to help Yayoi fullfilling her request...so she asks him to walk into the nearby forest to dig out something she has burried there back when she was still alive.
Meanwhile Maetel wakes up and realizes that TetsurÃ´ is not at their room anymore. Worried as usual she finds out that he left the inn and walked into the forest. She finds TetsurÃ´ who is about to dig something out at a tree. Maetel, being very concerned about this situation when TetsurÃ´ tells her about the water-spirit Yayoi that seeks his help aims her gun (at TetsurÃ´) and orders him to stop digging now. The reason for her harsh reaction is because Maetel is worried over the story the inn-lady told her that itÂ´s said that a reason for Ashioto MuraÂ´s small population is because the ghosts that visit the town at night have managed to posses villagers and drive them into save death. However TetsurÃ´ refuses to do as Maetel ordered him as he does believe in what his friend Yayoi said/wrote to him and continues digging until he reaches what Yayoi burried at this place. When TetsurÃ´ looks at the packaging he digged out for Yayoi they find out that it consists of layout pages for a ShÃ´jo manga. Back at the inn, when TetsurÃ´ mentions YayoiÂ´s name, the old lady that runs the inn is shocked to hear her name as she knew Yayoi. She tells TetsurÃ´ and Maetel the sad story of a young girl spending day and night througout the seasons at her room (at the very same inn Maetel and TetsurÃ´ stay at). The hard work of Yayoi on her ShÃ´jo manga did pay off in the end as she received a letter from a publisher who was interested in buying her manga. However when the publisher didnÂ´t buy her manga in the end, she returned and killed herself by throwing herself into the nearby lake.
Thoughts:
Nice episode. After the weird story of the previous episodes, this one presents some light horror elements (i.e. when Maetel imagines YayoiÂ´s spirit possesing TetsurÃ´). While TetsurÃ´Â´s kind-hearted nature does get him into some trouble again, it was good to see that he was right about YayoiÂ´s intentions in the end. The story of Yayoi herself is once again a Matsumoto sad drama of a young woman who worked hard for her dreams to come true yet having to realize that this hard-worked for dream shatters (of course you can argue wether killing oneself if the first chance to make your dream come true is the best solution ^_^").

â€¢ Episode 59 - "Namakemono no Kagami"
The Basic Story:
Next stop Namakemono no Kagami (Mirror of Laziness). This time weÂ´re starting out a bit differently, as Maetel sits at their cabin alone, while TetsurÃ´ walked to 999Â´s library and read a book titled "Wakusei Guide" (Planet Guide)...however the literature obviously wasnÂ´t that interesting to the young boy as he has fallen asleep during his reading session. Anyways, when 999 is about to arrive and TetsurÃ´ meeting up with Maetel, TetsurÃ´ is impressed by the highly advanced and beautiful planet that namakemono no Kagami is and wonders why the Planet Guide book he just started reading didnÂ´t mention such a wonderfull world. When 999 lands, TetsurÃ´ finds himself going to explore the planet on his own as Maetel doesnÂ´t want to go with him. When TetsurÃ´ walks around the city for a bit he finds a (speaking) taxi that offers him to take him around the place and so TetsurÃ´ naturaly agrees to this offer. However after a while he wonders where all the people of this town are as the town is pretty empty with the only beings he meets on his journey with the taxi being a very very fat cat followed by an equally fat dog /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif Even at the Coffee restaurant (where everything from opening the door to taking a seat is pretty much done by computer/mechanical equipment) no single person. When TetsurÃ´ does agree to continue his tour with the taxi we see a chubby woman trying to catch-up with TetsurÃ´ (however whenever she manages to catch up following the taxi on foot the taxi departs again with TetsurÃ´ not noticing). When the taxi reaches the outskirts of the town TetsurÃ´ decides to knock at one of the houses doors to finally meet one of the inhabitants of this beautiful and highly advanced planet. He has luck as owner of the house he picked out seems to be at home telling him to come in. When TetsurÃ´ does so a wobbling mass is blockating the entrace of the house though. Bumbing into this mass the voice of the house owner excuses for blocking the way and when TetsurÃ´ asks where the guy actually is, the persont tells him to take a look up at the window. Going a few steps back and looking up TetsurÃ´ has to realize that the house is filled with one big fat person, with the face (or what you could call that) being only visible via the opened roof window ^_~ Even worse the people on Namakemono no Kagami are VERY lazy, which makes them gain more and more weight until they fill their house until (as TetsurÃ´ has to encounter soon after this encounter) their house explodes (not being able to hold the enormous mass of its owner anymore) and theyÂ´re that fat that they are unable to move anymore. When TetsurÃ´ wants to board the taxi again and return to 999, the woman that weÂ´ve seen earlier finally managed to catch-up with TetsurÃ´. She introduces herself as Saporina and asks TetsurÃ´ for help. As she tells TetsurÃ´ people on Namakemono no Kagami were not always that lazy and overweighted. In the flashback shown while she tells her story, she herself was a really thin and attractive woman once when she arrived on this planet with her love a young man named Gudara. The two of them were hard working people, but they were happy and enjoyed working and living together. However bit by bit the work theyÂ´ve done (as woodchopper) had been automatically taken over by machines. While Saporina was not that happy about the relief of work the advanced technology brought, her b/f Gudara did the same pretty much all people on Namakemono no Kagami started doing (with their work being done by machines as well) sitting back and being lazy, yet eating the same amount of meal that they used to eat while still working hard. Even more Gudara told Saporina (who still wanted to work) that it itÂ´s useless when the machines could do the same as equally good as her doing the work manually. With Gudara growing bigger and bigger and not wanting to listen to Saporina, she decided to board 999 and depart from this planet before she will share the same fate as the other people on this planet. However the train station doesnÂ´t allow her to pass...so she asks TetsurÃ´ for help.
Thoughts:
Okay this is by far the most weird episode up to now. Personally I didnÂ´t get much out of it. One of the things I enjoy about Leiji MatsumotoÂ´s works the most, in specific about Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 and the various stops of the train on its journey is that despite Matsumoto having included a lot of his personal point of view on a variety of topics, he never really goes into being too preachy forcing the viewer/reader to see his point of view as the "ultimate and concluding" theme. This episode however did break that unwritten rule a bit. People that donÂ´t work, start becoming fat (amazingly Gustav grows from heavily overweightet to house-size-overweighted in a couple of minutes ^_~). Saporina fearing that she will share the same fate desperately trying to leave this planet (and leave Gudara behind)...yet I think itÂ´s not the others or the planet to blame. On a funny sidenote TetsurÃ´ was for the majority of this episode (focused laziness and the results of too much laziness) en route with the floating taxi ^_~

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-19-2006, 04:44 AM

Second part of the re-watched episode discussed:

â€¢ Episode 60 - "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
999 approaches Ashita no Hoshi (TomorrowÂ´s Star), a world where the inhabitants are not aware of the existance of the Galaxy Railways so not only the landing maneuver of 999 is a bit different this time (at night stopping quietly while still in the air and landing on normal train tracks) but also SaishÃ´-san tells Maetel and TetsurÃ´ that they should not mention 999 and the Galaxy Railways on this planet at all. Despite 999 trying their best not to be spoted, weÂ´re introduced to a bunch of kids (a clique you could say) one of them (the leader of the clique) TarÃ´ is gazing at the stars throug a telescope and to his surprise spots 999 during its subtle landing manuever. TarÃ´ dreaming of travelling through the stars decides to leave (without telling his friends about what he saw) to catch 999 when it enters the train station. From there on he stalks TetsurÃ´ and Maetel that are seemingly enjoying this old fashioned yet wonderful town. When the two decide to take a short nap (well TetsurÃ´ plans to do so, but Maetel falls asleep as well) at the cityÂ´s park area, TarÃ´ faces his chance and steals the passes of the two. Maetel wakes up TetsurÃ´ telling him about the situation...however when TetsurÃ´ is about to go look for the passes and (IIRC) is about to inform the police about the robbery Maetel reminds him that they canÂ´t do that as the people on this planet donÂ´t know about the existance of the Galaxy Railways. So the two try to get (with the little they have left) themself a cheap accommodation. As said they only have little money left (after TetsurÃ´Â´s little "porkfest" at the townÂ´s Ramen restaurant ^_~) so they end up in a run-down little inn, run by a very sympathic old lady. At the hotel TetsurÃ´ meets (no-one-less than...) an ongoing manga-ka by the name of Adachi Futoshi!
At night, when Maetel and TetsurÃ´ are asleep TarÃ´ still having stalked the two even after he stole the passes comes to the small inn to steal TetsurÃ´Â´s clothes!
Thoughts:
The start for a truely great bunch of episodes. The appearance of Adachi Futoshi sure is one of those big guest appearances, with Adachi being the main character (and at least name-wise Adachi is one of the re-appearing character in the Leijiverse stories) of one of MatsumotoÂ´s biggest hit manga of the 4-1/2 tatami works by him, Ganso Dai-YojÃ´han Dai Monogatari (which btw. even has been adapted into a theatrical live action adaption (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006AUV1/qid%3D1140290796/503-8488160-8235145)) next ot the infamous Otoko Oidon. The first episode is used to build up a very interesting situation that enables what I consider a good basis for some decent moments of character development between Maetel and TetsurÃ´ Some more detailed thoughts on this story included in the next episode.

â€¢ Episode 61 - "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
At the end of the previous episode TarÃ´ managed to sneak into the little inn to rob Maetel and TetsurÃ´ once again. He managed to get away (although he left footprints) and the two of them slowly begin to get major worries that this may be the end of their journey. The next day TetsurÃ´ gets at least some old clothes from the owner of the inn (which IMO made him look less chubby /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif heck he reminded me a lot of one of my alltime favorite potatoe-head ShÃ´nen characters by Matsumoto, Hajime Amamori ^_^) and while Maetel is out, TetsurÃ´ decides to spend some time with his newly made friend, the manga-ka Adachi Futoshi. TetsurÃ´ is wallowing in self-pity over his situation and frustrated wether heÂ´ll be able to find a job (Maetel stated as reason for leaving TetsurÃ´ for a while, that sheÂ´s out to find herself a job which IIRC Adachi comments with "that a beauty like her wonÂ´t have a hard time though"), however Adachi is not that emphatizing about this self-pity condition of TetsurÃ´ and takes him out to get something to eat (yeah theyÂ´re going to the very same Ramen restaurant that TetsurÃ´ had his little "porkfest" in the previous episode at ^_^).
Meanwhile we do see Maetel on her way through a building. It soon is pretty obvious that this lady is not searching for a job as she told TetsurÃ´, but moreover visits the secret base of the Galaxy Railways Administration on Ashita no Hoshi (with the inhabitants of this planet being not aware of the existance of the Galaxy Railways youÂ´ll have to hide your base pretty good ^_~). She seeks to speak with the obvious leader of the basis asking him wether the administration bureau could grant her and TetsurÃ´ replacement passes for the ones stolen. After a while of silent consideration (with Maetel sitting at a chair and judging by her face you can guess the tension about the whole situation she feels) the leader however refuses this request and tells Maetel that they have to settle with the though to live on Ashita no Hoshi if they wonÂ´t be able to get their original passes back in time. This reaction (while it seems not that surprising to Maetel *also not surprising judging by how the administration reacted in regards of requests in past situations*) causes for the very firs time some major frustration to Maetel in the end and she is pretty hesitant to return to TetsurÃ´ at first (spending some time at a bridge gazing down on the river...on an ironic sidenote you see TarÃ´Â´s friends passing by ^_~). In the meanwhile TarÃ´ has told his friends (and what appears to be his girlfriend *though not specific noted*) Hanako about him having discovered 999 and that with the pass and the cloth heÂ´s able to board 999. While TarÃ´ is prepaired for his friends (and especially Hanako) preaching him that itÂ´s not fair to steal the belongings of someone else, heÂ´s surprised to find out that Hanako wishes him good luck on his journey and moreover TarÃ´Â´s friend worked hard to publish a small newspaper that has "TarÃ´ discovering and boarding the space railway" as headline. This somewhat makes TarÃ´ realizing what a great bunch of friends heÂ´s going to leave back when he does really board 999 and angrily reacting he crinkles the newspaper frontpage that Hanako proudly presented him and runs off. Meanwhile Maetel returns to their room and finds TetsurÃ´ sleeping. As if her pity over the situation theyÂ´re into wasnÂ´t enough she finds that ever-hungry TetsurÃ´ even took a cup of Ramen to the inn with a message that he brought it for Maetel. Maetel seemingly affected by this looks down on sleeping TetsurÃ´ with that motherly loving facial expression she was shown on several occasions while "watching over TetsurÃ´Â´s sleep" back on 999. Will they manage to get back their passes in time or stay at the appartement for the rest of their live? Of course the answer is somewhat clear (with this being episode 61 out of 113 episodes ^_~) but yet itÂ´s a very touching scenary.
Thoughts:
Before going into what makes this two-part episode such a great story in terms of character development IMO, letÂ´s come to the visual side of things first. This part of the "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" story features no-one-less than infamous Kazuo Komatsubara as animation director...and thatÂ´s very visable througout the episode IÂ´d say. Great character designs and at times MaetelÂ´s designs look terrible close to how Komatsubara did the designs for her for the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 movie. With Komatsubara involved, this episode presents also some very artistical angles and scenaries (Maetel and TetsurÃ´ on the swings with the sun slowly setting in the background was a sheer beautiful scene, or when Maetel stood at the bridge with her silhouette being mirrored at the water underneath her *sheer beauty I tell you ^_~*). I have to admit that I did not know for sure that Komatsubara was responsible for the animations in this episode, however the designs for Maetel in this episode (plus TetsurÃ´...heck he really lookes a bit more similar to how Komatsubara designed him in the movie in this episode ^_~) plus at the end the designs for Hanako (who terrible reminded me of little MayÃ»-chan in terms of head designs) I paid extra attention to the credits to spot the name of the animation director for this episode...and well it is the great Komatsubara ^_^
As for the main plot presented this time, I think itÂ´s safe to say that the "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" two-parter (especially the second episode) is among the very very best in terms of character development between Maetel and TetsurÃ´. Though basically TetsurÃ´ and Maetel canÂ´t do anything to retrive their passes, thereÂ´s a LOT going on between them. Maetel, for the very first time appearing desperate over the situation of the lost passes and maybe being stranded with TetsurÃ´ on this planet. So, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel lost their passes in previous episodes several times now, and there was only one other occassion when they couldnÂ´t do the slightest thing to get them back. However previously we pretty much had Maetel being the strong minded woman that thinks positive about their situation as worse as it may appear from TetsurÃ´ point of view. They lost their passes, TetsurÃ´ being somwhat frustrated and fearing that they wonÂ´t be able to board 999 again, however Maetel still thinks positive that they will get them back sooner or later, which somehow caused TetsurÃ´ to "calm down" a bit and not losing himself in worries and self-pity. This time itÂ´s a very nice twist, as the situation is mixed. Of course TetsurÃ´ is worried about the situation as well, that they may not retrive the passes in time...yet (probably enforced by AdachiÂ´s "do the best under given circumstances" way of thinking) TetsurÃ´ appears to be the more strong minded that calms MaetelÂ´s worries a bit.
Definitely one of my favorite two-part episodes up to now, IÂ´d place it very close to such decent stories as "WalkÃ¼re no KÃ»kan Kiko" (episode 40 & 41) and "EikyÃ» SentÃ´ Jikkenshitsu" (episode 47 & 48).

â€¢ Episode 62 - "Yoru no nai Machi"
The Basic Story:
TetsurÃ´ and Maetel get into some major trouble in this episode. When 999 arrives at its next destination, Yoru no nai Machi (Nightless town / Town without Night) it seemed like a beautiful city at first. However the trouble soon starts once the two arrive at their hotel. Maetel takes a shower and advices TetsurÃ´ not to go wandering through the city at night (when TetsurÃ´ mentioned heÂ´d like to explore the city a bit). TetsurÃ´ slightly pissed of by this "motherly" advice (because he thinks "heÂ´s no kid anymore") does exactely what Maetel has told him not to do and so shortly afterwards we see him wandering the streets of Ashita no Hoshi. Strangely no one aside from TetsurÃ´ seems to be outside on the streets. That has actually a reason as the boy has to learn pretty soon, when the police arrives orders him to return to his accomodation. Thick-headed TetsurÃ´ refuses to do as ordered and the police shots him! Maetel (still enjoying her shower ^_~) suddenly gets the feeling that thereÂ´s something wrong with TetsurÃ´ and when she comes out of the shower and obviously doesnÂ´t see the boy at their room, she runs out of the hotel and anxiously looks at the cityÂ´s streets shouting for TetsurÃ´. That draws the attention of Ashita no HoshiÂ´s police on her pretty quick as well...however she can "confince" the police that she is not to be arrested by them. Moreover her meeting with Yoru no nai MachiÂ´s police even leds to TetsurÃ´ being released from his prison cell (you wouldnÂ´t think heÂ´s been deadly shot by them ^_~) and the police officer excusing for the harsh actions taken on TetsurÃ´. She furthermore explains to the two that there exists a strict curfew for the inhabitants of Yoru no nai Machi at night, because of a fearsome monster that is walking abroad at night. With 62 episodes of following TetsurÃ´ and MaetelÂ´s adventures itÂ´s pretty obvious how TetsurÃ´ reacts to this news...curious as ever, the two walk to the lake (at night) to see the fearsome monster first hand. At the lake they meet a bunch of guys that travel the lake on boats equpipped with a camera and a bazooka-like flew-gun. They want to capture the monster...and after a while the oh-so-fearsome monster does come out of the water, finding itself attacked by the guys. Yet the monster does seem to be a bit more clever than the guys and easily tricks them out. However the beastÂ´s tail is still tangled into the flew the guys shot at it and so it has to land at the shore of the lake. TetsurÃ´ kind-hearted as usual decides to help it (learning how to free the beast the hard way ^_~) and realizes that the fearsome monster the people of Yoru no nai Machi are so afraid of to create a strict curfew for the inhabitants is not fearsome at all (youÂ´ve got to love when TetsurÃ´ looks at itÂ´s *somewhat cute/dull looking face* and says that itÂ´s not that fearsome at all "however what makes a real man is contained in ones heart" /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). After talking a bit with the monster that is known as HerÃ´n among this planets people, it leaves off and enters the save shelter (aka lake) again. When TetsurÃ´ and Maetel walk back to town, theyÂ´re once again stopped by the police. This time theyÂ´re into serious trouble as the police now considers them traitors/allies of HerÃ´n which will be punished by execution!
Thoughts:
What I like about re-watching Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 is that I find myself paying a lot more attention to such little things including the ending credits ^_^ "Yoru no nai Machi" again is an episode where the character designs (and animation) are really beautifully handled. As said, paying some extra attention to the credits I noticed that the IMO best episodes in terms of character designs and animation are the ones in which either Kazuo Komatsubara was responsible as animation director or (another overall personal favorite of mine) Yoshinori Kanemori (who did such decent jobs as designer on a lot of my favorite anime projects including YAWARA!, X TV as well as the wonderful job on Sennen JoÃ´ TV). So, this episode features Kanemori as animation director which means lovely designs.
The story itself may sound pretty strange at first, however it included some nice themes with the people of Yoru no nai Machi considering the HerÃ´n a frightening monster, yet the look of HerÃ´n is anything elese from fearsome (and as Matsumoto proove in works such as the Sennen JoÃ´ manga he can draw really classical/fearsome looking dragons/monster pretty good as well ^_~). Moreover I enjoyed the way this episode ended, with SaishÃ´-san showing them a book containing information on a similar HerÃ´n-like monster that was pretty popular on Earth in past as well...yeah itÂ´s Nessie ^_^ Again without being too preachy, this episode included the theme that people often are afraid of something that they donÂ´t know better and which they donÂ´t want to invest time to get to know better.

ThatÂ´s as far as IÂ´ve re-watched Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 up to now. IÂ´m probably going to rewatch the next couple of episodes later today/tonight when I find the time (but one thing is for sure, I wonÂ´t wait that long till I type up some episode summaries/thoughts again *phew*).

[ QUOTE ]
Keith said:
Do you know how mad I was after I saw Eternal Fantasy & found out (I think in 2002, perhaps 2001) that there hadn't been more made? /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah especially since Eternal Fantasy was IMO the most decent theatrical adaption of the manga (nothing against the first movie..but this one just worked out a lot better IMO). I got the impression that they really planned to do the announced Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 ~ UchÃ» no ChÃ»shin e (I mean they sure have planned, especially with the end of 999 reaching Dai Technologia which as a quite important first real stop in the manga as well) however I guess Eternal Fantasy wasnÂ´t the planned success and so the budget for this movie hasnÂ´t been reached/gathered either. Really a pitty and my hopes that weÂ´re going to see this one anytime in future have died. The only thing left I hope for is that theyÂ´re going to release the short movie Niji no Michishirube and maybe the planetarium movies on DVD anytime in future (though chances are pretty small for that). Hopefully the upcoming Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari ~ Wasurareta Toki no Wakusei is a success gathering enough for future high quality Matsumoto anime projects (heck those were times when Matsumoto fans got two theatrical features presented within a year like back in 1982 with Sennen JoÃ´ and Waga Seishun no Arcadia).

[ QUOTE ]
Keith said:
Although now I've actually got another question for you. I recall at one point you stating that the Manga had a different ending from both the TV series & movies. I don't suppose you'd mind giving me a quick synopsis of the manga ending perhaps in spoiler text or in pm?

[/ QUOTE ]

IÂ´m going to type up a small summary (like IÂ´ve done with the Waga Seishun no Arcadia (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1279245&page=1&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1) manga recently, meaning in similar style if thatÂ´s okay) in the coming weeks, if IÂ´m going to find some extra time.

so far
yours
littleharlock

Keith

02-20-2006, 01:41 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
IÂ´m going to type up a small summary (like IÂ´ve done with the Waga Seishun no Arcadia (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1279245&page=1&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1) manga recently, meaning in similar style if thatÂ´s okay) in the coming weeks, if IÂ´m going to find some extra time.

so far
yours
littleharlock

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool, thanks.

slerch666

02-20-2006, 01:10 PM

Eps 65 KÃ´kyÃ´shi Majo no Tategoto

As the 999 makes its landing, Maetel and Tetsuro see a planet filled with crops and other food growing around the planet. For some reason however, the town the land in appears to be run down.

Tetsuro is asked, prior to he and Maetel departing the 999, not to eat while on the planet, so he eats a bit while walking thorough the cabins of the 999. Of course, he decides heâ€™s going to take the rest of what he is eating with him and stuffs it into his cloak.

So as Maetel and Tetsuro are walking through town, Tetsuro, just as you would expect from a child, decides he is hungry and pulls out the food he had stuffed in his cloak. At this point the 2 are targeted and shot. Tetsuroâ€™s food is taken and of course Maetel is resurrected by â€œthe voice.â€? A few minutes later Tetsuro awakens in a hotel room.

After a little discussion, Maetel and Tetsuro decide to go down to the hotelâ€™s restaurant. In the window all the food looks amazing and Tetsuro places an order. Once the food arrives, however, they find the food on display isnâ€™t exactly what it seems, as the portions are large, but are mostly air. They look good before you actually try EATING it!

This is where we find out that the person who stole Tetsuroâ€™s food is actually the brother of the waitress. It turns out this planet, while from the approach appears to have plenty of food, is full of starving people. The reason Nikolai (the thief) stole the food was because their mother is sickly and he wanted to try and help her any way he could. All of the food which the visitors saw is sent directly to the Queen and none of it is dispatched to the people. Any person who is caught, by robotic sensors throughout the city, trying to steal any of the Queenâ€™s food is summarily shot by those sensors. We also find out that the Queen has apparently been around for 200 years (which tells us what she likely really is from past experience). Maetel mentions however, that the Queen isnâ€™t supposed to be a Mechanoid, which puzzles them even further.

One thing I forgot to mention was the sound of a harp playing that evidently originates from the Queenâ€™s island. I mention it because it is explained in the episode a little later on. I just wasnâ€™t sure where to stick it in my synopsis.

So Nikolai runs off and Tetsuro follows him. While they are on the street, they are passed by several trucks hauling all sorts of fruits and vegetables, all headed to the Queen. As they are on the street, an apple falls from one of the trucks. After very little deliberation, Nikolai decides to go for the apple and is shot. The camera here is kinda interesting as it pulls the â€œMatrixâ€? style â€œpan around the personâ€? view. This is where Tetsuro decides he wonâ€™t stand for this kind of oppression and starvation, so he and Maetel jump on a boat and head towards the Queenâ€™s island.

As Maetel and Tetsuro approach the island, their boat is shot at and destroyed by the defenses on the island. The 2 manage to make it on shore. The 2 make their way to an elevator on which there is strewn the bones of other victims of the Queen. One thing that bothers Tetsuro is that Maetel seems to know the way to the Queenâ€™s chambers, like sheâ€™s been there before. When he questions her on it, she remains silent as she generally does when these types of things are involved.

Once in the Queenâ€™s throne room, Tetsuro begins to ascend the stairs to her throne angrily. As he approaches the top of the stairs, a shoot rings out from the Queen, at which point Maetel shoots the device firing upon Tetsuro. This is when Tetsuro approaches the Queen, only to find that while the body is human, it is naught but a corpse at this point. Evidently the Queen had consciousness implanted into the throne like a Mechanoid and pretended her body had never passed away. While she appeared to be an attractive woman throughout the episode, it turns out she was actually very disgusting in appearance. It turns out she would kill anyone who knew of her secret and had the food continually delivered to the island to help make people believe she was still alive. Tetsuro also finds out that the source of what sounded like a harp playing was actually a device installed in the ceiling of the castle that would play as the wind blew through it. Tetsuro destroys the corpse and the harp. When the 999 departs the planet, I believe it was the narrator that mentioned that the Queen had held the planet captive for 200 years and they are now free.

So there is the next episode. Iâ€™m going to try typing up another episode or 2 today before I head home from work. Itâ€™s kind of slow here so it isnâ€™t as if I have something else to do. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Iâ€™m actually almost exactly 20 episodes behind on my synopses, and Iâ€™m almost certainly watching the last 2 discs of box 5 tonight.

slerch666

02-20-2006, 01:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Watched the first couple of episodes included on the fourth Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete DVD Box the other day, but again IÂ´m going to post thoughts/summaries in two posts as it would be too much to cover 7 episodes within one post (because of the "all covered in spoiler tags" problem I mentioned before). On a personal sidenote for myself, IÂ´m never ever going to re-watch seven episodes of a series over two days and chose to type up the summaries/thoughts on the next day...heck that took me some hours of typping ^_~

[/ QUOTE ]
Nice to know I'm not the only one who messed up. The problem is, however, this is my first time through the series and I just want to keep watching it. So I got 4 episodes ahead of my synopses, then 8, then 12 then 16 and here I sit, right around 20 episodes behind. It'll be worse after this evening. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

The only thing that I find myself kicking myself over is that I'm writing notes while watching. This may not seem like that much of an issue, but the problem is that I'm finding I'm not focusing as much as I wish I could, or should, on the episodes I am watching. I'm certainly going to rewatch this one. Hell, I'm finding the Uchu Kaizoku Herlock TV is calling to me again, and I still have a crap load of 999 to watch, along with all the other R1 stuff I have on my shelf!

slerch666

02-20-2006, 02:52 PM

Eps 66 Kiri no SÃ´sÃ´ Wakusei

This episode is another odd one.

As the 999 approaches the next planet, Funeral Planet if I translated that properly, Maetel pulls from her every trusty suitcase, a long black cloak which she proceeds to put on. There is to be no laughing on the planet and Tetsuro mentions a rather foul smell as they approach (the smell of death maybe?).The 999 lands and Tetsuro is feeling pretty adamant about not wanting to get off the 999 on such a dreary, scary planet. Maetel decides she would like to disembark anyway, and leaves Tetsuro on the train. Since Tetsuro is Tetsuro, after a few minutes he begins to wonder if Maetel will be safe on her own (given the weaponry at her disposal and more level headed nature than Tetsuro, I think itâ€™s a safe bet sheâ€™d probably be OK on her own. /images/graemlins/wink.gif), Tetsuro decides he needs to follow after her to protect her. Of course he dons the black cloak as well. When Tetsuro catches up to Maetel, she asks him what made him change his mind. He answers her honestly, that he was worried about Maetel.

As the 2 walk through the streets, they are passed by a funeral procession. After the procession passes, Tetsuro decides to take a backwards glance at the people, at which point they decide they need to attack Matel and Tetsuro. Once the 2 are put down, they are then BURIED ALIVE. Tetsuro is scared witless, of course. What I found truly shocking was a comment Maetel made while in her underground prison. She actually says that having it end like this may be for the best, as all she wants is this journey to be at an end. Is the fate in store for Tetsuro so bad that she would wish for him to die by being buried alive? What the Hell is this journey going to wind up being about I wonder?

It turns out a kind hearted woman saw what happened (she was part of the procession I believe) and dug the 2 up. The womanâ€™s name is Machiru. She then relates a story about the planetâ€™s past to Tetsuro and Maetel. Some time ago a ship crash landed on the planet. I believe everyone here was Mechanoid, so when the ship crashes and several people died, they found themselves a new experience to become infatuated with. Once the bodies were interred, they soon turned themselves upon the survivor, killing her simply so they could bury her; an escape from the boredom of eternal life. It turns out ALL travelers to the planet are killed. Learning this, I have to wonder why it was that Maetel left the 999 after all. I mean, did she want to be killed? She had to have known about the planetâ€™s past, given her unending information regarding everywhere else the 2 travelers have been.

At this point, Tetsuro mentions that when he becomes an immortal he wonâ€™t be bored or be a bad person.

Since I wasnâ€™t sure where else to relate this part, it turns out Machiruâ€™s job is to ring the church style bell every hour (I think itâ€™s every hour). As she continues relating the story of the planetâ€™s past to Maetel and Tetsuro, she had forgotten her duty, at which point the people in the procession decide itâ€™s time to prepare her funeral! Machiru makes her way to the bell tower, manages to begin ringing the bell and just as she does, someone takes a shot at her. In an semi-artistic scene, Machiru falls down through the bell tower and lands upon the table where she and the 2 travelers were talking. Maetel and Tetsuro then stun the funeral procession and make their way back to the 999.

As the train departs the planet, Maetel says that being remembered via a funeral upon death would be nice. Through the narrator, Tetsuro begins to think that Maetel has seen a lot of death as explained by the sad expression seen upon her face at nearly all times.

Several really touching and striking sequences in this one, from Maetel wishing for the end of the journey through death, to Tetsuro mentioning the reason for Maetelâ€™s sad expression. Even though it was only a single episode, it still managed to impart more pieces to the puzzle that makes up Maetelâ€™s and Tetsuro personalities and relationship.

Eps 67 UchÃ» SÃ´ DailÃ»zu

This episode opens up to a annoying, loud bell ringing throughout the 999. It turns out this sound is coming from one of the other 999 passengers, an odd monk with a hand bell. I believe they mention he is a Mechanoid. The Conductor visits the engine room where he is informed that the sound of the bell cause problems for the 999. At this point the Conductor asks the monk to leave, at which the monk replies by continuing to ring his bell. Because of the sound of the bell, the 999â€™s Dimension Shield is broken and Tetsuroâ€™s teeth become cracked. It turns out it is decided that the 999 needs to be overhauled (wouldnâ€™t that make for a REALLY long stay on a planet?) and they need to find a dentist for Tetsuro (wish my neighbor would find one!).

After touching down at the closest planet, Tetsuro is taken to the dentist, where he is informed there is nothing that can be done for him. Tetsuro then leaves the dentist office where outside he watches as a man, Mikail I believe they called him, tries to steal an ambulance. Tetsuro shoots him to prevent the theft. Mikail is then joined by her lover Maria, just as Mikail passes out. After learning their story, Tetsuro decides heâ€™d like to stay with Maria until Mikail is better.

I donâ€™t remember the context in which it is presented, but in my notes there was a section in which Maetel mentions, to herself if Iâ€™m remembering correctly, that she wonders just how much suffering Tetsuro can continue to endure. Hopefully when littleharlock gets around to this episode he can enlighten us all yet again. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

As Tetsuro and Maria are in the room with Mikail, who seems to be pretty bad off, the monk from earlier arrives, stating that he can save Mikail. I also donâ€™t remember where it came about, but Tetsuro mentions that while Mikail has Maria, one day he and Maetel will be left all alone.

The monk begins his ritual. As he does so Mikail seems to be suffering further. After a few minutes of bell ringing, Tetsuro is knocked unconscious. The next thing he knows, he awakens in the dentist office with new teeth, at which point he tests them out using a senbei. lol

Evidently the monk sacrificed his Mechanoid body so that Tetsuroâ€™s teeth could be repaired. The monkâ€™s head is mounted, still working, at the top of a nearby cliff. He explains to Tetsuro that while he was the one who performed the ritual, it was really Tetsuroâ€™s kindness and dedication (or something like that, hopefully this is another spot littleharlock can help out /images/graemlins/wink.gif) that save Mikail, which is why he sacrificed his body for the sake of Tetsuroâ€™s teeth. Tetsuro is then told that the journey to his Mechanoid body will be a long and painful one.

Iâ€™m kind of disappointed in myself over the lack of a decent description for this episode. I have notes, and it jogged a few memories, but having not actually watched it in a while, and not having it take a real grasp on me, as I felt the episode, while decent, wasnâ€™t anything all that amazing, I find it difficult to recall what was spoken during the episode and I have a problem connecting it to them continuing to explore Tetsuro. Hopefully littleharlock can provide us with something that fills in the, many, cracks Iâ€™ve left in the story.

So thatâ€™s all Iâ€™ve got for today. Hopefully I can crank out a few more tomorrow afternoon or morning.

slerch666

02-21-2006, 02:09 PM

Eps 68 KÃ´kishin to Iu Na no Hoshi

This episode opens with the 999 facing a planet with a big red dot in the center of it. As if to be alive, the planet actually remains steady on course with the 999. While the planet is outside the windows, the Conductor tells them to shut the blinds as looking upon the planet is dangerous. Of course Tetsuro doesnâ€™t like it, and tries opening his window which he finds will not open. Further down in the same train car sits a woman, her name Miru, who is staring intently out the window. When the Conductor asks her to shut her window, she refuses. After a little bit of trouble, the Conductor closes the window for her. After securing the windows, the Conductor leaves.

Miru stands up from her seat and proceeds to head towards the space between rail cars. Tetsuro follows after her, wondering about the planet and her fascination with it. Tetsuro learns that this planet is a place which Miru will never forget. Apparently she and her boyfriend, Matsu-kun, were on the 999 in the past. Matsu-kun was a photographer. As they were traveling past the planet, he trained his camera upon the planet, only to be pulled from the train and never seen again.

After relating this story, and staring at the planet, suddenly the planetâ€™s moons (itâ€™s children) begin to chase the 999. The 999 is then caught and the passengers are told to disembark the train or risk having the 999 destroyed. Tetsuro and Maetel disembark the train, though Miru and the Conductor arenâ€™t so eager to follow. After a small amount of persuasion they leave the train as well not wanting to risk its destruction.

The 4 passengers then follow the path set out by the planet via lights along their path towards the center of the planet. Once there, they locate Matsu-kun who seems to be rather worn down. At this point the planet tells the Conductor he must strip. This is interesting as this is the third time in the series when the Conductor is to become naked, first in the shower when he was on vacation, then the planet where Maetel gave him her over coat and now. The Conductor refuses, and in an attempt to prevent any problems, Tetsuro decides heâ€™ll strip down instead. The planet has no interest in a mostly naked Tetsuro (who would?). At this point the planet tells Maetel to strip. Of course, Tetsuro and the Conductor turn around so as to not face a naked Maetel (dumb asses!). The planet says that Maetel is beautiful and that he would like to see inside Maetel (causing a little embarrassment for Tetsuro, along with a lot of anger). At this point the planet tries getting the Conductor to strip again, he still refuses (what the hell is he anyway?). After his final refusal, the planet exerts its control on the Conductor and forces him to go after Maetel with a knife. Whoâ€™d have thought the planet would want to see inside Maetel like THAT. What a waste.

Upon closer inspection, we see that Matsu-kun is pretty scarred, so apparently the planet saw inside of him as well. I donâ€™t remember how it happened, but Tetsuro pulled a knife (or found one, or something) and with the encouragement from Matsu-kun, plunges the knife into the planet and cuts it open. The planet, stricken by embarrassment over its mechanical insides (I assume this was a robot and not a Mechanoid, though I donâ€™t recall them saying either way). The 4 passengers use this opportunity to escape to the safety of the 999.

Overcome by its sense of embarrassment, the planet commits suicide, taking itâ€™s 2 child planets/moons with it. I also have that Matsu-kun dies, though I donâ€™t remember it being all that important a piece to the story over all.

As they leave the space surrounding the planet, Tetsuro thinks to himself that he would like to know more about Maetel, however he is scared that think of him in the same way they thought of the planet. So Tetsuro seems to be falling in love with Maetel, but is it familial love, like the love for a mother, or love in terms of male/female attraction? I didnâ€™t realize it upon viewing this episode, but it turns out a lot of the following episodes involve an exploration of love between many planetâ€™s inhabitants. There may be episodes before this that have love as the focus, I just managed to put 2 and 2 together last night while viewing eps 87-90.

So while the episode itself wasnâ€™t all that great, some of the content, as always, continues to push us into an exploration of the relationship of Tetsuro and Maetel and Tetsuroâ€™s growing feelings for his guide on the way to Dai Andromeda.

Eps 69 C62 no Hanran (actually Romanized as Shi Roku Ni no Hanran /images/graemlins/wink.gif)

This episode begins with some crazy action. There are 2 men who board a train, the 555, and proceed to rob it. Nice to know that train robbers exist in the future! Fade in to the 999 where Maetel and Tetsuro are sitting seemingly in peace. The Galaxy Railways HQ calls this an emergency and proceeds to force the 999 to stop. At this point none of the passengers have any details on why theyâ€™ve stopped. Of course, there just happen to be 2 new male passengers on the 999, so we should already be putting 2 and 2 together here. Add on the fact that the new passengers give Tetsuro a hard time and itâ€™s not all that difficult to see where it is heading. /images/graemlins/wink.gif 

Since they are basically dead in the water, Tetsuro falls asleep and as he is sleeping, Maetel goes to speak with â€œthe voice.â€? Once she returns to her seat, the engine of the 999 separates itself from the rest of the train and makes a getaway without the passenger cars! Once this happens, and Tetsuro begins to take in what has occurred, he begins to worry that he wonâ€™t be able to fulfill the wishes of his dead parents. Of course he then asks Maetel what is going on with the engine, and as per her usual, she is firmly committed to her non answer, leaving Tetsuro to wonder and worry.

After a bit of time of the 999 not moving, the robbers (whom we arenâ€™t supposed to know are the robbers yet) and Tetsuro get a small taste of cabin fever, lashing out at one another only to be stopped by Maetel and the Conductor. In the meantime, the Conductor and Tetsuro decide to set books up and knock them over like dominos, Maetel plays the guitar while the Conductor dances and the Conductor races through the aisles with Tetsuro. At least they can still have some fun. During this time Maetel wonders to herself if this may just be another test for Tetsuro.

Somewhere along the way, the Conductor and Tetsuro learn that the 2 men are the robbers of the 555, and Tetsuro begins to confront them over it. Once the confrontation begins to get ugly, and Tetsuroâ€™s life may be in danger, Maetel steps in by dropping one of her trusty flash earrings to stop them. This is where the Galaxy Police come in, and the 2 robbers take Tetsuro hostage. When the police learn that the robbers have a hostage, they stop their attack and retreat for the time being. The robbers use Maetel, Tetsuro and the Conductor as hostages so that the robbers can use the police officersâ€™ engine to make their escape. The 999â€™s engine returns, attaching itself to the 999 rail cars and stops the thieves from getting away. In the confusion one of the thieves is knocked over, and Tetsuro begins a pursuit of the other. After cornering the remaining thief, the thief begins to beg Tetsuro not to kill him, to which Tetsuro responds â€œwho would want to stoop so low as to kill a thief!â€? LOL

Once the robbers are taken away by the police, the 999 begins itâ€™s voyage once again. Tetsuro wonders about why the 999â€™s engine returned to which Maetel replies that this was a test for Tetsuro to see how he handles wasting time/leisurely spending time. This of course causes Tetsuro to ask Maetel why he was being tested, to which she again closes her mouth and will not reply. So the way Iâ€™m seeing it, the voice decided to test Tetsuro, since they werenâ€™t entirely sure what was going on at the time, to see how he would be able to cope with being bored once he becomes a Mechanoid.

Maetel then has another conversation with â€œthe voiceâ€? where we learn that Tetsuro has passed this particular test. Maetel, having to truly care for her charge, nearly begs the voice to allow Tetsuro to be spared/released. She is then told by the voice to continue to do as they had planned and that is the end of the conversation.

Yet another episode that makes one wonder just what is up with Maetel and this voyage she is going on with Tetsuro. Again, the episode wasnâ€™t anything that stood out, but the contents still amaze the viewer with the presentation of these small glimpses into the enigma that is Maetel and this journey.

This series never fails to impress me, and here I am now 90 episodes into it. That theyâ€™ve held my attention and not annoyed me this long is a feat in and of itself!

littleharlock

02-23-2006, 05:36 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Watched the first couple of episodes included on the fourth Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete DVD Box the other day, but again IÂ´m going to post thoughts/summaries in two posts as it would be too much to cover 7 episodes within one post (because of the "all covered in spoiler tags" problem I mentioned before). On a personal sidenote for myself, IÂ´m never ever going to re-watch seven episodes of a series over two days and chose to type up the summaries/thoughts on the next day...heck that took me some hours of typping ^_~

[/ QUOTE ]
Nice to know I'm not the only one who messed up. The problem is, however, this is my first time through the series and I just want to keep watching it. So I got 4 episodes ahead of my synopses, then 8, then 12 then 16 and here I sit, right around 20 episodes behind. It'll be worse after this evening. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I really try not to watch too much episodes before posting thoughts on them. I mean I donÂ´t take notes (I watch the series mostly at night with me being way to lazy to take notes when I watch it from bed ^_^") so more episodes watched at once combined with my usually weak memory can create quite a mess /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif
The thing with Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 is that, well itÂ´s a 113 episode TV series so itÂ´s not like you can watch (or re-watch) through it as quick as it probably was possible in case of previously discussed Matsumoto works such as UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock. Additional the episodic nature of 999, as brilliantly as handled with the major themes going on quietly and very well developed througout the series (i.e. youÂ´ve got to love when Maetel beginns to be bugged by the whole situation more and more once youÂ´ve reached the episodes included on the fourth box), requires a lot of attention and motivation to continue watching on a daily basis. But IÂ´m sure that once IÂ´ve reached the greatness that the episodes on the 5th DVD are IÂ´m more than motivated to continue (and finally bidding for the final DVD box to finish it ^_^).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I'm finding the Uchu Kaizoku Herlock TV is calling to me again, and I still have a crap load of 999 to watch, along with all the other R1 stuff I have on my shelf!

