Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse discussion thread

[FUNiOP]

I still very much appreciate the inclusion of insert songs in this series. They haven't been as frequent as they were in the early stretch, so it was nice to see one used here. It's a little harder to get behind people fighting each other than fighting BETA, but at least we don't have to look at those ugly bastards.

[ookamigirl]

Inia & Cryska, a bit of history.
It was a pretty interesting to see more about them.
In the meanwhile practice continued for Yuuya and others.
Those two do have a habit of hanging out with Yuuya though.
Guess they find him interesting or something like that.
Not much action except Yuuya vs Leon clash.

[FUNiOP]

Well that was some interesting background on the Scarlet Twins. I really liked the way those scenes were done. A full 3 minutes with no speaking whatsoever.

[Buckeye]

It's the start of a new arc, and while everybody is partying away in Alaska, some pilots from China appear, led by Cui. A duel is on the horizon as these guys want to test out Yuya.

Pretty much, this is more of a kickback episode now that the Soviet arc is finished and a new one is about to begin. This episode does what it needs to do to have the main characters reconnect with each other while the new characters are introduced. Cui does look like an interesting character considering how aggressive she was in going after Yuya.

[Buckeye]

It's time for a mock combat battle between Yuya and company against the Chinese pilots. Of course, Yuya knew all too well that all they wanted was to see a one-on-one battle between leaders, and indeed it is a sword fight between Yuya and Cui. While Cui hits hard, speed wins out as Yuya's faster blade beat Cui's more powerful, but slower one. And afterwards, Cui makes his declaration of love, and Yuya's comrades are up in arms about it.

That was a pretty good episode there, and considering that this is a visual novel adaptation that something like this was coming at some point. It will be interesting to see what happens with Cui down the line as it seems like she had her eyes on Yuya. Of course, his heart is with Yui, but that hasn't developing.

[Buckeye]

So we get some history about Cryska and Inia, and they go out with Yuya where he buys them some yellow flowers. Then Cui shows up ruining the moment trying to become Yuya's wife. Of course, things end up going downhill from there and then it is off to the bar. Then Leon shows up and starts a fight with Yuya.

Pretty good episode there for the most part until Cui shows up and some girls just don't know when to quit. And then there is Leon who is quickly becoming a jerk and it seems like he has some bad history with Yuya.

[ookamigirl]

Yuuya pushing to the limits brought nothing good.
His past caught up to him...
Lots of flashbacks in this episode.
At least he had Cryska & Inia to make him feel a bit better.
Still no Beta in sight... just dealing with the past.

[FUNiOP]

So now we learn all about Yuuya's background, and why the other American guy hates him so much. His whole background from the very beginning basically proves that he's been an asshole all along. Yes, unfortunate childhood, but that's not really a good excuse. At least he's been improving lately. And a couple of his love interests are talking about him in the meantime.

Wasn't this show about aliens or something?

[Buckeye]

This episode is all about Yuya, being raised somewhere Alabama or that region, and his history with Leon. One of the guys was killed in an accident in response to one of Yuya's maneuvers. While it was called an accident and that the victim made a piloting error, Leon still holds such hostility towards Yuya. Yuya and the Soviet twins are having a talk, all while somebody is spying on them. And in the meantime, Cui and Yui have a talk with each other.

At least now we know more about Yuya's background in this episode. And then there are now two girls after his love, which was to be expected at some point considering the origins of this show. Looks like Yuya is coming along as a character, and the next step is to settle things with Leon.

[Buckeye]

And so, the squad gets a special mission in the Alaskan woods, and they find that their target is the hot springs. And in comes the whole fanservice ordeal and other stuff going on with a hot springs episode, although most of the characters were wearing swimsuits. Yui cooks traditional Japanese food that brings back memories for Yuya, and it turns out that Cui is an awful cook. In this episode, it's Inia and Cryska going over to the men's area. As it turns out this mission was nothing more than to relax and get ready for what's coming. All while video footage of the girls was secretly taken.

I figured that an episode like this was coming although there was already a couple of beach episodes as an opportunity for fanservice. It's an alright episode considering that it does accomplish something. Anyway, it looks like the next episode will be a recap episode with some new footage, or something like that as it is specialized in some way. In any case, it will be two weeks before the start of the climax.