[/ QUOTE ]

I sympathise with you on that. Right now I am very tempted to start re-watching Sennen JoÃ´ (especially after having re-watched some GT999 episodes featuring lovely Yoshinori Kanemori chara designs) plus according to Amazon.jp an order including some Rozen Maiden trÃ¤umend and CLAMP movie goodness (I finally want to see my lovely Yuko Ichihara animated to drool even more ^_^) will be soon on its way to me ^_~

so far
yours
littleharlock

Quiddity

02-23-2006, 09:11 AM

Guys,

Thanks a lot for all the GE999 discussion! Just realized you guys were talking about it for the first time today :D I've been a huge GE999 fan since I saw the movie around 1998. While I own a bunch of the original manga, I've only seen episodes 1-32 of the TV series, so am glad to see you guys summarizing much of the series. Keep up the great work! /images/graemlins/happy.gif (See sig, I've tried what you guys are doing in the past although I didn't get too far /images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

slerch666

02-23-2006, 09:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
I really try not to watch too much episodes before posting thoughts on them. I mean I donÂ´t take notes (I watch the series mostly at night with me being way to lazy to take notes when I watch it from bed ^_^") so more episodes watched at once combined with my usually weak memory can create quite a mess /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a super crappy memory as well, which if you read some of my synopses, I seriously suck, even WITH notes from time to time. I mean, Iâ€™m ~20 episodes ahead of where I posted and when I original took the notes I expected to be posting the synopses in the days immediately following. I then got so caught up in the series that I would watch 2 discs (7-8 eps) a night. If I had more free time Iâ€™d probably watch 3 discs or more.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:The thing with Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 is that, well itÂ´s a 113 episode TV series so itÂ´s not like you can watch (or re-watch) through it as quick as it probably was possible in case of previously discussed Matsumoto works such as UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock. Additional the episodic nature of 999, as brilliantly as handled with the major themes going on quietly and very well developed througout the series (i.e. youÂ´ve got to love when Maetel beginns to be bugged by the whole situation more and more once youÂ´ve reached the episodes included on the fourth box), requires a lot of attention and motivation to continue watching on a daily basis.

[/ QUOTE ]
Iâ€™ve NEVER had a problem with motivation to watch 999. I love it. Itâ€™s a f-ing AMAZING series. I never have issue with being motivated to watch something of this caliber. Now things like Gantz, I had a problem watching, or wanting to continue watching, even though I had purchased the entire series on R1.

Once Iâ€™ve watched through and taken notes, Iâ€™ll probably rewatch it, maybe a disc or 2 a week or something. And once Iâ€™m finished rewatching it that way, Iâ€™ll go back and do it again!

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:I sympathise with you on that. Right now I am very tempted to start re-watching Sennen JoÃ´ (especially after having re-watched some GT999 episodes featuring lovely Yoshinori Kanemori chara designs) plus according to Amazon.jp an order including some Rozen Maiden trÃ¤umend and CLAMP movie goodness (I finally want to see my lovely Yuko Ichihara animated to drool even more ^_^) will be soon on its way to me ^_~

[/ QUOTE ]
I have some stuff coming from CD Japan (Tsubasa Chronicles 7 and the LE movie, along with my drug of choice, Tsukuyomi!) soon as well. Only thing holding my order up is the 2-25 release of the TC movie. Luckily I should be able to plow through those DVDs in very little time with very little effort. I also have a bunch of R1 stuff I need to watch, so I may not continue into box 6 as quickly as I had hoped.

Iâ€™m getting everything straight in order to get the Tsukuyomi send away from Masato. As soon as the DVD is in my hand, that package to Masato is going out the next day without question.

slerch666

02-23-2006, 09:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Quiddity said:
Guys,

Thanks a lot for all the GE999 discussion! Just realized you guys were talking about it for the first time today :D I've been a huge GE999 fan since I saw the movie around 1998. While I own a bunch of the original manga, I've only seen episodes 1-32 of the TV series, so am glad to see you guys summarizing much of the series. Keep up the great work! /images/graemlins/happy.gif (See sig, I've tried what you guys are doing in the past although I didn't get too far /images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

[/ QUOTE ]
Your link seems to be dead. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

If you want to use my synopses, feel free to take them, however all I ask is that you credit me if you do use them. If you want to credit my real name and not my slerch666 name, shoot me a PM.

I doubt little harlock would have a problem with you taking his views as well, though I won't speak for him.

mistressh

02-23-2006, 11:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
The thing with Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 is that, well itÂ´s a 113 episode TV series so itÂ´s not like you can watch (or re-watch) through it as quick as it probably was possible in case of previously discussed Matsumoto works such as UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock. Additional the episodic nature of 999, as brilliantly as handled with the major themes going on quietly and very well developed througout the series

[/ QUOTE ]

<sigh> It IS a bit daunting to face re-watching the whole lot... I did make a start to try and keep up, but with SPCH and QM rolling along at breakneck pace for only 42 episodes apiece, it's just easier to fall back into watching those, rather than 90+ short stories (allowing for multi-parters) set in a framework story... And plus, I just can't stay away from Harlock for long, no matter how hard I try! Gomen. As a result I've now mainlined all but the last 6 episodes of QM again and have just got past "Witch Castle in the Sea of Death" instead! I might just re-watch the last couple of disks when the reviews are due, as there's one two-parter in particular that gives me goosebumps, and merits much discussion!! (The peculiar nature of warp-drive once again rears its head... You'll know the one I mean when you get there!<g>)

I have, however, re-watched Space Symphony Maetel for the first time since finishing GE999, and it's looking better for it, with a bit more background!! Jikan-joo no Kaizoku comes a little more into focus having seen Maetel and Harlock interacting for the first time for any length of time... ;-) Not that you can connect any two shows or manga continuity-wise with any real success in terms of "content", but you do see the *intent", IYKWIM?? But dearie me, it's a retcon-fest and no mistake!! Talk about some major gap-plugging!! From "Why Heavy Meldar has a moon called Lar Metal" to "Why there's a mechanising device on board the Deathshadow" - plus a scene that leaves you thinking that there's a arguement Harlock's going to regret winning for the rest of his life when it comes back to haunt him eventually... 

Peter: re the manga scenes we talked about in the old thread from GTM/GE999 Eternity: It seems there might have been some editing!! In the book I have a couple of pages where Tetsurou sees the 1000 and looks at Shoota and waves. Maetel doesn't say anything about him recognising the boy - just suggests that he and Tetsurou are destined to be close friends one day... they then wave to each other, and there's no image of Tochiro anywhere to be seen...

The other boy, the one who sports the classic Harlock-as-teen look, appears in a single frame, just after Layla's revealed "Manabu's" secret, on board another train, saying a mental 'thank you' to Shoota and (I think!) hopefully meeting him again some day and him being a good friend... So I assumed THIS is Manabu, who knows about him comforting the dying Mamoru, and I suspect the sleight-of-hand with Harlock and Tochiro telling Kei about her brothers is finally resolved here...

BTW - did someone ask about match-ups between the TV series and the manga somewhere?? There is a table in the Matsumoto Treasury that details which TV story matches which manga one, and which are original, or adapted from other manga (and there are a couple from, IIRC, "4 Dimensional World" for one...) If I get a chance I might be able to type up the numbers - no way have I got time to type up in Japanese using IME, let alone translate the dratted things!!

Best

H

littleharlock

02-24-2006, 03:20 AM

Had the time the other evening to continue re-watching the next couple of episodes. These include some very good once so as usual the thoughts:

â€¢ Episode 63 - "Yamiyami no Shimai"
The Basic Story:
999 rushes towards its next stop, Yamiyami, a planet which (as can be guessed by the name) is covered in darkness. Once they arrive, Maetel tells TetsurÃ´ that he should wait for her, she has some business on the planet and will be back soon. Of course this is TetsurÃ´ to whom sheÂ´s talking and as weÂ´ve seen up to now no-one (even Maetel) can hold his curiousity back and so TetsurÃ´ soon finds himself caught into a real drama story on Yamiyami. WeÂ´re introduced to two inhabitants of this planet Miru/Mill and her father. The two take TetsurÃ´ to their hous (by luring him with the still-not-returned Maetel) and there MiruÂ´s father has a very strange request for TetsurÃ´...he should kill his other daughter Reran, before she would destroy this planet!
In the meantime weÂ´re also seeing what business it is that Maetel has to take care-of. SheÂ´s at a "public communication shelter" (or how you could call buildings like that) and is communicating with the mysterious voice again (which he had heard on several occasions before whenever the situation got quite heated ^_~). In the last couple of episodes we saw Maetel being more and even more attached to TetsurÃ´ and she request the voice to "leave TetsurÃ´ out of this all" (without further explanation at this time yet ^_~). The voice responding in the usual manner that her journey and their mission needs to be continued. Also at the shelter a mysterious person covered in the darkness and watching Maetel...itÂ´s no-one-less than Reran, the daughter that is about to destroy Yamiyami. She kidnaps Maetel in order to launch an artificial sun with the psychic abilities of Maetel! Reran plans to do this in order to bring the sunlight back to Yamiyami, obviously not interested in what that would mean to the inhabitants (she doesnÂ´t listen to her fatherÂ´s previous begging to drop those plans because she simple canÂ´t believe this would cause destruction/death to the planet). Will TetsurÃ´ kill her in order to save the inhabitants?
Thoughts:
I honestly donÂ´t know much to say about this episode. The major theme IMO was that changing a situation may not always be the best to do. TetsurÃ´ was confronted with a quite twisted situation again: killing one person in order to save hundreds/thousands. Of course given the way TetsurÃ´ acted in past (and his generally kind-hearted nature) you can pretty much guess how heÂ´s going to act. The ending was yet again a bittersweet and sad one.
Also worth noting that Miru has been voiced by the infamous "charming dynamite" Keiko Han (aka Yayoi Yukino of Sennen JoÃ´).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
On an interesting side note, Leylan sort of reminded me of Kei from Herlock.


[/ QUOTE ]

Good to see I wasnÂ´t the only one thinking that...well I blame it on the color designs of her jumpsuite /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

â€¢ Episode 64 - "Chinmoku no Seichi"
The Basic Story:
Next stop Chinmoku no Seichi (Holyland of Silence), a world where it is VERY important to watch the volume of your voice. In fact being too loud on this planet is harshly punished by law as TetsurÃ´ soon has to realize by himself. When Maetel again leaves 999 after their arrival to take care of some business by herself, TetsurÃ´ should stay at 999 (bothering the poor ShaishÃ´-san whoÂ´s worried about them being too loud ^_~) but when Maetel doesnÂ´t return that soon, TetsurÃ´ decides to go and look for her on the planet (how surprising ^_~). While ShaishÃ´-san has told him before that he should watch the volume of his voice on this planet, TetsurÃ´ pretty much ignores this and asks the people of the nearby town in his usually loud voice for Maetel. When everyone he approaches and asks runs away (or closes the doors) TetsurÃ´ is seemingly pissed-off by this behavior and screams wtf is wrong with the people on this world. No good idea as the police is soon looking for him and despite a mysterious girl trying to help him to escape the police, TetsurÃ´ is too much caught in his "pissed-off attitude" and therefore gets caught by the police in the end. Meanwhile Maetel returns to 999 and meets a worried SaishÃ´-san that is somewhat surprised that she didnÂ´t return together with TetsurÃ´. When Maetel hears that TetsurÃ´ has gone out looking for her, she sort-of knows what happened (given TetsurÃ´Â´s "loud organ" you donÂ´t have to be a genius to guess what happened ^_~). TetsurÃ´ wakes up in a prison cell and finds himself being waked up in order to receive his punishment...his punishment is death by being hung!
Thoughts:
This story is IMO pretty good in Matsumoto being sort of preachy but yet not obviously enough (as said before the subtle way in which Matsumoto included his believes and thoughts into the story of GT999 is one of the major reasons I love this work). You see the swastika symbol at the facilities of Chinomoku no SeichiÂ´s police and while this doesnÂ´t tell you much at first, as we learn laterwards by Silvia (the mysterious girl that tried to help TetsurÃ´ at the first part of this episode) somewhat is compareable to the way ethnic groups have been treated in the past on Earth. People that are different (in this case being loud) are to be killed, thatÂ´s the way the police acts (on commands by the old leader of this regime). Furthermore Silvia tells TetsurÃ´ (and the audience ^_~) that whispering secrets to the ear of others has been raised to a culture on this planet which led to people letting themself implant mechanoid parts which gives them a very sensible acoustic organ (which is the reason why too much noise or loud voices are to be punished on this world). However a theme that always is delicate to approach has been handled in this episode/story in a IMO unique way. The ending was sheer brilliant with TetsurÃ´ basically taking out the whole police and citizens of Chinmoku no Seichi with his "loud organ" (and if you didnÂ´t believe that his shouting voice was good for something up to now, youÂ´re proven wrong this time /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). Animation director this time around was once again Kazuo Komatsubara, which means beautiful character designs and animation (damn you simply *have* to adore the scenary with Maetel standing on the hills nearby the cold-hearted city of Chinmoku no Seichi to talk to the mysterious voice once again).

â€¢ Episode 65 - "KÃ´kyÃ´shi Majo no Tategoto"
The Basic Story:
Majo no Tategoto no Hoshi (Star of the WitchÂ´s harp) is the next stop for 999. At first sight this is a natural paradise, with lots of natural "resources" growing, a big sea filled with animals. However when 999 arrives at the station of this world TetsurÃ´ is somewhat surprised to see that the town on this planet itself is very very run-down with buildings being either already fallen apart or in a poor state. Again Maetel tells TetsurÃ´ that one of the mature rules on this planet is not to eat. Of course itÂ´s TetsurÃ´ to whom she talks to and the boy does once again what is forbidden to him and brings a pack of chips (?) with him along the way. While the two are on their way to their hotel, a young boy is following TetsurÃ´ and suddenly steals his small snack. After a little fight TetsurÃ´ is able to retrive his snack (yeah TetsurÃ´ obviously is way better to guard foot than his pass /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif) which is the moment Maetel realizes he didnÂ´t do as she told him and brought something to eat with him. What the two didnÂ´t know is that eating is not only forbiden by the queen of this world but also harshly punished. And so computerized weapons that are placed pretty much everywhere in the old buildings of the town sense the food and shoot both Maetel and TetsurÃ´! The two laying on the ground, we hear once again the mysterious voice once again saying that Maetel just canÂ´t die now. Scene change and Maetel and TetsurÃ´ are at their hotel room (with Maetel looking surprisingly fresh for just being shot) and TetsurÃ´ in bed. The two decide to use the hotelÂ´s restaurant to eat something...but well eating is forbidden so the food at the restaurant is pretty meager as well ^_~ WeÂ´re introduced to a waitress named Elsa, a hard working young women whoÂ´s no-one-less than the sister of the boy that tried to rob TetsurÃ´ earlier. The boy named Nikolai being offended by TetsurÃ´Â´s attitude (who is just a few moments on this planet and already does complain and bitch around that heÂ´s hungry). The reason this offends Nikolai that much is because (as we learn laterwards) Elsa and NikolaiÂ´s mother is about to die, or better said is going to starve due to the rules of Majo no Tategoto no Hoshi. The two tell TetsurÃ´ and Maetel that this is all caused by the fearsome queen of this world, JoÃ´ Metamerina that lives on a nearby offshore island. Metamerina is said to be a beautiful woman, a queen that came from Andromeda and reigns over this world for over 200 years (the "queen from Andromeda" and "rules over 200 years" made Maetel suspicious, yet she keeps her thoughts to herself for the moment). The queen demands all the food of this world for herself, brought by her on a daily basis via (mechanized) trucks. This of course leads to a foot shortage on this world (which probably also leads to that there are very few inhabitants on this planet that are still alive ^_~). When Nikolai decides to steal an apple from the delivery truck and therefore gets shot by the computerized weapons sensing this violation of the "no-eating-permitted" rule, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel decide to bring this to an end and confront the queen.
Thoughts:
IMO a very good episode. What I obviously enjoyed the most about it was the story about JoÃ´ Metamerina. I donÂ´t know, maybe itÂ´s due to my weakness of MatsumotoÂ´s beautiful queens in his works that I ended up enjoying this story that much, but I canÂ´t help. WeÂ´re 65 episodes through this series and from the very start it was clear that theyÂ´re going to near Dai Andromeda and the Andromeda galaxy towards the end, yet the inclusion of a former queen from the Andromeda galaxy was something that gave me the first real hint that theyÂ´re closing in on the Andromeda galaxy. It was also another really neat Maetel moment included, with Maetel obviously knowing the queen ^_~
Animation director for this episode is once again Kazuo Komatsubara, meaning nice visuals (again I just loved the effects on the queenÂ´s jewellery or when Maetel and TetsurÃ´ were about to confront the queen driving with their boat /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif oh and you canÂ´t help but LOVE the designs by Matsumoto for the "evil Tori-san" they meet once they made it to the island).

â€¢ Episode 66 - "Kiri no SÃ´sÃ´ Wakusei"
The Basic Story:
Kiri no SÃ´sÃ´ Wakusei (Funeral Planet of Fog), as the name hints a world covered in fog, is the next stop for 999. When 999 approaches this world, TetsurÃ´ notices a strange aroma the planet is covered with. Maetel tells TetsurÃ´ that this is a dead-serious world (literaly speaking /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif) which means no laughing or fun is permitted. Moreover she hands him a cloak which he has to wear when he plans to hop-off 999 alongside her. TetsurÃ´ being not "amused" of this world at first doesnÂ´t want to explore the planet and decides to stay on 999. So Maetel (covered in her cloak) leaves 999 on her own. But itÂ´s undecided TetsurÃ´, so you can guess that soon after heÂ´s parted with his precious Maetel, he suddenly gains some motivation/curiousity and decides to leave 999 as well to join Maetel. When heÂ´s united with Maetel at the center of the town the two pass by a bunch of woman, seemingly a funeral procession. Once they passed, TetsurÃ´ takes a look back on the procession and the woman take this in order to attack Maetel and him. After a hard fight TetsurÃ´ and Maetel lose consciousness and the women think theyÂ´re dead. When TetsurÃ´ regains consciousness he finds himself in a coffin..burried!
Thoughts:
Another pretty good episode. Okay the story itself is certainly what you could call weird, yet it works. With the last couple of episodes and the hints of the actual plot developing in the background you canÂ´t help but adore the way this plot is silently but steadily developed, one of the major reasons IMO that makes Leiji Matsumoto a decent manga-ka. The inhabitants of Kiri no SÃ´sÃ´ Wakusei kill not for enjoyment of the killing act per se, but moreover because they find themself a new thrill or fullfillment in the act of funeral itself. One of the most touching scenes IMO was when Maetel and TetsurÃ´ managed to "take-out" the attacking funeral procession by the end of the episode. The dead corpse of the women laying on the ground and a minute later when 999 is about to depart, you see a new wave of women coming out of their houses to burry the dead corpse of these women (and taking their position).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
It turns out ALL travelers to the planet are killed. Learning this, I have to wonder why it was that Maetel left the 999 after all. I mean, did she want to be killed? She had to have known about the planetâ€™s past, given her unending information regarding everywhere else the 2 travelers have been.


[/ QUOTE ]

While I think this action is pretty much up for interpretion, I do think it was very fitting given the hints of Maetel and "the voice" in the previous couple of episodes. Especially with "the voice" ordering Maetel not to die (yet) I think that Maetel wanting to visit this planet even though TetsurÃ´ doesnÂ´t want to join her at first was pretty telling.

So much for the episodes themself. If I find the time (later today) I could post the comparison of which manga chapters have been adapted by which episode and which episodes are original stories according to the Matsumoto Treasure Island special issue (guide) that Helen mentioned (this guide is by far the best guide to MatsumotoÂ´s works IMO in printed format). Oh and Keith IÂ´m working on the summary for the manga ending (meaning that I havenÂ´t forgotten about it ^_^) but I still will take some time until IÂ´ll post it *gomen*

On another GT999 related sidenote, for those not checking the Figure news thread though are interested in figures Medicos announced their Sayonara Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 set (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1283336&page=1&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1). Since I donÂ´t like to direct link to pictures on other sites (without asking them before) for those that want to see the mentioned illustrations of how the Medicos set figures are planned to look, I just link to the news entry of 13-gÃ´-san's infamous Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia (http://www.leiji.jp/news/20060221.html#2) (NOTE: the list of figurines on the site contains a pretty big spoiler in regards of TetsurÃ´!)
Also (because itÂ´s in the same news entry) itÂ´s worth noting that the jp R2 DVD of the Fantastic Four Hollywood movie is scheduled to come with a Leiji Matsumoto special pin-up illustration ^_~ (IÂ´m too lazy to create an own thread for this in the off-topic forum and on top of that donÂ´t know wether this actually interests much people here so thatÂ´s why I included it here)

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-24-2006, 01:30 PM

Okay as written earlier the TV anime and Manga comparison chart for Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 according to the Matsumoto Leiji special issue of Treasure Island containing a very detailed guide to the Leijiverse. Anyway this turned out to be quite much work (I should have known with 113 episode ^_~) but hereÂ´s the list (please bare with me if thereÂ´s a typo included I somehow donÂ´t want to double-check this list now that IÂ´m finished typing up ^_~).

Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Dai Andromeda-hen (the mangaÂ´s first series/arc)
- Chapter 1 "Tabidachi no Ballad" (adapted by TV anime episode 1 same title)
- Chapter 2 "Kasei no Akai Kaze" (adapted by TV anime episode 2 same title)
- Chapter 3 "TÃ´mei no Onna Glass no Claire" ( adapted by TV anime episode 3 "Titan no Nemureru Senshi")
- Chapter 4 "Titan no Nemureru Senshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 3 "Titan no Nemureru Senshi")
- Chapter 5 "Dai TÃ´zoku Antares" (adapted by TV anime episode 4 same title)
- Chapter 6 "Mayoi no Hoshi no Shadow" (adapted by TV anime episode 5 same title)
- Chapter 7 "Suisei Toshokan" (adapted by TV anime episode 6 same title)
- Chapter 8 "Ankoku Hoshi Mephisto no Kuro Kishi" (adapted by TV anime episode 15 "Mizu no Kuni no Beethoven")
- Chapter 9 "Mizu no Kuni no Beethoven" (adapted by TV anime episode 15 "Mizu no Kuni no Beethoven")
- Chapter 10 "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 60 & 61 "DaishijÃ´han Wakusei no GensÃ´" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 11 "El Alamein no Utagoe" (adapted by TV anime episode 46 same title)
- Chapter 12 "JÃ»shichi-oku Roku-sen Go-hyaku-man-nin no Kurekure" (adapted by TV anime episode 74 same title)
- Chapter 13 "KÃ»chÃ» BokujÃ´ no Ookina Ushi" (not adapted in animated form)
- Chapter 14 "Kareha no BÃ´hyÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 21 same title)
- Chapter 15 "KagerÃ´boshi no BungÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 28 same title)
- Chapter 16 "Futeikei Wakusei NurÃ»ba" (adapted by TV anime episode 11 same title)
- Chapter 17 "Kaseki no Senshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 12 & 13 "Kaseki no Senshi" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 18 "KÃ´kishin to lu Na no Hoshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 68 same title)
- Chapter 19 "Professional Tamashii" (adapted by TV anime episode 20 same title)
- Chapter 20 "Genshi Wakusei no JoÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 23 same title)
- Chapter 21 "Yamiyami no Shimai" (adapted by TV anime episode 63 same title)
- Chapter 22 "JÃ»ryoku no Soko no Hakaba" (adapted by TV anime episode 7 & 8 "JÃ»ryoku no Soko no Hakaba" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 23 "SÃ´kÃ´ Wakusei" (adapted by TV anime episode 17 same title)
- Chapter 24 "Doro no Maetel" (adapted by TV anime episode 18 same title)
- Chapter 25 "Kei no Machi" (adapted by TV anime episode 16 same title)
- Chapter 26 "Kaizokusen Queen Emeraldas" (adapted by TV anime episode 22 same title)
- Chapter 27 "Zange no Kuni" (adapted by TV anime episode 19 same title)
- Chapter 28 "Namakemono no Kagami" (adapted by TV anime episode 59 same title)
- Chapter 29 "Sakezan Tairiku" (adapted by TV anime episode 29 same title)
- Chapter 30 "Ni-jÃ» Wakusei RÃ¢ra" (adapted by TV anime episode 14 same title)
- Chapter 31 "Sai no Kawara no Kaikakusha" (adapted by TV anime episode 71 same title)
- Chapter 32 "Jigen KÃ´kai Wakusei" (adapted by TV anime episode 24 same title)
- Chapter 33 "Hakkotsu no Uta" (adapted by TV anime episode 26 same title)
- Chapter 34 "Kiri no SÃ´sÃ´ Wakusei" (adapted by TV anime episode 66 same title)
- Chapter 35 "Trader Bunkiten" (adapted by TV anime episode 9 & 10 "Trader Bunkiten" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 36 "Yuki no Miyako no Kishimojin" (adapted by TV anime episode 27 same title)
- Chapter 37 "KÃ´tetsu Tenshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 25 same title)
- Chapter 38 "TeijikÃ»kan no Kaijirareboshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 32 same title)
- Chapter 39 "Dohassei" (adapted by TV anime episode 31 same title)
- Chapter 40 "YÃ»rei Sekai Filament" (adapted by TV anime episode 30 same title)
- Chapter 41 "Chinmoku no Seichi" (adapted by TV anime episode 64 same title)
- Chapter 42 "Playted City no Majo" (adapted by TV anime episode 34 & 35 "Playted City no Majo" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 43 "Uratoresu no Neiji no Yama" (adapted by TV anime episode 33 same title)
- Chapter 44 "DaisonchÃ´ Cyclopros" (adapted by TV anime episode 36 same title)
- Chapter 45 "MÃ®-kun no Inochi no Yakata" (adapted by TV anime episode 37 same title)
- Chapter 46 "HikyÃ´-mono no ChÃ´rÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 38 same title)
- Chapter 47 "Kiri no Miyako no Kasumi" (adapted by TV anime episode 39 same title)
- Chapter 48 "KyÃ»jÃ´ Jutakudan no Dai ShÃ»chÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 40 & 41 "KyÃ»jÃ´ Jutakudan no Dai ShÃ»chÃ´" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 49 "C62 no Hanran" (adapted by TV anime episode 69 same title)
- Chapter 50 "Female no Omoide" (adapted by TV anime episode 42 same title)
- Chapter 51 "WalkÃ¼re no KÃ»kan Kiko" (adapted by TV anime episode 44 & 45 "WalkÃ¼re no KÃ»kan Kiko" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 52 Arashi no Take no Kira" (adapted by TV anime episode 43 same title)
- Chapter 53 "Korekara no Hoshi" (adapted by TV anime episode 49 same title)
- Chapter 54 "EikyÃ» SentÃ´ Jikkenshitsu" (adapted by TV anime episode 47 & 48 "EikyÃ» SentÃ´ Jikkenshitsu" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 55 "BÃ´rei no Tunnel" (adapted by TV anime episode 50 same title)
- Chapter 56 "TÃ´meikai no Artemis" (adapted by TV anime episode 51 & 52 "TÃ´meikai no Artemis" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 57 "Kagami no Hoshi no TetsurÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 53 same title)
- Chapter 58 "Owarinaki Natsu no Monogatari" (adapted by TV anime episode 54 & 55 "Owarinaki Natsu no Monogatari" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 59 "Reiketsu Teikoku" (adapted by TV anime episode 56 & 57 "Reiketsu Teikoku" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 60 "Ashioto Mura no Ashioto" (adapted by TV anime episode 58 same title)
- Chapter 61 "Yoru no nai Machi" (adapted by TV anime episode 62 same title)
- Chapter 62 "KÃ´kyÃ´shi Majo no Tategoto" (adapted by TV anime episode 65 same title)
- Chapter 63 "UchÃ» SÃ´ DailÃ»zu" (adapted by TV anime episode 67 same title)
- Chapter 64 "Kokoro Yasashiki Hana no Miyako" (adapted by TV anime episode 70 same title)
- Chapter 65 "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" (adapted by TV anime episode 72 & 73 "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 66 "Mizu no Kuni no Shaian" (adapted by TV anime episode 75 & 76 "Mizu no Kuni no Shaian" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 67 "Shokumei Seijo" (adapted by TV anime episode 77 & 78 "Shokumei Seijo" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 68 "Jikan-jÃ´ no Kaizoku" (adapted by TV anime episode 79, 80, 81 "Jikan-jÃ´ no Kaizoku" Part 1, 2, 3)
- Chapter 69 "Andromeda no Yukionna" (adapted by TV anime episode 90 & 91 "Andromeda no Yukionna" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 70 "YÃ¢yÃ¢bÃ´ru no Chiisa na Sekai" (adapted by TV anime episode 94 & 95 ""YÃ¢yÃ¢bÃ´ru no Chiisa na Sekai" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 71 "Flying Kuro" (adapted by TV anime episode 96 & 97 "Flying Kuro" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 72 "Yojigen no Elevator" (adapted by TV anime episode 99 same title)
- Chapter 73 "Luz Zone no YÃ´kai" (adapted by TV anime episode 100 same title)
- Chapter 74 "Andromeda Sen-ya Ichi-ya" (adapted by TV anime episode 103 & 104 "Andromeda Sen-ya Ichi-ya" Part 1 & 2)
- Chapter 75 "Ghost Station JÃ»san-gÃ´" (adapted by TV anime episode 106 same title)
- Chapter 76 "Macaroni Gratin no HÃ´kai" (adapted by TV anime episode 108 "Macaroni Gratin no HÃ´kai" and 110 "Maetel no Tabi" Part 2)
- Chapter 77 "Maetel no Tabi" (adapted by TV anime episode 109 "Maetel no Tabi" Part 1)
- Chapter 78 - 90 not adapted by the TV anime
- Chapter 91 "ShÃ»chakueki" (adapted by TV anime episode 112 & 113 "Seishun no Gen'ei Saraba 999" Part 1 & 2)

As Helen mentioned while not all episodes are based on chapter of the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Dai Andromeda arc, the majority is plus (what I find very interesting) some episodes are even based on other manga by Matsumoto! HereÂ´s a short list again according to the Treasure Island issue.

- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 82 "Mijika na Seimei no Monogatari" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Saraba Seimei no Toki"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 83 "Dai-san Seimeitai" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Dai-san Seimeitai"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 84 "KyÃ´zÃ´ no Hoshi" based on the Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari manga chapter "KyÃ´zÃ´ nishi e okonaiku"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 85 "Ai no Gen'ei Wakusei" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Waga Ai no Genei"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 87 "Umi kara kita Elsa" based on the Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari manga chapter "Dai Shinkai Yashiki"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 88 "Unmei no Wakare Hoshi" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Shin Sekai wa Murasaki no Sora"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 92 "Kaitei Toshi no Saigo" based on the Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari manga chapter "Green Insector"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 93 "KonchÃ» Wakusei no Keiko" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "140-man Kounen no Chinmoku"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 101 "Eien no Yume Oi Hoshi" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Furuhonya Furuhon DÃ´"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 102 "SeijoÃ´ no Hanran Hoshi" based on the Yojigen Sekai manga chapter "Midori no Kuni no Maya"
Also a short list (hope itÂ´s complete because I really donÂ´t want to look and compare wether this list misses an episode or two ^_^") of the original stories (aka not based on any manga by Matsumoto and therefore anime original stories):

GT999 Original Stories (Anime only):
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 86 "Oyashirazu no UFO"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 89 "Gunman Elegy"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 105 "Wakaki Senshi no Densetsu"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 107 "Kilimanjaro no ChÃ´jin"
- Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 TV Anime Episode 111 "Wakusei KÃ´mori"

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-25-2006, 04:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Iâ€™ve NEVER had a problem with motivation to watch 999. I love it. Itâ€™s a f-ing AMAZING series. I never have issue with being motivated to watch something of this caliber. Now things like Gantz, I had a problem watching, or wanting to continue watching, even though I had purchased the entire series on R1.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe itÂ´s because most of the time I re-watch Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 itÂ´s pretty late at night, but some of the earlier episodes did drag on a bit IMO. DonÂ´t get me wrong, I think it has high re-watch value and I think that without these episode the series wouldnÂ´t work as decently as it does. The last couple of episodes I was able to rewatch the other day give some amazing development in the background story which made me so fall for the series again. I mean, I knew that once I reached the episodes on Box 4 I will once again curse myself for having waited with ordering the 6th Box from Amazon.jp back then and missed it. But anyways itÂ´ll soon be mine (once April with less new releases is upcoming enabling me to buy it from the Y!AJ) /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I have some stuff coming from CD Japan (Tsubasa Chronicles 7 and the LE movie, along with my drug of choice, Tsukuyomi!) soon as well. Only thing holding my order up is the 2-25 release of the TC movie.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait a moment. You ordered the Tsubasa Chronicle movie...but no XXXHOLiC? No love for her greatness Yuko Ichihara? /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif
You know that those movies are supposed to be linked with each other? ^_~

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Iâ€™m getting everything straight in order to get the Tsukuyomi send away from Masato. As soon as the DVD is in my hand, that package to Masato is going out the next day without question.

[/ QUOTE ]

Speaking of Masato I still have my fingers crossed that the thing with the MONSTER Premium DVD will work out. I mean, my stupid credit card company not activating the thing caused a long delay for me to send in the tickets to apply for...now IÂ´ve sent them in (they just arrived on Thursday in Japan!) and I need to hurry to send Masato the commission as the deadline is already 28th February. Once that issue is solved (hopefully positively) I really need some time to chill out (that is costing me some nerves lately -.-).

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

02-25-2006, 06:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Wait a moment. You ordered the Tsubasa Chronicle movie...but no XXXHOLiC? No love for her greatness Yuko Ichihara? /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif
You know that those movies are supposed to be linked with each other? ^_~

[/ QUOTE ]
That's right. I hate Yuko. You pegged me perfectly. *hangs head in shame*

Actually, that's not true. It was a question of money. There was no way in Heaven, Hell or Earth I was missing Tsukuyomi. Same goes for Tsubasa Chronicles. That didn't leave me with the money for it... this month. I have it on my April order with both variations of the Kaname Chidori figures (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NEOSL-11054&ref=myp). So I'll have it... in April.

And if CLAMP wasn't bunch of money grubbers, they'd have put both features on a single freaking disc for the price I'm paying for each one. /images/graemlins/wink.gif But we all know how that works.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Speaking of Masato I still have my fingers crossed that the thing with the MONSTER Premium DVD will work out. I mean, my stupid credit card company not activating the thing caused a long delay for me to send in the tickets to apply for...now IÂ´ve sent them in (they just arrived on Thursday in Japan!) and I need to hurry to send Masato the commission as the deadline is already 28th February. Once that issue is solved (hopefully positively) I really need some time to chill out (that is costing me some nerves lately -.-).

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you PayPalled him the money? If you need help doing that I can help... as long as you pay all the fees and such. Hopefully you've got it all set though.

The Tsukuyomi deadline is April something or other. I'm taking 0 chances on it though.

littleharlock

02-25-2006, 10:14 AM

Managed to watch the next couple of episodes and after certain events within these episodes IÂ´m now more than hooked again by the depth the staff managed to adapt with this TV anime adaption.

â€¢ Episode 67 - "UchÃ» SÃ´ DailÃ»zu"
The Basic Story:
When 999 continues its journey, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel hear a loud annoying noise of a bell coming from one of the train cabins. As SaishÃ´-san (whoÂ´s been thrown back by the deep sound) tells them this is caused by a new passanger of 999 whoÂ´s got a bell with him. TetsurÃ´ (curious as usual) decides to look into this issue and sees a strange old monk sitting there with his tiny bell. The monk introduces himself as DailÃ»zu saying heÂ´s been training for over 600 years and does continue to hit his bell. Even when SaishÃ´-san is told (by 999Â´s computer) that he has to stop DailÃ»zu at any cost, becaus the resonance of the bell causes 999 to derail the old monk doesnÂ´t plan to stop...and so 999 derails. Aside from what DailÃ»zuÂ´s behaving causes 999, it also caused TetsurÃ´Â´s teeth cracking in. SaishÃ´-san contacts GT Administrative bureau and asks wether 999 could make an (unscheduled) stop nearby in order to get repairs done to the train (and TetsurÃ´ having the chance to see a dentist). After a bit of hesitation the answer from HQ is positive (yeah I guess the administrative guys can be up for a surprise every once in a while as well ^_^) and so 999 lands on a nearby planet (no name given as far as IÂ´ve noticed that). The dentist on the planet however canÂ´t do much for him at the moment, so TetsurÃ´ walks off with still crushed teeth ^_~ At the outside of the dentistÂ´s office he sees DailÃ»zu again and confronts him. DailÃ»zu tells him more about him. As can be guessed by him having mentioned that he trains as monk for over 600 years, he got a machanized body and decided for being a monk when he "saw hell" (flashback to a war scene, which ends with DailÃ»zu having survived seeing dead corpse of soldiers being covered by crows).
Suddenly the talk is interrupted by an ambulance vehicle rushing to the nearby hospital. The doctors bring out a young man and a beautiful young woman seemingly worried about the man. However before the docÂ´s can bring the man into the hospital he gets up and tries (by force) to drive away with the ambulance car. With TetsurÃ´ interrupting, the guy however looses consciousness soon as heÂ´s injured. Maetel and TetsurÃ´ wait at the maternity room together with the young lady (while the guy is being operated). She introduces herself as Maria, the girlfriend of the guy named Mikael. TheyÂ´re living on the 33rd space planetoid (nearby this emergency planetoid) where ruthless battles between gangs in town are carried out. Supposable due to this battles Mikael lost his parents and by loosing them he also lost part of his ideals and dreams so he joined the gang battles and a recent firefight with one of the gang bosses caused the current critical condition Mikael is into now. When Maria finished telling Maetel and TetsurÃ´ their story, the doctors bring out Mikael who is save but still in a quite critical condition. TetsurÃ´ being somewhat sympathizing with MikaelÂ´s story (since he can relate with him loosing the parents) decides to visit Mikael and Maria soon laterwards. However Mikael doesnÂ´t want to listen to the kid at first. In the meantime DailÃ»zu who witnessed the scenary enters the room of Mikael and tells Maria that with his praying he could save Mikael from death. Maria being worried over her loved one of course agrees on this and joins the praying of DailÃ»zu. TetsurÃ´ watches this and after a while when Mikael regains consciousness enters the room and tells him (along the lines) that he should not give up because his parents were killed. TetsurÃ´ tells him about his past (in more particular what happened to his mother) and that he still aims to fullfill what his mother (and father) had in mind for him. Mikael starts to listen to what "the kid" has to say to him and does (despite his obviously thick-headed nature) understand that he still has Maria (TetsurÃ´ mentions that once he and Maetel will reach the planet where they give you a Mechanoid body for free he does not know wether he will still have "his" Maetel afterwards). Monk DailÃ»zu is somewaht impressed by the mere boy having done way more for Mikael than his prayings were able to achieve and decides for a selfish act as well. Knocking out TetsurÃ´ and bringing him back to the dentist, TetsurÃ´ gains consciousness with...new teeth ^_^ While he doesnÂ´t want to believe it at first, as he finds out laterwards DailÃ»zu sacrificed the majority of his mechanized body in order to enable the dentist to give TetsurÃ´ his teeth replacement.
Thoughts:
It may sound like yet another weird episode, yet it was a very good one IMO. First of all, the visuals were really beautiful, with Kazuo Komatsubara being the storyboard director AND Yoshinori Kanemori being the animation director. Also I think that this episode started a bunch of very important episodes in regards of the development Maetel and TetsurÃ´Â´s relationship slowly takes (without going into much details just yet let me add "idolizing Maetel slowly moves to a different level" ^_~). Aside from that this episode had another moment included of the still young and naive boy TetsurÃ´ Hoshino slowly become more mature as the journey continues. Despite Mikael being physicaly older than TetsurÃ´, he hasnÂ´t come that far to accept past events and to aim to do the best under given circumstances. Yep this series is really "the journey of a young boy into manhood" and episodes like this showcase that element the best IMO.

â€¢ Episode 68 - "KÃ´kishin to lu Na no Hoshi"
The Basic Story:
999 passes by Wakusei KÃ´kishin (Planet Curiosity), a beatiful planet that looks like a giant moon with a deep-red dot in the middle of it. This planet seems to be alive as it "follows" 999 on a steady course with its little moon. When TetsurÃ´ gazes at the the planet from their cabin window, the bypassing ShaishÃ´-san worried rushes and orders them to shut the window immediately without giving much reasons. TetsurÃ´ somewhat pissed-off by that order does as SaishÃ´-san said, but still wondering about the reason for this. SaishÃ´-san soon finds another passanger that looks as Wakusei KÃ´kishin and orders the woman (who sits in the same cabin as Maetel and TetsurÃ´) to do the same as TetsurÃ´ (shutting down the window). The woman however is a bit more thick-headed in these regards than TetsurÃ´, but eventuelly does as SaishÃ´-san wants. However as we find out soon laterwards, she does still want to look at Wakusei KÃ´kishin and stands at the space between the rails to gaze at the planet. When TetsurÃ´ notices her, he asks her for the reason she seems to be so fascinated by this planet. The black-clothed and dark-haired woman introducing her as MÃ®ru tells TetsurÃ´ that Wakusei KÃ´kishin does bring back memories to her. So MÃ®ru tells TetsurÃ´ her sad story, of the time she first boarded 999 together with a young handsome man named Masuku. Masuku was a "Space Cameraman" and when he and MÃ®ru crossed Wakusei KÃ´kishin the first time, he was amazed by the appearance of the planet and tried to photograph it. However a strange redish beam emitted from the planet and caught Masuku pulling him out of the train and to the planet. That is also reason why SaishÃ´-san does not want the passangers to gaze at it, as itÂ´s a mysterious and dangerious planet.
When Maetel joins TetsurÃ´ and MÃ®ru they suddenly notice that the small moon of the planet is following 999 at full speed! Moreover the moon arrives and pushes 999 back (like a magnet) into the orbit of Wakusei KÃ´kishin. Involuntarily landed (or stranded ^_~) on the planet, the passangers on 999 suddenly hear a (female) mechanical voice telling them to debark from 999 immediately. Maetel and TetsurÃ´ do as the voice orders them and after some insistent demanding MÃ®ru and even SaishÃ´-san debark the train (of course SaishÃ´-san *hiding under his cabinÂ´s table* at first telling the voice that it is not allowed according to the rules for the Galaxy Railways that the conductor leaves the train ^_^). Once on the surface (the red dot you see on this planet turns out to be a giant red facette-like lights) the voice tells them to follow the directed direction (when TetsurÃ´ asks which "direction" the red lights shine in one direction). Arrived on where the voice ordered them a giant tower emitts from the ground and once itÂ´s fully emitted a giant (and ugly looking) eye can be seen on top of the tower...the creature that orders them around ever since their arrival. On the top platform of the tower MÃ®ru surprisingly realizes that her loved one Masuku is still alive laying on the platform, supposable ever since heÂ´s been captured by the planet. ThatÂ´s right, the thought that Wakusei KÃ´kishin is alive were indeed correct. The planet says that it has grown an interest (curiosity) in human creatures and want to "investigate" them in more detail. So it orders SaishÃ´-san to strip! SaishÃ´-san of course refusing (after seeing what happened when he looses a part of his cloths like in episode 7 you can understand that his worries about stripping arenÂ´t just because heÂ´s shy). So a "slightly pissed-off" TetsurÃ´ decides to strip...yet thatÂ´s not what the planet wants to see /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif and it orders Maetel to strip. Maetel being the sad and at times sacrificing person she is does agre (SaishÃ´-san and TetsurÃ´ formally protest by turning their back while Maetel takes down her cloths). When the planet sees the naked beauty of Maetel it is impressed (and the female voice gains a rather perveted satisfied undertone ^_~) but thatÂ´s not the end to the requests of Wakusei KÃ´kishin. Next thing it wants to see is killing...SaishÃ´-san is ordered (equiped with a knife) to kill the beautiful naked Maetel!
Thoughts:
Pretty decent episode. I just canÂ´t help but love the plot for this episode, especially the inclusion of MÃ®ru whoÂ´s designs terrible reminded me of Shizuka Namino from UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock (how Matsumoto drew her in the manga and Nobuteru Yuki designed her in Endless Odyssey). Some major good elements of the plot were that you could see (literaly speaking once again ^_~) how sacrificing Maetel is at times. The sad beauty that is going to do what is necessary in order to enable her and TetsurÃ´ to continue on their journey to Dai Andromeda. I think that this episode showcased that making the audience realizing that facette of Maetel once again. I know that IÂ´m idolizing Masako Ikeda enough already, but let me once again add that she has done such a splendid job as voicing this character, featuring the perfect voice for Maetel (motherly and sad at the same time). The ending was once again a very bittersweet one, with Maetel helping MÃ®ru to rescue her lover Masuku to escape from Wakusei KÃ´kishin, yet he dies a few minutes after 999 managed to escape the planet. I think that while it looks at times like thereÂ´s no real happy ending for supporting characters appearing in an episode/chapter it is IMO the only way to portray the harshness that the "sea of star" bears within as good as Matsumoto did in this work. It was surprising that MÃ®ruÂ´s lover WAS still alive after all this time has past after the planet "grabbed him", and it probably wouldnÂ´t have made much sense if a single human isolated and tortued on a planet (by the planet you might add) would have survived easily. In terms of visuals this episode features Komatsubara as animation director once again, so we do get some pretty impressive visuals (and visual effects) presented (I just canÂ´t help but adore the design of Wakusei KÃ´kishin).

â€¢ Episode 69 - "C62 no Hanran"
The Basic Story:
Let me start with parts (the parts I actually did take notes for a change /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif) the narration by TetsurÃ´ from the preview for this episode "Maetel, you were always watching over me. Watching with a gentle, beautiful smile. However, a lonely star shines in your pupil." It all starts out with the viewer being sort-of witness of a robery. Two mysterious men (covered in the pitch black of the night) placed a bomb at 555 in order to steal money that the train is supposed to transport. The next scene weÂ´re getting to see our two favorite passengers of 999, Maetel and TetsurÃ´. TetsurÃ´ is doing what he used to do a lot when 999 is travelling through the sea of stars, sleeping ^_^ Maetel takes this in order to pay the control car of 999 a visit...to communicate with the mysterious voice, Maetel being concerned about what is going to happen and wether she has to drag TetsurÃ´ into "this". Meanwhile sleeping hero TetsurÃ´ wakes up rather harshly as 999 stopped. Bypassing ShaishÃ´-san (heck he definitely has a sense for passing by TetsurÃ´ whenever heÂ´s in need of some information ^_~) tells TetsurÃ´ that theyÂ´ve made an emergency stop due to orders by the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau (due to the attack/robbery of 555). Though the stop was sort of based on an order, the next event is definitely anything else than planned. The control car of C62 (999) is seperating itself from the train and continuing its journey on its own! TetsurÃ´ (I *think* it was ShaishÃ´-san telling him that sheÂ´s at the control car when TetsurÃ´ asked..didnÂ´t take any notes of that so it could be bullsh*t) worried about wether that means Maetel is seperated from him as well soon however gets to see that sheÂ´s not at the control car anymore (what a relief ^_~). So with 999 not only stuck due to the emergency break order, but moreover because its control car is gone missing, the passangers have to do the best they can given that itÂ´ll be a long wait until they will be able to continue their journey and so...TetsurÃ´, SaishÃ´-san and Maetel do some games /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif SaishÃ´-san also tried to motivate the two (male) passangers of 999 (introduced in a very unsympathic rough manner) to join them, but they donÂ´t want to. Anway after enjoying some dancing (Maetel playing guitar ^_~) SaishÃ´-san and TetsurÃ´ do a little race inside 999Â´s cars and when theyÂ´re about to repeat it clumsy SaishÃ´-san falls over the luggage of the new passangers of 999 revealing money-filled bags. Of course with SaishÃ´-san having heard from the administrative the reason for 999Â´s emergency break being the robbery of money from 555, the luggage of the two passangers was a bit niffy to him and soon the two man (named Mozeru and Ganderu) reveal their true identity. They turn out to be the ones responsible for the attack and robbery of 555 (surprise, surprise ^_^") and with Maetel, TetsurÃ´ and SaishÃ´-san knowing that now, they have to actions to do, which means: grab the little boy and take him as your hostage. The situation gets even more heated when the armed reinforcement the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau has sent out (once they heard that the control car of 999 seperated itself and is gone for good).
Thoughts:
What appears to be a silly story about the control car of 999 departing on its own, turns out to be one of the best episodes in terms of character development up to now. I admit that I did not notice this the first time I watched it but by re-watching "C62 no Hanran" I do think that itÂ´s just a heart-breaking development that started here. One of those moments where you canÂ´t help but shed a tear is the final moment. Up to now weÂ´ve seen the imaginery of Maetel and sleeping TetsurÃ´ at their seats with Maetel bearing the gentle protective facial expression with the background covered in darkness (which IMO looks like the viewer watches this scene through the keyhole)...this time itÂ´s all different. In the "keyhole perspective" you see Maetel standing at one edge of the picture while looking at TetsurÃ´ sitting at "their bench" at the other side of the picture. This is symbolism at its best IMO as starting from this episode on, it is shown that the relationship between Maetel and TetsurÃ´ has taken a different form. Back when they started their journey, TetsurÃ´ was fascinated by Maetel and thankful for her taking him along on 999. Then this fascination pretty soon moved on to become idolism, TetsurÃ´ idolized Maetel as his "motherlike" protective friend (and while I doubt TetsurÃ´ witnessed it yet I do think it was sort of "love" involved as well). However with Maetel acting strangely in the last couple of episodes (i.e. sheÂ´s debarking 999 on her own, only reason stated that she has "business" to do, sheÂ´s not answering a whole lot of questions by TetsurÃ´ about what she did as if sheÂ´s not really 100% trusting him) this relationship silently and very slowly takes on another level, you could say a little breach of TetsurÃ´Â´s "pink glasses perspective" in regards of Maetel happened. Decent stuff and what is upcoming is even more decent (not exaggerating).

Going to post some more thoughts laterwards (or by tomorrow). In the meanwhile IÂ´m going to summarize some of the news for the upcoming Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari ~ Wasurareta Toki no Wakusei (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=generalanimeforum&Numb er=1227089&Forum=All_Forums&Words=%2Bwasurareta&Se archpage=0&Limit=25&Main=1227089&Search=true&where =bodysub&Name=&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y& olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post1227089) as itÂ´s been revealed at the Official site via the Web radio.

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-26-2006, 01:52 PM

Continued re-watching Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 yesterday and even managed to watch the final few episodes left on the fourth Complete DVD Box. Yet I completely fail today when trying to type up something halfway senseful in regards of the Africa two-part episode (episode 72 & 73...I guess my slight dislike of this two-part episode also had its influence on me being unable to continue writing more about it for today ^_^") so I decided to stop typing summaries/thoughts up for today and just post those two:

â€¢ Episode 70 - "Kokoro Yasashiki Hana no Miyako"
The Basic Story:
After the last unplaned stops that 999 has taken on its way to Dai Andromeda, the train is now back on a route for a planned stop at its next destination, Hana no Miyako (Capital of Flowers). Given the name you can imagine how the planet "presents" itself to the arriving 999, wonderful flowers in various colors are floating towards the arriving train. Something that TetsurÃ´ loves (laterwards when Maetel asks TetsurÃ´ if he likes flowers, weÂ´re once again granted a little glimpse at TetsurÃ´Â´s past with his mother, both enjoying the spring with lots of beautiful flowers surrounding them on Earth) and so he thinks that Hana no Miyako is obviously a wonderful world (something SaishÃ´-san does comment along the lines that beauty isnÂ´t always shown on the outside, which makes TetsurÃ´ wonder what strange things the conductor talks ^_~). Anyway 999 arrives and the two once again do what they always do at this point, looking for their hotel. However once they arrive at their room, Maetel soon notices that someone is at their room and indeed a cloaked person can be seen before Maetel and TetsurÃ´ entered their room. When Maetel walks towards the balcony/window to look for the person a bomb suddenly detonates. Worried TetsurÃ´ trying to reach the spot where Maetel just stood has to realize that sheÂ´s gone, with the window crushed by the bomb and taking a look outside of (where a window once was) he notices that this wasnÂ´t the only bomb. The beautiful flowery city of Hana no Miyako is under fire with several bombs that detonated at the same time! Terrorist attacks? Meanwhile SaishÃ´-san receives the order to depart with 999 at once. Of course he does hesitate at first (with Maetel and TetsurÃ´ in the city) but in order to ensure that 999 isnÂ´t crushed by the explosions going on at the moment, he wills in and gives commands for 999Â´s computer to leave the planet.
Meanwhile TetsurÃ´ still at the hotel room desperately trying to look for Maetel and trying hard not to lose consciousness suddenly sees the cloaked mysterious man that Maetel has noticed before her disappearance. The man however doesnÂ´t plan any harm to TetsurÃ´, in fact he tries to help him...but when TetsurÃ´ hears the train whistle of the departing 999 he doesnÂ´t care to be saved by the guy (and instead shouts at 999 to stop ^_~ Okay if you think thatÂ´s useless, a moment later we see SaishÃ´-san standing at the boarding "door" of already departed 999 *meaning that the train is actually up in the air already* shouting for Maetel and TetsurÃ´ ^_^"). The mysterious cloaked guy sees no other possibility in order to save TetsurÃ´ than to knock him out.
When TetsurÃ´ wakes up he finds himself reunited with the previously vanished Maetel. TheyÂ´re at a (technically equipped basement) rescued by the a bunch of cloaked people. When TetsurÃ´ asks them about the cloak they uncover them and theyÂ´re introducing themself as a family, Koa (father and the guy that saved TetsurÃ´ and Maetel), Lea (mother), Mia (daughter) and Doa (small boy IÂ´d say a bit younger than TetsurÃ´). Koa explains to TetsurÃ´ that they saved Maetel and him from the detonating bombs...bombs that Koa and his family together with fellow friends/comrades have placed! The reason for this and also the reason on why they are wearing those strange cloak-like suits when theyÂ´re on the surface of Hana no Miyako is that the beautiful flowers (brought to this planet by the Queen of Hana no Miyako) on the surface are causing poisoning to its inhabitants over the time. The acts of terrorism that the Koa family and their comrades comitted of course didnÂ´t went by unpunished and so the police of Hana no Miyako soon spots their underground hideout, telling them either to give up and let themself be arrested or they shall face the consequences (aka killed by a weapon positioned at the elevator shaft to their hideout). Koa being the loyal patriarch says to his wife that she should take good care of their kids and that heÂ´ll stay at their basement. Lea doesnÂ´t want to leave her beloved husband alone here either and says to Mia that she should take care of Doa...however those donÂ´t want to leave their parents either. On the ground the police suddenly spots that the elevator from the Koa family basement is coming up...surprisingly as it turned out itÂ´s no one from the Koa family, they all stayed at the basement and the ones that used the elevator were TetsurÃ´ and Maetel. TetsurÃ´ of course doesnÂ´t want to leave this planet with the Koa family being killed, so he goes above and beyond to convince the police to leave them be.
Thoughts:
What a great visual experience this episode has been. We have once again the "team-up" of Kazuo Komatsubara as animation director and Yoshinori Kanemori as storyboard director...which means beautiful visuals. On the story side of things this episode was once again rather sad, yet with a surprising end. I really did think that this episode would have had a tragic end. Yeah I didnÂ´t marathon re-watch Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 in quite a while (in fact while I re-watched particular episodes of the series on several occasions I never really rewatched it in one go like now) and I was somewhat surprised that it DID have a rather happy ending for the Koa family. A bit puzzled by this I did check the TankÃ´bon of the manga containing the chapter and well it IS different in the manga, as MatsumotoÂ´s manga version did have the police killing the Koa family in the end (with Maetel and TetsurÃ´ only left to leave the planet). I donÂ´t know which ending I enjoy more...on one hand I do think it was somewhat a fitting end in the manga, given the actions the Koa family did comit, yet the way TetsurÃ´ and the Koa family themself (by happily facing death as family) managed to convince the police head officer, the way the anime ended this story wasnÂ´t anything less decent either and moreover, as said, quite surprising (especially if you have read the manga). Another element of the story I througoutly enjoyed was that it included MatsumotoÂ´s "live lessons" and yet wasnÂ´t anywhere too preachy. You have a planet that is just beautiful on the surface, covered by lots of wonderful flowers and as itÂ´s been noted in the episode itself, not everything that shines on the outside means that itÂ´s beautiful on the inside as well. For passangers/visitors Hana no Miyako may seem like a flower paradise and a truely wonderful place to be, yet for its inhabitants those beautiful flowers caused poisoning.

â€¢ Episode 71 - "Sai no Kawara no Kaikakusha"
The Basic Story:
999Â´s next stop on its route Sai no Kawara. As TetsurÃ´ and Maetel soon face, a poor-looking world only covered with rocks and stones. On their way to explore Sai no Kara a bit more, they meet a man whoÂ´s really trying hard to cultivate the harsh stone fields. The (mature) man introduces himself as Gonbei (a name that TetsurÃ´ considers quite funny *those kids sigh*) one of the last remaining farmers on Sainokawara. As said Gonbei tries really hard to cultivate this world and he tells TetsurÃ´ and Maetel that this world not always was such a rough rock and stone filled wasteland. In fact Sai no Kawara used to be a really beautiful and nutritious world before the farmers run out of natural water suplies turning the surface into the bare wasteland it is now. As we find out soon laterwards Gonbei is not alone on the planet, heÂ´s living at a small flat together with his only son Yosaku. The first encounter with Yosaku isnÂ´t the best one, as TetsurÃ´ and Maetel meet him laying on the harsh fields while his father is hard working. When TetsurÃ´ confronts him about this (yeah nosey TetsurÃ´ again) Yosaku says that the work of his father is no use anyway and that even if his father would manage to cultivate parts of the field, the big monster would come and crush his work in a matter of seconds anyway. Big monster? Yeah that raised TetsurÃ´Â´s attention even more ^_^" According to Yosaku, Sai no Kawara is haunted by a giant bird-like monster that is eating (and therefore crushing) the little that Gonbei was able to cultivate. In fact TetsurÃ´ & Maetel soon have to see that the monster story was no made-up excuse by Yosaku not to help his father, as the big bird monster appears and itÂ´s very hungry ^_^
When the frustrated Gonbei was about to stop it from destroying his work, the big bird/chicken-like monster just waves a bit with its big wings to "shut-up Gonbei". Even TetsurÃ´ wasnÂ´t able to actually fight it back, however he did manage to harm one of the monsterÂ´s wings with his Cosmo Dragoon which made the monster fly away again.
Meanwhile at Gonbei and YosakuÂ´s small hut, Yosaku is about to get prepaired to leave his father and Sai no Kawara for good. He confronts Gonbei with his plans of leaving the planet with the emmigrant ship that is about to visit Sai no Kawara pretty soon in order to get to a better place. While surprising at first for the old man, Gonbei did sort of know that his son wouldnÂ´t make the same mistake as he did and stay at this wasteland forever trying to achieve something that is most likely a failure to begin with. When the ship arrives saying that all passangers shall board it and Yosaku rushing out to catch his flight, the giant bird monster also returns. Yosaku is torn between either helping his father defending the fields like he used to on so many occasions or board the ship in order to travell to his new future.
Thoughts:
Pretty good story presented within this episode. Despite it seemed at first that Yosaku is one of those c*ck characters acting like he knows all at first you canÂ´t help but understand his actions. I mean, Gonbei has his reasons for working that hard and despite his hard work being crushed everytime the bird monster appears, he KNEW what a wonderful planet Sai no Kara once was from the past, which gives him motivation to work hard for his goals. Yosaku was probably too young for having witnessed how prosperous this world once was to find the same motivations his father has to work, and just imagining youÂ´d be in the same situation...honestly who would have had much motivation left to continue like Gonbei? I think the ending was a very optimistic one, which was also quite fitting after so many times of purely sad or frustrating endings weÂ´ve had up to now. With the main thread gone, Gonbei and Yosaku joining once again to cultivate this planet so that it will become what it once was.

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

02-26-2006, 03:02 PM

Damn man, you're catching up! LOL

I still have to write my synopses on several episodes you've got there, which I will, with any luck, get around to starting sometime this week.

I was tempted to watch through the last 5 discs (and the extras disc) of the series this weekend, but thought better of it. I really need to get some of my R1 stuff knocked out.

Of course, I'll probably start in on watching box 6 sometime this week anyway though. Can't keep away from the 999 for too long. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

slerch666

02-27-2006, 08:03 AM

littleharlock got his out, so here are mine:

Only, 20 more episodes to watch, along with the bonus disc, 3 specials and 3 movies. Itâ€™s going to be sad turning the power off on what has been one Hell of a ride thus far. Itâ€™ll be like saying goodbye to good friends, only I can revisit them whenever I like, which I certainly will. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anyway, on with the episode synopses.

Eps 70 Kokoro Yasashiki Hana no Miyako

The 999 approaches what Tetsuro comments on as being a wonderful planet, a place covered in beautiful flowers. This of course is corrected by the Conductor who tells him that the planet isnâ€™t really as nice as it may seem. So the 999 lands so Maetel and Tetsuro do their usual, that being stopping by the local hotel to check in. On their way to the hotel, Tetsuro comments that the smell of the flowers is wonderful, which causes him to become nostalgic over his departed mother who loved flowers as well.

When they enter their room at the hotel there is someone on the balcony. The intruder manages to make his escape without being caught. Just as they spot him, there is a huge explosion. When everything settles back down not only is Maetelâ€™s suitcase missing, so is Maetel! After the explosions, with fires raging through the town, the 999 is ordered to take off without itâ€™s passengers as saving the 999 is more important than the lives of itâ€™s passengers I suppose.

Tetsuro is then abducted and he sees the 999 leaving without him. You can imagine him panicking here. As it turns out, he is reunited with Maetel thanks to this abduction. Apparently the man in their hotel room was wearing a Tectite (?) over coat that protects them from the heat. This is where we are introduced to the family of Koa, Reia, Mia and Doa (Do Re Mi?). As it would happen, Koa is the one who set the bombs which caused the fires. We also learn that the flowers are actually poisonous yet the authorities, given their beauty, place more importance on the flowerâ€™s safety than that of their own people. Koaâ€™s act was one of rebellion.

While they are relating their story, the authorities learn that Koa was the one who played terrorist and as such are beating on their door (hole in the ground actually). Koa and Reia decide to send their children off alone, as the authorities only want Koa. Reia decides she will die with Koa rather than protect herself. The children are all heartbroken (including Tetsuro, the big softy), and after a few minutes, they also decide they would all rather die as a family than live alone. Maetel and Tetsuro are allowed to leave alone, unscathed.

With Maetel and Tetsuro standing outside, and the authorities baring down on the family, Tetsuro threatens to shoot the commander, telling him that to them the flowers are more important than the people. While he stands there, we hear the family playing together, enjoying the last moments of life as their execution looms. After a little persuasion, the commander decides itâ€™s not worth executing the family, leaving them to live as they had before.

My notes miss anything that happens after this, so take a look at littleharlockâ€™s post for any more info.

Eps 71 Sai no Kawara no Kaikakusha

I really liked the opening on this episode. What you have is Maetel and Tetsuro sitting in the cabin, per their usual, but as they are sitting there, these tiny galaxies float into the train car. One especially great moment visually was when Maetel holds one of the tiny galaxies in the palm of her hand. Truly an avatar worthy vision if ever there were one. Maetel, while holding the galaxy, speaks on how she is touching the lives of everything within that galaxy, and as she returns the galaxy to the freedom of space, wishes them all happiness. Awesome. Iâ€™m surprised littleharlock didnâ€™t mention this sceneâ€¦

As the 999 approaches the next planet, as Tetsuro looks out the window he comments that this planet, which is quite barren and devoid of most life, looks like it is the gate to Hell. The planet seems to be only inhabited by 2 people, Gonbei and his son Yosaku. When Maetel and Testuro depart the train, they see Gonbei attempting to cultivate the dried up field. His form looks like a man made of dirt. As it turns out he DOES have a normal human form, itâ€™s just that the dirt clings to the people which makes them look like â€œmud men.â€?

One of the problems Gonbei and Yosaku have, other than the land being pretty crappy, is there is this huge bird that likes to ruin their cultivation efforts by eating whatever is planet and destroying the tilled soil. As Yosaku is in the house, talking about leaving the planet for good, Gonbei is attacked by the bird, at which point Tetsuro shoots the bird and gets it to fly off. Well, the bird is pissed, and heâ€™ll be back.

Tetsuro and Yosaku get into an argument over Yosaku wanting to leave. Tetsuro canâ€™t believe someone would want to leave their parents for something he feels is rather selfish. Maetel tells Tetsuro that he (Tetsuro) is not selfish (I believe Gonbei accused him of being selfish) because he helps people to help people, not to help himself.

Once again, the bird returns and begins trampling the graves setup for the people of the planet. Gonbei begins to attack with his garden tools, while Tetsuro runs outside to help, while Yosaku remains in the house, pouting. As the bird is attacking Gonbei, Tetsuro takes aim and with a well placed shot shoots the bird in the mouth. The bird begins to dry out, falls apart and crumbles into dirt.

After Tetsuroâ€™s selfless act, Yosaku apologizes for laughing at Tetsuro, and telling Tetsuro he will remain on the planet, cultivating the land in an attempt to have the planet flourishing for Tetsuroâ€™s return trip.

One thing in my notes that I didnâ€™t flesh out enough to have them useful, is a comment about Tetsuro and Maetel speaking after the trip. Maetel mentions that there are a lot of people like Gonbei and Yosaku. Tetsuro then says something in regards to Gonbei and Yosaku, along with his Mechanoid body, which pains Maetel. Itâ€™s nice to see, though I donâ€™t yet know why, that Maetel cares this much for Tetsuro.

Well, thatâ€™s it for now. Iâ€™ll have another couple ready to go sometime later today I am sure.

slerch666

02-27-2006, 09:47 AM

Eps 72 Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa prt 1

The reason this episode has Africa in the title is because this dark galaxyâ€™s shape roughly matches that of Africa.

The next stop is Kilimanjaro. As the 999 enters the area, the gas they are in blocks out everything, making it so a passenger can only see 10 meters in front of them. This makes it so that our young Tetsuro is extremely bored.

As the Conductor is making his rounds, he sees 2 mysterious hands (that look like Mickey Mouse hands) in the entrance to the cabin he is in. They slide up and down mysteriously, and before he knows it the Conductor as been abducted. When Tetsuro locates where the Conductor was, all that is left are his clothes. It appears as though the life forms on this planet are flashing bodies of some unknown origin. Maetel also winds up being abducted, at which point Tetsuro decides to go and rescue her.

It turns out the 999 is being held in place by some life form. It turns out the life forms on this planet are what are known as Ghost Hoppers. They are basically 2 dimensional people that are completely black. Tetsuro is then also abducted and taken to where Maetel and the Conductor are being held. The place is like a laboratory and Maetel, Tetsuro and the Conductor are their lab animals.

All of the passengerâ€™s clothes have been removed (well, minus Tetsuro and Maetelâ€™s underwear). This leads to a funny bit where we â€œseeâ€? the Conductor naked in the background. Heâ€™s standing in the shadows so all we see is yellow eyes. Tetsuro, trying to be playful, acts like he wants to see the Conductor naked. The Conductor protests, in what seems, at first, to be a simple bout of embarrassment. Once Tetsuro starts pretending, this leads him to try and be a little more forceful, at which point Maetel steps in and stops him in a rather out of character moment of desperation. This reminded me of the woman on the planet quite some time back that was in a state of shock seeing the Conductor in the buff, so my guess is that Maetel is hiding something, while also protecting Tetsuro. Hopefully we get to find out what the Conductor is before the final episode, otherwise littleharlock will have some explaining to do. /images/graemlins/wink.gif 

Itâ€™s also nice to note that when Tetsuro is running around in his boxers, the animators never seemed to forget to put the scar on his back. Very nice.

As it turns out, the real object of the Ghost Hoppers is the 999, not itâ€™s passengers, which explains why the 999 is not able to move.

Eps 73 Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa prt 2

Maetel giving the Conductor her over coat in this episode, to cover up his â€œnudityâ€? is pretty priceless. Never took the Conductor for a cross dresser! The trio is led through the snow, and since Maetel is wearing her usual black bikini still underwear, Tetsuro asks her if she is cold (since theyâ€™re walking in the snow, and sheâ€™s almost completely naked, Iâ€™d say thatâ€™s probably a given!). Maetel tells him itâ€™s OK because she did it for the Conductorâ€™s sake. The 3 are then imprisoned in a rather dingy prison.

This is where we learn that what happened to the Ghost Hoppers here is they were refugees. When they arrived at the planet, they actually began slaughtering the people, a rather under developed people similar to cavemen. They created a weapon which I believe was call the Three Sun Weapon or something like that. This is the weapon that transformed them from normal humans into the Ghost Hoppers they are now.

In another surprising move, the Ghost Hoppersâ€™ Queen turns out to be a rather kind person. Instead of her people rebelling against her, she rebels against her people by attempting to free the 999 and the imprisoned trio. She succeeds in freeing Maetel, Tetsuro and the Conductor, but is still working on the 999.

So the 3 return to the 999, where they are met with a rather luxurious meal laid out upon the dining table (and the Conductor put his normal clothes back on /images/graemlins/wink.gif). Slightly suspicious, they sit down and begin to dine, only to find that the food has been spiked with a drug that puts them all to sleep. Itâ€™s at this point where the Queen frees the 999 and sends it on its way once again.

Iâ€™m sure I probably missed something in my posting about this episode, but like littleharlock said, itâ€™s far from being one of the best in the series. Itâ€™s not BAD, but itâ€™s not amazing either. Getting a little more mystery put into the â€œwhat is the Conductorâ€? made it interesting enough.

And again, Iâ€™ll try to post thoughts on a few more episodes if I get the chance today.

"Only" 20 more synopses to write for where I have my notes up to!

littleharlock

02-27-2006, 11:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Damn man, you're catching up! LOL

[/ QUOTE ]

But only at very slow pace /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif I should be finished watching the 5th Box in the next couple of weeks (*hopefully* with my Amazon.jp order having arrived by then or else IÂ´ll drop into self-pitty for not having the chance to continue watching the series to its end the moment I will finish with Box 5 and concentrate counting the days till early April to afford it used /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif).
Oh and IÂ´m looking forward to have a bit more discussion of the three-part story (didnÂ´t comment on it yet, since I want to re-watch it first but I do agree with you itÂ´s f*cking awesome ^_^).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I still have to write my synopses on several episodes you've got there, which I will, with any luck, get around to starting sometime this week.

[/ QUOTE ]

IÂ´m kind of in the same boat as you on typing up synopses/thoughts at the moment. I continued watching beyond what I have posted and well...letÂ´s say watching is the easier part for such a lazy person like me than spending some hours of typing up synopsis /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif It helps that the last couple of episodes IÂ´ve watched and am stuck with typing up something usefull were not the best ones (I know I already mentioned it, but I just fail to properly summarize the Africa two-parter...so much happened, yet the pacing goes from slow to quick back to...well to its weird conclusion). But I should be finished writting the synposis by tomorrow at last ^_^

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I was tempted to watch through the last 5 discs (and the extras disc) of the series this weekend, but thought better of it. I really need to get some of my R1 stuff knocked out.

Of course, I'll probably start in on watching box 6 sometime this week anyway though. Can't keep away from the 999 for too long. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I can understand that pretty well. After the final episodes on Box 5 (I love that last two-parter to bits for reasons beyond me ^_^") I just could curse myself for not having placed an order for the 6th Box sooner back when Avex Mode were releasing them (heck if IÂ´d just knew how popular the final part of the series is among fans back then *LD Box 3 is the hardest one to find these days as well* I would have placed a pre-order...yet it went out of print in only a couple of weeks ^_~).

As for "canÂ´t keep away from 999 for too long" I totally understand that as well ^_^ I mean, you really get highly attached to the three main characters (yeah IÂ´m counting in good old SaishÃ´-san as well...he seems to be such an overlooked character that IÂ´m sorry for him at times /images/graemlins/wink.gif) during the series.
On the other hand it can be quite frustrating there isnÂ´t more made of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 in animated format these days (though what Matsumoto released of the mangaÂ´s Eternal arc would be IMO enough for a 26+ TV series or some movie adaptions -.-).
I mean, of course you get to see Maetel popping-up in various "more recent" Matsumoto projects from time to time...but IÂ´d love to see Maetel AND TetsurÃ´ back again if you know what I mean.

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

02-27-2006, 02:19 PM

Eps 74 JÃ»shichi-oku Roku-sen Go-hyaku-man-nin no Kurekure

Hereâ€™s an episode that barely stands out, though it starts what seems to me to be an exploration of love between the people of several different planets. Sure, weâ€™ve seen episodes previously involving lovers, but it seems to me, at least, in many of these arcs/stories they almost all have something about love attached to them.

As the episode begins, Tetsuro appears to be polishing a rifle of some sort. Itâ€™s a gun weâ€™ve never seen before, so itâ€™s obviously going to play a part in how the episode unfolds.

On the approach to the next planet, the Conductor begins shutting all of the blinds to all the windows on the 999. As they touch down, Tetsuro, being the curious young boy as always, attempts to take a peek. He is subsequently scolded by Maetel, which like a well seasoned child to itâ€™s motherâ€™s voice, stops in his tracks and gives up his efforts.

As soon as the 999 lands, itâ€™s almost instantly surrounded by people. It turns out the people of this planet are nothing more than worthless beggars (no offense to the poor of the world meant). When the people on the planet realized they werenâ€™t profiting from the work they were doing, they all pretty much stopped working. Now they EXPECT hand outs and feel entitled to them. This is why the blinds were shut, to keep the beggars from pestering the passengers.

Maetel gets up to get a cup of coffee (I believe thatâ€™s what she said she was doing) and leaves Tetsuro on his own. As Tetsuro is sitting quietly, a little boy boards the 999 and stops by where Tetsuro is sitting. The Conductor throws the boy off, but not quickly enough to stop the stink from getting all over the place. So the 999, having basically touched down for nothing, departs for the next destination, at which point the Conductor pulls out perfume (no littleharlock, you donâ€™t drink it. /images/graemlins/wink.gifâ€¦ sorry, sort of a private joke) and tries to eliminate the stench.

There were 2 people who stowed on board the 999, Nasake and Ikari (Nasake may not be right, I didnâ€™t check the credits). Itâ€™s a male and a female couple who wish to leave the confines of the lazy planet. They also happen to â€œkidnapâ€? Maetel. Once the 999 is in space, Ikari tells Maetel to strip and to give her clothes to Nasake. Whatâ€™s really interesting is that Nasake looks like Maetel, only with green hair instead of the blond. Thereâ€™s only one as mesmerizing as Maetel and thatâ€™s Maetel though. /images/graemlins/wink.gif Tetsuro is also taken hostage in order for Nasake and Ikari to have their plan realized. What we learn is that Nasake is pregnant and if I understood it properly, they want to offer their child a better life away from that planet.

In the end, Nasake and Ikari convince the Conductor to drop the car the are in off in space (my guess is that this makes it even easier for him to rid the 999 of the stench!). Tetsuro gives the pair the rifle he was cleaning in the opening scenes, and they are dropped off.

In the â€œafter the dramaâ€? conversation Maetel and Tetsuro always seem to have, Maetel mentions that Tetsuro didnâ€™t just give the people a gun, he gave them courage and hope. Tetsuroâ€™s kindness has the ability to change people.

I canâ€™t help but feel this synopsis is a little lacking. Itâ€™s not nearly as lame as the synopsis seems to imply. There was some dialog I couldnâ€™t â€œgetâ€? so that probably doesnâ€™t help.

Since the next set of episodes begins with a 2 parter, and I donâ€™t think I have the time to type up the complete synopses for them today, Iâ€™m going to call it the end for today. I should have a couple more synopses to post tomorrow sometime, if time permits.

slerch666

02-27-2006, 02:51 PM

I took a couple of littleharlock's posts and made one longer comment post on it. I have more to write up since I still want to comment on some of his thoughts from several episodes, but for now this is what I've got.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:Also (because itÂ´s in the same news entry) itÂ´s worth noting that the jp R2 DVD of the Fantastic Four Hollywood movie is scheduled to come with a Leiji Matsumoto special pin-up illustration ^_~ (IÂ´m too lazy to create an own thread for this in the off-topic forum and on top of that donÂ´t know wether this actually interests much people here so thatÂ´s why I included it here)

[/ QUOTE ]

Even though itâ€™s Matsumotoâ€¦ I canâ€™t bring myself to buy the Fantastic Four movie. Any links to pics (or a site where I can find them myself)? /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:Maybe itÂ´s because most of the time I re-watch Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 itÂ´s pretty late at night, but some of the earlier episodes did drag on a bit IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]
Blasphemer! LOL

Maybe part of why I donâ€™t feel the episodes drag on is because Iâ€™ve never experienced the greatness that is 999? Then again, when Iâ€™ve watched the series, Iâ€™ve sat through 2 complete discs, almost 3 complete discs, in a sitting. The majority of the episodes just FLY by.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:Eps 67 description here

[/ QUOTE ]
Iâ€™m glad I read your description of the episode. There were quite a few things I missed, like Mikaelâ€™s reasons for being the way he is, which adds to the depth of the episode itself.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:planet sees the naked beauty of Maetel it is impressed

[/ QUOTE ]
Who wouldnâ€™t be? /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:I think that this episode showcased that making the audience realizing that facette of Maetel once again. I know that IÂ´m idolizing Masako Ikeda enough already, but let me once again add that she has done such a splendid job as voicing this character, featuring the perfect voice for Maetel (motherly and sad at the same time). 

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to agree on all counts here. I love how it seems Maetel screaming â€œTetsuroâ€? when she is concerned for him actually slowly changed through the series. In the beginning it didnâ€™t feel as though the â€œTetsuroâ€? had much of a sense of urgency, while in later episodes when you hear her yell his name, it actually pulls your heartstrings. She MAKES the character, there is no doubt about it. And in all honesty if they feel they canâ€™t use her for Maetel any longer, I feel they should just retire the character. Theyâ€™ll never find another perfect match. Never.

littleharlock

02-28-2006, 01:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Even though itâ€™s Matsumotoâ€¦ I canâ€™t bring myself to buy the Fantastic Four movie. Any links to pics (or a site where I can find them myself)? /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally understandable...if my brother isnÂ´t willing to take the costs for the movie DVD I guess I wonÂ´t be buying it either (it sure will be sold at the Y!AJ seperately as well I guess). No preview picture available for that one though as far as IÂ´ve seen that.
It was the same with the "League of the Extraordinary Gentlemen" jp. DVD release which was scheduled to come with a Matsumoto short manga about Nemo and the Nautilus.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I have to agree on all counts here. I love how it seems Maetel screaming â€œTetsuroâ€? when she is concerned for him actually slowly changed through the series. In the beginning it didnâ€™t feel as though the â€œTetsuroâ€? had much of a sense of urgency, while in later episodes when you hear her yell his name, it actually pulls your heartstrings. She MAKES the character, there is no doubt about it. And in all honesty if they feel they canâ€™t use her for Maetel any longer, I feel they should just retire the character. Theyâ€™ll never find another perfect match. Never.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely agree on that. The interaction between Maetel and TetsurÃ´ and the development the relationship takes througout the joruney is simply amazing and I think something rarely any other series can achieve. Yet regarding the perfect match never to be found again..while I agree with you that Maetel and TetsurÃ´ are very unique througout the whole Leijiverse thereÂ´s one other "couple" IÂ´d say that has been handled equally great, Yayoi and Hajime from Sennen JoÃ´...looking forward to see how amazed youÂ´re going to be of this great series when you get to buy it (btw. Amazon.jp now lists it with a 10% reduction here (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007OE0Z0/qid=1141111029/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl74/503-8488160-8235145) as well as most other boxsets as well).

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-28-2006, 03:10 AM

So I retried to type up something for the Africa two-parter..and while itÂ´s definitely not the best job in summarizing the events I tried my best (and wanted to speed up and get them done before IÂ´m going to type up some thoughts for the greatness of episodes included on the 5th DVD Box)

â€¢ Episode 72 - "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
999 is closing in on the uncivilized dark nebula Africa named that way because the shape of it is the same as the one of the continent Africa on Earth. However much like the jungle like Africa that mankind tried to explore back on Earth, this nebula bears its mysteries and dangers as well. It starts out with SaishÃ´-san disappearing (after he followed a strange hand reaching out for him from the door at one side of a car from 9999), suddenly three sun-like lights appear causing 999 to crashland (and TetsurÃ´ to go almost blind) on one of the planets in the Africa nebula, YÃ»sei Kilimanjaro (Wandering planet Kilimanjaro). Still pretty much blinded by the direct eye contact TetsurÃ´ had with the "suns" Maetel gives him (some fancy) pair of sunglasses. However once crashlanded it doesnÂ´t take long until Maetel wents "missing in action" as well, and TetsurÃ´ canÂ´t do much with his visual impairment, so he rushes out to the snowy fields of Kilimanjaro where he gets the idea that his eyesight will come back if he uses the snow and rubs it in his eyes. It helped and while TetsurÃ´ regains his sight, he soon realizes that heÂ´s not really left alone with 999, as he can now see the strange black two-dimensional beings that appeared in the background ever since 999 crashlands on Kilimanjaro. These beings introduce them as Ghost Hopper and with them having managed to kidnapp SaishÃ´-san and Maetel you can pretty much guess whoÂ´s next...TetsurÃ´.
Thoughts:
Okay as mentioned this is by far not what IÂ´d call my favorite two-part episode and overall IÂ´d say that the story of the "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" episode is way to...thin to be stretched into a two-part story (IMO Matsumoto handled this whole story slightly better in the manga as it doesnÂ´t drag on that strangely as in the anime). However the first part of this story is actually what I consider the better part. We have SaishÃ´-san and Maetel kidnapped and youÂ´ve got to admit that the visual effects of the Ghost Hopper race looked pretty neat during the first few moments theyÂ´ve been introduced ^_^. Yet the way the second episodes concludes this story somewhat is what I have my issues with.

â€¢ Episode 73 - "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
999 is stranded on YÃ»sei Kilimanjaro, even more the mysterious Ghost Hopper race who are the reason for 999Â´s crashlanding also managed to kidnap Maetel, TetsurÃ´ and SaishÃ´-san, brought them into what looks like a laboratory AND are about to disassemble 999. The Ghost Hopper race led by (what turns later out to be the military commander of the race) plans to imprison the humans from 999, into an old ruin-like prison. Maetel hands her coat to SaishÃ´-san (as shown in the previous episode when the kidnapping began with TetsurÃ´ finding the clothes of SaishÃ´-san, the three are pretty much naked, with Maetel and TetsurÃ´ at least having their underwear while SaishÃ´-san is completely naked in the darkness ^_~) and so they are taken to their new home (aka the prison). However soon after theyÂ´ve been locked up in there and TetsurÃ´ mentioning his worries wether this means the end for their journey to Dai Andromeda, the rescue arrives in form of a triangle plate-shaped ship. A female voice (the person controlling this ship) tells the new prisoners to stand back as she (female voice ^_~) is going to shot at the entrance to help them escape. With that done, the ship continues to actually re-do what the Ghost Hopper have done with 999 (meaning that it assembles the various parts of the train again). However these actions of course donÂ´t go by the Ghost Hopper without being noticed...yet they hesitate to shoot at the ship. As it turns out the ship is controlled by the Seinaru JoÃ´ (Holy Queen) of the Ghost Hopper race. Laterwards (I actually canÂ´t remember wether it was the queen or one of the Ghost Hopper telling this ^_^") we get to see/hear the story of this race. The Ghost Hopper were (and still are) a pretty arrogant race (as if thatÂ´s not showcased the best up to now ^_~) that only believed in science and considered other races not as advanced as them in these regards not to be equally worthy (so when the Ghost Hopper arrived on Kilimanjaro to settle...the military commander of them just ordered to kill the original inhabitants that were at a neanderthals-like state in evolution *against* the Seinaru JoÃ´ trying to stop the killing). Anyways sooner or later you get what you deserve and this is also the case with the Ghost Hopper. When they launched an artificial sun project, which turns out to be the artificial 3 suns TetsurÃ´ has been blinded by in the previous episode, this turned out differently than they had planned which suddenly caused the race to go "thin as a paper" and turned them to the 2D state theyÂ´re now. Back in the present after the flashback, the Seinaru JoÃ´ manages to take out the weaponary of the Ghost Hopper basis on Kilimanjaro and when TetsurÃ´, Maetel and SaishÃ´-san return on 999 to depart, but suddenly they notice a delicious aroma in the air and so they head to "explore" the origin of this aroma. ItÂ´s located at the dinning car of 999 and surprised they face that the tables of the car are set with various delectabilities. A bit cautios at first they decide to start eating...and well it was sort of a trap, as Maetel, TetsurÃ´ and SaishÃ´-san soon find themself loosing consciousness due to the meal. Once they wake up they find themself at their seats with 999 continuing its journey. Maetel somewhat got what happened and mentions to TetsurÃ´ that the food-trap has been done by the Seinaru JoÃ´. If I understood that correctly (please correct me if IÂ´m wrong there...my attention level was pretty much utilised by the end of these episodes) the reason for this action by the queen was to bring them away from Kilimanjaro the fastes as the queen planned to disappear with her race in order not to bring more harm to others.
Thoughts:
Let me add that the "Dai-ankoku Seiun Africa" story is among my least favorite stories in the manga and especially in the animated version. Not that the story itself isnÂ´t good, but the way itÂ´s been handled just didnÂ´t do much for me. I think one of the major reasons that I didnÂ´t get hooked by it was that it started out promising. Very promising indeed, yet the second part (and the later half of the chapter) just wasted too much potential in my opinion. The anime did adapt this chapter very faithful again and moreover I do think the staff did handle the first part of the story very decently (meaning that it ends in a cliffhanger that makes you want to watch the rest the moment it ends). However the solution to it all and the way the queen rescued them just felt so rushed to me. Rushed in order to quickly tell the tragic story of the queen near the end...and that just didnÂ´t convince me enough.

Btw. the reason I only posted two episodes with the final episode on the fourth box (episode 74) in a seperate reply is because...I yet again have the problem that despite correctly set spoiler tags (really I looked through that three times now and it *is* correctly set) everything I typed up for episode 74 after the first spoiler tag is covered under them /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

02-28-2006, 03:15 AM

The rest of what IÂ´ve typed up, Episode 74 the final episode on the 4th Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Complete DVD Box.

â€¢ Episode 74 - "17-oku 6-sen 5-hyaku-man-nin no Kurekure"
The Basic Story:
Kure Kure Hoshi is the next scheduled stop for 999 on its route to Dai Andromeda. Once theyÂ´re about to approach the planet, you see SaishÃ´-san rushing through the cars of 999 to shut down all the blinds at the window. TetsurÃ´ a bit puzzled by this, yet accepts it and continues polishing his rifle (not the Cosmo Dragon, but the rifle he obviously brought from Earth...you know the one he has gone "berserk" on Kikai Hakushaku ^_^). Once they arrived on the planet, TetsurÃ´ notices a really outlandish aroma in the air. Taking a sneak peak through the windowÂ´s blind at their seat heÂ´s surprised to see masses of people standing outside at the station. As Maetel tells TetsurÃ´, the reason this planet is named Kure Kure Hoshi ("kure" means "giving") is that the people on this planet have cultivated begging to sort of a national hobby. Whenever travellers arrive here, the people would begg them to give them something. They are poor yet IÂ´d say the "aroma" by the people on Kure Kure Hoshi is not only because theyÂ´re poor...theyÂ´re pretty much lazy and expecting others to be generous to them for nothing. Maetel continues and tells TetsurÃ´ the story of how Kure Kure Hoshi became the planet it now is...a story of a well-off and prestigious count that managed to gather a lot of money, not wanting to share it with the people of the planet that have become poorer as time goes by. However the count ran out of money and so he found himself one day sitting on the streets and begging for money as well. After a scene change weÂ´re introduced to a young couple Ikari and Nasake. The two plan to leave this hopeless planet were people think they can life their live by relaying on begging only (and you can pretty much guess HOW they will try to leave Kure Kure Hoshi ^_~). Another scene change back to 999 where TetsurÃ´ suddenly notices that the stinky aroma is getting more noticable...despite the blinds shut down, a young boy managed to sneak onto 999 and once this boy sees Maetela and TetsurÃ´ he does begg them for something ^_~ Maetel gives him the coffee she got herself before and SaishÃ´-san does shoo away the boy (of course once the boy is back at the station, the other people see him holding the cup of coffee and ask him where he got it from. With him stating that the travellers gave it to him, the people, finding it unfair that one of them got something and the other not, even harder try to begg). At least the stop for 999 is only scheduled for short and so 999 departs soon afterwards.
SaishÃ´-san being busy to rush through the cars and spraying perfume, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel soon notice that the stinky smell of Kure Kure Hoshi is still there...caused by Ikari and Nasake! "Surprisingly" the couple managed to sneak themself onto 999. Surprising the two and threatening TetsurÃ´ with a knife, Ikari orders Maetel to strip and hand her clothes to Nasake. When Nasake changed, she bears a surprisingly similarity with the beauty of Maetel (with the green/brownish hair of her being the only major difference). Taking TetsurÃ´ to another car of 999 as their hostage he begins some talk with them, telling Ikari and Nasake about the reason he boarded 999. TetsurÃ´ also tells them that back on Earth when heÂ´s been together with his mother, his mother wasnÂ´t allowing TetsurÃ´ to take money some Mechanoid threw at him because of pitty (and making fun of the poor human boy). This story somewhat touches the couple and theyÂ´re about to release TetsurÃ´. However as it laterwards is revealed Nasake is pregnant (which was also one of the major reasons for the two to board 999 and escape from Kure Kure Hoshi, as they want to enable their child a proud future of not relying on begging others). So TetsurÃ´ requests SaishÃ´-san to ask the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau wether they would allow them to seperate one car of 999 to enable the couple building up a future on their own. Surprisingly (given the way the Administrative Bureau acted on requests on past occasions) they agree on it (I guess the "999 shall continue its route without any further delays" adds to their decision) and so we get a happy end for Ikari and Nasake ^_~
Thoughts:
You know what I like about the various stories about poverty weÂ´ve been presented up to now the most is that weÂ´re always granted a glimpse into the past of TetsurÃ´ back on Earth with his mother. These flashbacks somehow add a lot to his character and itÂ´s pretty damn fitting how thatÂ´s handled. I mean at the beginning of the series weÂ´re introduced to TetsurÃ´ and his mother Kanae Hoshino as two poor humans making their way through the snowy outlands of Megalopolis. SheÂ´s been shot and the rest is history from then on...yet these flahsbacks the series adds on various occassions just add a lot more in order to "feel/sympathize" with the sad feelings TetsurÃ´ has when thinking back on what happened to his mother as you somehow get to "realize" what a proud woman (despite their situation) Kanae must have been. Speaking of this I do think the way those flashbacks are handled are also pretty artistical. Flashbacks to the time TetsurÃ´Â´s father was still alive and Mechanoid people not having spread yet over the Earth are always shown as carefree and beautifull times. While Flashbacks featuring TetsurÃ´ and Kanae alone, living in poverty with Mechanoids having spread over (and "taken over") most parts of the Earth are shown as cold/harsh and cloudy times. The story itself was nice...yet IÂ´d say the preachy part of Matsumoto was a bit more obvious here (I mean why has 999 to stop at a planet like Kure Kure Hoshi? I really doubt that any passanger would even consider to travel with 999 only to stop and stay at this planet ^_~) than itÂ´s been in the past. Not bad, but nothing outstanding either.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
(no littleharlock, you donâ€™t drink it. /images/graemlins/wink.gifâ€¦ sorry, sort of a private joke)

[/ QUOTE ]

But hey SaishÃ´-sanÂ´s perfume spraying sure got me thirsty ^_~

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

02-28-2006, 06:40 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
looking forward to see how amazed youÂ´re going to be of this great series when you get to buy it (btw. Amazon.jp now lists it with a 10% reduction here (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007OE0Z0/qid=1141111029/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl74/503-8488160-8235145) as well as most other boxsets as well).

[/ QUOTE ]
I thought I already told you... I've ordered Sennen Joo from Amazon JP already. I put it on a set of preorders however, so it won't be shipping until late next month, and since I'm using DHLs International Economy shipping I won't have it until the end of the first week of April or later.

The Sennen Joo was at a 10% discount when I bought it as well, so it actually comes out to 40,500 Yen.

I'll reply to more of your posts today if I get the chance. Gotta get ready for a damn meeting now.

mistressh

02-28-2006, 08:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
while I agree with you that Maetel and TetsurÃ´ are very unique througout the whole Leijiverse thereÂ´s one other "couple" IÂ´d say that has been handled equally great, Yayoi and Hajime from Sennen Joo

[/ QUOTE ]

He's tried to emulate it a few times, without much success - (Mavis in Drifting Express; Yo in Mahoroba; Kei Yuuki of all people in Miraizer Ban... ) they always come off looking like cheap copies - although there's a case for suggesting that like so much in his work, the various female guide/ young hero combinations simply echo the single, absolute that is Maetel and Tetsurou - much like the numerous Harlock/Tochiro look-alike pairings which form a second eternal bond between two people whom one suspects not even time or death can part...

I notice there's never any real attempt by Matsumoto to persue a Father/Son Mother/Daughter or Father/daughter dynamic - half-hearted attempts in SPCH and Diver 0 at the first of those kind of fall apart at the seams (I wish he'd just bite the bullet and acknowledge what Rin Taro seems to have picked up on recently, that *Kei* is Harlock's only real protege... ;-) ). And in Danguard Ace the manga glosses over the conflicts between Dantetsu and Takuma - though strangely, the series could give "Eva" a run for its money (and probably wrote the book...) on dysfunctional father/son relationships in Super Robo shows!! <g>

But over and over again he returns to only two relationships - the bond between friends (There are times I'd love to dub some footage of Harlock and Tochiro to the V/O from the 1980's "Beauty and the Beast" series with Ron Perlman - "For we have a bond that is stronger than friendship or love..." <evil grin>) and that between a mother (or mother substitute) and "son".

(In one sense Yayoi's and Hajime's relationship foreshadows Maetel's with Tetsurou, in much the same way that her conflicts of ideals with Selen foreshadow Maetel and Emeraldas' ongoing "disagreements" shown in more recent shows... (- check out SSM when Em first shows up - sporting Selen's red coat from the SNJ film!!)!

Notice as well it's always a substitute mother-figure or a very close friend... rarely (to the best of my reading to date!) a lover who acts as this guiding light... (except perhaps for Yo in Mahoroba... <she remembers belatedly>!!)For the younger heroes, it's always this older or more competant woman (back to Miraizer Ban for a minute, where Kei is the guide, I notice recently in an interview Leiji san describes her as a "beacon" - and her name derives from the kanji for "firefly"...! She's always been drawn as a younger-looking Maetel-type, and I suspect the subtle difference in her role - mentor rather than mother-substitute - is deliberate...!). For the older - well, there's only one that counts, and Harlock's guiding light around which his entire world revolves is Tochiro... and taking a look at the manga, I do notice that of all recurring character types that repeat in so many places, it's these two (Maetel and Tochiro) who lie at the heart of most of his best stories... ;-) <grins> there has to be some mileage somewhere in looking at *why*!!

H

littleharlock

02-28-2006, 01:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
while I agree with you that Maetel and TetsurÃ´ are very unique througout the whole Leijiverse thereÂ´s one other "couple" IÂ´d say that has been handled equally great, Yayoi and Hajime from Sennen Joo

[/ QUOTE ]

He's tried to emulate it a few times, without much success - (Mavis in Drifting Express; Yo in Mahoroba; Kei Yuuki of all people in Miraizer Ban... ) they always come off looking like cheap copies - although there's a case for suggesting that like so much in his work, the various female guide/ young hero combinations simply echo the single, absolute that is Maetel and Tetsurou - much like the numerous Harlock/Tochiro look-alike pairings which form a second eternal bond between two people whom one suspects not even time or death can part...

[/ QUOTE ]

The Toki no Wa concept that Matsumoto seems to be fond of and "treasures" in most of his works ^_^ (you know with this concept used in regards of a lot of his characters and their friendship and/or relationship I was really curious to see Spoiler for the Waga Seishun no Arcadia manga who was the actual mother of the daugther Phantom F. Herlock II had...my guess itÂ´s a previous version of Maya ^_^).

Speaking of UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel ~ Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Gaiden thatÂ´s the series next on my Matsumoto re-watch pile (though IÂ´m very tempted to just start re-watching Sennen JoÃ´ I want to save that up for when slerch got his box and starts a thread for it, plus UKM is pretty short as well...and the connections for the Sennen JoÃ´ manga included did get me very motivated to give it another chance ^_^).

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-01-2006, 04:22 AM

With less time, I just managed to rewatch through the first two episodes included on the 5th Complete DVD Box of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999. Not the best way to start the awesome episodes included on this box, but anyways:

â€¢ Episode 75 - "Mizu no Kuni no Shaian" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
While nearing Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi (which is btw. NOT scheduled as the next stop on the route) 999 has to "undergo" a forced landing operation. As the name of this planet hints itÂ´s all covered by water with one little island where 999 manages (after some initial trouble) to land. Soon after their landing, TetsurÃ´ notices an old launch pad located on the little island, Maetel tells him this must be a launch pad once used when this planets inhabitants tried to travel to space. Something that obviously failed because when TetsurÃ´ takes a close look at the surrounding ocean, he notices an underwater city located at the ground of the ocean. Maetel tells him that the people on Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi obviously live underwater...and well her theory soon gets a confirmation when a small ship is literaly shooting out of the water and landing at the small island. A guy in a strange suit (looking like a combination of space suit and what a diver wears ^_~) comes out of the ship saying that president Waterplace of the undersea city (also named Waterplace ironically ^_~) is inviting the visitors from 999 to the city. After little hesitation, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel decide to agree on this invitation (and the officer hands them some of those fancy suits *good for TetsurÃ´ that these are obviously available in kid size as well*) and SaishÃ´-san stays at 999 (heÂ´s not that fond of water after all ^_~). On their way to Waterplace, the ship with TetsurÃ´ (who previously wondered why this ocean doesnÂ´t seem to have any underwater animals at all) and Maetel on board gets attacked by a tribe of underwater people dressed like indians of Earth. The ship however manages to make it to Water Place (where the entrance is shut down before the tribe-attackers can follow them). Arrived at Waterplace, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel soon have their meeting with the president of this place, who invites them for dinner. After some hilarious scenes of underwater dining (youÂ´ve got to love TetsurÃ´ being greedy again and shutting two bottles of juice onto the helmet of his suit just to be almost drowned by it ^_^), the two find themself knocked out (by the food/drinks) and captured by Waterplace. The tiny little bastard has planned to kidnap the passangers of 999 from the very beginning in order to take them as hostages to be allowed to board 999 and escape this planet. As we learn laterwards the launching pad that TetsurÃ´ noticed earlier this episode is indeed from the time, the people on this planet tried to launch a spaceship...yet due to the planetÂ´s atmosphere this attempt failed. With 999 landed on Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi, Waterplace sees his chance to travel to space with his people.
In the meanwhile we also get a bit more introduction to those indian-styled tribe living outside of Waterplace. ItÂ´s not hard to guess what the tribe is...theyÂ´re the native inhabitants of this planet, pretty much treated in past as the native inhabitants of America have been treated (meaning pushed back to reservation *in this case theyÂ´ve been droven away from Waterplace*, forced to work for the people of Waterplace). Their leader is a young man named Geronimo (THIS is now the character Geronimo...weÂ´ve been previously introduced in episode 2 to a character Matsumoto named ZEROnimo ^_^). Geronimo seeks revenge for the killing of their ancestors and the animals of this ocean that Waterplace comitted in past. Geronimo has a brother named NavÃ¢ro, who tries to calm down his hot-headed-revenge-seeking brother.
Meanwhile back to Maetel and TetsurÃ´, the two find themself still captured in a giant glass cupola and forced to agree and return with Waterplace to 999 and enable him (and his people) to board 999. While TetsurÃ´ tries to be strong and not will in, Maetel does will in pretty soon (after Waterplace started floating the cupola with water and threating the two to drown them). So Waterplace takes them (and his people) in a giant subway-styled train to the island were 999 landed (and is about to depart soon again). When the train departed from Waterplace, the little bastard pushes the "destruction button" for the city and Geronimo and his tribe have to face how the city of Waterplace where the once lived goes down in flames (underwater...as weird as that may sound ^_~). With TetsurÃ´ and Maetel as hostage, SaishÃ´-san sees no other way than to allow Waterplace and his people to board 999...of course not boarding 999 as travellers but more as force that hijacks the train. Before Waterplace is able to board, he has to confront Geronimo, who managed to sneak himself onto the train (in the suit the Waterplace people usually wear) and seeks revenge. With some nasty little tricks, Waterplace however manages to trick Geronimo and kills him.
The episode ends with 999 under the hands of Waterplace departing into space...
Thoughts:
Okay I say it right away, when I thought of the Africa two-parter (episode 72 & 73) to be the worst two-part story of the series, I wasnÂ´t really remembering that this one is still upcoming. I mean, itÂ´s far from horrible, in fact the basic ideas this story presents are pretty damn good (i.e. underwater people and the way itÂ´s been planned out in "detail" with them having to wear the suits once theyÂ´re outside of water or the "underwater dinner" TetsurÃ´ and Maetel have). Yet the story itself (from the manga) IMO wasnÂ´t something they should have stretched into a two-part episode. I guess my dislike of this two-part story is very much supported by the character of Waterplace...and damn they really took the same Seiyuu to voice the "little evil brain egg-heads" appearing in the series...I guess IÂ´m not the only one reacting very sensible to this voice (meaning that WaterplaceÂ´s voice creeps the heck out of me ^_^). With the best of this story already presented in the first episode, the second episode wasnÂ´t much better (and no real development or good scenes in regards of the Maetel/TetsurÃ´ relationship presented either).
On the visual side of things I to think itÂ´s worth noting that they really tried some good ideas, like using "blurred" camera perspective whenever there were underwater scenes. I mean they while I appreciated this ideas I found that the "blurry camera" perspective was somewhat distracting at times.

â€¢ Episode 76 - "Mizu no Kuni no Shaian" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
Continuing where the previous episode ended, 999 is being hijacked by the evil (egg head) Waterplace of Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi. 999 itself realizing the hjiacking is able to send an emergency signal to the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau, and with them reacting very sensible of 999 and reasons causing the train to go-off from its set course to Dai Andromeda, they mobilize some heavily armed reinforcement to rescue 999. Meanwhile on Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi, the native tribe of the planet have a funeral for the dead Geronimo. While his brother NavÃ¢ro has been pretty much contained in regards of GeronimoÂ´s revenge plans for Waterplace, the death of Geronimo leds NavÃ¢ro to fullfill these plans and he decided to reactivate the old spaceship and try to travel to space with it in order to take revenge for the misery WaterplaceÂ´s action has caused on this planet. ItÂ´s a unsafe mission (as noted in the previous episode, the first attempt to travel to space with the ship has failed) yet pretty much all the people of the tribe decide to join NavÃ¢roÂ´s plan. This also includes NavÃ¢roÂ´s obvious love interest Suji.
Back in space, the armed train arrives 999, forcing the hjiackers to give up or else theyÂ´re going to open fire. They do and almost manage 999 to stop...yet evil-headed Waterplace forces SaishÃ´-san to order 999 to enter warp (in order to escape the armed train). With some initial denial of that order by 999Â´s computer, SaishÃ´-san manages to convince the computer in the end (since he justifies it with the "passangers live in danger" excuse). Yet this doesnÂ´t mean a save escape for Waterplace, as back on Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi, NavÃ¢ro and his people tried to launch the ship AND managed to leave the planet (plus the armed train sent by the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau is capable of entering warp as well ^_~). So itÂ´s only a matter of time until the armed train AND NavÃ¢ro & Co. catch up with 999. NavÃ¢ro and his people manage to sneak onbaord 999 (against the GR Administrative Bureau ordering them NOT to board 999). Anyways after some fighting and TetsurÃ´ cooperating with NavÃ¢ro they do manage to regain control of 999 (and NavÃ¢ro manages to kill the nasty little egg-head Waterplace in the end *best scene IMO* ^_^). NÃ¢varo and his tribe promise to return to Mizu no Kuni no Hoshi (despite them now being capable of traveling through the "sea of stars" in order to recreate the damage that Waterplace has caused to the planet).
Thoughts:
A good and very action heavy final episode of this story. As noted in the previous episode itÂ´s far from my favorite episode...to be honest I found that the most story HAS already been told and "used" in the first episode. The second one was pretty much more action focused and dragged on a bit for my taste (like they were thinking "how to spend 20 minutes on showing the rescue of 999 effictively"). It may sound a bit harsh...but with the upcoming two-parter (yeah two-parter-galore ^_~) thereÂ´s a lot better to come (and the next two episodes are really DECENT).
DonÂ´t know much more to write for this story...so IÂ´ll stop here, go watch the upcoming few episodes and will definitely enjoy them way more than this one ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-05-2006, 03:29 AM

While working on the summaries/thoughts for the next couple of episode (watched it up to 81...yet so much happened in those episodes that it gives me hard times to finish summarizing ^_^") I thought that this news item floating around lately may be worth posting here:

"Maetel robot to be the sightseeing guide of New-KitakyÃ»shÃ» Airport"
As it has been unveiled on 28th February, the New KitakyÃ»shÃ» Airport (http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/kitaqair/) that is going to open to public on 16th March 2006 will feature a robot of Maetel, mysterious "bishoujo" character from Leiji MatsumotoÂ´s popular Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 series. In cooperation with Leiji Matsumoto, the 117cm tall robot manufactured by the KyÃ»shÃ» Institue of Technology will be standing at the airport building tourist information center. Programmed on approximately 200 different replies for inquiries such as traffic, accomondations and sightseeing in that area (aka a tourist guide ^_^). Seiyuu Masako Ikeda (who voiced Maetel in the majority of GT999 anime adaptions) lended her voice to robot Maetel as well.
Pictures of the press conference (including pictures of the Maetel robot) can be seen at this Asashi newspage (http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0228/SEB200602280005.html) and at the Official site for the KyÃ»shÃ» Institute of Technology (http://www.kyutech.ac.jp/page/shosai.asp?id=747&mode=b).

Another thought regarding the Maetel and TetsurÃ´ relationship. Thinking of it, I do agree with you Helen. Matsumoto did try to emulate the same or similar sort of relationship/settings in a lot of his other Leijiverse works. ItÂ´s up to everyone to judge for his/her own wether he failed doing that, personally however I think a big part of the reason the Maetel/TetsurÃ´ setting is so effective and popular isnÂ´t only due to how Matsumoto portrayed the two in the manga. DonÂ´t get me wrong I love the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 manga to pieces, however I do think that he focused a lot more on MaetelÂ´s sad appearance in it (heck in the Eternal arc it IMO isnÂ´t anything special when Maetel shares a tear...I got the impression that it is in fact more seldom to see her *not* shading a tear ^_^). So I do think that the various anime adaptions of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 did add a LOT what makes Maetel and TetsurÃ´ that special to us fans. Maetel appears a lot more "reluctant" in the anime than how Leiji Matsumoto portrayed her as the "mysterious yet seemingly allknowing woman" at times in the manga (again donÂ´t get me wrong, I simply adore Maetel being the mysterious and wise woman spoiler for the Eternal arc of whom Dark Queen is scared to the bones) yet the anime certainly adds a lot to the character and enables the viewer to "feel" better for her and her actions if you know what I mean. Also (I know IÂ´m doing some praising/idolizing of that woman once again *gomen*) I think Masako Ikeda did a splendid job as Maetel and furthermore added a LOT to what makes Maetel such a precious character among fans. Her voice was IMO the perfect choice...she has such a gentle voice that often includes a sad/nostalgic sound (and I just love to listen to IkedaÂ´s voice as it became more deeper these days).

so far
yours
littleharlock

Alucard

03-05-2006, 05:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Also (because itÂ´s in the same news entry) itÂ´s worth noting that the jp R2 DVD of the Fantastic Four Hollywood movie is scheduled to come with a Leiji Matsumoto special pin-up illustration ^_~ (IÂ´m too lazy to create an own thread for this in the off-topic forum and on top of that donÂ´t know wether this actually interests much people here so thatÂ´s why I included it here)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/knowital.gif I completely missed that... Still, I'm not getting it (although i'm really tempted), since I didn't really like the Fantastic Four movie, and I can't justify getting the R2 just for the illustration...

slerch666

03-05-2006, 10:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
While working on the summaries/thoughts for the next couple of episode (watched it up to 81...yet so much happened in those episodes that it gives me hard times to finish summarizing ^_^")

[/ QUOTE ]
I have to apologize for being super lazy and not posting anymore synopses over the last couple of days. It's been hectic at work and when I get home I just don't feel like turning on a PC and taking 60-120 minutes to type them up. Rest assured I will be back ASAP with my eps 75+ synopses.

[ QUOTE ]
"Maetel robot to be the sightseeing guide of New-KitakyÃ»shÃ» Airport"
As it has been unveiled on 28th February, the New KitakyÃ»shÃ» Airport (http://www1.sphere.ne.jp/kitaqair/) that is going to open to public on 16th March 2006 will feature a robot of Maetel, mysterious "bishoujo" character from Leiji MatsumotoÂ´s popular Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow... just... wow. I wonder what people not in the know will think when visiting that airport? Might be worth a trip to Japan just to check the robot out. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

mistressh

03-06-2006, 07:55 AM

It's nice actually how they try to stick with the same voice actors - a lovely touch for the robot Maetel to be voiced by her long-time actress! I do like how, where possible, they try to stick with the same people despite 25+ years and changes of studio! (SSM of course has Keiko Han reprising her role as Yayoi/Promethium as well as the "old" voice of Maetel doing the voice-overs... sadly Makio Inoue's voice went west years ago (as any Lupin fan can testify!!) otherwise he'd probably still be voicing Captain Tight-ar<cough> Harlock...!! ;-) (We can but dream, given the current two passing the part between them... Can't someone give Kazuhiku Inoue a go?? Did a bang up job as "Captain Harlock look-alike winner 2003", Yuuki Wataru... ;-) Ahhh... the voice of Dusty Attenborough... my second favourite in LoGH;-))

BTw - have you guys noticed how often Makio Inoue turns up in the GE999 credits playing complete smarmy b*st*rds...?? It seems the only time he's in an episode and he *doesn't* take on the role of a backstabbing treacherous little so-and-so is in the one episode where said backstabbing swine is impersonating Harlock...! ;-)

And oddly, the go-to guy for those gentle, heroic young men meeting tragic fates? Tohru Furya, better known as the dastardly Mr Zone in SSX, or the (spoiler for 1000-nen-joo follows, so Slerch should look away!!) Backstabbing, treacherous little so-and-so Yamori Daisuke in Queen Millennia 

...Also spotted in passing, one Akira Kamiya, better known as Daiba from SPCH and the go-to guy for Super Robo show heroes in the 70's, as well as Ken in FotNS and City Hunter's Ryo!

H

littleharlock

03-06-2006, 01:15 PM

Okay as said I re-watched the next couple of episodes for Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 last week and while I havenÂ´t finished typing up summaries/thoughts for all those episode I rewatched (up to 81) I thought to post at least the bit I managed to type up for these (also let me say sorry for the crappy job in summarizing events...I watched them over a week ago and therefore my memory tends to suck ^_^)

â€¢ Episode 77 - "Shokumei Seijo" Part 1 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
Next scheduled stop for 999 is Ame ga Ike (Rain Pond), a world where it never seems to stop raining (in fact IIRC it was SaishÃ´-san telling them that it wouldnÂ´t end raining for over a year now). While this world does make TetsurÃ´ remember about their last "rainy" stop, (the Capital of Rain stop in episode 18) and the encounter with the Doro no Maetel, SaishÃ´-san considers the rain to be romantic (at first ^_~). When 999 lands on Ame ga Ike, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel are "introduced" to two men, an old one wearing a priest robe and a fat rich guy. The rather unpeaceful introduction happens when the fat guy pushes the old man from the door of 999 with his foot when the old man doesnÂ´t seem to "speed up" with getting out of the fat guyÂ´s way. TetsurÃ´ (ever curious and nosey) trying to help the old man, the old man laterwards tells TetsurÃ´ and Maetel that he is on a pilgrimage. Laterwards TetsurÃ´ and Maetel arrive at their hotel and doing their usual check-in. The hotel is run by an old woman named Boron and as TetsurÃ´ notices the run down hotelÂ´s roof isnÂ´t even leakproof (which is quite a mess on a planet like Ame ga Ike as you can imagine). In the mid of the night, the two find themself soon "re-united" with the old man they met earlier. This reunition isnÂ´t of the friendly sort, as he started praying (in the middle of the night) and not only woke up TetsurÃ´ and Maetel (who sure wouldnÂ´t see that as a big problem) but also the fat rich guy from earlier AND a young couple that checked-in at the hotel as well. I donÂ´t remember wether they introduced them right away (yeah I know I should take notes ^_^") however the two are named Columbus and his girlfriend is named Poem (at least thatÂ´s what the credit stated IIRC). After a rather heated discussion of the situation, the guests of the hotel soon have to realize that the rain has gotten worse. By taking a look out at the roomÂ´s balcony they six surprisingly notice that the whole city has been flooded. The rainwater almost reaches them (and with the continuing rain it soon will). As if that isnÂ´t enough, they also notice that the Boron, the owner of the hotel strangely disappeared (without them even telling about the rain getting stronger while they were asleep ^_~). TetsurÃ´, Maetel and the other guests of the hotel now have to find a way to escape the hotel before they would drown in the flood caused by the rain. While looking on the balcony for any chance to escape, they see a small boat passing by. The boat is driven by a young blond woman, who "notices" them and stops at the hotels balcony. However when Maetel, TetsurÃ´ & Co. ask her to help them, she coldhearted replies "what they will offer her for rescue"! WhoÂ´s going to offer the woman the best and will be rescued by her...and whoÂ´s going to be left back?
Thoughts:
As said on several ocassions before my summarizing skills radically suck ^_~ A lot happened in this episode and I do realize that this crappy summary of mine does definitely not capture the story pretty detailed. This part of yet another two-parter was a great start for what is a line of very well ploted two (and three ^_^) part episodes. While the previous two-part stories didnÂ´t impress me much (nor did those have much effect on me during this re-watch "marathon", of course refering to episode 75 & 76 as well as the 72 and 73) I think the "Shokumei Seijo" story is a very decent one. One of the major reasons I find great about this story is that weÂ´re presented to a whole lot of different plot elements and twists within a short time and (what I think most important) all these elements have been handled very well. I enjoyed the mangaÂ´s chapter quite a bunch and definitely enjoy how the TV staff succeeded in adapting it without giving you a "rushed" or "too much story/twists mixed up within a too short time". IÂ´m going into more detail what I enjoy about these two episodes with the thoughts "section" of the next episode summary so I just end this with "very good stuff, letÂ´s see how itÂ´s going to conclude" for now ^_~

 Episode 78 - "Shokumei Seijo" Part 2 (of 2)
The Basic Story:
Following the events of the previous episode, TetsurÃ´ has to witness how Aku is operating the computer in order to extract the fire of life from Maetel. As noted in the previous episode AkuÂ´s master Queen Coflame seeks to drink MaetelÂ´s life fire next. Despite TetsurÃ´ at first trying to wake up Maetel (so that she would run away) the proceedure is a success and Aku takes out the goblet containing the newly extracted fire. In order to bring it to her master, Aku "introduces" TetsurÃ´ to a fellow minion of Queen Coflame, a tiny old woman...no one less than Boron, the owner of the hotel/inn TetsurÃ´ and Maetel checked-in in the previous episode! Aku orders Boron to keep an eye on TetsurÃ´ while she will bring Coflame the life fire of Maetel. However you can pretty much guess that the old woman doesnÂ´t have much chances against young and vital TetsurÃ´ and so he manages to escape and follow Aku to prevent MaetelÂ´s death. When TetsurÃ´ catches up with Aku they have a fight, which ends with Aku catching a grazing shot at her arm. This grazing shot reveals that Aku is a mechanoid. While TetsurÃ´ holds Aku at bay, Aku tells him that the reason she helps Queen Coflame is that she the queen had promised her to make her regain a human body in future. TetsurÃ´ tells her about his "mission" to gain a mechanoid body and that Maetel enabled him this without actually demanding such cruel things as Coflame demands from Aku. You can see that TetsurÃ´Â´s words somewhat get through to Aku, yet she prooves to be a loyal servant to the queen and escapes TetsurÃ´ with MaetelÂ´s live fire. When Aku reaches the queen and hands her MaetelÂ´s live fire, the Queen greedy tries to take a gulp from the goblet...*however* the fire of Maetel is not "drinkable" for Coflame (in fact it causes her pain!). Pissed-off by this Coflame realizes that she still needs a fresh live fire and thatÂ´s when TetsurÃ´ comes to her mind ^_~
Meanwhile at the "live fire extraction laboratory" we see that the two lovers Columbus and Poem regain consciouness. Columbus wants to escape with his girlfriend (who was worried about leaving Maetel unconscious behind) yet the whole "live fire which enables eternal live" issues fascinates Columbus. It fascinates him enough to try and make a deal with Queen Coflame soon laterwards. He will bring her TetsurÃ´ and in return the Coflame will give him one of those live fires. Queen Coflame agrees on that...yet she has slightly different plans with the two lovers. Once Columbus is out to "hunt down" TetsurÃ´, the queen gives her servant Boron orders to extract the live fire from ColumbusÂ´ girlfriend Poem.
After a little hunting, Columbus was able to find TetsurÃ´ and manages to launch a surprise attack on him. When Columbus brings Coflame the knocked-out (and ready for live extraction ^_~) TetsurÃ´, Coflame acts as if she would now fulfill her part of the deal and hands Columbus the much anticipated goblet with fresh live fire. Unknowing of whoÂ´s live fire that actually is, Columbus greedy drinks it!
Thoughts:
The second part of this story was definitely no left-down either. In fact I do think the story got even more interesting within these 20 minutes. Some very good twists in this story were the inclusion of Columbus and Poem. A young couple, both aiming for building themself a future, yet ColumbusÂ´ greed and obviously dominating behavior towards Poem, led two kill them. I think as sad or even weird it may sound, these two were supposed to be damned from the beginning. Poem being the devoting and naive girlfriend and Columbus the kind of man that even goes that far to sacrifice the live of a young boy just for him to gain eternal life. Without trying to point it out all the time, I also think that these two characters were once again subtle Matsumoto preachy-ness handled perfectly. On the other hand, one of the IMO best parts of the "Shokumei Seijo" story was the element of Aku and TetsurÃ´, which gained focus in the second episode and which was just bittersweet and beautiful. These two characters IMO had/have a lot in common. Both aiming to become different (TetsurÃ´ travelling to Dai Andromeda to get himself a Mechanoid body, Aku trying to regain her a human body) and both somewhat depending on someone else, though Aku pretty soon realizes that her having become the killer/servant for Coflame just canÂ´t be the right thing to aim for in order to make her dreams come true. In regards of TetsurÃ´ and Maetel this episode includes some decent subtle development as well IMO (yeah even though Maetel is no active part of the story in the majority of the episode ^_^). TetsurÃ´ goes above and beyond in order to prevent MaetelÂ´s death. SheÂ´s become a very important person to him and I think episodes such as these show that despite TetsurÃ´ being somewhat puzzled by a few things in regards of Maetel, he slowly accepts that she wonÂ´t give him definite answers to all of the questions he has.

â€¢ Episode 79 - "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" Part 1 (of 3)
The Basic Story:
WeÂ´re 79 episodes into Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999, which means that sooner or later there must be a sign of 999 getting closer to its final destination Dai Andromeda. With this episode 999 arrives at Heavy Melder. This is a very important planet (part of important events in other Leijiverse works as well) and as Maetel explains to TetsurÃ´ during the beginning, when TetsurÃ´ is somewhat surprised when SaishÃ´-san tells them that the scheduled stop on Heavy Melder is one week 24 hours, Heavy Melder is that important because itÂ´s the last big stop before theyÂ´re reaching the Andromeda galaxy. Heavy Melder is furthermore known in the galaxy as the big Trader Division Point, a planet where the gun rules and issues are usually settled with the gun. Shortly after the explanation by Maetel, the two witness a fight between two passangers. Before curious TetsurÃ´ can interfere a mysterious cloaked man approaches the two. He hands them some wine and tells them to settle the issue with that. Drunk the two stop fighting and TetsurÃ´ also gets a mouthful of the mysterious manÂ´s wine (which of course manages to almost "knock-out" the boy ^_^). Maetel (who watched the sceneray) also approaches the mysterious passanger and demands a gulp from his wine. When she returns the big bottle of wine to him, itÂ´s empty (first indication to notice boozers ^_^). Laterwards at the dinning car, TetsurÃ´ gets into even more trouble, when another (cowboy dressed) passanger tries to pick a fight with the boy. However before the guy could draw his gun heÂ´s shot in the back. TetsurÃ´ turning to see who helped him, realizes itÂ´s the mysterious cloaked man again. When this man is about to walk off, TetsurÃ´ spots his gun...Cosmo Dragoon (okay they call it Cosmo Gun in the series ^_~) the WarriorÂ´s Weapon that he old lady on Titan gave to him, telling him that only few people in the universe are in possesion of this weapon (invented by her son *okay thatÂ´s not mentioned back then*). 999 lands on Heavy Melder, TetsurÃ´ and Maetel hop-off and walk to their hotel. However before they can fully enjoy their "usual proceedure" of checking-in (and Maetel taking a shower), Maetel tells TetsurÃ´ that she had some business to deal with and tells TetsurÃ´ that he should be careful on Heavy Melder (thereÂ´s the "you have an issue with me? LetÂ´s settle this with the gun"-sort of unwritten law that is dominating on this world). Somewhat puzzled over these word by Maetel and even more curious about her "business she has to deal of on her own" TetsurÃ´ decides to follow her/catch up with her after a little hesitation at first. However Maetel is nowhere to be found and so TetsurÃ´ looks at the side streets of the western like town of Gun Frontier. After some sarching, TetsurÃ´ sees a shadowy person walking through the side strees. Calling for Maetel he follows the person only to find himself at a little bar. At the bar, heÂ´s approaching the woman, however after a quick look he realizes that the person he followed is not Maetel. When TetsurÃ´ excuses himself for having thought the blue-haired beauty would be "someone else" one of the guys at the bar acts disgusted for confusing the great Leryuzu with "someone else". As we soon laterwards find out the woman TetsurÃ´ followed is a singer at this bar named Leryuzu. TetsurÃ´ also gets a little audio sample of why the men at this bar consider her to be a great singer, LeryuzuÂ´s performance (the song is btw. titled "Omoide namida iro" perfomed by Kaori Kumiko, of course the seiyuu for Leryuzu) manages to bring tears to the big rough gun-fighting men of Gun Frontier. During the perfomance TetsurÃ´ has a little talk with the barkeeper, who tells him about a Timecastle outside of Gun Frontier, controlled by a terrifying mechanoid pirate whoÂ´s said to be the great Captain Herlock. After telling this TetsurÃ´, the barkeeper hands him a drink...and as weÂ´ve seen during the opening minutes of this episode, TetsurÃ´Â´s level of bearing much alcohol is pretty low. So the drink knocks him out once again with Leryuzu noticing this. After a nightmare of Maetel calling for TetsurÃ´ while being shot, TetsurÃ´ wakes up and finds himself in an appartment...itÂ´s LeryuzuÂ´s room! When Leryuzu formally introduces himself to TetsurÃ´, he says that her name sounds familiar to him. "Is that so?" Leryuzu replies and after a little thinking TetsurÃ´ mentions the name of Ryuzu who heÂ´s meet early on the way to Dai Andromeda (episode 7 & 8 "JÃ»ryoku no Soko no Hakaba"). Surprised Leryuzu confesses to him that in fact Ryuzu is her sister (!).
TetsurÃ´ still worried about what is taking Maetel that long (especially given how quick people tend to draw their weapons to settle business on Heavy Melder) wanders the city of Gun Frontier at the evening. However heÂ´s not alone, as two cloaked guys bump into him. Of course TetsurÃ´Â´s first reaction (heÂ´s still a hot-headed/thick-headed boy at times ^_~) is to bitch that they should watch their step before bumping into people, but before TetsurÃ´ can properly complain, he remembers MaetelÂ´s words/advice (about "watching what you say to others here" due to people are always up for a little gun fight) and manages to restrain himself. Despite that the two guys more and more appear to angle for a reason to pick up fight with TetsurÃ´...which they of course soon get the chance for (TetsurÃ´ tries hard to restrain, yet his temper reaches its limits pretty). When heÂ´s about to draw his weapon (two against one boy...speaking of fairness), he surprisingly finds himself winning (aka shooting the guys). Despite that surprise winning (which is enabled by a certain cloaked man with a Cosmo Dragoon as well watching the scenery from a safe distance ^_~) TetsurÃ´ is more puzzled over that the two guys are actually mechanoid people...which must be connected with the time castle the barkeeper has told him about before. However why are those mechanoids and their pirate captain after him? TetsurÃ´ soon receivs an answer for this question, when Leryuzu approaches him. She tells him that she knows where Maetel has gone...to the PirateÂ´s time castle!
Thoughts:
This episode is the start of GT999Â´s one and only three-part story and with this being rather unique in regards of episode count the story is told over, the story itself is something that is considered by many one of the best of the series. I wonÂ´t disagree with this ^_^ The start of the Heavy Melder story is just perfectly handled by the TV seriesÂ´ staff. The first part of this episode included a lot of elements that you just have to love. From LeryuzuÂ´s perfomance at the bar, the people at the bar (youÂ´ve got to love how "worried" this grown up and rough men are about the kid that went to the Time castle ^_^), the little connections in regards of LeryuzuÂ´s family thrown in...and on top of that, these three episode include some of the best moments of development in regards of the wonderful Maetel/TetsurÃ´ relationship. ItÂ´s so wonderful and bittersweet to see how Maetel becomes more and more "serious" and slightly depressive (at least judging by her voice and facial expressions at times) as the journey of 999 is reaching to its last half. The inclusion of Herlock was perfectly done as well. As it was the case with EmeraldasÂ´ appearance in episode 22 "Kaizokusen Queen Emeraldas" I have to admit that I was somehow disappointed by how subtle HerlockÂ´s appearance in the whole "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" three-parter was during my initial viewing. However "these days" (makes me sound like an old fart ^_^") I do consider it very tastefully handled (and as much as I adore Rintaro and his works...I do think he should have kept to that concept for the movie(s) *then again you canÂ´t blame Rintaro being fond of *his* character Herlock ^_~*) as Helen said "sitting back and letting a woman and a mere boy doing his job" ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-06-2006, 01:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I have to apologize for being super lazy and not posting anymore synopses over the last couple of days. It's been hectic at work and when I get home I just don't feel like turning on a PC and taking 60-120 minutes to type them up. Rest assured I will be back ASAP with my eps 75+ synopses.

[/ QUOTE ]

Looking forward to your thoughts/summaries as usual /images/graemlins/happy.gif
Speaking of which IÂ´m also looking forward to see wether with Natsume Maya having returned from his holiday this also means some more additional thoughts in the Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari discussion?

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Wow... just... wow. I wonder what people not in the know will think when visiting that airport?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably another case of "Those weird Japanese!"? *j/k*

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Might be worth a trip to Japan just to check the robot out.;)

[/ QUOTE ]

That and maybe catching a tour with the (Matsumoto designed) Himiko waterbus (http://www.suijobus.co.jp/), a ride with one of the 999 trains (http://www15.plala.or.jp/chihoku/rappingu.html) of Furusato Gingasen and the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 attraction/rollercoaster tour (http://www.princehotels.co.jp/shinagawa/aquastadium/attraction/index.html) at the Epson Aqua Stadium. To bad Cosmo World has closed down -.-

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-06-2006, 07:15 PM

Eps 75 Mizu no Kuni no Shaian Prt 1

This one starts out with an unscheduled stop on a planet that is covered in water. Maetel mentions that this is a planet she knows nothing about. Considering it isnâ€™t one of the usual stops for the 999, that could be the reason. /images/graemlins/wink.gif This also happens to be the only occasion, that I can recall anyway, where the 999 makes a landing completely in the water.

After they touch down, Tetsuro notices a rusted ramp, a ramp similar to what the 999 generally lands on and takes off from. As they survey their surroundings, they notice an underwater city. Almost no sooner that they notice the city does an underwater ship pop to the surface to greet them. After their meeting the President, Waterplace (I though they were calling him Walter something or other actually), Maetel and Tetsuro hop on board the ship and begin the decent to the underwater city. The Conductor passes, as well all know how much he LOVES water. ;-)

On the way to the underwater city, Tetsuro mentions there is no life in the ocean and wonders why. On a side note, I really liked the water effect used in this episode, what they used to symbolize the travelers being underwater. Soon after wondering about the missing life, the ship is attacked by locals, locals that resemble Native Americans. These people are known as the Shaian (Cheyenneâ€¦ get it?). After avoiding any real trouble, the ship arrives in the town where Maetel and Tetsuro are given suits to allow them to breath underwater. These suits are opposite of what the locals use, as they use the suits on the surface to supply themselves with water, not oxygen. So the 2 are thrown a welcoming party, where we are presented with a rather funny incident where Tetsuro attempts to drink in his suit. Thereâ€™s a hole at the top of the helmet where the liquid/food is dropped into the suitâ€¦ and he nearly drowns in his tea/whatever. 

During their dinner, the President tells them that he would like to take his people and leave the planet, where upon Tetsuro asks him why he doesnâ€™t just make a space ship. This is where he relates the tale of how they had tried to create a space ship and failed, which is what the launch site is on the beach on the surface. After Tetsuro and Maetel make it known they wonâ€™t help them leave, they are knocked out and awaken in a glass air pod. Water is slowly added to the pod so as to drown the 999 passengers. After the water begins filling the pod, and after it fills to a point where Maetel fears for Tetsuro, she agrees to assist the President with his plan. After agreeing to assist, the President begins the evacuation of the city and then promptly destroys it.

At some point during the above scenes, we are presented with the Shaian who live in underwater caves. Of note would be the most militant of them all, Geronimo. Geronimoâ€™s love interest (playing again towards love) is Suji and Geronimoâ€™s cooler headed brother, Nabaro. Nabaro tries to convince Geronimo to live in peace with the other inhabitants of the ocean world, though he wants nothing with it.

So Geronimo sneaks into the ships with the people wanting to leave the planet. As they are boarding the 999, he confronts the President, who manages to trick him and shoot him from behind, basically ending the rebellion from the natives.

So thatâ€™s the end of this episode.

Eps 76 Mizu no Kuni no Shaian Prt 2

This episode picks up where the last trailed off, with the Walterplace people hijacking the 999. Once on board an in the vastness of space, the 999 sends off a hijack signal to the Galaxy Police or whatever they are called.

Cut back to Nabaro, Geronimoâ€™s brother, who has decided he wants revenge. After the act of savagery against their previous leader, all of the planetâ€™s remaining inhabitants want revenge. What happens next is they all board the remaining space vessel that was left by the Waterplace people. The full launch is revealed and off they go, aware of the past failures in leaving the atmosphere.

Back at the 999, the authorities arrive in an attack train, threatening the people aboard the 999. At this point Waterplace tells the Conductor to warp, and the Conductor hesitates. Of course, Waterplace has some bargaining chips, in that he threatens to shoot Maetel and Tetsuro, at which point he gives in and away the 999 goes, followed by shots fired by the attack train. The 999 disappears, only to reappear FACING the attack train. The authorities pursuing locals catch up to the 999 at which point the Conductor attacks Waterplaces bodyguard, rescuing Maetel and Tetsuro. Once saved, Tetsuro tells the Conductor heâ€™s cool. ;-) 

Nabaro finds Waterplace and threatens to kill him. Tetsuro, being the kind hearted child, steps in and attempts to stop Nabaro from attacking, as heâ€™d rather see Waterplace turned over to the authorities. Tetsuro tells Nabaro that he shouldnâ€™t give up and should live like humans should, living life and trying their hardest to succeed. During the conversation, the bodyguard recovers, rescues Waterplace and takes Suji hostage. Waterplace and his bodyguard begin to make their way off the 999 using Suji.

Tetsuro comes up with a brilliant idea, he will climb out a window and attack them from outside. Maetel gives him one of her special earrings to assist him. After he climbs outside and drops the flash earring into the rail car Waterplace is in, Nabaro catches up and shoots Waterplaceâ€™s wetsuit, and so Waterplace, the evil bastard that he was, dies and Nabaro returns to the water planet with his people, doing as Tetsuro told him.

The final bit, where Maetel and Tetsuro reflect on the experience at the previous planet, has Maetel telling Tetsuro that it is his spirit and courage that saved those people and that space is full of suffering.

So thereâ€™s my synopses of the next 2 episodes. While they werenâ€™t the best, I donâ€™t feel as negatively towards them as littleharlock seems to. I also donâ€™t have experience with the Manga with which to compare the way he does, so that may be part of it.

They certainly could have done things differently, or sped them up, but you know, I donâ€™t mind them dragging some things out with this series. For me itâ€™s all part of this great master piece, and the series is the sum of itâ€™s parts, not equal to itâ€™s least attractive parts.

If I get a chance tomorrow, Iâ€™m going to do at least the next 2 episodes, and if Iâ€™m lucky, knock out 5 episodes so as to take care of the BEST part of the series thus far, the 3 parter with Herlock. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

slerch666

03-07-2006, 01:11 PM

These 2 episodes are probably the best continued story arc I had seenâ€¦ until I watched the 3 parter directly after these episodes.

Eps 77 Shokumei Seijo Pr 1

This episode begins with the Conductor explaining that this next destination has endless rain. Of course we know Tetsuro hates the rain, and remembers the woman from MANY episodes ago, the mud woman named Maetel who died on the flight she decided to take aboard the 999. Once the 999 touches down, Maetel and Tetsuro are standing at the deck of the train station, only to see an old man get pushed down by a fat, rather obnoxious man who appears to be rich. The 2 come into the story more a little later on, along with the wife/husband passengers who disembark from the 999 at this stop. As littleharlock stated, the couple is Poem and Columbus. I donâ€™t recall names given to the old man or the fat man, though I probably should have checked the creditsâ€¦

During the little scuffle, we learn of the soul eating witch, a local â€œmythâ€? about a witch who eats the souls of travelers.

Once at the hotel, Maetel and Tetsuro check in. One thing I found rather telling about how this episode was going to play out was when the duo goes to stay in their room. As they leave the front desk, the woman who runs the hotel, Boron, tells them rest in peace. Yasuraka ni nemure I believe is how she puts it, which is what Iâ€™ve grown accustomed to the Japanese saying for the English equivalent for Rest in Peace when a person dies.

So Maetel and Tetsuro enter their room, only to find that the ceiling/roof is anything but water proof, which is when Boron tells them that this is the best room in the place. If thatâ€™s the best room in the place, Iâ€™d hate to see the worst!

Tetsuro complains his futon stinks and has a really difficult time trying to sleep because of the leaking ceiling. It also doesnâ€™t help that the old man whom they met earlier in the day is chanting LOUDLY and keeping all the other guests awake. It turns out all the people involved in the train incident are all staying at this hotel.

At this point, the rain starts to get worse, which eventually causes the entire city to begin to flood. The 999â€™s passengers, collected in Maetel and Tetsuroâ€™s room, stand on the balcony, wondering how they are to save themselves.

During this time, the 999 is forced to make an emergency take off in order to prevent it from being trapped on the planet. As the 999 takes off, the Conductor hopes that Maetel and Tetsuro are OK (he doesnâ€™t even bother thinking about the other passengers LOL)

Shift back to the balcony, and a mysterious girl in a boat arrives, offering them a ride through the waterâ€¦ for 100 gold coins per person. The couple decides to dump the rich man and steal his money, using it to pay their fare. As they are leaving, Tetsuro tells them they should die. Little does he knowâ€¦

All of a sudden the hotel begins to break apart, casting Maetel and Tetsuro into the water, along with the old man. Maetel and Tetsuro are separated, and near Tetsuro is the old man. Tetsuro has some final dialog with the old man (canâ€™t recall what it was and I didnâ€™t note it) just as the old man is swept away.

Pan away from Tetsuro and switch scenes to a tall building, atop of which is a flame, similar in appearance to a light house. This is the boat womanâ€™s abode, or rather where she really lives with Queen Coflame (I wrote it out as Kuflame, so Iâ€™m using littleharlockâ€™s Romanization). Coflame takes the lives of her captives to drink the flame of life which we all possess apparently. This helps sustain her. We are then presented with the husband and wife having their flames extracted by Aku, the boat woman.

Thatâ€™s the end of this episode, on to the next. ;-)

Eps 78 Shokumei Seijo Pr 2

The episode begins with Aku taking Maetelâ€™s fire of life. It also turns out that Tetsuro somehow turned up at Coflameâ€™s house. I canâ€™t recall how he got there, but Iâ€™m thinking he washed up there, or was it that Aku picked him up? Anyway, Tetsuro is there, and is forced to watch as Aku operates the machine to extract Maetelâ€™s fire. Tetsuro frantically tries to wake Maetel up, but has no success and her fire is extracted. Aku takes Tetsuro to Boron (person running the hotel) and has her watch him while Aku takes the fire to Coflame.

In order to escape, Tetsuro fakes being sick (isnâ€™t that how people break from jail all the time?) and gets away. He quickly catches up to Aku, whom relates her sad tale. It turns out that Aku is a Mechanoid and, having regretted her decision, is saving up her money to return to a flesh and blood body. Which is why the ride in the boat was so expensive. After she relates her story, little Tetsuro, being touched by her sadness, canâ€™t bring himself to shoot and kill her.

So Aku takes Maetelâ€™s flame to Coflame. Colombus happens to be in the chamber with his wife and offers to capture Tetsuro if he and Poem can be given the flame of life. Coflame agrees and lets him go. Colomubus quickly locates Tetsuro and returns to the Queen. She then presents Colombus with his reward, a goblet full of the flame of life. What he fails to notice is that his lovely wife Poem is nowhere to be seen. He quickly drinks down his reward, after which Coflame begins to laugh maniacally. It turns out his wife isnâ€™t around becauseâ€¦ Coflame extracted her flam and gave it to him to drink! Stricken with grief Colombus runs from the chamber, eventually jumping from the top of the tower to his death.

Having obtained Tetsuro, Coflame sends Aku down to the extraction room to remove his flame. Before he leaves, however, it turns out that Coflame cannot partake of Maetelâ€™s flame as it is far too bright, brighter than she has ever experienced before.

Aku leads Tetsuro to the extraction room, but is unable to bring herself to take his life. In the meantime, Maetelâ€™s fire is returned to the extraction room and her life is returned. We are then presented with Coflame in her chamber. A goblet containing some of the fire of life arrives in the room, and upon seeing it she drinks it down. It turns out that this particular flame is poison to the Queenâ€¦ but whose fire could it be? None other than Aku, who gives her life in order to save the lives of Tetsuro and Maetel!

I donâ€™t remember exactly where, but there was a really touching scene, once Maetel has been rescued, where Tetsuro and Maetel hug one another, both obviously relieved that no harm has come to the other. And upon returning to the 999, Tetsuro also hugs the Conductor. LOL

In the after the dilemma bit, where Tetsuro and Maetel reflect upon the incidents they experienced, we learn that Tetsuroâ€™s kindness was Akuâ€™s undoing. Tetsuro, in another touching moment, makes the comment that Maetelâ€™s fire of life was beautiful. He then rests his head on Maetelâ€™s lap to sleep.

The ending commentary makes mention that the fire of life burns brighter for our loved ones.

There was a lot of great stuff going on in these episodes, even if Maetel didnâ€™t appear all that much.

[ QUOTE ]
These two characters IMO had/have a lot in common

[/ QUOTE ]

I didnâ€™t really look at it that when I watched the episodes, but now that you mention it, that makes a lot of sense and makes my opinion of the story presented as being â€œthatâ€? much better for it.

And again, even though Maetel wasnâ€™t in the episodes much, the amount of relationship development between Maetel and Tetsuro was tremendous, and rather important to the story Iâ€™d say.

The only thing from keeping this 2 parter from being the best story Iâ€™ve watched thus far, is the 3 parter that immediately followed.

Hopefully Iâ€™ll have some thoughts/synopses up for the next 3 eps today or tomorrow. Itâ€™s looking like tomorrow more than likely if not later though.

littleharlock

03-07-2006, 01:57 PM

First of all great summaries slerch666 (this gives me the confirmation that I obviously tend to suck typing up summaries, the ones you write are in much more detail in the places that are important to the episodeÂ´s story IMO).
Maybe I should start taking notes as well /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

<regarding Episode 77>
[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Of course we know Tetsuro hates the rain, and remembers the woman from MANY episodes ago, the mud woman named Maetel who died on the flight she decided to take aboard the 999.

[/ QUOTE ]

You know I completely missed that when typing up my thoughts on 18...but by recently checking on some seiyuu lists for the series I had typed up ages ago I stumbled over the quite interesting note that Doro no Maetel has been voiced by no-one-less than Noriko Ohara (aka THE voice of MÃ®me from UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock). Thought it was worth noting given your MÃ®me fetish *j/k* /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
During the little scuffle, we learn of the soul eating witch, a local â€œmythâ€? about a witch who eats the souls of travelers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah I think it was the old man that told the guests about this "myth"...completely missed to point that out in my summary /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Tetsuro has some final dialog with the old man (canâ€™t recall what it was and I didnâ€™t note it) just as the old man is swept away.

[/ QUOTE ]

I *think* (canÂ´t remember correctly) it was that he doesnÂ´t want TetsurÃ´ to waste time helping him (you know the typical "oh boy, I lived a happy life, donÂ´t waste youÂ´re time saving an old fart like me" type of speeches ^_^). Interesting to see that TetsurÃ´ and Maetel were pretty much the only guests at the hotel that werenÂ´t only concerned about their own savety during the rain catastrophe

<regarding Episode 78>
[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
In the after the dilemma bit, where Tetsuro and Maetel reflect upon the incidents they experienced, we learn that Tetsuroâ€™s kindness was Akuâ€™s undoing. Tetsuro, in another touching moment, makes the comment that Maetelâ€™s fire of life was beautiful. He then rests his head on Maetelâ€™s lap to sleep.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could be remembering incorrectly (so please point it out to me, if IÂ´m wrong there) but wasnÂ´t this also the episode that ended with TetsurÃ´ *holding* Maetel's hands while sleeping/resting on her lap? That was such a touching scene and a very well fitting final scenery for such a decent two-part episode IMO.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
And again, even though Maetel wasnâ€™t in the episodes much, the amount of relationship development between Maetel and Tetsuro was tremendous, and rather important to the story Iâ€™d say.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amazing how the TV seriesÂ´ staff (and Matsumoto of course ^_~) could handle character development despite the most twisted situations /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-07-2006, 02:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
It's nice actually how they try to stick with the same voice actors - a lovely touch for the robot Maetel to be voiced by her long-time actress! I do like how, where possible, they try to stick with the same people despite 25+ years and changes of studio! (SSM of course has Keiko Han reprising her role as Yayoi/Promethium as well as the "old" voice of Maetel doing the voice-overs... sadly Makio Inoue's voice went west years ago (as any Lupin fan can testify!!) otherwise he'd probably still be voicing Captain Tight-ar<cough> Harlock...!! ;-) (We can but dream, given the current two passing the part between them... Can't someone give Kazuhiku Inoue a go?? Did a bang up job as "Captain Harlock look-alike winner 2003", Yuuki Wataru... ;-) Ahhh... the voice of Dusty Attenborough... my second favourite in LoGH;-))

[/ QUOTE ]

Being addicted to Masako IkedaÂ´s voice since Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 I very much appreciate her reprising the role (and also doing other "roles" on other Matsumoto projects aside GT999, same with her loveliness Yoko Asagami whoÂ´s done oh-so-many great roles on Matsumoto projects including the infamous Claire ^_^). Of course there are projects that just donÂ´t "enable" her to reprise it. So, despite my love of her voice I *do* agree that the way this issue has been handled in UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel was clever (as said her voice has become quite..."deeper" these days than back in the GT999 TV days, so it just didnÂ´t fit the Maetel in that series *without wanting to go into any spoilers*).
Interestingly I found Satsuki Yukino did a *much* better job in that series than in the horrible Maetel Legend OVA (yeah I still try to get that series out of my head and deny its existance ^_^).

Speaking of Seiyuu reprising their roles, I found it great to hear/see Isao Sasaki returning on a Yamato Matsumoto project as Captain Ozuma in the Dai Yamato Zero-gÃ´ OVA (not to speak of Yuko Minaguchi as HongÃ´ and Romi Paku as Apolonia who both rock ^_^)

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
BTw - have you guys noticed how often Makio Inoue turns up in the GE999 credits playing complete smarmy b*st*rds...?? It seems the only time he's in an episode and he *doesn't* take on the role of a backstabbing treacherous little so-and-so is in the one episode where said backstabbing swine is impersonating Harlock...! ;-)

[/ QUOTE ]

Four times in four different roles if I didnÂ´t miss one (when I typed up the Seiyuu list ages ago).

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-08-2006, 02:47 AM

Finally managed to finish typing up summary/thoughts for the next two parts of one of the greatest (if not *the* greatest) story for Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999.

â€¢ Episode 80 - "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" Part 2 (of 3)
The Basic Story:
The previous episode ended with Leryuzu telling TetsurÃ´ that she knows where Maetel went to, the pirateÂ´s time castle. So this episode starts out with TetsurÃ´ wanting to know how to reach the feared castle. Best way to ask for your way is...to rush back to the bar and ask the old barkeeper whoÂ´s told him about the time castleÂ´s existance in the first place. However when he tries to ask, the fellow rough men at the bar are somewhat upset about the "stupid brat" thinking he could just go to the dangerous time castle and beat the pirate (suspected by the people of Gun Frontier to be no-one-less than Herlock) easily (especially considering the terror reign status the pirate has despite the big, fighting-experienced men of Gun Frontier that realized thereÂ´s no way to beat him) as well as fearing to get into trouble with the fearsome pirate and his mechanoid men because of the brat. One of the men at the bar even goes that far and tries to beat the crap out of TetsurÃ´ (according to the theme "if you even canÂ´t beat a drunk man how are you possible thinking you could beat the fearsome Captain Herlock ^_~") however before the man (whoÂ´s got a very noticeable nose ^_^) can do that, a manÂ´s voice interferes. ItÂ´s the voice of the mysterious cloaked man that TetsurÃ´ already had the pleasure with in the previous episode. The man tells them to let TetsurÃ´ go (along the lines saying that the kid is probably more of a man than the guys at the bar spending their time frustrated over the current situation Heavy Melder is at) and after a little demonstration of the cloaked guyÂ´s weapon-draw abilities they chose to listen to his words ^_^ Once TetsurÃ´ is released by the man, the barkeeper tells him how to reach the time castle. Next thing for TetsurÃ´ of course is to reach it (although itÂ´s in the middle of the night). Looking around at the outside of the bar he finds a bike-looking moped in the backyard of the bar. When heÂ´s about to "lend" himself the moped, Leryuzu awaits him. She asks him why heÂ´s going to get himself into danger and plans to travel to the time castle. TetsurÃ´ states as reason that he wants to protect/save Maetel. Leryuzu still in the "convince" mood asks TetsurÃ´ wether heÂ´s not afraid. After the typical boy-like response "Of course IÂ´m not afraid", TetsurÃ´ expands this answer with (again) stating that even *if* heÂ´d be afraid he has to save Maetel. And without wanting to listen any longer to LeryuzuÂ´s questions, he starts the moped and rides towards the direction of the time castle.
On his way towards the time castle through the desert-like outlands of Heavy Melder (according to the direction the old barkeeper told him) TetsurÃ´ finds himself stopped by a surprising attack of missiles! When his trip is stopped by a crash course he had to take due to the missile attack TetsurÃ´ soon finds himself surrounded by the armed attackers...mechanoids (which look like Kamen Rider ^_^)! The situation gets even more bizarre when the leader of these mechanoid attackers arrive at the field as itÂ´s Leryuzu! Planning to take TetsurÃ´ to the time castle, TetsurÃ´ asks her why she attacked him and why she is working with the pirate terrorizing Gun Frontier. Leryuzu replies that the timecastle is her home and will be her grave.
Once they arrive at the time castle TetsurÃ´ finds himself reunited with his beloved Maetel. However he also has his first meeting with the feared pirate whoÂ´s stating himself to be the well-known pirate Captain Herlock! Maetel whoÂ´s come to the castle to confront the pirate stating as reason that she "wonÂ´t forgive him the betrayal he does" (note that she doesnÂ´t adress him as Herlock but as "Kaizoku-san") shortly afterwards has her chance of a duel with the pirate. However self-proclaimed Herlock doesnÂ´t play fair and so Maetel finds herself not only having to fight him but also the mechanoid minions of the pirate. In the end of the battle the pirate manages to hurt Maetel at her obvious weak point...TetsurÃ´! He opens a time rift inside the castle in which TetsurÃ´ falls into. Only hold back by a tentacle the pirate tells Maetel either to give up or else heÂ´s going to let TetsurÃ´ fall into the the time rift. Maetel should have known better because once she put down her weapon the honorless pirate didnÂ´t pull back TetsurÃ´ with the tentacle and so TetsurÃ´Â´s cloak rips off and the boy falls right into the time rift (however strangely Leryuzu watching the scenery also jumps into the time rift). This is one of the moments when you clearly see "never piss of Maetel" as Maetel gets *very* mad at the situation saying to the pirate that sheÂ´s now going to kill him for what heÂ´s done to TetsurÃ´!
Meanwhile when TetsurÃ´ regains consciousness he finds himself covered (or better said surrounded) by snow. When he manages to make his way out of the snow he realizes he arrived at a strange snowy place. By continuing to explore the place a little more TetsurÃ´ notices two people walking. Of course TetsurÃ´ tries to approach them, but it doesnÂ´t seem like those two hear him (and we all know how "noticable" TetsurÃ´Â´s voice can be ^_^"). Walking towards the two TetsurÃ´ is shocked once he does get a more close view at them....the two people are TetsurÃ´ himself and his mother! TetsurÃ´ who fall into the the flow of time has been stranded at the scenery of the time he was still with his mother. Inspecting the scenery a bit more he realizes that it is the day before his mother will get shot by Kikai Hakushaku!!
Thoughts:
What follows the events of a decent first part of this story is a second part that is even more decent. Honestly this episode includes so much amazing scenes that itÂ´s hard to describe them all and give them proper justice. Some of them where TetsurÃ´ trying to make his way to the time castle. Despite the people of Gun Frontier *and* Leryuzu trying to hold him back from this planned trip he does go on his trip to the castle. Not because heÂ´s the adventure-seeking kid, but for Maetel. To save and protect his precious Maetel. Laterwards some other decent scenes where the infamous "Maetel is *really* pissed-off". Man that was just one hell of a scene seeing Maetel with a really fearsome facial expression that also made the pirate cringe and turned him scared to the bones. The way the final half of the episode played out was just one breathtaking adaption of the manga.slight spoilers for the 1st movie This was what I missed in the movieÂ´s way of telling the time castle story. So TetsurÃ´ and Maetel are at the time castle and what happens to TetsurÃ´ does show that itÂ´s not only "named" time castle for no good reason. TetsurÃ´ facing the scenery of his mother getting killed once again, with him being unable to prevent it is just decent and you have to adore the way this story reflects the "time is repeating itself, the ring of time canÂ´t be broken" theme included here.end of Movie 1 spoiler I also found myself thinking that what it would have ment if TetsurÃ´ would have been able to interfere and prevent his motherÂ´s death. So he would be still with his mother...but would the two of them ever been able to board 999? Would they have survived at the snowy wasteland of Megalopolis much longer?Yet another spoiler for the 1st movie Another thing I clearly disliked about the way the first movie showed the time castle story is that it was just portraying TetsurÃ´ as the one able to manage the doom of the time castle. Heck it was Antares that had to help him in the end...and Maetel? She just waited at Gun Frontierend of Movie spoiler
Overall a very decently handled continuation of the "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" story. The coming conclusion isnÂ´t any less decent than what has been presented thus far. Honestly I totally agree with slerch that anyone asking her/himself what the major appeal of the TV series is, itÂ´s episodes like this that make the series an outstanding adaption of a equally decent manga. Matsumoto at his best!

â€¢ Episode 81 - "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" Part 3 (of 3)
The Basic Story:
The conclusion to the greatness the "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" story has been...and what a conclusion! TetsurÃ´ having fallen into the flow of time, caught back one day before the death of his mother, finding himself not being able to do anything to prevent this important event in his young life. Leryuzu followed TetsurÃ´ and basically has to watch this scenery with him as well. Continuing they see as young TetsurÃ´ lost his mother to be saved by the mysterious beauty Maetel. Leryuzu clearly sympathizing with TetsurÃ´Â´s situation takes him back to the present time (to the time castle). Back there Maetel managed to catch-up with the pirate (claiming himself to be Herlock) whoÂ´s trying his best to escape MaetelÂ´s rage. Just before she could fight him once again, Leryuzu and TetsurÃ´ arrive at the scenery. Taking the advantage of the situation (Maetel very delighted to see TetsurÃ´ is safe) the pirate orders Leryuzu to capture the two and still being the loyal servant Leryuzu does as ordered. When TetsurÃ´ and Maetel regain consciousness they find themself tied up with Leryuzu guarding them. TetsurÃ´ asks Leryuzu why she is loyal to such a person as the pirate of this time castle. A question to which Leryuzu tells them the story of how she first met the popular pirate Captain Herlock, a man that brought some new meaning to her life back when her precious sister Ryuzu left from Heavy Melder. This is the first time when Maetel mentions to Leryuzu (what is obvious to Matsumoto fans from the very beginning ^_^) the man that Leryuzu started to devote her life for is *not* the real Captain Herlock. Furthermore Maetel adds that Captain Herlock and the crew of the Arcadia are fighting for their freedom and *not* like the pirate captain of the time castle for his own personal advantages/benefits. Leryuzu remembers a bit more in detail how the self-acclaimed Herlock arrived on Heavy Melder and how *rudely* acted back then. Somewhat puzzled by this theory that the man she devoted her life for could be not the real Herlock, Leryuzu leaves TetusrÃ´ and Maetel alone. A chance for TetsurÃ´ to get them free again (yeah Leryuzu left TetsurÃ´Â´s Cosmo Dragoon back in the room theyÂ´re tied up). Meanwhile Leryuzu arrives at the captainÂ´s personal chamber and secretly watches the cloaked man sitting lazy on a chair drinking one bottle of wine after another. Given what Maetel told her about Herlock, the doubts of Leryuzu are slightly becoming bigger and bigger and she decides to confront the captain with her doubts...yet the bastard is only concerned if Leryuzu left Maetel and TetsurÃ´ back (unguarded). TetsurÃ´ and Maetel managed to escape and reached the chamber of "Herlock" as well. The final confrontation between Maetel and TetsurÃ´ with the Herlock and the truth behind him are upcoming
Thoughts:
The conclusion to this story wasnÂ´t anything less decent as the previous two episodes. The major focus of this episode is Leryuzu. With the "RyuzuÂ´s" being what you could call my favorite "minor characters" appearing in the Andromeda arc you can guess that I obviously enjoyed the way the story concluded. From the very start until the end you just canÂ´t help but sympathize with Leryuzu. Like her older sister she pretty much fell for a man that turned out just to use her for his own benefit. Ryuzu letting herself turn into a mechanoid for the count that found that would make his girlfriend more special, Leryuzu falling for a man that didnÂ´t even reveal her his true identity only using her as his personal time-controlling witch. The ending to this story was bittersweet and wonderful. The previous two episodes focused more on decent character development in regards of TetsurÃ´ and Maetel and their "relationship" (again IÂ´m amazed how this has been achieved with Maetel being not much part of the first episode ^_^). The conclusion included also some very nicely done action (whip wielding Maetel ^_~) and an ending/final scenery that will surely please every Matsumoto fanboy/girl out there *cough* Arcadia *cough*
However what I really found somewhat ironic was the very end. When TetsurÃ´ realized that the cloaked man that appeared on 999 in the first episode and in the bar at Gun Frontier was the real Herlock, he runs out to thank Herlock...I mean given that TetsurÃ´ basically handled some impostor issue that drags on HerlockÂ´s fame with Herlock basically sitting at a bar waiting for Maetel and TetsurÃ´ to settle things for him I found it somewhat funny that TetsurÃ´ thanks *him*!. Again decent stuff and Matsumoto space fantasy at its best!

The upcoming episode are pretty good as well and overall I just canÂ´t wait until I reach the wonderful Yukionna two-parter ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-08-2006, 09:23 AM

Holy crap man. I just broke out the notes for eps 79-81... and every time I start making a post up, I just keep looking ahead and seeing nearly 2 sides of a sheet of loose leaf paper (US sized /images/graemlins/wink.gif) and keep stopping mid track.

The 3 parter was the best set of episodes in the series. I was going to say hands down/easily, but there is a lot of great material to compare these 3 episodes to. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Luffy

03-08-2006, 11:30 AM

Mod Edit: As per our Forum Rules (http://www.animeondvd.com/aodrules.php), "Please do not post for sale, for trade or offer up items for free in messages."

Thanks.

slerch666

03-08-2006, 12:47 PM

Eps 79 Jikanjo no Kaizoku Prt 1

The way the episode begins is you have Maetel and Tetsuro in their normal seats (or were they in the dining car?). Tetsuro then poses a question to Maetel, who is looking even more depressed than usual. The question is that ever dreaded, loaded questionâ€¦ whatâ€™s wrong? Her reply is, of course, typical of Maetel (and most peopleâ€™s answer when posed the same question)â€¦ nothing is wrong. Tetsuro, however, wonders.

Turns out the next stop is the little known (j/k) planet of Heavy Melder. Anyone thatâ€™s seen past Matsumoto Anime, well, Herlock at least at this point in the time line, knows of Heavy Melder. The 999 will be staying for I believe it was a week and a day.

Watching this part play out, it really is obvious something is bother Maetel, and she seems quite a bit more down in the dumps than usual. The depression isnâ€™t really â€œspokenâ€? of by Maetel, itâ€™s all in her expressions and demeanor. Could I be reading into it? Certainly.

There was also a really cool reflection effect on the window Maetel was facing.

Suddenly, some mend bust into the rail car of Maetel and Tetsuro, fighting with one another. During the scuffle Tetsuro is hit and begins to get a little confrontational. Before anything worse happens, a mysterious cloaked man steps in and stops the fight, telling the 2 brawlers to settle their fight with drink. Of course, you can tell who it is right away, if the demeanor didnâ€™t give it away, the voice certainly does (Herlock of course). Once the men settle their fight, Tetsuro decides this mystery man is cool, and is offered a drink of the manâ€™s wine, which of course knocks Tetsuro for a loop. Of course, Maetel TRIED to stop him (my guess is so she could have more for herself lol). Guess he wasnâ€™t raised by alcoholics. /images/graemlins/wink.gif On a stupid side note, imagine Mime and Herlock raising a childâ€¦ no way that kid wouldnâ€™t wind up being a boozer! Once Tetsuro is on his bender, Maetel asks for some of the â€œstrongest booze in space.â€? And man, she CHUGS that wine, emptying the container, and not even getting tipsy. Now put her, Herlock and Mime in a room with unlimited wine and see who passes out first. Itâ€™s no wonder they made the Matsumoto wine.

One thing I donâ€™t think littlerharlock mentioned was, at this point, Maetel asks Tetsuro if he would have the confidence to continue the journey on his own if anything bad were to happen to her. Of course, Tetsuro has no real answer, and this is all just foreshadowing for the events to occur ahead. At this point Maetel leaves Tetsuro alone in the dining car. Tetsuro is then, again, bothered by another passenger, and is once again saved by the mystery man. The mystery man tells Tetsuro that he needs eyes on the back of his head to survive on Heavy Melder. Itâ€™s at this point that Tetsuro sees the special gun at the mystery manâ€™s side, the Cosmo Gun, just like the one at Tetsuroâ€™s side. They also detail the other owners of the Cosmo Gun, Herlock and Emeraldas from eps 22.

So they arrive at Heavy Melder, at which point Tetsuro asks Maetel about how she knows this planet. Her answer is that she had been there before with someone, though when asked about this â€œsomeoneâ€? she will provide no answer. When he continues to prod, a bird quite similar to Tori-san from Herlock, tells him it is impolite to question a lady.

Heavy Melder is similar to the Wild West in the US, or in Matsumoto terms, as littleharlock pointed out, the Gun Frontier. Maetel tells Tetsuro she needs to go off on business of her own, and for him to be careful not to fight, but also not to hesitate to shoot if he needs to pull out his gun. She then departs, and after a few seconds, it sinks in to Tetsuro that heâ€™s going to be left alone, so he attempts to follow Maetel. Of course, he quickly loses her. After a few minutes of wandering, Tetsuro spots a silhouette of a woman and assumes itâ€™s Maetel, so her follows the silhouette. To his surprise he winds up at a saloon/bar. He enters the facility and sees the woman standing at the bar, at which point her calls out for Maetel. Given the hair color, youâ€™d have thought heâ€™d have realized it wasnâ€™t Maetel, but whatever. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

So after being insulted by the bar patrons, the woman begins to sing a song, which promptly ends the little spat. Not a bad song at all actually. I hope itâ€™s on the Eternal Edition CD I ordered. While the woman is singing, Tetsuro looks around and sees all of the bar patrons crying. Not a small feat Iâ€™d say for a place where the men are â€œmenâ€™s men.â€? He also notices that there are 2 men who are not crying, which he thinks is odd but lets it go. We also see the back of the mystery man.

Once the song is over, Tetsuro learns from the bartender that a terrible pirate, by the name or Herlock, controls the area and lives in the Jikanjou/Time Castle. A drink is purchased for Tetsuro, which promptly knocks him flat. During his bout with unconsciousness, he sees a dream/vision of Maetel being killed. He awakens from his nightmare to find himself in someoneâ€™s bedroom. It turns out the singer, who reveals herself as Leryuzu. It then comes out that Leryuzu is the sister of Ryzu, whom Tetsuro met quite some time back, who had abducted him from the 999 and offered him a Mechanoid body. Considering Tetsuro knows her sister, and he seems rather kind, Leryuzu tells him to stop looking for Maetel, and instead stay with her. Tetsuro then tells Leryuzu that to him, Maetel is more important than his life. He promptly leaves, with Leryuzu staying behind, yet still trying to convince him not to leave.

Back on the streets, Tetsuro stops an older gentleman, a man he had met earlier in the episode if I am recalling correctly, if he knows where Maetel is. He begins to answer, but is quickly scared off by 2 men in dark outfits. The 2 men are the 2 men from the bar who werenâ€™t crying during the song. They corner Tetsuro, and remembering Maetelâ€™s words, is reluctant to pull his gun. Heâ€™s given little choice once they continue harassing him, at which point he draws and shoots, killing them both (with some help by the mystery man of course). If Iâ€™m remembering correctly, the mystery man approached Tetsuro, and Tetsuro questions why these people, who end up being Mechanoid, were after him. Their being Mechanoids the reason they werenâ€™t teary eyed during Leryuzuâ€™s performance. The mystery man leaves Tetsuro to his devices, and Leryuzu, whom I suppose was worried about Tetsuro, approaches him to find him crying. Not wanting to seem like a bad person (she didnâ€™t say Tetsuro should stay with her, or I donâ€™t remember her doing so). This is where Leryuzu tells Tetsuro that Maetel has gone to the Jikanjou/Time Castle. The episode ends with us watching Maetel walking through the desert towards her destination.

I just typed up 3 pages in Word about this single episode. Thatâ€™s 3 pages for a single episode when I usually get 2 episodes on 2.5-3 pages. I guess this just goes to show just how great this episode, and this 3 part series, is.

I may have the next 2 typed up today, but no promises. My notes arenâ€™t quite as thick for those episodes, so it should take a little less time to type up. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-09-2006, 10:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I hope itâ€™s on the Eternal Edition CD I ordered.

[/ QUOTE ]

Without wanting to "spoil you" the fun of listening to the two CD set, let me just add that youÂ´ll be positively surprised (keep an ear on track 12 and 13 on CD 1 and track 25 on the second CD ^_~).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I may have the next 2 typed up today, but no promises. My notes arenâ€™t quite as thick for those episodes, so it should take a little less time to type up. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Have to admit that I havenÂ´t continued watching beyond episode 81 yet ^_^" I was planning to continue re-watch yesterday, however looking at my DVD shelf the first DVD of UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel ~ Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Gaiden was just way to tempting to resist...and I donÂ´t know why (maybe because IÂ´ve spend quite a time watching and reading the manga *at least the parts I have with the second Wideban* for Sennen JoÃ´ in 2005) but I enjoyed and appreciate it way more than during the initial viewing (btw. did you find firstpresses for this series slerch?).
However IÂ´ll continue re-watching Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 tonight. Only a couple of more episodes before IÂ´ll finish the 5th DVD Box.

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-09-2006, 10:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Have to admit that I havenÂ´t continued watching beyond episode 81 yet ^_^" I was planning to continue re-watch yesterday, however looking at my DVD shelf the first DVD of UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel ~ Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Gaiden was just way to tempting to resist...and I donÂ´t know why (maybe because IÂ´ve spend quite a time watching and reading the manga *at least the parts I have with the second Wideban* for Sennen JoÃ´ in 2005) but I enjoyed and appreciate it way more than during the initial viewing (btw. did you find firstpresses for this series slerch?).
However IÂ´ll continue re-watching Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 tonight. Only a couple of more episodes before IÂ´ll finish the 5th DVD Box.

so far
yours
littleharlock

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, I've finished the 5th box, I just haven't posted anything about them all yet... /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

As far as the first press for Sennen Joo, I don't think the box w/ the cell phone strap is available anymore new... but I did score the cell phone strap off YAJ for ~$12 or so. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

If you meant the first presses for Uchu Kokyoshi... well, I found the first press for vol. 1 (w/ box, disc 2 and the extra goodies). BRAND NEW using Masato, so I paid an extra 1500 yen for it, but it was marked down to 7000 yen, so it came out at around MSRP. Still waiting to hear back from Hoteiya in regards to the first presses for vol. 3-6. I'm mostly concerned with the FP for vol. 6, as without it the damn box will have too much free space once I have all the DVDs. I'm just taking my time on collecting the series though, as I have plenty of other things to keep me occupied, and without being voiced my the real Maetel, I'm not all that concerned with seeing it NOW so to speak.

BTW, I should have the Mugen Kido SSX box today. Don't think it has the FP item, but how many cell phone straps does a person really need? I got the one that matters, the one for Uchu Kaizoku Captain Herlock. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-09-2006, 12:44 PM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
As far as the first press for Sennen Joo, I don't think the box w/ the cell phone strap is available anymore new... but I did score the cell phone strap off YAJ for ~$12 or so. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I somehow love the Gondola strap that came with Sennen JoÃ´. Left if unopened in the box since this time around Toei designed the box it comes with rather "displayworthy" (meaning that you can display the strap pretty easily without actually having to open the box like it was the case with the two Arcadia phonestraps).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
If you meant the first presses for Uchu Kokyoshi... well, I found the first press for vol. 1 (w/ box, disc 2 and the extra goodies). BRAND NEW using Masato, so I paid an extra 1500 yen for it, but it was marked down to 7000 yen, so it came out at around MSRP. Still waiting to hear back from Hoteiya in regards to the first presses for vol. 3-6. I'm mostly concerned with the FP for vol. 6, as without it the damn box will have too much free space once I have all the DVDs. I'm just taking my time on collecting the series though, as I have plenty of other things to keep me occupied, and without being voiced my the real Maetel, I'm not all that concerned with seeing it NOW so to speak.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah this was the series I was actually refering to ^_^"
I agree the space left in the box for the binder can be quite annoying if you are going to purchase the series now. The way SPO handled this with Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari and the binder that came with the ltd. edition of Vol. 1 was more clever IMO (not to speak that I consider the binder that came with GTM looks way better than the cardboard binder that comes with the first press of Symphony.6 for UKM). I was also a bit pissed-off when Avex Mode announced that the 6th DVD wonÂ´t come with one of those really lovely firstpress stand-up cards and "just" the binder for the passes.
If you donÂ´t mind a little recommendation in regards of this series: DonÂ´t watch it until youÂ´ve watched at least the Sennen JoÃ´ movie.
Regarding Ikeda not voicing Maetel in the series. She does at least the narration (so itÂ´s not like they completely "left her out") and overall the Seiyuu and their performance in the series was not one of the flaws the series has. Satsuki YukinoÂ´s performance was really not bad (though IÂ´d say itÂ´s hard for any Seiyuu to reach the decent level Masako Ikeda reached as Maetel IMO ^_~) and it even featured other "returning" seiyuu.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
BTW, I should have the Mugen Kido SSX box today. Don't think it has the FP item, but how many cell phone straps does a person really need? I got the one that matters, the one for Uchu Kaizoku Captain Herlock. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Have to agree with you, the blue Arcadia and the Gondola strap are the best.
Btw. planning a discussion for SSX? My memories on that one should be pretty fresh given that I re-watched it before Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-09-2006, 01:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
I agree the space left in the box for the binder can be quite annoying if you are going to purchase the series now.

[/ QUOTE ]
When I first started looking, a complete series w/binder and all the FP goodies could be had for ~25,000 Yen. Over the last couple of weeks, when there has been a drought of a complete set, I saw a complete set, unopened on all volumes, sell for ~45,000 Yen, which is even more than the series brand new anyway! No thanks.

There was also a used set that went for 33,000 Yen. If I can't get first presses for anything other than disc 6 I'd be OK with that. Wanna sell yours? /images/graemlins/wink.gif (it was worth a try, even though I know the answer LOL)

[ QUOTE ]
If you donÂ´t mind a little recommendation in regards of this series: DonÂ´t watch it until youÂ´ve watched at least the Sennen JoÃ´ movie.

[/ QUOTE ]
I hadn't planned on actually watching it unti I had it all. I mean, considering I want the FP items, it could be a while before I have it all, and I'm guessing the Sennen Joo series will be here before then. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Satsuki YukinoÂ´s performance was really not bad (though IÂ´d say itÂ´s hard for any Seiyuu to reach the decent level Masako Ikeda reached as Maetel IMO ^_~) and it even featured other "returning" seiyuu.

[/ QUOTE ]
Something about Kaname Chidori/Kagome doing Maetel's voice has me sort of curious... yet sort of dreading... watching the series.

[ QUOTE ]

Btw. planning a discussion for SSX? My memories on that one should be pretty fresh given that I re-watched it before Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 ^_^

[/ QUOTE ]
In all honesty, I REALLY want to finish GT 999 first, before hopping into SSX, and I don't want to continue on with GT999 until my synopses are a little more caught up. I still have 13 more to write before I catch up.

But yeah, I was thinking of starting something at least. I may not make the in depth synopses I've been doing for GT999 though, as without doing those I'd have posts about every episode up by now. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

slerch666

03-09-2006, 02:33 PM

Eps 80 Jikanjo no Kaizoku Prt 2

So, now that Tetsuro knows that Maetel went to the Time Castle, he needs to find out how to get there. He winds up back at the bar, since the people there are OH so helpful. In the bar, he is confronted by several of the bar patrons who are put off by the fact that â€œjust some kidâ€? wants to find the castle and has the audacity to think he can actually do something about the feared pirate living there. Before the confrontation becomes messy, Tetsuro is, once again, rescued by the mystery man. After being rescued, the bartender gives Tetsuro some directions to see him on his way.

Once outside, Tetsuro decides he is going to help himself to a motor bike sitting next to the bar. Before he can take off, Leryuzu stops him. She is still curious about his motivations. Tetsuroâ€™s answer is that he has to save Maetel, even at risk to his own life, even if it means fighting Herlock himself or he will live with the regret for the rest of his life. Of course, if he were to actually become a Mechanoid that would be a rather long time to feel that pain. Leryuzu fails to convince Tetsuro to not go to Maetel, and he starts on his way towards the Time Castle.

Once in the desert, Tetsuro spots some footprints. I guess he magically assumes they are Maetelâ€™s (though one could argue that with how scared the locals are of the Time Castle, who elseâ€™s footprints would they be?) and follows them. After a small bit of traveling, and passing through a sand storm, unrelenting, he begins to be attacked by missiles and is thrown from the bike. It turns out these missiles are the out defense systems (I think they were auto defense) of the Time Castle.

Tetsuro is then attacked by Mechanoid men led by none other than Leryuzu. She takes Tetsuro hostage (even he isnâ€™t dumb enough to think heâ€™d survive attacking a dozen or so Mechanoids). It turns out she works for the pirate, and in fact seems to have feelings for him (another instance of love being a factor in the stories in this box). I translated this a little differently than littleharlock, as he said that Leryuzu was going to consider the castle her grave, but my notes say that she was saying that the castle would be Tetsuro and Maetelâ€™s graves, not her own. I could be wrong on that.

Flash to Maetel in the castle. In my notes I mention there is an interesting warp in effect, though I canâ€™t recall it at the moment. Maetel is there to fight the pirate, and mentions something about his trickery being the reason. A sword fight between the 2 ensues, only to be interrupted by none other than Leryuzu with Tetsuro. Knowing Maetelâ€™s weak point, the pirate uses this to his advantage by opening a hole in the floor of the castle below Tetsuroâ€™s feet. Before he falls completely in, he is â€œrescuedâ€? by a strange tentacle thing. The pirate, being a ruthless bastard, tells Maetel that if she puts her weapon down, Tetsuro will be OK. Since itâ€™s Tetsuro, and we all know how Maetel has begun to feel about the boy, she does as he asks. This of course is the wrong answer, as then the pirate simply lets Tetsuro fall into the hole (which had some weird jellyfish looking things floating around in the air). Leryuzu also jumps into the hole with Tetsuro, so you can tell she also seems to be affected by Tetsuroâ€™s genuine kindness.

After Tetsuro falls into the pit/hole, Maetel gets PISSED. Iâ€™m talking her face, her voice and her actions go into this sort of what Iâ€™d call a rage. Weâ€™ve seen Maetel sad, weâ€™ve seen her worried and weâ€™ve seen her in several â€œannoyedâ€? moments. Not once, however, have we seen Maetel genuinely pissed, and damn is she not someone you want to piss off! Because sheâ€™s never been shown in such a fashion, the whole thing makes for QUITE a memorable scene. Awesome.

So Maetel threatens the pirate with death for what he has done. Of course, the pansy pirate wannabe hauls butt out of the area, trying to get as far from the fiery Maetel as possible.

Cut back to Tetsuro who awakens to find himself dropped into the past. He sees the shadowy figures of a larger and smaller figure, which turns out being him and his mother the day that his mother was killed. I recall them saying it was the day before, but with the way it played out, it was shown like it was the afternoon prior to the killing. So I was a little confused.

We are shown Tetsuro enjoying himself close to his mother while sitting in their house, in front of a nice warm fire crackling in the fire place. Tetsuro is handed a treat (I think it was bread) from his mother, who gives him the entire thing. Instead of selfishly eating it all himself (like some children, and even adults, would), he breaks it in half, giving it to his mother. Of course, his mother is just as selfless as he is, and instead of eating it, she slyly places it in a bag beneath her robe, I suppose in order to have the ability to feed him the following day. All the while Tetsuro is standing in the window, watching his own past unfold before his eyes. He also tries to interact with them, to warn them, with no success. He cannot interact with what he is being shown, like a video playing back his life. He can watch but can affect no changes.

Suddenly they are attacked by none other than Kikai Hakushaku, and Tetsuro is forced to, once again relive the death of his mother.

One thing I find interesting is that even though the entire series revolves around Tetsuroâ€™s promise to his mother, we very rarely have to see the memory of his mother replayed, and while it doesnâ€™t have much effect on a viewer the first time through (I mean, his mother dies before we even know anything about either of them, other than the fact that they are running for their lives), itâ€™s an extremely poignant use of the past later in the series, as now weâ€™ve grown to understand some of Tetsuro and can actually empathize with him, and seeing his mother die, which still affects him in an emotional manner, causes an emotional response in the viewer. Hell, thinking about Maetel pissed (and when she was fearfully screaming for him in the upcoming snow episodeâ€¦ littleharlock knows what I mean) and about Tetsuroâ€™s reaction to this replay of his past, causes an emotional response in myself. It truly is an amazing, amazing series that elicits this type of response, even when I am so far removed in terms of my viewing of the last episode I watched. I only wish more people could experience this.

Well, thereâ€™s another little more than 2 page synopsis (in Word at least) of episode 80. I donâ€™t have many notes for it, but somehow I was able to recall a lot just by perusing them. I donâ€™t know that Iâ€™ll get eps 81 out today or not. I kind of doubt it, but Iâ€™ll try.

slerch666

03-09-2006, 02:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Thoughts:
What follows the events of a decent first part of this story is a second part that is even more decent. Honestly this episode includes so much amazing scenes that itÂ´s hard to describe them all and give them proper justice.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to agree that this was better than the first episode of the 3 parter, but saying that isnâ€™t easy. By NO means does this reflect poorly on the first episode, as it was amazing in itâ€™s own right. However, given Maetelâ€™s reaction to losing Tetsuro in the hole and Tetsuroâ€™s reaction to seeing his motherâ€™s death played out once again, this one does just barely trump the previous episode.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Some of them where TetsurÃ´ trying to make his way to the time castle. Despite the people of Gun Frontier *and* Leryuzu trying to hold him back from this planned trip he does go on his trip to the castle. Not because heÂ´s the adventure-seeking kid, but for Maetel. To save and protect his precious Maetel.

[/ QUOTE ]

It manages to make you like the character of Tetsuro even more. He really is a selfless child.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Laterwards some other decent scenes where the infamous "Maetel is *really* pissed-off". Man that was just one hell of a scene seeing Maetel with a really fearsome facial expression that also made the pirate cringe and turned him scared to the bones.

[/ QUOTE ]

My reaction, honestly, to this scene was WTF!? HOLY $***! and I actually put the DVD in reverse and then rewatched the scene 2 more times! The power of that single scene, and the memory it conjures up when thinking of it, is nothing short of amazing. I canâ€™t recall a single series Iâ€™ve seen in recent memory that has given me such an emotional roller coaster of a ride and been so amazing from start until now. Nothing. And thatâ€™s also no small feat, considering the majority of what I watch is 13, 26 or 52 episode series.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
The way the final half of the episode played out was just one breathtaking adaption of the manga.slight spoilers for the 1st movie This was what I missed in the movieÂ´s way of telling the time castle story. So TetsurÃ´ and Maetel are at the time castle and what happens to TetsurÃ´ does show that itÂ´s not only "named" time castle for no good reason. TetsurÃ´ facing the scenery of his mother getting killed once again, with him being unable to prevent it is just decent and you have to adore the way this story reflects the "time is repeating itself, the ring of time canÂ´t be broken" theme included here.end of Movie 1 spoiler

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL. I read the first part, and STOPPED thanks to your spoiler tag. GGGRRRRR!! Iâ€™m tempted to read it, but I canâ€™t run the risk of ruining it, even now that Iâ€™m editing it and itâ€™s not covered during my reply.

I totally skipped over the next spoiler. I just hope I remember to come back and look at it once Iâ€™ve finished the movies.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Overall a very decently handled continuation of the "Jikanjo no Kaizoku" story. The coming conclusion isnÂ´t any less decent than what has been presented thus far. Honestly I totally agree with slerch that anyone asking her/himself what the major appeal of the TV series is, itÂ´s episodes like this that make the series an outstanding adaption of a equally decent manga. Matsumoto at his best!

[/ QUOTE ]

The fact that so many Anime fans will never be able to experience this greatness is depressing. Itâ€™s honestly one of the most amazing series Iâ€™ve ever seen, and with 2000+ Anime DVDs in my pile, and with greats like Uchu Kaizoku Captain Herlock in it, my saying that GT999 is a defining moment in the history of Anime is no lie. I canâ€™t go so far as to call it fact, but itâ€™s my strongly held, firm opinion, that GT 999 is an Anime classic, surpassing 99.9% of what is made today, and even 95% better than things from the same era.

I can only hope that these synopses and discussions can make others curious enough to explore ways in which to experience the series for themselves. I havenâ€™t yet watched them, but I can say with some conviction that anyone who has been satisfied by merely seeing the movies, is doing themselves a huge disservice. There is no way I can imagine that the movies, any of them, could capture the emotion and power of the TV series.

Gushing over the series like this may turn some off, and I may come off as an emotional pansy, but even despite any negative feelings a person may have against me and my writing style or anything else, look past any petty grudge and
take my recommendation to heart.

EDIT- nice AV littleharlock, though I like mine a little better. That's not really an impartial opinion though. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-10-2006, 12:43 PM

<regarding episode 80>
[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
One thing I find interesting is that even though the entire series revolves around Tetsuroâ€™s promise to his mother, we very rarely have to see the memory of his mother replayed, and while it doesnâ€™t have much effect on a viewer the first time through (I mean, his mother dies before we even know anything about either of them, other than the fact that they are running for their lives), itâ€™s an extremely poignant use of the past later in the series, as now weâ€™ve grown to understand some of Tetsuro and can actually empathize with him, and seeing his mother die, which still affects him in an emotional manner, causes an emotional response in the viewer. Hell, thinking about Maetel pissed (and when she was fearfully screaming for him in the upcoming snow episodeâ€¦ littleharlock knows what I mean) and about Tetsuroâ€™s reaction to this replay of his past, causes an emotional response in myself. It truly is an amazing, amazing series that elicits this type of response, even when I am so far removed in terms of my viewing of the last episode I watched. I only wish more people could experience this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since you mentioned it, one of the major reasons why I consider the way Leiji Matsumoto wrote the Dai Andromeda arc of the manga just brilliantly (and yeah I admit the Eternal arc is partwise missing this) is the way the viewer/reader is slightly introduced to Kanae Hoshino (TetsurÃ´Â´s mother...I think I mentioned in the previous thread somewhere that the name Kanae came way later, the anime credited her as "TetsurÃ´Â´s mother"). As you said we didnÂ´t really know much about her in the beginning. While weÂ´re introduced to TetsurÃ´ and her right at the start as two poor people among a dozen of such poor humans living on Earth the series focuses on the character TetsurÃ´, what "kind" of person he is and most importantely IMO the growth his character gets througout the various stops that 999 makes (comparing the TetsurÃ´ willing to get himself into major trouble to save Maetel to the "early" TetsurÃ´ that just screamed "Meee-t-ee-ruuuu" when he got himself into trouble IMO showcases this pretty well). Kanae, well sheÂ´s dead so youÂ´d think we wonÂ´t get much background on her...yet Matsumoto managed to add a lot to her character with the various flashbacks. And as stupid as it may sound I do think that these flashbacks not only add aspects to the character but also makes the viewer/reader realize and empathize a lot more with TetsurÃ´Â´s loss as we slowly get to realize what a great/strong woman Kanae was and why her death means a big loss to TetsurÃ´

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
My reaction, honestly, to this scene was WTF!? HOLY $***! and I actually put the DVD in reverse and then rewatched the scene 2 more times! The power of that single scene, and the memory it conjures up when thinking of it, is nothing short of amazing. I canâ€™t recall a single series Iâ€™ve seen in recent memory that has given me such an emotional roller coaster of a ride and been so amazing from start until now. Nothing. And thatâ€™s also no small feat, considering the majority of what I watch is 13, 26 or 52 episode series.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think what also adds to make this Maetel moment that outstanding is that weÂ´ve never seen such a reaction from her before. Maetel has always been pretty calm, contained and firm when it comes to emotions. However when TetsurÃ´ was in REAL danger this time, she couldnÂ´t contain herself and was very much pissed-off ^_~

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
I totally skipped over the next spoiler. I just hope I remember to come back and look at it once Iâ€™ve finished the movies.

[/ QUOTE ]

ItÂ´ll be interesting to read what you think of the movies. Especially the third one ^_^

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
When I first started looking, a complete series w/binder and all the FP goodies could be had for ~25,000 Yen. Over the last couple of weeks, when there has been a drought of a complete set, I saw a complete set, unopened on all volumes, sell for ~45,000 Yen, which is even more than the series brand new anyway! No thanks.

There was also a used set that went for 33,000 Yen. If I can't get first presses for anything other than disc 6 I'd be OK with that. Wanna sell yours? /images/graemlins/wink.gif (it was worth a try, even though I know the answer LOL)

[/ QUOTE ]

You know I guess those artist cards are possible adding a lot to why the firstpress go for the prices and why the ltd. edition for Vol. 1 & 2 sold out that fast (heck I had a lot of luck back then, because I missed to place the pre-order and the day after itÂ´s release Amazon.jp listed it out of print...only a few days later it was back up without reduction but I was just lucky to get my hands on it ^_~).
ItÂ´s a pitty that you canÂ´t be sure to get a firstpress if youÂ´d go for it at Amazon.jp (regarding the sixth DVD) as itÂ´s pretty much "gambling". I had a lot of luck in regards of first presses in the past with Amazon.jp (i.e. Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari, Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9, etc.) but at times itÂ´s just better to pay more in order to be sure on what youÂ´ll get...heck IÂ´m still torn between placing an order for the GUNSLINGER GIRL DVD Box or not as they just canÂ´t tell me wether they still have firstpresses left -.- (and thatÂ´s a series I certainly donÂ´t want to miss the firstpress goodies)

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Something about Kaname Chidori/Kagome doing Maetel's voice has me sort of curious... yet sort of dreading... watching the series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly speaking I couldnÂ´t stand the job sheÂ´s done as Maetel in Maetel Legend (my "dislike" *to express it more polite* of that project probably adds a lot to that opinion as well though), but I do think she did a pretty good job in UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel. Of course she has zero chances against other great Seiyuu like the "charming dynamite" Keiko Han (who adds just a lot of dramatic touch with her acting in this series) and I guess I wonÂ´t have to expressively state that I think Masako Ikeda is THE best Maetel, but given the role I found Satsuki Yukino wasnÂ´t a bad choice at all.
Oh and I found it was great that Kaneta Kimotsuki returned for his role as well ^_^

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
EDIT- nice AV littleharlock, though I like mine a little better. That's not really an impartial opinion though. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. Just an old one I made from UchÃ» KÃ´kyÃ´shi Maetel a while ago (and had used several times now). IÂ´m actually planning to change to a better one soon (either Maetel or Kei ^_^).

so far
yours
littleharlock

littleharlock

03-12-2006, 04:14 AM

Only had time to watch the final episode on Disc 1 for the 5th Complete DVD box of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999, but before I will once again watch too much (to be covered with summaries/thoughts at once) I typed up something for this episode which I would like to post right away.

â€¢ Episode 82 - "Mijika na Seimei no Monogatari"
The Basic Story:
The next stop on 999Â´s route is ChÃ´ no Yume (Dream of Butterfly) a planet, which (as can be guessed from the name) is surrounded by a strange aura which makes the planet look like a butterfly in space. When 999 lands on the planet we see Maetel deboarding at the station with beautiful dark butterfly wings on her back. She prepaired these artifical wings for herself and TetsurÃ´ (as we soon laterwards see, TetsurÃ´ is "not amused" over the tiny butterfly wings he has to wear on ChÃ´ no Yume and SashÃ´-san gives him hard times accepting that ^_~). While annoyed and puzzled on why he and Maetel have to wear those wings, once they enter the city it becomes clear to TetsurÃ´. The inhabitants of ChÃ´ no Yume all have butterfly wings which they naturally grow from birth (TetsurÃ´ and Maetel of course canÂ´t fly with their artificial wings ^_^) however as we soon see laterwards as well, there exist people on this planet that do not have those wings. The "wingless" people are treated badly and considered to be ordinary people (aka a lower class you could say). The downside of having such beautiful wings however is that you have very low life span though, as noted by Maetel (IIRC). Once they enter the city TetsurÃ´ finds himself soon parted from Maetel, when the people gather around her, all admiring the beautiful (artificial) wings of Maetel ^_^ TetsurÃ´ of course tries to get through to Maetel but the crowd that has gathered around Maetel show TetsurÃ´ the "hard way" that they wonÂ´t listen to him and leave him through and so he soon finds himself thrown back at the street. Laterwards TetsurÃ´ sees a young man gets a similar treatment, when he was about to enter a shop. The young man is one of the few wingless people on ChÃ´ no Yume. When TetsurÃ´ tries to help him recollect the peat that the young man carried with him a beautiful girl approaches him (from the sky, sheÂ´s one of the butterfly people) calling his name, Riff. Cleha (thatÂ´s the name of the girl) tries to help Riff, however she soon gets interrupted when Hans (credited as Hansu but I assume itÂ´s based on the German name Hans) *also one of the butterfly people* catches up with her. As we learn Hans is ClehaÂ´s fiance and he is not amused about his girlfriend trying to be friends with one of those wingless people (I guess the fact that Riff is male as well adds to the rivalry ^_~). Before TetsurÃ´ can interfere this scenery, Maetel approaches him and holds him back (as usual). When the two have a drink at the townÂ´s coffee house, TetsurÃ´ sees the young girl Cleha with Hans sitting on one of the tables next to them. Hans tries to talk to her about why she would want to waste her precious time with such an ordinary person like Riff and Cleha tells Hans about the first time she met the wingless Riff.
Shown via a flashback Cleha tells that one day while flying through the nearby woods she suddenly found herself ensnarled in some sort of lianaÂ´s hanging up in the trees. When she called for help, Riff who lives at the small cottage nearby and works as a peat collector on his (small) field, hears Cleha and rescues her. After the rescue Cleha followed Riff to rest for a while nearby RiffÂ´s cottage and also to thank him for the help. During the talk Cleha notices that Riff is not only an ordinary peat collector but apparantly also a hobby artist (and a very talented one on top of that). ThatÂ´s when the friendship between Cleha and Riff started. As we laterwards see it is more to Riff as he was impressed by ClehaÂ´s beauty from the very first time he saw her. Riff is about to draw a portrait of Cleha when (a very annoyed) Hans approaches him. Hans has come to Riff to tell him that he should leave Cleha alone as sheÂ´s his girlfriend and that heÂ´d prevent the friendship a friendship between the ordinary Riff and his beautiful Cleha. When Hans sees the portrait of Cleha that Riff has drawn he uses this to "voice his anger" a bit more and tears it apart.
TetsurÃ´, Maetel (who both listened to the conversation between Cleha and Hans at the coffee *nosey people I tell ya*) and Cleha arrive at RiffÂ´s cottage too late. Hans pretty much crushed his paintings and has treated Riff with some punches as well. Is the friendship between Cleha and Riff over or is there still a chance for it to survive despite the differences?
Thoughts:
A beautiful episodes yet again. The ending of this episode was really wonderful with 999 departing and we see what Maetel mentioned earlier in this episode. The season is changing into the windy (autumn like you could say) season which also means that the life of the butterfly-like inhabitants has come to and end. In the final few scenes we see that Cleha is flying with her last remaining strength towards the cottage of Riff, only to be stopped by her fiance Hans again. While his strength has come to an end, Cleha says goodbye to him and continues to reach her precious Riff, to see him one final time before sheÂ´s going to die. Sounds somewhat like Romeo and Juliet ^_^ However we get a lot of themes included within this episode like racism once again. I think part of why Hans was that much against a friendship of his girlfriend with Riff, was not only because heÂ´s another male person which would mean rivalry, but furthermore because Riff was one of the ordinary wingless people. For Hans it seemed (at least I got that impression) that he wasnÂ´t really worried about loosing his girlfriend but moreover to *whom* he may could loose her which may would have crushed his pride among the butterfly people. Another one of the really great moments during this 24 minutes was by the end, when Maetel stopped TetsurÃ´ from interfering while Hans took Cleha (against her will) back to the city. While this seemed pretty unfair to TetsurÃ´ at first it shows by the end that this wasnÂ´t just a selfish way of acting.
Another thing I think that is worth noting is, that this story is not based on the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 manga. In fact (as mentioned here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1287185&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1)) the TV seriesÂ´ staff took the "Saraba Seimei no Toki" chapter of Leiji MatsumotoÂ´s Yojigen Sekai manga series, a completely different manga, and adapted it featuring Maetel and TetsurÃ´ (and 999 ^_~). Personally I think that the staff succeeded very very well in making this story "fitting" for 999. Heck IÂ´d say that if you wouldnÂ´t know that in advance, you wouldnÂ´t think about it or mention it. Of course there are certain elements in the story for example even though TetsurÃ´ interferes into the flow of events, I think itÂ´s somewhat sensible that the major focus in this episode is not Maetel and TetsurÃ´ but the twisted triangle story about Cleha, Riff and Hans (but again, donÂ´t get me wrong, I througoutly enjoyed to see "our two heroes" being a bit of bystanding characters watching the scenery and letting things develop a bit on their own for a change) that made it a *bit* appearing that way.

I canÂ´t remember wether IÂ´ve mentioned it before, but let me add that Chief Director Nobutaka Nishizawa does really know *how* to adapt Leiji MatsumotoÂ´s original work in the best possible way (and he laterwards also does a great job as part of the staff in Sennen JoÃ´ TV). This series is really a masterpiece. Call me biased (and I *do* realize that I am biased when it comes to Leiji Matsumoto ^_~) but the way Nishizawa & Co. stayed faithful to the original manga (adapting it for the big majority bit-to-bit) and adding unique stuff to it just makes this series work. I think itÂ´s also thanks to him and the TV seriesÂ´ staff that the series gained that much popularity and that characters such as Maetel are so precious to fans. I wholeheartly agree with slerch that this series is very well invested money (note that Amazon.jp now lists the 5 DVD Boxes available for the series with a -10% reduction, just browse the DVD section by using éŠ€æ²³é‰„é?“ï¼™ï¼™ï¼™ *I just donÂ´t get how to link to search results at Amazon.jp with the link actually working*)

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-12-2006, 08:28 AM

Eps 81 Jikanjo no Kaizoku Prt 3

Back in the past, we see the day of Tetsuroâ€™s motherâ€™s death. We see the point where she is shot and killed, followed by Maetel coming to Tetsuroâ€™s rescue. Feeling sympathy/pity for Tetsuro, Leryuzu decides she needs to return Tetsuro to the present and to Maetel.

Returning to the castle we see Maetel is still fighting with â€œHerlock.â€? Leryuzu and Tetsuro soon appear. Maetel, who says she thought sheâ€™d see Tetsuro again, is over come with joy and goes to him, forgetting for the time her battle with â€œHerlock.â€? Once she is reasonably distracted, the cowardly â€œHerlockâ€? orders Leryuzu to capture the 2 who seem to be blissfully unaware of their surroundings and situation. He of course blames Leryuzu for the entire situation, which again has us question if this is the THE Herlock. The real Herlock would act like a man and take responsibility for his own actions, which this clown certainly does not. Tetsuro actually jumps in front of Leryuzu just as â€œHerlockâ€? prepares to beat her for her failure (again, would Herlock do something like that? Me thinks not) 

Fade back to the bar patrons, and they are all anxious as to the fate of Tetsuro. This is where the Mystery Man steps in once again and tells the patrons that Tetsuro is a true man and that he is still OK. Strong words coming from THIS Mystery Man indeed!

Once again confined, Maetel and Tetsuro have some time to catch up after the events. Tetsuro wonders why Leryuzu would be with a man like that to which Maetel lays down the â€œyouâ€™re not old enough yet to understand what goes on behind male/female relationships.â€? Talk about throwing up a road block to the conversation! Leryuzu then relates the story of her sister leaving and her taking up the guitar and singing. Maetel then proceeds to tell Leryuzu that this â€œHerlockâ€? is nothing but a charlatan. Tetsuro tells Leryuzu and Maetel that he doesnâ€™t see the Cosmo Gun, which is a staple in Herlockâ€™s arsenal. Of course, Maetelâ€™s explanation is a little more complicated than a missing gun. Maetel explains that the Eternal Captain Herlock is not someone who would lock himself in a castle on some remote planet, terrorizing the local people and killing women and children. He also doesnâ€™t fight for his own selfish goals, he fights for the sake of others. Leryuzu, being in love, doesnâ€™t want to hear it and leaves the 2 alone to approach â€œHerlock.â€? It should be noted that Maetel is STILL severely PISSED.

Being left alone, Maetel and Tetsuro manage to escape with Tetsuroâ€™s Cosmo Gun. They soon find themselves in the study or some other room, where Leryuzu is confronting this â€œHerlock.â€? When â€œHerlockâ€? sees that the prisoners have escaped, he hides behind Leryuzu, using her as a human (well, weâ€™ll find out more about that in a second /images/graemlins/wink.gif) shield. This is when Leryuzu finally realizes she has devoted her life to a lie. Leryuzu manages to break away from â€œHerlockâ€™sâ€? grasp and puts a glass shield of some sort between Tetsuro/Maetel and â€œHerlockâ€?/Leryuzu. With the pull of a lever, she causes the castle to begin to rust and crumble. To their horror, Maetel and Tetsuro see the truth behind Leryuzu; she is also a Mechanoid! Both Leryuzu and â€œHerlockâ€? begin to rust and crumble to pieces, with Leryuzu begging Tetsuro and Maetel to leave the castle, which they do as it crumbles around them. We now know that not only was this Herlock a fake, he was a Mechanoid! So thatâ€™s one of several things that sets this â€œHerlockâ€? apart from the real Herlock. Herlock isnâ€™t a coward, doesnâ€™t fight for selfish reasons, has a Cosmo Gun /images/graemlins/wink.gif and heâ€™d never become a Mechanoid.

As the 2 are left standing among the rubble, Tetsuro picks into the rubble, only to find Leryuzuâ€™s guitar. The 2 return to the bar, upon which Tetsuro sadly bestows Leryuzuâ€™s guitar upon the bartender for safe keeping. All of the bar patrons are, of course, glad to see the devoted and kind little Tetsuro is still alive and kicking and that heâ€™s rescued his beloved Maetel. This is where the Mystery Man departs, and a little bit of a silly moment, we get to hear Tetsuro call THE Herlockâ€¦ Ojii-san. LOL

Maetel and Tetsuro begin their trek back to the 999, when suddenly Tetsuro realizes who the Mystery Man was (THE Herlock) and runs after him. This is where we see the space pirate ship, Arcadia, take off from the planet.

Once back at the safety of the 999, Tetsuro asks Maetel why she was fighting the fake, to which she will not reply. I can only hope they clear it up, or that my theory may be part of it. My theory is that this fake may have killed one of Maetelâ€™s previous charges, though I could be wrong and itâ€™s pure speculation. Of course, this not being a story specifically appearing in the Manga, we may never know the answer either. /images/graemlins/sad.gif 

So thus ends the greatest story told in GT999/GE999 thus far IMO. Even the episodes Iâ€™ve watched after this, up to 93, while wonderful in their own right, doesnâ€™t even compare to the greatness of this three parter.

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
The major focus of this episode is Leryuzu. With the "RyuzuÂ´s" being what you could call my favorite "minor characters" appearing in the Andromeda arc you can guess that I obviously enjoyed the way the story concluded. From the very start until the end you just canÂ´t help but sympathize with Leryuzu. Like her older sister she pretty much fell for a man that turned out just to use her for his own benefit. Ryuzu letting herself turn into a mechanoid for the count that found that would make his girlfriend more special, Leryuzu falling for a man that didnÂ´t even reveal her his true identity only using her as his personal time-controlling witch. 

[/ QUOTE ]

You know whatâ€™s really funnyâ€¦ until I read your comments, I didnâ€™t really put 2 and 2 together in that Leryuzu was also a time witch! Talk about stupidity on my part! I didnâ€™t even think about HOW the time anomaly was created, though now it all makes perfect sense. Dâ€™oh!

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
 When TetsurÃ´ realized that the cloaked man that appeared on 999 in the first episode and in the bar at Gun Frontier was the real Herlock, he runs out to thank Herlock...I mean given that TetsurÃ´ basically handled some impostor issue that drags on HerlockÂ´s fame with Herlock basically sitting at a bar waiting for Maetel and TetsurÃ´ to settle things for him I found it somewhat funny that TetsurÃ´ thanks *him*!. Again decent stuff and Matsumoto space fantasy at its best!

[/ QUOTE ]

It makes one wonder what Herlock was even doing there, other than continuing his drinking without the beauty of Mime in his vicinity. Stinkinâ€™ drunks, no respect! /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Iâ€™m pretty sure Iâ€™m going to break into the 6th box today, which will put me further behind in my synopses again, but dammit, Iâ€™m getting tired of trying to catch up on the synopses before finishing the series. I figure if I can knock them all out today, I can start in on the shorter specials and then the movies later this week and draw the Ginga Tetsudo 999 story to a close for me (unless some studio decides to actually release the Manga, which Viz attempted then stopped).

littleharlock

03-12-2006, 09:07 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
You know whatâ€™s really funnyâ€¦ until I read your comments, I didnâ€™t really put 2 and 2 together in that Leryuzu was also a time witch! Talk about stupidity on my part! I didnâ€™t even think about HOW the time anomaly was created, though now it all makes perfect sense. Dâ€™oh!

[/ QUOTE ]

You know, speaking of things that I didnÂ´t notice until some one else (in this case Helen ^_^) pointed out to me itÂ´s interesting to see that the "great pirates of the Sea of Stars" have had both troubles with Mechanoid impostors! I mean Emeraldas and her android on board the Queen Emeraldas that tried to pass as *the* Emeraldas and now Herlock with the mechanoid whoÂ´s trying to pretend heÂ´d be *the* Herlock ^_~ Luckily for both thereÂ´s TetsurÃ´ (and Maetel) that clear this business for them (though Emeraldas obviously couldnÂ´t deal with it due to her sickness *at least it appeared that way in the anime*).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
It makes one wonder what Herlock was even doing there, other than continuing his drinking without the beauty of Mime in his vicinity. Stinkinâ€™ drunks, no respect! /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It looked like he really just sat back and watched wether the boy and Maetel could handle this business of his. I mean as we saw in the end, the Arcadia *was* on Heavy Melder (one has to wonder why MÃ®me didnÂ´t accompany Herlock to cruise the bars of Gun Frontier ^_~). Yet I found it really great handled that he didnÂ´t "interfere" much. I mean, given how Herlock obviously enjoys to let the young man become real man *cough* Daiba *cough* it didnÂ´t feel that strange that he wanted TetsurÃ´ to settle this on his own.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Iâ€™m pretty sure Iâ€™m going to break into the 6th box today, which will put me further behind in my synopses again, but dammit, Iâ€™m getting tired of trying to catch up on the synopses before finishing the series. I figure if I can knock them all out today, I can start in on the shorter specials and then the movies later this week and draw the Ginga Tetsudo 999 story to a close for me (unless some studio decides to actually release the Manga, which Viz attempted then stopped).

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn IÂ´d really love to say that IÂ´d do the same, but after I will finish re-watching Box 5, I have to take a forced break from 999 for a while (if thereÂ´s nothing bigger suddenly announced and coming out I should be able to go for it *at last* in April/May...though judging by certain hints my b/f spread while I was talking to him about the series it looks like I might be getting a nice 999 birthday present from him *which would delay it to June though* /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). But up to that itÂ´s not like IÂ´m going to run out of anime to watch /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif A nice little package from Amazon.jp which includes some Rozen Maiden trÃ¤umend and XXXHOLiC goodness should arrive next week (assuming DHL wonÂ´t mess it up once again -.-).

so far
yours
littleharlock

mistressh

03-12-2006, 12:05 PM

Re: 79-81

Can't really add much to the posts, guys - between you you cover the story pretty well - but I did have a few queries and a few observations to add (some of which tie in to the manga version of this, which drops more hints than the series about Maetel's past and her mission - perhaps... My Japanese is still not fluent, so I might be mixing up some object/subjects etc in sentences!!


First off the Cosmo Dragoons - I notice in the TV series, there's at this point no markings on them - in the manga, they start off like that, but by this point (volume 9 in my set...) They have the skull and crossbones on, and Harlock's clearly marked as "1" and Tetsurou's is "2"... anomaly here: Harlock's carried "3" in most recent versions and Tetsurou has "4" later in the manga but Emeraldas' no "2" in Eternity... Well, _whatever_... ;-)!!

Harlock's appearence on 999... well, what can I say but echo Tetsurou here... he's just cool!! <g> My personal suspicions here are that Maetel knows *exactly* who she's out-drinking... It's just that little look she gives him... ;-) And is it me, or is Makio-san's gradually deteriorating voice starting to be noticeable about now?? It's more gravelly than in SPCH, and he's decidedly inconsistent in SSX a year or two down the line...

...that bar-room song... oh mama, I bought one of the CD's just for this - I can't hear it enough times - but sadly, my copy isn't the pure guitar/vocals version from the show, but is also orchestrated! Aargh!!! Also noted: some intense use of music from "Peer Gynt" in places, and some lovely variations on the theme (it's one that links most of Matsumoto's works - CWZ and Waga Seishun no Arcadia feature it!!) I adore Peer Gynt - it's one of my favourite pieces. Hearing it used to such good effect, and for it's intended purpose for once - it was written as accompaniment for the play - is a nice touch - music like this was made for *accompaniment*, not just for listening to on its own!

Tears in my eyes during the recap of Tetsurou's mother's death... All of the recaps show her as such wonderful, strong, but gentle woman - you can't help but feel Tetsurou's loss as this unfolds - and more so perhaps because I think to start with, he represses a lot of it - only as the journey continues and he grows does he begin to allow himself to remember and to feel her loss - at least, that's the feeling I get from this. Beautiful. Just *beautiful*.

I think though I'll have to hold fire of my comments about the Time Castle segments until after slerch has seen the films though!! <g> I'm not a huge fan of the way this story is handled in the film - much preferring Harlock's backseat-driver approach from the series!

Questions for those with better ears (and perhaps speakers!! My set-up isn't the best!)

1. When giving the fake Harlock some grief, there's a scene where Maetel's talking over a flash-back to what I assume is some kind of "pact" - several people joining hands and then all but two being torn away... Either of you make out exactly what it is she's saying to the fake??

2. When telling LeRyuzu that her Harlock is a fake, Maetel says at one point "Watashi no shitte'ru Harlock" - or is it "Aisuru"?? (One way "The Harlock I know" the other "The Harlock I love..." <evil grin> Oh what a kettle of worms THAT would be!!) Personally, I think it's "know"... anyone got better ears?? 

Righty-o: The manga version... since there's stuff in the manga that figures either later in the series or not at all, or in other versions, it's your choice here to read or not!!



Nice touch in the bar is that it's *Yattaran* who tells Tetsurou about the Pirate - and noticeably tells him that this guy is *calling himself* Harlock...

As far as I can make out - and part of it I'm kind of guessing as I'm fairly sure it's only implied from her description of a mecha "heart" they find at the end repeating Maetel's name over and over, - the fake Harlock here is one of Maetel's previous young charges, gone mecha and then gone bad... (Another fan of the great pirate who's let it go to his head??) This is why she has a job she can't avoid, and why (I think...) she won't tell Tetsurou what she's up to in the series and we the viewers are left to assume it was the fake Harlock she was after... The manga appears to be a lot more up front with dropping hints about Maetel's mission and her great sorrow (including the reason why she wears black...) - hints which now I've seen SSM also lead me to speculate as to what was *originally* supposed to be buried on Pluto that she's crying over - and I don't think it's what the eternity manga and the films would have us believe... ;-)

Of course, long sentences and compound phrases are still a bit tricky (made a classic balls up of one right at the beginning of the manga getting subject and object wrapped around my neck!), so happy to be corrected here!! <g> Also I'm speculating a bit as I'm only up to reading volume 4 (took time out for "Nazca" and "Submarine Super 99" plus "Devilman" was proving a bit easier!!) and skipped ahead to see what went off in the manga version!!

Ooh - can't remember off hand if he's mentioned in the TV version, but in the Emeraldas segment of the manga, when Maetel's explaining why they need the robot cannon car, and talks about Pirates, Tetsurou mentions Harlock as one of them! And I have a vague memory of Maetel doing a serious double-take in the episode back in the 30's when those three assassins are after them, and she's told the 3rd man only has one eye... ;-)

Though if Tochiro DID make those blasted guns, how come in the manga Antares tells Tetsurou his is a model about 30 years old... ????? Just how old IS Harlock anyway!? <G>

Futher thought: It seems you can't actually assume right off the bat that the fake getting cut by Maetel, revealing his mecha-innards, _automatically_ makes him a fake - in at least two other manga ("Technolgisu" and "Diver 0" (and I'm told Mamoru Kodai in the Yamato manga...)) Harlock is at least partly mechanised due to injuries... ;-) Go figure...!



H

slerch666

03-12-2006, 04:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
Re: 79-81


I think though I'll have to hold fire of my comments about the Time Castle segments until after slerch has seen the films though!! <g> I'm not a huge fan of the way this story is handled in the film - much preferring Harlock's backseat-driver approach from the series!

[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry for being such a slow bastard when it comes to watching the series, something I am rectifying today. /images/graemlins/wink.gif I won't have the movies finished, but I'm 90% certain the series will be. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
Questions for those with better ears (and perhaps speakers!! My set-up isn't the best!)

1. When giving the fake Harlock some grief, there's a scene where Maetel's talking over a flash-back to what I assume is some kind of "pact" - several people joining hands and then all but two being torn away... Either of you make out exactly what it is she's saying to the fake??

[/ QUOTE ]
For some reason I'm drawing a blank on even seeing the scene... /images/graemlins/stunned1.gif It's now been at least 2-4 weeks since I actually watched these particular episodes. If littleharlock doesn't come up with anything and I have time tonight, I'll put that disc back in and see if I can figure it out, or give you a better idea. I'm far from perfect when it comes to spoken Japanese as well.

[ QUOTE ]
2. When telling LeRyuzu that her Harlock is a fake, Maetel says at one point "Watashi no shitte'ru Harlock" - or is it "Aisuru"?? (One way "The Harlock I know" the other "The Harlock I love..." <evil grin> Oh what a kettle of worms THAT would be!!) Personally, I think it's "know"... anyone got better ears?? 

[/ QUOTE ]
Boy.. would that have been a HUGE can of worms and a butt load of trouble!? I'm pretty sure I would have caught her saying aisuru had she said it, I mean, I've had those "oh shit" moments from things people have said before and this wasn't one of those moments. Though I guess I should fire it back up and check anyway.

And as far as having better speakers, what with the show being in Mono, I'm finding that even turning the volume up is like the law of diminishing returns. The further I turn it up, the louder it is, but that follows suit with the "noise" in the voices that comes with the way the source material is. *sigh* Unfortunately ALL the old classics like Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, SPCH and so on "suffer" from this same effect, so there isn't much to do about it.

Given your spoiler description for the Manga, I'll go back and read it once I've finished the TV series at least. I don't want to spoil anything at all.

slerch666

03-12-2006, 04:11 PM

Well, just as I had threatened, I fired up the first 2 discs of box 6 this afternoon, with plans on finishing the last 3 tonight.

Once again I kick myself for not watching sooner, as the first 2 episodes on this disc, I felt, were damn fine. That's not saying the other 6 episodes weren't good, but those first 2 episodes really worked well. For those that want to know, this is the 2 parter where Yayaboru and his robotic mother controled by a computer come into play. The way Maetel reacts in this episode is the way I love to see. It was simply amazing.

So now I have 12 more episodes to watch.

I also decided to scope out some of the extras disc. I DIDN'T watch the episode on the disc, as I wasn't sure where it was supposed to fall, but I did watch some of the commercials.

Holy crap, Ginga Tetsudo 999 ICE CREAM cups! LOL

Ginga Tetsudo... get this... HEARTs for Valentines Day! When I saw this one I lost it! It was simply priceless with the way Maetel presented it. Loved it. Watched it twice in fact.

Then there was the episode preview for episode 1, I suppose they showed it as a commercial. I didn't watch any of the other TV spots for the show, or what I thought were TV spots for the show.

I also watched the opening to the GT999 3D movie. They don't show enough of 3D Maetel, but I did notice they used a different seiyuu for Tetsuro.

So the bonus disc, while nothing too amazing, is certainly worth finding the box for.

slerch666

03-13-2006, 02:18 PM

Eps 82 Mijika na Seimei no Monogatari

This was a bit of an odd episode IMO.

The planet, as the 999 approaches, is surrounded by what I consider a rather well done set of butterfly wings. They are transparent and colored and works well with how they are laid out and with the episode over all.

So once the 999 touches down, we are presented with Maetel departing the train wearing butterfly wings. Rather an odd accessory to possess, though we learn why in short order. Artificial wings were also prepared for Tetsuro who is less than pleased with having to wear them in the first place. Seeing Tetsuroâ€™s displeasure, the Conductor takes the opportunity to make fun of him, which doesnâ€™t help Tetsuroâ€™s situation at all.

Once the 2 enter the town, itâ€™s obvious to see why they are wearing the accessories they are. In order to fit in, they needed to wear these fake wings as all of the people in town possess natural butterfly wings. Maetel, given her natural beauty accentuated by the attraction of her wings, is soon surrounded by townspeople who wish to admire her wings in an up close and personal fashion. Tetsuro is ignored and pushed away, despite his valiant efforts to be reunited with Maetel. He is then assisted in standing up and getting his bearings by the beautiful Kureha/Cleha (going by littleharlockâ€™s translation). 

We soon discover that not all of the inhabitants have wings, as a boy by the name of Leafu (littleharlock calls him Riff, so heâ€™s probably right. /images/graemlins/wink.gif) doesnâ€™t have wings (it is also explained somewhere in here that the people with wings live shorter lives than those without). He also is treated like dirt, like a second or third class citizen. After dropping his bag of goodies, Kureha/Cleha sees what has happened and begins to try and help him collect his goodies while making small talk. This gets the attention of Kurha/Clehaâ€™s fiancÃ© Hans. He doesnâ€™t appreciate HIS girl being friendly with a lowly no-winged commoner. He prevents Kureha/Cleha from assisting, so Tetsuro takes her place and scoops up the contents of Lefu/Riffâ€™s bag. He thanks Tetsuro (surprised anyone would help him) and is off.

At about this time, it begins to rain. As with most butterflies, the people here donâ€™t seem to like the rain all that much and scatter, finally leaving Maetel to her own devices. Maetel and Tetsuro go to a nearby cafÃ© to have spot of tea (or whatever beverage). There they see the 2 winged â€œloversâ€? Kureha/Cleha and Hans together. Hans is questioning why she would bother with such a common person as Leafu/Riff. Kureha/Cleha tells Hans that she respects and looks up to Lefu/Riff as even though he is treated so poorly heâ€™s still a good person. She also relates how she first met Leafu/Riff. She had been captured in what is best described as a giant spider web, and while she called for help Leafu/Riff cut her down from the tree. He was enamored by her beauty and seems to have decided to begin a painting of her. Maetel prevents Tetsuro from approaching the 2, who soon after depart. Somewhere along the way, sorry for my missed note taking opportunity, Kureha/Cleha asks Tetsuro to help Leafu/Riff.

So Tetsuro goes to visit the cottage of Leafu/Riff, where he sees some of his lovely artwork. A short time later Hans arrives, angry about Leafu/Riffâ€™s involvement with â€œhisâ€? girl. It seems Kureha/Cleha wants to actually be with Leafu/Riff. Given his anger, when he spots the drawing of Kureha/Cleha that Leafu/Riffu has begun, he tears it to pieces. It quickly falls into the depths of a brawl, instigated by Hans. Tetsuro helps Leafu/Riff by training his Cosmo Gun on Hans, who stops in his tracks when threatened with death. Of course, Maetel steps in and prevents Tetsuro from actually pulling the trigger, letting Hans fly away. Tetsuro then becomes angry and questions why Lefu/Riff and Kureha/Cleha canâ€™t be together as they are obviously in love. Maetel then replies by asking if he really thinks that the 2 would be happy together, and Tetsuro just canâ€™t see that circumstances and bigotry just wonâ€™t allow the 2 to love one another in any more than feeling. This is where Tetsuroâ€™s childish nature gives in, as he actually tells Maetel that he hates her. Didnâ€™t think Iâ€™d ever hear THAT coming from Tetsuro, but it helps show how strongly he feels about the problem at hand. Having nothing more they can do, Tetsuro and Maetel return to the 999.

Upon their arrival, the Conductor asks them if anything interesting happened in town. Tetsuro is still pissed off and wonâ€™t speak to Maetel and he barely answers the Conductorâ€™s question.

This is where we are then presented with a still bickering Kureha/Cleha and Hans. Kureha/Cleha separates herself from Hans, and begins her final flight to be reunited with Leafu/Riff. It seems that with the coming cold those with wings begin to die off. So we follow Kureha/Cleha where she finally meets with Leafu/Riff, tells him she loves him and promptlyâ€¦ dies in his arms. What Tetsuro didnâ€™t understand that Maetel did, was that even if the 2 were allowed to be together, the time they would be able to spend together would be short. So one must wonder, is it really better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all?

In the last bit of dialog, where Tetsuro begins speaking to Maetel again, he asks the question could Maetel stop her journey if she fell in love? Or something along those lines. Itâ€™s funny he asks this question, as what he doesnâ€™t seem to realize is that Maetel has developed feelings for Tetsuro, so much so that she has tried to end the journey on several occasions prior. It may not be the type of love between a man and a woman, perhaps more of a mother/son type love, but it is a love none the less and is a love that has her wanting to end the journey.

Not a bad episode at all. Exploring what Iâ€™d call â€œinterracialâ€? relationships and love yet again, while still progressing the relationship shared between Maetel and Tetsuro, though not so much so on the latter.

slerch666

03-13-2006, 02:40 PM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
I wholeheartly agree with slerch that this series is very well invested money (note that Amazon.jp now lists the 5 DVD Boxes available for the series with a -10% reduction, just browse the DVD section by using éŠ€æ²³é‰„é?“ï¼™ï¼™ï¼™ *I just donÂ´t get how to link to search results at Amazon.jp with the link actually working*)

[/ QUOTE ]

Hereâ€™s the problem with recommending this series to people. Each box weighs in at 26,040ï¿¥. Thatâ€™s 130,200ï¿¥ just for FIVE of the boxes. Even with the 10% discount, a person would be paying 117,180ï¿¥ for the five boxes. Thatâ€™s roughly $1018 or soâ€¦ before shipping which would also be hefty considering the weight of 25 DVDs, boxes and the booklets. A person would be looking at ~$1100 for the set, and not even have all of it. No, in order to get all of it in the box format (and score the bonus disc), theyâ€™d have to scour Yahoo Auctions Japan or used Japanese shops, and generally pay extra fees on top of paying a premium for JUST box six. Most box 6 auctions Iâ€™ve seen end in the last couple months always ends at more than the 26,040ï¿¥ MSRP. I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve seen one end lower than 30,000ï¿¥ in fact. So with shipping and possible deputy fees on box 6, youâ€™re looking at adding at least another $300 to that. Not many people are willing to spend $1100-$1500 on a series on word of mouth alone. Thatâ€™s a ton of money to shell out.

Now add on to that the fact that there is NO translated option for it, say English subtitles or a dub, and that cuts down those interested even further. $1500 for something where all you have for a translation are mine and your synopses and thoughts. I think weâ€™ve done a good job chronicling the series for English fans, I just donâ€™t think that could help justify the expense.

Now someone could certainly go the path I went and buy all 6 boxes together from one Yahoo Auction Japan seller in a lot and spend more on the order of $800. But again, $800 for someone who wonâ€™t understand the dialog is a lot to ask. Though if you compare it to say, buying the singles for Tsukuyomi like I did, which was 13 discs @ ~$70, which comes out toâ€¦ $910 for the entire series. Granted, that was $70 a month for 14 months (thanks to them skipping January), but it was still more than I spent on GT999 used. So anyone looking to buy GT999 should just set aside some of their R2 money on a monthly basis until theyâ€™ve collected up the $800-$900 needed for the series used and then go for it.

Even doing the math and making an example of someone purchasing a series monthly, I just canâ€™t see most people here going to GT999, regardless of the fact that it is a masterpiece from start untilâ€¦ well, at least up to episode 101, since thatâ€™s as far as Iâ€™ve yet seen. We get a lot of views, but I think it's more from people wanting to know what happens in the series without actually buying it since spending money like that is asking a lot of someone.

Knowing what I know now, I kick myself for not getting the series sooner, and I would purchase it again (that is if I didn't have it) in a heart beat.

mistressh

03-13-2006, 03:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
I wholeheartly agree with slerch that this series is very well invested money (

<snip>
Hereâ€™s the problem with recommending this series to people. Each box weighs in at 26,040ï¿¥. Thatâ€™s 130,200ï¿¥ just for FIVE of the boxes. Even with the 10% discount, a person would be paying 117,180ï¿¥ for the five boxes.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's not so bad buying the vanilla single disks... they work out cheaper for me than the box sets do new, at least! I've been replacing my VCD copies a couple of disks at a time, thrown in with my manga orders... But it IS a lot of money, and I suspect unless you're prepared to learn Japanese to watch it or already know enough to get by, it's not going to be an option for most people!

Personally, I simply daren't add up how much I've spent in the past two years just to watch Matsumoto's stuff and read the manga - especially if you add in the cost of Japanese lessons and a shelf full of text books and a wordtank!! (basically I had to bite the bullet and teach myself a great deal of the language to bolster the rather basic lessons!!)

But I will say one thing - it's worth every flipping penny, every scrimped and saved pound and breathless waiting for parcels to arrive... If you gave me the choice of going back and saving all that money, and all the time spent sweating over dictionaries the size of breeze-blocks, and trying to puzzle out obscure kanji compounds, I'd tell you where to stick the idea!! I'd do it all again, and spend it all again, just for the sheer, unadulterated pleasure I've had from watching and reading his work - it's been worth all the expense, and all the effort several times over! Hell, I even had to brush up my French and German to read webpages that just weren't available in English to boot - and as a side effect, also got me into re-reading some of Harlock's literary antecedents in the original language, in the works of Verne and Dumas-pere!! Bonus!!

I've been a SF and fantasy fan for over 20 years - I *don't* fall onto something and drool over it lightly - but this - Ge999, Harlock, Yamato... it just grabbed me and didn't let go. It's special, and worth every effort...

Matsumoto-san doesn't always get it right, but there's precious little work out there that does - when he's on form, and when the TV execs get the translation from page to screen right, what results is something that I think people *deserve* to share.

Beauty is a rare thing in the world - if any of you reading these threads are moved to take a look at these shows, I think you won't be disappointed! But it's not something you can just pick up and throw away when you're done - it's going to be a commitment, and it's going to take one to really get to the heart of it.

...Maybe that's a good thing, though!! ;-)

H

littleharlock

03-14-2006, 12:59 AM

Regarding the Cosmo Dragoon and how many of this "Warrior's weapon" exist in the universe, this is an issue known for having made clever Matsumoto fanheads gone crazy over the time (no kidding but there exist pages long "essays" on fansites on what should be considered the true continuity/order in regards of serial number and which character got which Cosmo Dragoon!)
Quite some fuss over a weapon that should be very rare among the universe ^_~

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 0 (Zero)
spoilers for the Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari manga and Nibelung no Yubiwa Currently in possesion of ShÃ´ta Ooyama (given to him by Layla Destiny in the Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari manga)
According to the Nibelung no Yubiwa manga the Serial Number Zero CD has been given by TochirÃ´ to Doctor Daiba. On earth TochirÃ´ continued handing the weapon to Daiba's son Tadashi

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 1
Big spoilers in regards of TochirÃ´ TochirÃ´ Ooyama's personal Cosmo Dragoon. Remained on Heavy Melder at the grave of TochirÃ´.

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 2
Spoilers for Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 Andromeda and Eternal arc TochirÃ´ gave this one to his mother on Titan. His mother gave it to TetsurÃ´ Hoshino on Titan. TetsurÃ´ took it along his journey to Wakusei Dai Andromeda. Supposable left it on 999, the weapon were sent to the Galaxy Railway Administrative Bureau and there it made its way back to Maetel (at least Maetel tells him that in the early chapters of the Eternal arc). Maetel then returned it to TetsurÃ´ (after Emeraldas kept it) in the Eternal arc.
IIRC in Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 - Eternal Fantasy Maetel mentions in first half when she handed the box containing the Cosmo Dragoon to TetsurÃ´ that itÂ´s "from Emeraldas". ^_^

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 3
Given to Herlock by TochirÃ´

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 4
Spoiler for the Eternal arc The Cosmo Dragoon TochirÃ´ made for and gave to Emeraldas. Emeraldas laterwards handed it to Maetel, who gave it on Earth to TetsurÃ´ (Eternal arc once again according to fan sites *I don't have the TankÃ´bon containing that event*). TetsurÃ´ exchanged this weapon with Emeraldas.


However as you said Helen, this is pretty much one big hick-hack. There's enough reason for confussion (i.e. Queen Emeraldas OVA in which Emeraldas said that there exist 5 Cosmo Dragoons in the universe with Maetel being one of the people that have an own. and of course when Emeraldas gave TochirÃ´'s Cosmo Dragoon *which is supposed to be at his grave on Heavy Melder* to Hiroshi Umino and didn't a certain Warrior Zero have one as well ^_~).

Btw. youÂ´ve got to love the engraved text on the Cosmo Dragoon which slight spoiler for the Eternal arc TetsurÃ´ read once Maetel handed him his CD back in the Eternal arc:

"Patented 1.25.2979
Grape Valley Titan
Tochiro Patent 1.25.2979 No. 2" (the serial number)

so far
yours
littleharlock

Keith

03-14-2006, 01:38 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Not many people are willing to spend $1100-$1500 on a series on word of mouth alone. Thatâ€™s a ton of money to shell out.

[/ QUOTE ]

And there lies the reason why I've had to settle for the englsih subtitled R3 versions of the movies, despite the dubiousness of the license on those subtitles. It's the first version of the story that I saw, and is currently the only version that I have in its entirety. Perhaps in the future, when technology allows, it'll be easier (and cheaper) to purchase the TV series.

mistressh

03-14-2006, 01:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:
Regarding the Cosmo Dragoon and how many of this "Warrior's weapon" exist in the universe, <snip>

[/ QUOTE ]

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 0 (Zero)
 Also given to Warrius Zero in the computer game, I'm told by someone who's played it...

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 1
 Yet Harlock's carrying *this* one in the Jikan Joo no Kaizoku episode of the manga...!!

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 2
 Tetsurou does indeed carry this one, but it's not got any markings until around tankobun 9 (Jikan Joo no Kaizoku) of my edition of the manga, and not at all in the series, IIRC...

- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 4
Despite carrying "2" in tankobun 9, in volume 10, which a story that was adapted to a still to-be-reviewed 2-parter and remains to this day my second favourite GE999 story, when Tetsurou and his future counterpart compare weapons, they are both carrying no. 4!!

... and didn't a certain Warrior Zero have one as well ^_~).

Yep, see above - though I'm having to rely on hearsay here!!

Btw. youÂ´ve got to love the engraved text on the Cosmo Dragoon which slight spoiler for the Eternal arc TetsurÃ´ read once Maetel handed him his CD back in the Eternal arc:

"Patented 1.25.2979
Grape Valley Titan
Tochiro Patent 1.25.2979 No. 2" (the serial number)

Yeah... kind of makes you wonder, since the manga AND series of SPCH are set in 2977, said date being quite clearly mentioned with no chance of misconception!! ;-) And although the 999 manga story isn't given a date as far as I recall, the series is set in the 23rd century!!

...and maybe therefore I *shouldn't* think too much about the internal dating of SSX (3004) or of the Endless Odyssey series (sometime in the late 3070's or later!!) which also has that date engraved on Harlock's (no3!) gun.

I'll just go off somewhere and mutter about the relativistic effects of travelling in space at speeds approaching or surpassing lightspeed and the peculiar time/space twisting effects of warp drive... ;-) Straitjacket optional...

H

littleharlock

03-14-2006, 02:17 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 0 (Zero)
 Also given to Warrius Zero in the computer game, I'm told by someone who's played it...

[/ QUOTE ]

You know with the prices the Cosmo Warrior Zero PSX game are offered over at the Y!AJ I'm *really* tempted to go for it in near future. Heck looking at the Official site from Taito for the game I was surprised to see that it features a stage located on El Alamein!.
Plus those original designs of the characters by Matsumoto which you can unlock are a very damn good tempting reason as well ^_^
Oh and also the Matsumoto Leiji 999 PSX game sounds very tempting...have you seen just *how* many various Matsumoto characters appear within that game?

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 1
 Yet Harlock's carrying *this* one in the Jikan Joo no Kaizoku episode of the manga...!!

[/ QUOTE ]

There was one jp fansite that was speculating wether Herlock had sort-of-a copy of TochirÃ´'s Cosmo Dragoon. Which in a very twisted way of logic would explain why Emeraldas (it *seems* like she's the "gathering place" for Cosmo Dragoon's not used anymore or to be found somewhere in the universe...sort of like administer the estate of TochirÃ´) could have handed the No. 1 TochirÃ´ CD to Umino in the OVA...yet I do think you can't take the anime versions much into account when it comes to Matsumoto messing up his continuity in such regards.

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
- Cosmo Dragoon Serialnumber 2
 Tetsurou does indeed carry this one, but it's not got any markings until around tankobun 9 (Jikan Joo no Kaizoku) of my edition of the manga, and not at all in the series, IIRC...

[/ QUOTE ]

As said above as much as I love the anime adaptions Toei did for Matsumoto works...I somehow don't take much of them into account when it comes to such things. After all in the TV series TetsurÃ´ still called them Cosmo Gun (I think the Cosmo Dragoon term for the weapon was first used in the movie *animation-wise speaking*).

As for timelines IÂ´ve given up on that...it's just as it is and I'm fine with that. After all, all those little discrepancies are part of the mystery that fascinate me in Leiji Matsumoto works.

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-14-2006, 10:08 AM

Well, I've gotten 3 discs into the final box. I could have finished the series last night, but for some reason I was hesitating. I mean, I WANT to finish the series, but on the other side I don't want it to end. It was such an enjoyable ride to this point that I could probably watch another 113 episodes and not even mind that the series kept going. For me anything over 52 episodes is amazing for me to enjoy (I find most really long series are just a lot of filler). And while one could look at all the episodes between the beginning and the end as "filler," since the journey is for getting Tetsuro a Mechanical body, it's still a wonderful series. 8 episodes to go and it's with excitement and trepidation I begin the last legs of the journey.

For those that have read the Manga, how many tankouban are there for it? I may track them down and actually begin learning written Japanese for more than a handful of Kanji and the Kana.

mistressh

03-14-2006, 10:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:

For those that have read the Manga, how many tankouban are there for it? I may track them down and actually begin learning written Japanese for more than a handful of Kanji and the Kana.

[/ QUOTE ]

The furigana'd edition I have is 12 volumes - "Shonen Gahosha Bunko". Not sure if the Big Comics 14 vol edition is Furigana'd, but the Eternity Arc that follows on from it 15-21 isn't... Happy to provide ISBNs!!

H

littleharlock

03-14-2006, 10:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
For those that have read the Manga, how many tankouban are there for it? I may track them down and actually begin learning written Japanese for more than a handful of Kanji and the Kana.

[/ QUOTE ]

The edition I own and love to bits due to the decent treatment ShÃ´gakukan gave it is the Big Gold TankÃ´bon re-release of Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999. This one is 21 TankÃ´bon long (up to now), however the Dai Andromeda arc (which has been adapted by the TV anime) is completely covered from TankÃ´bon 1 to 14. Starting from TankÃ´bon 15 of this edition it contains the Eternal arc. With a lot of the TankÃ´bon from this edition being out of print by now, you're best bet to get at least the Dai Andromeda arc completely is the Bunkoban re-release by ShÃ´nen Gahosha. Just browse Amazon.jp with éŠ€æ²³é‰„é?“ï¼™ï¼™ï¼™ å°‘å¹´ç”»å*±ç¤¾æ–‡åº« to find them. This edition covers the Dai Andromeda arc completely in 12 Bunkoban. If you want the Eternal arc as well, there is no other chance then to go for the Big Gold TankÃ´bon edition (as noted above the Eternal arc starts with TankÃ´bon 15). Again browse Amazon.jp with éŠ€æ²³é‰„é?“ï¼™ï¼™ï¼™ ãƒ“ãƒƒã‚°ã‚³ãƒŸãƒƒã‚¯ã‚¹ã‚´ãƒ¼ãƒ«ãƒ‰ to see which one are still available.

I think Helen already mentioned (IIRC in the Herlock thread) that the Dai Andromeda arc contains furigana. That applies AFAIK to each edition of that story arc (this story arc originally ran in ShÃ´nen Gahosha's Weekly ShÃ´nen King a ShÃ´nen mangabon as can be guessed by the name ^_^), the Eternal arc however does not contain furigana. That *still ongoing* story arc/series* ran in ShÃ´gakukan's Seinen Monthly Big Gold (and now gets randomly published in other Seinen mangabon of ShÃ´gakukan with BG gone...recently via the Special issues of Big Comic Superior).

If you need any further help don't hesitate to ask. I personally would highly recommend at least checking out the Dai Andromeda arc...so wonderful Matsumoto art!

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-14-2006, 11:03 AM

So there are 2 editions (from 2 publishers)? The collections I've found on YAJ seem to have 2-3 different sets of covers for the first set of books... which now makes a little more sense. /images/graemlins/wink.gif And there is a set of 20 with what looks like Maetel artwork.

What covers are on the furigana editions you have? There is some sweet, sweet artwork on one set. Sweet artwork translates out to... Maetel centered. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Here's a link to (http://bag01pr000.ac.yahoo.co.jp/users/6/5/9/6/alphapon-imgbatch_1138942567/588x405-2006013000033.jpg) the set I'm eyeing. Not sure if that's the right stuff or not though.

Here's covers from the other set. (http://img223.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/7/5/5/3/auctions0303-img600x450-1138795980himg0055.jpg)

And then there are these covers. (http://img217.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/3/0/5/5/best65001-img600x450-1142021164conv0001.jpg) I don't like these much, though they appear to be slip covers. Perhaps they cover the Maetel art?

Now that I'm really looking at the auctions, there seems to be 4 or so different editions. Some look super old while others are not so.

Help... is greatly appreciated!

Oh, and sorry to drag this discussion into "help me with Manga" but I can't think of a better place to ask and Helen and littleharlock are fonts of information regarding the goodies!

EDIT- I screwed up and posted a link to an auction. Fixed it to be a link to the pic in the auction instead. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-14-2006, 11:31 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
So there are 2 editions (from 2 publishers)? The collections I've found on YAJ seem to have 2-3 different sets of covers for the first set of books... which now makes a little more sense. /images/graemlins/wink.gif And there is a set of 20 with what looks like Maetel artwork.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are far more. 13-gÃ´-san's decent Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b101.html) has a decent coverage of the various editions released for the series.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said: Here's a link to (http://bag01pr000.ac.yahoo.co.jp/users/6/5/9/6/alphapon-imgbatch_1138942567/588x405-2006013000033.jpg) the set I'm eyeing. Not sure if that's the right stuff or not though.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the Big Comic Gold TankÃ´bon edition. That's also the one I have (aside from the original TankÃ´bon release by ShÃ´nen Gahosha) and highly recommend it. Contains furigana, at least TankÃ´bon 1 to 14 that contain the Dai Andromeda arc (as said before the Eternal arc does not contain furigana with the reason being that it's been published in a Seinen mangabon). Personally I think that's the best way to go for the manga...oh and just minor nitpick but I love those little poems (written in English as can be seen on the lower edge of the covers in the picture you linked to).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said: Here's covers from the other set. (http://img223.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/7/5/5/3/auctions0303-img600x450-1138795980himg0055.jpg)

[/ QUOTE ]

I would highly recommend you *not* to buy these. This is the My First Big release by ShÃ´gakukan of the manga. These are available at various stores in Japan, with low page count and quite low price (around 200+ Yen) which are mainly aimed to give curious readers a short "glimpse" at the manga for half the price of the TankÃ´bon. The My First Big edition also contains *not* all chapters from the Dai Andromeda arc (if you look at the aforementioned Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia site I linked to and look at the comparison chart the edition marked F is the "My First Big" edition and as can be seen at the chart is missing several chapters).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
And then there are these covers. (http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m26780368) I don't like these much, though they appear to be slip covers. Perhaps they cover the Maetel art?

[/ QUOTE ]

The first one you linked to, the Big Comic Gold TankÃ´bon release are also slip-covers (and I guess Maetel on the covers is way better than various Galaxy shots ^_~). This one you linked to is the first TankÃ´bon release by ShÃ´gakukan of the Dai Andromeda arc (as said the series originally were released in a mangabon by ShÃ´nen Gahosha, has been released by them after ShÃ´gakukan "took over").

Hope that helps.

so far
yours
littleharlock

Quiddity

03-14-2006, 05:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:

There are far more. 13-gÃ´-san's decent Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b101.html) has a decent coverage of the various editions released for the series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm... I've got 1-5, 7-13 of the first one shown on that page and recently bought 14, 15, 17 and 18 off ebay... ...and have just found out they're not from the same set. Looks like I'm getting #14 from the Big Comics Gold collection and the rest are from the first image slerch posted. Any clue if the material properly corresponds? I hope so, as I'm anxiously awaiting completing my collection of the manga... /images/graemlins/happy.gif

slerch666

03-14-2006, 06:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Quiddity said:
[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:

There are far more. 13-gÃ´-san's decent Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b101.html) has a decent coverage of the various editions released for the series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm... I've got 1-5, 7-13 of the first one shown on that page and recently bought 14, 15, 17 and 18 off ebay... ...and have just found out they're not from the same set. Looks like I'm getting #14 from the Big Comics Gold collection and the rest are from the first image slerch posted. Any clue if the material properly corresponds? I hope so, as I'm anxiously awaiting completing my collection of the manga... /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

The chart at the bottom of the page, below Set E, shows you what stories are collected in each book. NONE of them match up, so I think you're going to be rebuying...

littleharlock

03-15-2006, 01:36 AM

The first one on the 999 manga comparison chart is the original (or you could also say first) Hit Comics TankÃ´bon release by ShÃ´nen Gahosha. If you have it up to TankÃ´bon 5 that means you have it up to the "Trader Bunkiten" Part 1 chapter. If I got that correctly you're missing TankÃ´bon 6 of the Hit Comic TankÃ´bon release which means you're missing 7 chapters. If you can't find TankÃ´bon 6 of the original Hit comic release chances to get these missing 6 chapters would be Bunkoban 4 & 5 or TankÃ´bon 5 of the Big Comic TankÃ´bon release. Of course that would mean you're double-dipping on a few chapters...but better than missing one (or another possibility would be to look at Jpqueen (http://www.jpqueen.com) as they had some of the original Hit Comic TankÃ´bon listed (don't know wether they still have TankÃ´bon 6 though).
TankÃ´bon 7-13 of the Hit Comic TankÃ´bon means you're missing the final 5 (the Hit Comic edition contains the Dai Andromeda arc in 18 TankÃ´bon in total). Again if you can't find (or don't want to continue that way) the last 5 TankÃ´bon for that edition you're best chances would be the Bunkoban 9 (contains only one chapter that you don't have already) to 12. Or since you already bought the Big Comic TankÃ´bon getting TankÃ´bon 11, 12 and 13 would cover the rest of the Dai Andromeda arc that you're still missing.

TankÃ´bon 15+ of the Big Comic Gold re-release start covering the 2nd series/2nd story arc, the Eternal arc (on which the 3rd movie Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 ~ Eternal Fantasy is based on). There are still TankÃ´bon released for it (as this series isn't completed by Matsumoto...he releases new chapters via Special issues (http://dragonautics.co.at/community/usrpages/lhnl/pub/Img_02.jpg) of Big Comic Superior very randomly *at a yearly rate at best*). For what it's worth a comparison chart for the Eternal arc (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b102.html) can be found at 13-gÃ´-san's Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia as well (note that the recently released 21st TankÃ´bon doesn't contain all the chapters released for the series as well...it misses the latest chapters *as well as the MÃ®-kun short stories* published by Matsumoto in the aforementioned BC Superior Special issues).

Hope that helps.

so far
yours
littleharlock

mistressh

03-15-2006, 03:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:. For what it's worth a comparison chart for the Eternal arc (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b102.html) can be found at 13-gÃ´-san's Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia as well (note that the recently released 21st TankÃ´bon doesn't contain all the chapters released for the series as well...it misses the latest chapters *as well as the MÃ®-kun short stories* published by Matsumoto in the aforementioned BC Superior Special issues).

[/ QUOTE ]

Waahh!! Despite having loaded every kanji-set I could find into my fonts over the last two years, I STILL can't display these pages...!!! I just get gibberish! Can anyone point me at the correct font somewhere??

...and I'm missing episodes?? <whimper> <sigh> on top of STILL not being able to find "The Tochiro II" and the original "Emeraldas" shorts, that's harsh... ;-(

H

littleharlock

03-15-2006, 04:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:. For what it's worth a comparison chart for the Eternal arc (http://db.leiji.jp/comics/c22b102.html) can be found at 13-gÃ´-san's Matsumoto Leiji Encyclopedia as well (note that the recently released 21st TankÃ´bon doesn't contain all the chapters released for the series as well...it misses the latest chapters *as well as the MÃ®-kun short stories* published by Matsumoto in the aforementioned BC Superior Special issues).

[/ QUOTE ]

Waahh!! Despite having loaded every kanji-set I could find into my fonts over the last two years, I STILL can't display these pages...!!! I just get gibberish! Can anyone point me at the correct font somewhere??

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm by *far* not experienced in computer stuff and with me browsing with the German version of the Internet explorer I guess it's no real help either. However have you tried accessing the site, click "View" (third option in the top menu bar), then Encoding (it's the 8th option in the submenu for "view" in the explorer version I use and then set it on Japanese (automatical selection)?

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
...and I'm missing episodes?? <whimper> <sigh>

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep. TankÃ´bon 21 of the Big Comic Gold release does leave out Chapter 39 (Eternal arc) and starts with the Prologue chapter for Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari (aka Chapter 40 Eternal arc). It contains Chapter 40 part 1 and 40 part 2 (aka Prologue First and second part) plus Chapter 41 (aka Prologue II) and then leaves out a whole bunch of chapters (42 to 45) which have been previously released in the last Big Comic Superior special issue (the one I took a photo of..it's the one with Maetel on the cover). However TankÃ´bon 21 includes all 5 chapters of the actual Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari manga that have been released so far via the special issue. The only thing you miss are the aforementioned Eternal arc chapters 39, 42 to 45 (plus the MÃ®-kun short stories and the other extra stuff of the special issues, i.e. interviews, production report on Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari, reader's choice best scenes of The Cockpit, etc.).

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
on top of STILL not being able to find "The Tochiro II" and the original "Emeraldas" shorts, that's harsh... ;-(

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't want to get started about the yet uncollected released (aka lost) chapters for Cockpit Legend and Case Hard -.-
Oh and don't forget the lost chapters of Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9...heck one of those ShÃ´nen Ou issues containing uncollected stuff even came with a Mellow calender /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif
Matsumoto fans at the Y!AJ can be so damn cruel when it comes to bidding for such rare issues/chapters -.-

so far
yours
littleharlock

mistressh

03-15-2006, 04:19 AM

As promised - possibly a little safer than relying on Amazon's indexing system, which isn't always very good at labelling titles correctly even on the non-Japanese sites!

The GE999 tankobun for the Shonen Gahosha edition

1 4-7859-4661-X
2 4-7859-4662-8
3 4-7859-4663-6
4 4-7859-4664-4
5 4-7859-4665-2
6 4-7859-4666-0
7 4-7859-4667-9
8 4-7859-4668-7
9 4-7859-4669-5 (starts with "Jikan JÃ´ no Kaizoku"!)
10 4-7859-4670-9
11 4-7859-4671-7
12 4-7859-4672-5

Regards

Helen

slerch666

03-15-2006, 07:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
Waahh!! Despite having loaded every kanji-set I could find into my fonts over the last two years, I STILL can't display these pages...!!! I just get gibberish! Can anyone point me at the correct font somewhere??

...and I'm missing episodes?? <whimper> <sigh> on top of STILL not being able to find "The Tochiro II" and the original "Emeraldas" shorts, that's harsh... ;-(

H

[/ QUOTE ]
What browser are you using? I'm using FireFox, have the Japanese fonts/character sets installed in XP and when I go to the page it looks fine. I have the View-> Character Encoding auto detected on Japanese. The encoding for this particular page seems to be Japanese (Shift_JIS). Hope that helps.

slerch666

03-15-2006, 10:08 AM

Well... a quick update. I've got ONE disc remaining to watch. Only 4 more episodes. I was SSSSOOOOO close to just watching the final 4 episodes last night, even if it meant feeling like crap this morning thanks to not getting enough sleep. My not wanting to feel like crap got the best of me however, and I ended up holding off. Tonight for sure.

littleharlock- what exactly is the episode that is on the bonus disc, and is it safe to watch once I get finished with the series (does it ruin anything from any of the other bits of the GT999 universe?)?

And what should I watch once the series is over? The Specials or the movies? Or does it not really matter? I just want to make sure what I watch after this doesn't ruin any of the story for what comes later.

On an update to the Manga, I won and auction for vol. 1-20 of the Big Comic version off YAJ this morning for 3000 Yen before shipping. After shipping and deputy fees it'll probably be ~$55-$60 US. Still better than ~600 Yen a book for 20 books (aren't they up to 21 in this run now?) and then shipping as well. It's the set of 1-20 I posted the pic of yesterday.

Where I stopped on this last disc was after part 1 of Maetel no Tabi. I have to say I was itching to watch at least the next episode, as it leaves off in a way to make you want to know what is going to happen.

On a side, off beat note, how the hell is it that Maetel (and Tetsuro to a lesser extent) always seems to wind up in the nude, or almost nude? We've seen plenty of bra/panty incidents, but on Maetel no Tabi she winds up completely uncovered (not that I mind /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif). I'm just glad we don't generally see Tetsuro naked...

On a follow up, when the series is finished, will I know what Maetel "is" (and why the old guy way, way back was horrified when she flashed him, I'll have to go back and see what planet that was)? Will I find out what the Conductor "is?" That is, why we aren't allowed to see him naked and why the only person that had seen him naked was rather badly shaken?

I'm sure I have more questions, I just can't think of them right now.

I may have another episode or 2 synopsis ready this afternoon as well. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-15-2006, 11:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
Well... a quick update. I've got ONE disc remaining to watch. Only 4 more episodes. I was SSSSOOOOO close to just watching the final 4 episodes last night, even if it meant feeling like crap this morning thanks to not getting enough sleep. My not wanting to feel like crap got the best of me however, and I ended up holding off. Tonight for sure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only a few more months until I can say the same (not that I feel like crap but finally being able to watch the ending for this series ^_^").

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
littleharlock- what exactly is the episode that is on the bonus disc, and is it safe to watch once I get finished with the series (does it ruin anything from any of the other bits of the GT999 universe?)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Once you've finished watching all 113 episodes I'd say it's save to watch the 4th TV special (aka 114th episode) Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 ~ ShÃ´nen no Tabidachi to Wakare as it's supposed to be sort of a digest episode for the series.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch said:
And what should I watch once the series is over? The Specials or the movies? Or does it not really matter? I just want to make sure what I watch after this doesn't ruin any of the story for what comes later.

[/ QUOTE ]

Watch the TV specials and then the movies. Should be okay that way.

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
On an update to the Manga, I won and auction for vol. 1-20 of the Big Comic version off YAJ this morning for 3000 Yen before shipping. After shipping and deputy fees it'll probably be ~$55-$60 US. Still better than ~600 Yen a book for 20 books (aren't they up to 21 in this run now?) and then shipping as well. It's the set of 1-20 I posted the pic of yesterday.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great to hear you've got the manga...looking forward to read your thoughts on it.
Yep 21 TankÃ´bon are released with more to come (though it took ShÃ´gakukan about 6 years to release TankÃ´bon 21 ^_~).

so far
yours
littleharlock

mistressh

03-15-2006, 12:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
What browser are you using? I'm using FireFox, have the Japanese fonts/character sets installed in XP and when I go to the page it looks fine. I have the View-> Character Encoding auto detected on Japanese. The encoding for this particular page seems to be Japanese (Shift_JIS). Hope that helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just Internet Explorer, with an IME loaded to read Japanese characters, but I've no idea how to configure it to read this page - it loads most Japanese pages just fine (apart from the ones with Flash on them!)

This PC's on its last legs and running on Windows 98 - could be a factor! Since it's just for internet access I haven't bothered getting a new one (my laptop is for working on and I don't let *that* even get a sniff of the internet!!) yet... But it would be nice to be able to read the Encyclopaedia! The welcome page displays ok, but the moment you come off it onto any other page on the site it's gobbledygook! /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

H

slerch666

03-15-2006, 01:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
Just Internet Explorer, with an IME loaded to read Japanese characters, but I've no idea how to configure it to read this page - it loads most Japanese pages just fine (apart from the ones with Flash on them!)

This PC's on its last legs and running on Windows 98 - could be a factor! Since it's just for internet access I haven't bothered getting a new one (my laptop is for working on and I don't let *that* even get a sniff of the internet!!) yet... But it would be nice to be able to read the Encyclopaedia! The welcome page displays ok, but the moment you come off it onto any other page on the site it's gobbledygook! /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

H

[/ QUOTE ]

In IE you can try what littleharlock mentioned. Click View -> Encoding -> More -> Japanese (Shift-JIS). You can also try View -> Encoding -> Auto Select, though that doesn't always work.

The other thing to try is to install a new (much better than IE) browser like FireFox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/) and see if that can work. I used to use it on my Dad's W98 PC when I was there and it would display pages fine. Can't recall if I ever saw anything in Shift-JIS though.

And since you wanted to see that particular page, I saved it as HTML to my PC then opened word and printed it to a PDF. I sent it to you via email, so hopefully you can see at least the one page. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

mistressh

03-16-2006, 04:27 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:

I don't want to get started about the yet uncollected released (aka lost) chapters for Cockpit Legend and Case Hard -.-
Oh and don't forget the lost chapters of Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9...heck one of those ShÃ´nen Ou issues containing uncollected stuff even came with a Mellow calender /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif
Matsumoto fans at the Y!AJ can be so damn cruel when it comes to bidding for such rare issues/chapters -.-

[/ QUOTE ]

<sigh> I've yet to work out how to worm my way into YAJ... I'm desperate to find those short stories I'm missing (I think I can get the Emeraldas one from that Matsumoto special that has part of Diver 0 in it? but I'll have to track down the specific issues of the mamgazine the Tochiro II was in...)

Mind you, in a quirk of fate, I managed to end up with *two* copies of Diver 0, after failing to inform someone searching for some stuff for me that I'd found another copy elsewhere! The gods alone know where I'm going to offload the spare! (Or some of the other Matsumoto duplicates I've ended up with from having to complete sets by buying job lots...)

Roughly back on topic though, I did change the coding, and it works! Thanks guys (and for the pdf, slerch!) Never knew about that little trick - but then, never needed Japanese encoding back when I learned how to use Explorer way back when... ;-)

If it helps, Chapter 39 is still online in the shogakukan GE999 website, along with what looks like *all* of the Eternity arc as far as chapter 41 (but not including the GTM chapters...) Now if only they'd update the site and add the last few... ;-)

I've also got my eye on some GE999 goodies from the 80's that I'm hoping I'll a) be able to afford and b) will give some insight into the series - the seller isn't very good at describing what he's got on offer though, so if we come to a deal I'm only getting the volume that includes the Time Castle 3 parter first, to see exactly what this series of books is - it's huge, for one thing - seems to run to about 11 volumes - but fingers crossed, it might be quite helpful! (Oh for an animanga of a few select stories - best invention *ever* for a novice Japanese learner trying to make head or tail of tricky dialogue!)

Best

H

littleharlock

03-16-2006, 05:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Helen Fayle said:
<sigh> I've yet to work out how to worm my way into YAJ... I'm desperate to find those short stories I'm missing (I think I can get the Emeraldas one from that Matsumoto special that has part of Diver 0 in it? but I'll have to track down the specific issues of the mamgazine the Tochiro II was in...)

[/ QUOTE ]

Regarding Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9 the final two chapters are the uncollected and have never been released as TankÃ´bon (and with it only being two chapters I doubt we're going to see that happening anytime soon...except Matsumoto would go back and do some more chapters for this "quintessence of my works" as he once called the Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9 manga /images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway the information you probably need while looking for tracking down the issues:

â€¢ Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9 Chapter 13 ~ "So Faraway, So Close ~ Yakusoku no Chi ~ released with the December 1996 issue of ShÃ´nen Ou mangabon (released by Koubunsha)
â€¢ Kasei Ryodan DNA Sights 999.9 Chapter 14 ~ "Infinity within ~ Mugen no Tsunagari" released with the April 1997 issue of ShÃ´nen Ou mangabon (released by Koubunsha)

Regarding The TochirÃ´ II ~ Waga Seishun no Herlock it has been released twice, first release was in Issue released on 3/10 of Weekly ShÃ´nen Jump (publisher Shueisha) back in 1980 (same month he also released the third and final chapter for Shin Sexaroid btw.) and then in the same year released with some sort of ShÃ´nen Jump special issue that went on sale in November 1980. The best chance is to look for it by looking for people that are offering complete sets of ShÃ´nen Jump of a whole year. I know a bit much weight and shipping but better than to pay twice/three times as much for the single issue just because Matsumoto fans are bidding the crap out of each other (believe me, I tried twice to bid for the seperate issue and everytime it ended up at a price that was *way* beyond what I was willing to spend on it...at least I managed to get the issue (http://dragonautics.co.at/community/usrpages/lhnl/pub/new_01.jpg) containing The TochirÃ´)

The Play Comics UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock special issue contains:
- Emeraldas
- Diver 0 "Kieru Megalopolis"
- Diver 0 "Captain Herlock to kinboshi no JoÃ´ Tocross
- Diver 0 "Android Hunter"
- Diver 0 "Tenshi no ita Machi"
- Diver 0 "JÃ»ban Wakusei no Higeki"
- UchÃ» Senkan Deatshadow
- Dai Kaizou Herlock
- Pilot 262

So basically it contains almost all chapters of the Diver 0 Sun Comics TankÃ´bon release (missing the first chapter though).
Speaking of Diver 0 this series also is one of those that have the "Matsumoto released chapter(s) for it that were never republished or included in a TankÃ´bon"...the one for Diver 0 being titled "Sennen JoÃ´ no Maki" /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Back on topic I almost finished typing up a summary/thoughts on the next couple of episodes (though episode 83 gives me headache -.-). Was a bit distracted with my Amazon.jp stuff finally arrived (and watching some Rozen Maiden trÃ¤umend goodness ^_^").

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-16-2006, 08:22 AM

Well, I did it last night. I finally, after about 13 weeks, have managed to completely watch the Ginga Tetsudo 999 TV series. Well, the main 113 episodes anyway.

***Contains some spoilers for the end of the series, so if you haven't seen it and don't want it ruined, you may not wish to read the spoiler bits***

Never has a series had me getting emotional like this. I was on episode 111 and was actually having a difficult time keeping it together. Having Tetsuro wondering whether he should even bother going after his pass when it is stolen and Maetel keeping pretty well silent, though given her demeanor you can tell this isn't easy for her it was just so brilliantly handled that I couldn't help but be saddened by the end of the journey that was drawing near.

Only once in the series did Tetsuro lose faith in Maetel, and the separation by Tetsuro being arrested once his decision was made, was pretty poignant. In our hearts we know that Maetel would never forsake Tetsuro but Tetsuro's part is played so well that you actually have to feel for him. He felt betrayed by his traveling companion, the only person other than the Conductor with whom he has any sort of connection. This was the one companion Tetsuro never thought would betray him, but it turns out the entire journey was meant to be a betrayal of sorts. That Meatel can't go through with it shows you just how much she cares about Tetsuro.

And the actual ending, while I won't spoil it until I get to my synopsis for the last 3 episodes, was expertly handled and well done. I don't know how the Manga ended, but in all honesty I liked this ending. It didn't pan out quite the way I had wanted, but again, in my heart I knew it had to end in a fashion similar to this.

Easily, easily one of, if not THE greatest series I've ever seen. I could honestly stop watching Anime today and wouldn't have an issue with not watching another show (well, other than the fact that I have a lot of unwatched discs on the shelf LOL). I can't think of any show today that matches the perfection this series achieved in my opinion. The voice acting, the characters, the animation, the music... the entire package, was so close to perfect that there really isn't any way much of anything COULD reach this level. I can't imagine anything, then or now, that surpasses it. That it still shows up on the top 100 Anime of All Time lists in Japan, with a not so shabby showing in the 30-40 range, speaks volumes. Comparing it to the series from "now" on the list, how many of those will actually stay on this list? My guess is that the majority of them will drop off into obscurity, while Ginga Tetsudo 999 will hold a spot for years to come. The fact that a show that is 25+ years old and is still listed in popularity polls has to say SOMETHING about the magic within the show.

I keep gushing on the series, and I'm afraid all my gushing will turn people off, but it's impossible to NOT say such great things about the series. Despite my gushing, people need to see this series. Find some way to watch it. It NEEDS to be seen by all Anime fans IMO.

The only negative thing I can say about the show is... I wish it were even longer.

littleharlock/Helen- since they don't explain it in the series, what's the deal with Saisho-san? They show you all these things about him, but never close the mystery in the TV series. Or is it explained in the TV Specials/Movies?

Oh, and after seeing the finale, I was so emotional that I couldn't bring myself to watch eps 114 on the bonus disc. In fact, I had to get up and walk away and do other things. I couldn't bring myself to watch anything else that could possibly detract from the atmosphere created after seeing it.

Would the series have such an effect on everyone? Probably not. But for those that can get attached to the characters (Tetsuro is far from the annoying child syndrom, and how can a person NOT love Maetel?) I really think it would create a profound experience unlike most other Anime.

littleharlock

03-17-2006, 12:58 AM

To finally get some thoughts/summaries posted again I thought to at least post those that I finished typing up. That means I'm missing episode 83 (it gives me hard times typing up something for it ^_~) so I hope it's okay just to post the ones for episode 84 to 86 and I'm going to post the one for episode 83 laterwards:

â€¢ Episode 84 - "KyÃ´zÃ´ no Hoshi"
The Basic Story:
While 999 is on its route to its final destination Dai Andromeda, TetsurÃ´ notices a strange reflection while gazing out of the trains window. As he soon realizes the reflection is a bottle, a message in a bottle to be precise. With the help of SashÃ´-san (who was about to inform the passangers regarding the next stop ^_^) he manages to grab the bottle. When Maetel opens the bin and takes out the message they realize that the message is actually a diary. The adventure diary of an explorer named Stanley...on the planet Arcadia! Stanley and his team came to Arcadia in order to hunt down an old legend about a gigantic phantom elephant being that is said to live on Arcadia. However the dairy entry ends with Stanley stating their situation has become more critical lately. So TetsurÃ´ and Maetel (being both the adventure loving passengers ^_~) ask SashÃ´-san wether he couldnÂ´t request a stop on Arcadia in order to rescue the explorer team of Stanley. SashÃ´-san communicates with the Galaxy Railways Administrative Bureau and surprisingly they will into this request. So 999 lands at the train station of Arcadia. TetsurÃ´ and Maetel take one of the boats located at the river nearby (how convenient ^_~) to find the explorers (with the help of the diary which gives hints on the exact location of the team). After a short ride the two find the camp of Stanley (located nearby the river, so itÂ´s not that hard to miss ^_^). Arriving there they find out that the team consists of three people, Merusa the (beautiful) wife of Stanley, Naru the assistant of Stanley and last but not least the infamous Stanley himself. While Merusa and Naru are overjoyed about the rescue that Maetel and TetsurÃ´ had planned for them, the old Stanley himself doesnÂ´t plan to leave Arcadia! As it was somewhat noticable in his diary, Stanley is obsessed with the thought of finding out the truth behind the legen of the phantom elephant HonÃ´. When TetsurÃ´ manages to knock out the resisting Stanley to take him onbaord their ship, Merusa and Naru were one step ahead and already departed (together) on the boad, leaving Stanley, Maetel and TetsurÃ´ behind! However their little escape plan is soon to be shattered by no-one-less than the gigantic HonÃ´ itself! HonÃ´ follows them and manages to make Naru (not the best boat driver I guess) going on crash course towards one of the tress of the jungle. Before HonÃ´ could stomp Merusa, TetsurÃ´ and Stanley (who regained consciousness in the meanwhile) can drive the big elephant (heÂ´s really gigantic, bigger than the trees ^_~) back...however while HonÃ´ is on the run he "steps over" Naru (well some victims should be taken into account ^_~). Back at the camp we get some explanation on why Merusa was also trying to leave her husband back. While Stanley is obsessed with the thought of finding out the truth behind HonÃ´, Merusa canÂ´t share the same devotion to this issue and just wants to leave the dangerous planet Arcadia.
Thoughts:
Once again, a decent episode. They way this episode resolved in the end gives the Stanley Witch a whole new meaning /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif Once again this is an episode in a bunch not based on the actual 999 manga but on the "KyÃ´zÃ´ nishi e okonaiku" chapter which has been collected as MatsumotoÂ´s Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari ~ A tale of a time gone by manga. What I enjoyed about the basic setting of this episode is that weÂ´re once again presented to one of MatsumotoÂ´s obvious personal topics. The natural mysteries, especially the "adventerious exploring of the jungle and the mysteries it bears within" is something that has been presented in Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 before...however I do think that this episode presented the best setting of that sort. Once again the TV staff mentioned to weave in TetsurÃ´, Maetel and 999 within the actual story without giving you a "forced" feeling. One of the IMO best moments were contained during the ending. When the holy queen was about to kill TetsurÃ´, she gets a nice head shot. While it looked at first like TetsurÃ´ probably managed to pull the trigger of his Cosmo Dragoon before almost falling from the mountain, a moment later we see that the one that rescued him was Maetel. The facial expression she has during that moment was just priceless IMO
Oh and let me note that I love the designs of Merusa ^_^ I mean yeah itÂ´s basically the same design as Maetel, but I think I just love brown/dark-haired Matsumoto beauties...probably because theyÂ´re quite rare in his works (with blonde woman/girls being the most common ^_^)

â€¢ Episode 85 - "Ai no Genei Wakusei"
The Basic Story:
Love is in the air ^_^ (okay with this being Leiji Matsumoto you could add "tragic"). The next stop on 999's route towards Dai Andromeda is Genei Wakusei tsuka no Ma no Koi. This stop is only scheduled for 38hours (and 14 minutes) according to SashÃ´-san. Once deboarded from 999, TetsurÃ´ soon looses sight of Maetel in the crowd of this planet (btw. is it just me or is anyone else reminded of Paris when watching this episode?). So when TetsurÃ´ walks around at (what appears to be the center of the town) he soon meets a young lady. The young sympathic girl (with freckles in her face) introduced herself to TetsurÃ´ as Maya whoÂ´s selling poems on the street. On the funny side of things when TetsurÃ´ tells Maya that heÂ´s looking for Maetel, she asks him wether Maetel is his girlfriend to which we get a blushing and denying TetsurÃ´ ^_^
Scene change to an apartment nearby the place where Naya sells her poems. Inside the appartement the very first thing we get to see is a beautiful blonde Matsumoto beauty in all her nakedness (and for the pervs out there reading this...yeah we get nipples O_O). The reason for why the woman is sitting on a bed naked stretching arms and stuff is because sheÂ´s posing for an artist. A young man named Lester is the owner of the appartment and a very talented but poor artist. Moreover Lester has a serious crush on the beauty named Feras, impressed (and obsessed) by her beauty ever since he met her at a noble restaurant where she works as waitress. However despite Feras enjoying to be the model for an artistÂ´s portrait doesnÂ´t see anything else in Lester as to be his muse. She brings the breakfast, gets naked, Lester draws her and thatÂ´s it. But thereÂ´s even more to it. To make it a tragic love triangle, we need one more person involved in this love/unrequited love game...and thatÂ´s actually the sympathic girl Naya. When Naya notices the beautiful Feras leaving Lester's apartment once again, she leaves her poem stand to go up to Lester's apartment. She finds a frustrated Lester, who fell too much to even notice NayaÂ´s feelings for him. At night Lester plans to confront Feras with the feelings he bears for her. However instead of that he witnesses how Feras and a fellow rich man are enjoying the evening. When the rich guy invites her for a ride in his fancy car and asks her about the poor artist (aka Lester), Feras doesnÂ´t really care much (as she isnÂ´t interested in Lester and seemingly enjoys to "play" with the young man a bit). You can pretty much sense the tragic ending of this game of unrequited love in the air. And TetsurÃ´? Well he is reunited with Maetel...however with all the love issues going on on this planet and Maya mentioning to him that it seems the feelings TetsurÃ´ bares for Maetel may be love you can guess that the young boy is pretty confused as well in regards of love ^_~
Thoughts:
Again this episode is not based on the actual 999 manga by Matsumoto, but on the "KyÃ´zÃ´ nishi e okanaiku" story of MatsumotoÂ´s Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari ~ A tale of a time gone by manga. Once again the TV staff definitely suceeded in adapting a (basically) completely different story into the 999 storyline. What downright amazed me was that they not only adapted it, but also filled it with wonderful character development in regards of the Maetel and TetsurÃ´ relationship so that you really wouldnÂ´t have a clue itÂ´s not a story of the 999 manga ^_^ One of the more hilarious yet brilliant moments was TetsurÃ´Â´s dream. Ever since Naya pointed out to him that he may feel love for Maetel, little TetsurÃ´ was sort of confused. This reached its peak when TetsurÃ´ was dreaming of a highly romantic candle-like dinner he enjoyed together with Maetel ^_^ 
The story of Maya/Lester/Feras pretty much doomed from the very beginning, yet that does *by no means* say it wasnÂ´t bittersweet enjoyable to watch. In the end Lester's obsession of the beautiful Feras killed her. Yet I somehow didnÂ´t feel that bad for Feras as she pretty much got what she deserved (as harsh as that may sound). She played with Lester and his feelings from the very beginning and obviously wasnÂ´t that clear to Lester in these regards as she was with the noble (fellow) mechanoid. Lester gone what you could call totally crazy decided after Feras' death to join the army (interesting to watch the "sign in" scene with the heads of the army being portrait as sneaky men covered in darkness ^_~). The only person in this tragic story I think is sad to watch is Naya. Animationwise this episode was top-notch as well, with Kazuo Komatsubara being responsible for the art direction here.

â€¢ Episode 86 - "Oyashirazu no UFO"
The Basic Story:
When 999 approaches its next stop Oyashirazu no Hoshi (Wisdom tooth's star) you can imagine *which* sort of pain TetsurÃ´ buggs. However this pain is soon forgotten when Maetel and TetsurÃ´ deboard 999 and find themself in some strange sort of trouble once they try to check-in at their hotel/inn on this stop. Once they enter the house and the old owner of the house sees TetsurÃ´ the man is totally convinced that he is his son...Tetsuo! Even when TetsurÃ´ tries to explain that he is named TetsuRÃ´ Hoshino and a traveller of 999, the old man doesnÂ´t want to believe it (heck he doesnÂ´t even try to listen) and continues "cuddling" TetsurÃ´ with the illusion of his son having returned. The old man calls for his wife, shouting that she should hurry as "their son has returned at last". When his wife enters the scenery she obviously realizes that TetsurÃ´ is *not* their son Tetsuo. However once she has the chance to speak with TetsurÃ´ and Maetel in confidence, she tells them that her husband has become a bit illusioned that their son would return. Their son Tetsuo left them long time ago as he obviously didnÂ´t plan to spend his life on this poor star. However they never had heard from him ever since he left. So she asks TetsurÃ´ and Maetel wether itÂ´s possible for them to "keep-up" the illusion to her husband at least as long as they stay on Oyashirazu no Hoshi. TetsurÃ´ being the good-hearted young boy he is, of course does agree on that and acts like heÂ´d be the old manÂ´s lost son TetsuÃ´. Meanwhile at night we see an UFO-constructed spaceship cruising through the skyline of Oyashirazu no Hoshi. The UFO holds at the lake spotting another UFO that seemed to have crashlanded in the lake. In the darkness of night we see a person sneaking out of the crashlanded UFO and running into the nearby fields...not spotted by the other UFO. Strange thing is the place the (covered by darkness) person runs to is the inn that TetsurÃ´ and Maetel stay at! The next day a mysterious woman arrives at the inn. ItÂ´s not the person that arrived and took a look at the inn (itÂ´s pretty obvious *who* that person was ^_~) but the mysterious woman says that sheÂ´s also looking for Tetsuo who is supposed to be on this planet! However there is something fishy about the true intentions of this woman as well as the reason why Tetsuo never returned home
Thoughts:
With this episode being one of the few original (meaning not based on the Ginga TetsudÃ´ 999 manga nor any other manga by Matsumoto as listed here (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1287185&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1)) I think that the TV series' staff handled it very well. In fact with this being an original story I found it wasnÂ´t anywhere less decent as other great episodes that were based on the manga. One of the best elements included in this episode was the story with TetsuoÂ´s father thinking that TetsurÃ´ would be his long lost son.. By having re-watched Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari not too long ago I couldnÂ´t help but found myself remembered of one (of the IMO most emotional "episodic" encounters in the series) episodes in that series (episode 12 "Tasogare"). While being different series by Leiji Matsumoto I think it was great to see how similar the character Manabu YÃ»ki and TetsurÃ´ Hoshino acted in these circumstances. At last we also saw a flashback for TetsurÃ´ fathers for a change. While weÂ´ve seen a lot of decent flashbacks of the time TetsurÃ´ spent with his mother, we only saw his faterh once or twice up to now. Of course I could branch out at this place regarding TetsurÃ´Â´s father but IÂ´ll leave that until later...when weÂ´re going to discuss the movie content.
Btw. is it just me or does the space look different ever since 999 entered the Andromeda galaxy? It looks so much more "filled" and colorfull ^_^"

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-17-2006, 11:01 AM

Eps 83 Dai-san Seimeitai or The Third Life

My notes stink for this episode, and it wasnâ€™t one of the best episodes, so there are likely to be holes or things I miss.

This episode begins with a planet where inhabitants are fighting over it, and eventually the planet meets its destruction. Before the planet is fully destroyed, some lives were saved by sending crafts out into space to colonize other worlds. It just so happens that one of these colonization ships has landed on the planet to which the 999 is making its next stop upon. The 2 on the planet are Zesu and Rei.

The 999 lands on in an open field on the planet, which is surrounded by thick jungle. So Maetel and Tetsuro disembark from the train and as they do, Maetel tells Tetsuro not to wonder off. This is Tetsuro we are talking about, so as expected, he ends up running off. This time he runs off chasing a giant frog looking thing.

Once Maetel finally catches up to Tetsuro, they are attacked and knocked unconscious by some locals, ape men I guess youâ€™d say and their passes are stolen. Tetsuro then imagines himself and Maetel turning into an ape men (or ape man and ape woman). So off Tetsuro and Maetel go to find the stolen passes. In their travels they happen upon the colonization ship that landed at the beginning of the episode, only to find Zesu and Rei within. Zesu and Rei allow Maetel and Testuro in and relate the story about how their planet was destroyed and they have been entrusted with the duty of starting new life on this planet (if one thinks about it, that would involve some incest if they are to get past a single generationâ€¦). Tetsuro then relates the reason for his journey. After a short time spent â€œresting,â€? Maetel informs Tetsuro that they should begin searching for their passes again, so off they go.

While Tetsuro and Maetel are out and about, the ape man Zabu attempts to give the passes to Zesu and Rei so that they can leave the planet and continue elsewhere. 

Having no luck in locating their lost passes, Maetel and Tetsuro return to the 999 where the Conductor coldly tells them they may not board without passes. Tetsuro then tells him he is cold. In my notes, Iâ€™ve written that Maetel goes out to help Zesu and Rei, but Iâ€™m not remembering for what reason. Hopefully littleharlock can enlighten us.

The rest of what I have is rather fragmented (not that the above wasnâ€™t) but what I have is that Zesu and Rei want to try and live with the other 2 (Zabu and his wife), but Zabu and his wife wonâ€™t have it, leaving Zesu and Rei to begin their civilization alone.

So there you have a rather craptastic synopses for eps 83. It wasnâ€™t that great an episode, and having since watched through 30 episodes it is difficult to recall all the happenings during the episode as I would have liked.

I hope to have at least another one or two synopses posted today, along with posting some for eps 2 of SSX.

littleharlock

03-18-2006, 08:10 AM

Okay not good but my attempt at summarizing the story of episode 83:

â€¢ Episode 83 - "Dai-san Seimeitai"
The Basic Story:
This episode starts of with the scenery of an ongoing war. The war shown is between Maya the first planet of this system and the fourth planet Zaba. The the message of arrives 999 about this ongoing war and they are ordered an emergency landing on the third planet of this star system.
TetsurÃ´ being the adventure-seeking kid he still is, quickly deboards 999 to explore the surrounding jungle while 999 landed. However that wasnÂ´t the best idea as he soon gets attacked by a stranger and when Maetel rushes towards the direction TetsurÃ´ ran off to help, she also gets knocked-out. After the two regain consciousness they realize that *surprise* their passes have been stolen ^_~ Even worse, if TetsurÃ´ and Maetel canÂ´t retrive their passes wouldnÂ´t only mean that theyÂ´re stranded on this planet...but moreover the atmosphere of this planet somehow lets humans regenerate to their primitive (ape-like) state (of course when Maetel told that TetsurÃ´, he imagine how Tarzan TetsurÃ´ and Maetel would look like *not the nicest image*). In the meantime weÂ´re introduced to a young couple. Zesu and Rei. Zesu is a young pilot who came with Rei from the fourth planet Zaba. As we learn (via flashbacks) Zesu and Rei came to the third planet with a rocket, sent by the commander of Zaba entrusting this young couple with the "future of Wakusei Zaba" (meaning that these two young people shall be the hope for a future of the people of Zaba whoÂ´s going to be destroyed in the ongoing war with Maya). However as we see laterwards Zaba was not the only planet that has taken such actions. In fact a young (?) couple of the Maya race Rossa (the man) and his "honey" Luna managed to escaped to this planet as well...however they are already in primitive state. In fact the person that attacked TetsurÃ´ and Maetel and stole them their passes was Rossa. Speaking of which, Maetel and TetsurÃ´ returned to 999 and well TetsurÃ´ tries to board it (only to be stopped by ShashÃ´-san who explains that "no passes" means "no chance to reboard"...you'd think that TetsurÃ´ should be entrusted with *that* rule of the Galaxy Railways by now ^_~). When Maetel enforces him to give up trying to bypass ShashÃ´-san (who blocks the entrance of 999) the two wander off into the jungle of the planet to go look for their passes. After a short while they reach a clearing nearby a lake. To their surprise they find a rocket stuck nearby the lake. It's the rocket with which Rei and Zesu came to this world and as you can bet TetsurÃ´ and Maetel soon meet the two emigrants ^_^ Zesu tells them about their star and about the ongoing war between Maya and Zaba and why they've been sent to the third planet. Once Maetel and TetsurÃ´ continue their search for the passes in the jungle, Rei and Zesu get another "visit". This time by Rossa and Luna. The pass thiefes offer the young couple a deal. They would give them the 999 passes of Maetel and TetsurÃ´ and in return they can use their rocket that has (as we laterwards see) a (not completed if I got that correctly) machine on board that should help people getting used on the atmosphere of this world.
Thoughts:
I donÂ´t know what to say about this episode. ItÂ´s *far* from bad, there are many elements contained that I definitely enjoyed. However it's IMO one of the "not so good" bunch of stories not based on the 999 manga. The TetsurÃ´ and Maetel loosing their passes *once again* element just felt forced to me, meaning that this was the only plot device to connect a different story with 999...and that just felt forced. Not bad, but seeing how decently the TV staff handled to connect previous and upcoming episodes with 999 that was just the worst attempt in managing that (as said, not bad at all, but not as good as the rest of "these" kind of episodes).
What I found hilarious about the character designs was that ReiÂ´s character design terrible looked like Matsumoto heroines from his early state in his career (around the Sexaroid, Mystery Eve era). YouÂ´ve got to love those big big curley hair everywhere /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

so far
yours
littleharlock

slerch666

03-18-2006, 08:17 AM

Given my posting in the SSX thread, I donâ€™t want anyone to think Iâ€™ve forsaken my duties here (or god forbid someone thinks I enjoy SSX more!).

Eps 84 Kyouzou no Hoshi (Giant Elephant Planet)

As the episode begins, we see a message in a bottle floating in space. Tetsuro pops his head out the window and sees the bottle coming. With hat in hand, like a net, he captures the floating debris. Once the bottle is opened, it turns out to be a diary of sorts. Turns out Dr Stanley is after some legendary giant elephant, and it turns out they are in need of assistance. After a little prodding and begging, the Conductor gives in to Tetsuroâ€™s request (Tetsuro is, after all, never one to NOT help people in need!) and asks the Galaxy Express HQ if they can make a side trip to the planet. They agree and off the 999 goes.

Once they land on the jungle planet, the Conductor attempts to get Maetel and Tetsuro to stay on the 999 and leave at once. Tetsuro certainly wouldnâ€™t have any of that. So Tetsuro and Maetel hop on a boat and head on down the river.

Once the duo makes land fall, they are amazed by the size of some footprints in the mud and bones of humans. This is where they happen upon the remaining members of the elephant hunting team, the main person, Dr. Stanley, his wife Merusa and Naru, an assistant of sorts. Maetel and Tetsuro inform them that they are invited to join the passengers on the 999 in order to be rescued from the planet. Naru and Merusa are pleased, while Dr Stanley is less so. He wonâ€™t leave the planet, and pretty much forbids the others from leaving as well. So Tetsuro takes matters into his own hands and convinces the good Dr to go with them using a club (by knocking him outâ€¦ violence is a great decision maker LOL). So Naru grabs Merusa and away they go on a boat.

Before Merusa and Naru get very far, there is the sound of some massive foot falls on the jungle floor and the earth begins to shake. Here comes the fabled giant elephant, out for an attack on the pair. The boat is knocked from the water, whereupon the cowardly Naru flees without guaranteeing Merusaâ€™s safety. He is promptly squashed like a pancake beneath the massive power of the elephantâ€™s foot. Maetel then steps in and tosses her earrings into the path of the elephant, scaring it off and saving Merusa from almost certain death.

So now a little more cognizant of the danger he is putting his wife into, Stanley packs Merusaâ€™s bags and asks her to leave. Merusa will have none of it, and decides to stay with her husband. So now they have Tetsuro feeling for them, as he wishes to see Dr Stanley obtain his dream, and thus decides to stick around to help him achieve his goal (which would then allow he and his wife to leave the planet together).

Dr Stanley sets out with Tetsuro and crew towards where the elephant tracks lead. What they find is a system of mountains and a cave where in lies yet another Queen. She controls the giant elephant Hono, and orders the death of the 4 trespassers on her world. The Dr is mortally wounded by an attack. He was playing bait and switch, as while he was running around with Hono, Tetsuro was slowly making his way up the cliff/mountain face towards the Queen. He pulls his Cosmo Gun on her, only to be spotted and stopped in his tracks with his gun being knocked away (if I remember correctly). The Queen fixes to kill him when we hear a shot ring out. Did Tetsuro take possession of his gun and manage to squeeze a shot off? Nope, Maetel shot that Queen bitch in the head with a blast from lovely and practical accessories (the ring this time). She also didnâ€™t seem to appreciate the Queen threatening her little Tetsuro. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Once the Queen has been dispatched, we find that the giant elephant is no longer under anyoneâ€™s control and heads off into the jungle. Dr Stanley is mortally wounded and dies in the arms of his wife. When they go to leave, Merusa decides to stay on the planet to which her husband had devoted much of his lifeâ€™s work on, and died upon.

Back on the 999, we are presented with the usual end dialog between Maetel and Tetsuro. Tetsuro mentions that he doesnâ€™t understand the relationships between men and women like Merusa and Dr Stanleyâ€™s. Of course, Maetel tells Tetsuro he will understand it better when he falls in love himself. Tetsuro tells Metel that he doesnâ€™t need to fall in love (or something like that) so long as he can continue his journey with Maetel. He then becomes a little embarrassed and uses the â€œI have to peeâ€? excuse to get away from his embarrassment. Once heâ€™s gone, we see Maetel bursting with joy (well, in so much as we could expect to see from an ever sad Maetel), only to be followed by an instant of profound and touching sadness. What is it Maetel hides that keeps her so sad? Only time will tell. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Not the greatest episode in the series, but far, far better than the previous episode. It again all seems to revolve around love/lovers to an extent, something a fair amount of episodes in this set has. Thatâ€™s not a bad thing, just an observation.

I especially loved Tetsuroâ€™s confession of sorts, and the reaction of Maetel. I find it utterly amazing that they can animated and imbue the characters, especially Maetel, with so much LIFE that you can read emotions not only from what the character says, but also from what ISNâ€™T said. Maetelâ€™s profound sadness is never spoken of directly, yet it shows on her face, in her actions and in her words. This is another reason why this series is just so completely amazing. I canâ€™t remember another time when a character had this great a personal impact on me. Some come close, but the melancholy dysphoric mood of Maetel tops them all.

slerch666

03-18-2006, 08:23 AM

Well, you certainly garnered more from the episode than I did. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. I also seemed to have missed the dialog and meanings of certain things. I had thought I caught them saying something about reverting to primitives, but I didn't put it in my notes and thought it was just my imagination.

I also missed that Zesu and Rei came from different planets/stars.

So yeah, my synopsis sucked big time. I think I made up for it with eps 84's synopsis.

I hope to get 85-86 done up today or tomorrow.

And you're getting close to the end of what you have to watch. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to keep people, other than myself, posting in the thread when I get to the latter episodes you don't yet have. So when we get to that point, feel free to compare to the Manga whenever possible, assuming you keep reading my spoiler filled posts. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

slerch666

03-18-2006, 08:45 AM

Since I didn't bother taking notes, I've decided to give a quick write up to episode 114, or the recrap episode.

First, they CHANGED TETSURO'S VOICE! If it's a different seiyuu I don't know why, and if it's Nozawa Masako, I've no idea WTF happened to her voice! WTF!? During the show it's OK (until the voice overs come) since they recycled the audio from the series when they recycled the footage.

The first half revolves around the journey and touches lightly on a few key characters, like Leryuzu. The last half is almost completely consumed with the retelling in super condensed format, the final 2 episodes. And it should be noted that the emotionally poignant scenes they recycle, are just as much so when viewing the recrap.

Other than that, I noticed that this episode IS NOT remastered. First, the colors are faded/washed out. The "greenish" tint to the GT 999 logo on the opening animation hits the point home perfectly. It looks almost baby poop brown. The footage suffers from what looks like a hazy film over it, which causes the faded colors. I guess 20+ years of storage can do that.

Also of note is the cel crawl. I'm not sure if littleharlock or Helen noticed, but there is little to NO cel crawl when you watch the series on DVD. On this episode, there are scenes where things are jumping, no lie, about 1-2 centimeters at a time and it is really distracting. This occurs on scenes where there was NONE upon my intial viewing of the series on DVD.

The sound is probably nearly perfect, however. I'm not sure if they restored it or not, but there isn't any weirdness to it.

So the list of improvements when Toei remasters a show can be seen as:

New component master created
Color correction
Dirt removal
Audio restoration
Cel crawl elimination

There may be more, that's just what I got out of seeing an unrestored episode of GT999. And with some of the problems seen on a later episode of Great Mazinger (one of the episode previews is overly GREEN due to a problem with the source) and Jeegu, I can only imagine that 999, being nearly a decade newer, wasn't quite so bad off as some of the older classics.

So the recap episode was a nice extra, but not really all that great and not necesarily something someone HAS to see. The ice cream and Valentine Heart commercials SHOULD be seen if you have the chance. The Valentine one made me laugh all 3 times I watched it.

slerch666

03-18-2006, 05:24 PM

So I decided to take in the TV Special 1 today and have some thoughts/information to post.

Eps TV Special 1 Kimi wa Senshi no You ni Ikirareru!!

This episode is a lengthened version of the Kaseki no Senshi 2 parter (eps 12 and 13). If you want to read my thoughts on things I skip here, check out the original GT 999 thread. My thoughts and littleharlock's are there as well (not sure if Helen chimed in or not, and I'm too lazy to look).

First, I have to say I got a chuckle from the opening. The live train, with the 999 on the front was pretty silly. The animated Galaxy Express written on the train as it went by added a sort of comic value as well.

And the opening song (the song prior to the regular theme) was CRAP. Complete crap. Stupid attempt at "pop" from the time. Bleh.

The episode proceeds to explain how Tetsuro got on the 999, explains the Mechanoids, explains the differences between the humans and the Mechanoids on Earth and so on. Basically giving a 10-15 minute refresher and a crash course for those unfamiliar with it.

There are instances where I BELIEVE they created new animation, though the majority of it is recycled. There is also some confusion on my part, some silliness IMO and an attempt to lengthen the episode (I guess they had X amount of time to fill and HAD to fill it). Incorporating the scene in the ICE CAVE from JÃ»ryoku no Soko no Hakaba, the 2 parter from eps 7 and 8 I believe was stupid. No bones about it. An ICE CAVE on a planet of rock? WTF? Or was that meant to be a flash back? I thought it was part of it because of the way the scene just prior had Tetsuro on his own, then BAM! We also get presented with a piece of the episode where Matel is killed for the first time (by the beetle) and her rescue of Tetsuro at the end of it.

Basically Julius, the soldier/warrior, married his lover, Rija (the stone woman). On his wedding day, on their way to their honey moon, it is learned that a cloud is approaching the planet. So he decides to abandon his wife (because he can't forsake his duty as a warrior, even if her father desires for him to make her happy) and go out to investigate and hopefully stop the cloud before it gets to the planet. Since we know he's now on a planet of stone, protecting his lover (who I don't recall them saying was her wife on the 2 parter, only his lover). It should be evident he failed. Not only did he fail, but as he was making his way back, begging his wife to find a way off the planet, she basically dies will communicating with him. She thanks him for the brief happiness they shared and then falls silent.

So this is where the TV series left off. You can read how it plays out in my original posts.

There is some added stuff here and there, but not too much that is overly significant. One scene I enjoyed, and couldn't recall from the series but doesn't mean it isn't there, is the scene where Tetsuro's mother's pendant drops out of his hand and Maetel returns it to his hand, then proceeding to wipe the tears from his eyes. Priceless. As I think about it I vaguely recall it from the series somewhere, but am not positive.

One down, two to go. Hopefully I can finish up the movies as well.

slerch666

03-18-2006, 10:14 PM

Woohoo! Finished up another box tonight! I completed the final 2 TV specials.

TV Special 2 Eien no Tabibito Emeraldas (Eternal Traveller Emeraldas)

So at the open of the episode we get some new animation for Emeraldas' ship. We also get to see her in some pirate action! She winds up on a Mechanoid ship looking for treasure and nearly killed the Mechanoid Captain she had a duel with detonated with a suicide bomb. Because of this opening bit, we actually see more of Emeraldas and she is revealed MUCH, MUCH earlier.

Much of what follows this piece can be seen in my, littleharlock and Helen's thoughts on eps 22 in the first GT999 thread, so if you want more info on what happens, read up on it there. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Another piece added to the story involves Maetel thinking back on her first encounter with the Queen. Emeraldas is attacking a Mechanoid castle and when the Mechanoid soldiers hear her name, they haul ass to get back into the castle. Emeraldas dispatches all those unfortunate enough to be stuck in front of the castle gate. She then tells them to open the gate or she will blast it. Of course, they aren't letting the scary pirate lady in, so she has her ship blast a hole in their defenses. When the smoke begins to clear, we see a familiar silhoutte of a familiar beauty... Maetel is standing at the gate!

So Maetel and Emeraldas began their fencing duel. The battle goes from one to the other winning, and just as we hear the sound of 2 swords clashing, with the "camera" facing a wall and not the battle, a sword is lodged into this wall. Then... flash back to Maetel on the 999! They left it cliff hanging (well, until the next flash back).

Then you see more from eps 22. Just after the meal that Maetel and Tetsuro share (though Maetel doesn't really eat), she remembers being imprisoned, with "the voice" asking her how she could let this happen and how she could lose the battle. Flash back to the present.

More from eps 22 occurs where Maetel is being prepped to have the fake Emeraldas implanted. When Tetsuro meets the real Emeraldas, we get the rest of the flash back. It turns out, that even though we saw Maetel imprisoned, Maetel is actually the one who won the duel. Maetel takes pity on Emeraldas and allows her to leave. I assume this is why she was imprisoned, though they don't really make the reason clear. After what I again assume to be some time, Emeraldas breaks into the castle and frees her "eternal rival" Maetel. While Maetel was hanging in her cell, she seemed to fully expect that the Emeraldas standing before her desired to bring about her death, but instead Emeraldas broke her shackles and helped her live. Emeraldas then asks Maetel to join her in her travels, but Maetel is forced to decline because of other duties (or something like that... and if she went, would we be sitting their watching her and Tetsuro's exploits? I think not! /images/graemlins/wink.gif)

I'm not sure but I think the duels between Maetel and Emeraldas may have been lengthened and they certainly changed the back story between Emeraldas and Maetel, or at least animated it differently. I remember that during their duel in the episode it was day time and there was no reason for the duel given. It was just happening. So we have some further clarification on things, which is always good. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

I enjoyed this special. I don't know that it is my favorite of the 3 (I like the Artemis special), it was really well done and didn't have any confusing pieces from other episodes thrown in, which is good.

It was 48 minutes long, which tells me they should have just made the story in the show a 2 parter, and had 115 episodes for the series. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Next up was the third special.

TV Special 3 Kimi wa Haha no You ni Aiseru ka!!

So this special revolves around the tragic "gelatinous" life form that left its mother to become a Mechanoid, Artemis.

The opening scenes of this episode are quite a bit different than the original episodes (51 and 52). They actually spend much more time building up the Artemis character. She wishes to leave the confines of her mother and experience true freedom. She makes several attempts, one foiled by her siblings, to escape, only to be reeled back in by her mother. Eventually she escapes and heads off for her Mechanical body. Artemis explains to her siblings what freedom is, though none of them really seem able to grasp the concept.

I REALLY loved the images of Artemis and Maetel that were shown "floating" in space. Given the artbook littleharlock convinced me to buy, the artwork matches some of the "pin up" style artwork Matsumoto has done for other outlets (such as said artbook). Awesome.

So we now get back into the meat of eps 51. Again, read the previous thread for further discussion and synopses. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

We are presented with some flash backs to previous episodes involving mother like figures, or so I imagine that's what Tetsuro is thinking upon them for. First is Freiya the animator who IS her own light source, Rasen the woman from the screw planet, Yuki from the snow planet (where Tetsuro was almost eaten... literally!) and then the Insector Queen whose all but one child died. He then recalls the time just before his mother's death.

We also get some expansion and clarification on Artemis backstory. When Artemis arrives on the planet her first stop is the hospital to get a new body. When she is there, she is assigne a number, which has some significance. Once she has her new body, she's nearly run down in the street (she is, after all, new to having a solid body like this, and also has no clue on the customs of the planet she is on... which causes her some big issues later on). The man who nearly hit her decides to show her a good time on the town, seeing how she has a dog tag that is like a beacon saying "I'm NEW here! Take advantage of me!" He shows her around town. He takes her to get new clothes and the first sign of trouble is that when she leaves the establisment, the shop owner appears to be using her serial number for something.

So she spends the night living lavishly and not having a care in the world. I'm not sure exactly how much time passed, but she goes dancing with the guy who began showing her around, then she dances with another guy and has HIM showing her around and having a romantic encounter (I guess men like Mechanoid virgins?).

The next morning she is in the shower when the hotel doorbell rings. It happens to be none other than... BILL COLLECTORS! It turns out she was charged for her new body, her dress, all the food and drinks and the hotel room. She says there is a mistake as the man she was with was to pay... but it turns out he's nowhere to be found. You just have to love people that use others. The only option she has, since she has no funds with which to pay, is to work in a factory to pay off her debt.

This is a MUCH, MUCH more in depth explanation as to what happens to Artemis than what we are presented in the eps 51/52. I mean, we knew she had to work but this adds a different, more tragic twist to it. Here you have a person who just obtained a body and wants to enjoy it, only to be forced to work to pay off bills she didn't know she was being charged for. Part of it is her own fault for not investigating a bit and learning the culture/customs and how things work in a human/mechanoid world, the other part is that she just didn't know any better given her sheltered background.

Much of what remains of the special is as it occurs in the episodes themselves. The bit where she is thrown in the scrap pile has her meet a character I don't believe she met in the originals. Of course, the woman dies pretty quickly so it isn't like we missed much in the TV version.

And the episode plays out the rest of the way just as it does in the TV episodes, so read up on it there. /images/graemlins/wink.gif Yeah, I'm being lazy by not writing it all up again, but so be it.

I really enjoyed this episode. It did a lot to expand on a character I really liked. That I grew to like her and only saw her for the end of one episode and most of another (since she turned up at the end of eps 51), it is rather impressive. Nothing like the SSX syndrome of "let's meet and I'll ask you to join my crew 5 minutes after we meet."

One thing that I think they touch on, but didn't have the time to flesh out, or didn't bother to flesh out was the first man Artemis meets. When they are dancing he doesn't seem to pleased when Artemis begins dancing with the other man. I assume he is the one who called the bill collectors out of jealousy, but then again, maybe this was a conspiracy setup by others? Have an agent rack up a bill for a person who doesn't know any better and can't pay, and then force them to work it off for cheap wages and keep them working until they die or wear out.

A fitting homage to mothers I would like to think.

For those looking for interesting facts and figures, here are some I found in the DVD cases:

TV Special 1 - air date Oct 11 1979. 19:00-20:54 (why they didn't stretch to 21:00 I don't know, and given the length of the episode, did it air without commercials, or did they edit it for TV?). Was aired after episode 48 (had I known, I woulda watched it then, or around then after I bought it)

TV Special 2 - air date April 3 1980. 19:00-20:00. Was aired after episode 72. Again, had I known, I woulda watched it then.

TV Special 3 - air date Oct 2 1980. 19:00-20:54. Was aired after episode 89.

As far as the TV series as a whole, it aired from 19:00-19:30 from Sept 14 1978 until March 26 1981.

And thus ends my viewing of the TV specials. I was going to fire up movie 1 until I realized it was 2 hours long and I wanted to be in bed in an hour. Tomorrow I will finish the movie box as well though, I am sure. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

littleharlock

03-19-2006, 11:06 AM

Well episode 83 certainly wasn't the best so far and it did manage to totally confuse me the first time I watched it, it manages to do that this time around as well up to parts. It managed though to motivate me buying the Kaera zaru Toki no Monogatari manga a bit more (just to see what or how the original story has been done by Matsumoto ^_^).

[ QUOTE ]
slerch666 said:
And you're getting close to the end of what you have to watch. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to keep people, other than myself, posting in the thread when I get to the latter episodes you don't yet have. So when we get to that point, feel free to compare to the Manga whenever possible, assuming you keep reading my spoiler filled posts. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

As said I hope that I'll manage to buy the final box in April/May. At first I thought that this year seems to start of light, but with Mushishi and a bunch of great Artbooks released througout the first half of this year the soonest I'll be able to afford the box is late April/early May.

As for the manga, I'm still working (okay I should note that being the lazy person I am it's an half-ass attempt ^_~) on the summarizing the manga ending for the Dai Andromeda arc. However given my growing manga backlog (despite trying hard to minimize it ^_~) it is taking its sweet time ^_~ Honestly speaking I also recently started reading the UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock Play Comics Special issue that contains the Emeraldas short and that ranks high priority at the moment. Speaking of which the Emeraldas short is *hilarious* and had me laughing off my ass at times (i.e. you have to wonder where Emeraldas actually got her all female crew as it looks like only her first officer Meg is actually interested in working for the good old crimson lady pirate! One of the most hilarious scenes so far was when the "old girls" of the Queen Emeraldus (yep once again a new way of mixing up the Emeraldas name ^_~) heard from Meg that the Death Herlock is approaching. Their reaction basically was "we have to get properly dressed and fixing our make-up because the approach of the Death Herlock means....M-E-N!" /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif Oh and also Yattaran's attempt to get back his precious model that Emeraldas' Tori-san ate was worth a good laugh *holding out little MÃ®-kun on a bamboo-stick out of the Death Shadow's window so that she would bite Tori-san ^_^" *sorry for getting lost in some thoughts there*).

Edit: Oh and speaking of threads...if Amazon.jp won't split/mess up my order once again (like they obviously enjoy doing lately -.-) I should be getting the Ginga TetsudÃ´ Monogatari SÃ´shÃ»hen pretty soon and post some thoughts at the thread for it ^_^

so far
yours
littleharlock

mistressh

03-19-2006, 11:41 AM

[ QUOTE ]
littleharlock said:

As for the manga, I'm still working (okay I should note that being the lazy person I am it's an half-ass attempt ^_~) on the summarizing the manga ending for the Dai Andromeda arc. However given my growing manga backlog (despite trying hard to minimize it ^_~) it is taking its sweet time

[/ QUOTE ]

I could skip ahead a bit and do some work on that one as well if it would help?? I might need to compare notes on some bits though - I'm not as fluent as you are, I suspect!!

[ QUOTE ]
^_~ Honestly speaking I also recently started reading the UchÃ» Kaizoku Captain Herlock Play Comics Special issue that contains the Emeraldas short and that ranks high priority at the moment.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh you *tease* it sounds so great... (What would it take to persuade you to scan it in temporarily on a secret location so we could read it??) <whimper> At the very least can we have a complete description??

I've got some of the other rare-ish shorts I could work through if people are interested in knowing about them - if nothing else there's "Great Pirate Harlock" "Mrs L Drifting's Story" and "Saraba Roman no Toki yo" which spring to mind... and LH - we both have "Space Battleship Deathshadow" "Diver 0" and "Technologisu" ne?? Maybe we should start a "Lost Masterpieces" thread... ;-) It'd give me an incentive to actually translate them!!

>Edit: Oh and speaking of threads...if Amazon.jp won't >split/mess up my order once again (like they obviously >enjoy doing lately -.-) I should be getting the Ginga >TetsudÃ´ Monogatari SÃ´shÃ»hen pretty soon and post some >thoughts at the thread for it ^_^

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Is that the "film"?? - it's ok if so - there's not much "extra footage" though there are a couple of changes... Me, I'll take any amount of Wataru related viewing... I know as a father in a Matsumoto show he was never going to last long, but he's just so *sweet* (and I've loved Kazhuhiku Inoue ever since I heard him in Ginga Eiyu Densetsu where he plays Dusty Attenborough - my third favourite of the Alliance characters! )

My Amazon parcels have almost all arrived now - for some reason they seem to be arriving in reverse order!! so I've been a bit distracted recently - Great Mazinger, which is on hold until I've finished M-Z; A couple more GE999 disks to replace my copies on VCD; Yamato - Aratanaru no Tabidachi (Dessler! Yay!!) but would it have killed them to clean up the print?? , and what looks like a cracking read, once I can get a bit more confident with non-furigna'd text: volume 1 of "Violence Jack" by Nagai Go... looks like next month's parcel will be volumes 2-18...<g> looks awesome and it keeps distracting me since I keep looking through it and it doesn't look too difficult!! It's also *huge* - one of those pocket sized little volumes, but weighing in at almost 500 pages!! If they're all this long I'll still be on this one in two years time!!

But I'm still awaiting Eternal Fantasy, and it shipped on the 3rd! Waah!!

Biggest parcel still awaiting availability: the first 15 volumes of the gorgeous re-release of "Kamui den" by Shirota Sanpei is out in April!! I'd bought volume 1 already, but it's a little cheaper to pick up the full set!! Hopefully the Royal Mail won't do their usual trick of ripping holes in my parcel this time... Over the past three months every parcel from Japan looks like it's been chewed by voles!!

H

slerch666

03-19-2006, 03:31 PM

I've watched the first 2 movies so far today, and will finish the third and Glass no Claire as well.

I'm keeping the spoiler tags off most of this, so you've been warned. I figure being that this saw a release from Viz back in the day, at least a few people should have seen it by now. No DVD release, but the VHS is out there.

Movie 1 Ginga Tetsudo 999 Movie

I noticed they changed the narrator, or at least he sounds different to me. And right off the bat I notice that the number on the train is NOT the C6250, it is the C6248, the same train in the Uchu Kokyoshi series (judging by the image on the box). So are the different numbers used to differentiate whose 999 it is? Matsumotos is the C6250 and everyone elses is the C6248? Any info Helen/littleharlock?

I love how they work Herlock into the mix right from the start (does Rintaro have a thing for Herlock or what?). You see wanted posters for Kei, Yattaran and Herlock on a wall just as the movie begins.

I also never took Tetsuro for a thief. It's interesting with the way this starts, since Tetsuro's mother is already dead. He meets Maetel for the first time in the train station and is assisted in getting away from the police while being chased for the theft of the 999 pass by her.

They changed a few other things as well. I liked some of the changes they made to the animation of Tetsuro's mother's death. Picking up the bloody snow was a touching addition to the scene. It is unfortunate they didn't include similar in the TV series. I sort of liked Maetel using the device to see into Tetsuro's dream, and I also liked what he did with it later on, that being when Maetel was sleeping he was GOING to use it on her, only he decided at the last minute that it really didn't matter and destroyed the device. Such an honorable young boy!

I also noticed that for the most part, Maetel's eyes aren't NEARLY as sad as they are in the TV series, in fact judging by her facial expressions she seems almost HAPPY at times! That's not quite right IMO. Maetel's ever present sadness is part of what endears her to the viewer I think. She's still a great character, just not setup the way I would have liked.

The shower scene, where Maetel is talking to "The Voice" plays out almost the same as the TV series. They also changed why Tetsuro wanted a Mechanical body. He wants a body in the TV series because it is his mother's dying wish. In the movie he does it to exact revenge on Kikai Hakushaku for killing his mother. They also don't leave the planet in the TV series until Tetsuro has exacted his revenge. They changed the Jikanjou (Time Castle) to be the place where Kikai Hakushaku is "hiding" as well. I guess Rintaro liked the 3 part story the TV series creators thought up, since he used a LOT of their material, even if he changed it a bit to make it his own in a way. I can't blame him for using the best set of episodes for the basis of his story after all!

Another big change was Claire. I didn't really get a beat on her having feelings for Tetsuro, even if of a good friend type feelings, in the TV series. Granted, she dies for him so that says something, I just didn't really put 2 and 2 together I guess. Of course, she dies for him this time as well, it just so happens that she actually makes it to the END of this one, unlike the TV series. I really liked the Claire character from the TV series and getting more of her was great. Can't wait for her special.

I also liked the artistic touch of them showing Tetsuro's mother/friends on the city as they lifted away from the lights. Nice.

They changed, a little bit, how Tetsuro obtains his Cosmo Gun (still called a Cosmo Gun, not a Cosmo Dragoon), and how he obtains his trademark hat and cloak. It was pretty cool how they attached the old woman to Tochiro and how Emeraldas was surprised by the gun, hat and cloak when she saw Tetsuro. They changed the Antares bit a little, though not much.

One of the touching scenes that I thought was great was when Tetsuro was cold before getting to the ice grave planet (forget the name, sorry). Maetel opens her cloak and invites him to "snuggle" up to her for warmth, which gives you a flashback of his mother doing the same. Rintaro really kicked into the Maetel is like a mother feel. In the TV series it never seems to be too clearly cut as to what Maetel feels for Tetsuro and vice versa. They seem to go from mother/son to friends to something a little more. It may not be the "romantic" type of thing, but it is a deep, deep love/affection they share. Which made the final 2 parter of the TV series such an amazing, amazing ride (no pun intended).

We also see another Herlock poster on Heavy Melder. LOL

They changed Leryuzu to just Ryuzu as the person singing in the bar and connected to the Jikanjou. After seeing the movie, I was able to realize what they were going for in the TV series with the device Leryuzu was using. It was never defined IMO that the device was the time traveling device, but it seemed so much clearer during the movie.

I especially loved the scene with Tochiro. And imagine, not only is Tochiro a drunk, but so is Tori-san! No wonder Herlock lets the bird hang out!

Connecting the 2 storylines (Herlock and 999) in such a way was just brilliant (the fact that Tetsuro transfers Tochiro's spirit into the main computer of the Arcadia. Of course, it DOES piss on the Herlock TV back story a little, but not enough to matter. I like how they handled Tochiro's death. With his picture falling on Titan w/ his mother, Herlock "knowing" along with Emeraldas. Just brilliant.

I liked Herlock's entrance this time around. They show him in way that fans know who it is (the boots, the shirt and so on) and never make it clear who exactly is helping Tetsuro in the bar until Tetsuro sees for himself. Another brilliant touch was when Tetsuro begins to explain what happened to Tochiro to Emeraldas and Herlock stops him. Herlock then tells her himself.

The way the Jikanjou part played out was pretty similar as well, though Antares wasn't present in the TV series. I remember asking what it was that Kikai Hakushaku did with Tetsuro's mother's body (it's not like he'd need to EAT it or anything) and they make it pretty clear what he did with it in this setup. Seeing her mounted on the wall, was pretty screwed up, but fits the uncaring attitude of Mechanoids. So Tetsuro gets his revenge prior to obtaining his Mechanoid body, which it turns out he doesn't want anymore and he tells Maetel his new reason for going to Andromeda is to destroy the capacity to create Mechanoids. The drink they shared to celebrate Tetsuro's victory was nicely done. I liked how Maetel's reflection appeared in her wine glass and so on.

So let me get this straight. The planet they go to is called Maetel? Given what we know of past people whose names match a planet's nothing good ever comes of it. This is where Tetsuro is taken away from Maetel. Him getting pissed and slapping her when he learns of why she supposedly was traveling with him, was pretty touching, though not nearly as well played as the TV version IMO. Having Dr. Ban (Maetel's father in the pendant) tell Tetsuro that the truth is that Maetel loves him was probably unnecesary. Or perhaps it was necesary for those that didn't know the TV series, since anyone with the TV background, even if they hadn't seen the ending, should have known how Maetel felt about Tetsuro.

How the scene with Qeen Promethium plays out is pretty similar to the TV series, and since I haven't typed up a synopsis for it, I'll leave it at that. Having Emeraldas and Herlock join the fight was a cool in its own right.

And finally, the way in which Claire meets her end is extremely touching, and probably helped her fans become even BIGGER fans of her afterwards. To die for, as she puts it, her one and only friend raises my affection level for her even higher than it was when she did the same in the TV series. The TV series doesn't take her friendship with Tetsuro nearly as deep, but does connect the viewer to her in a profound way. Her words make it even more compelling.

So I have the second movie watched, but you know what? I don't feel like typing thoughts up on it now. What I want to do is watch the final movie, Eternal Fantasy, so I can get to the Claire special.

For a thought about the movie over all, the music was really well done, and it comes as no surprise, considering how much of it there was (the orchestral pieces I mean, not the op/ed), they decided to offer a music only track. Makes me want to own the movie OST now.

SO, for those that have ONLY seen the movie, you've gotten a very nice piece. Unfortunately there is so much more, so much more depth, to the TV series that just can't be captured in a 120 +/- movie. There are some amazing scenes that just can't possibly make it into the movie. Rintaro provided a noble effort, and captured the feel of the series nicely, but those are some tall boots to fill. I'd say he got about 50%-60% of the boots filled. Too bad the other 50%-40% was a hell of a ride and such an amazing story. And I'm not saying the movie was BAD by any means. Not at all. It was good.

Could a person be satisfied having just seen the movie(s) and nothing else? I suppose a person could since it all plays out semi-closely to the TV series. So you could, but you SHOULDN'T be satisfied with just the movies.

EDIT- Theatrical Mime... /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif Too bad she has zero spoken lines of dialog. *shakes fist in the air and screams*

And it looks like we hit 100 posts again. When I create my next post I'll start a new GT999 thread so Jmarken doesn't have to ask us to do it. /images/graemlins/wink.gif