On the topic of feeling guilty, I’ve been rather AWOL as of late. School happens unfortunately and usually at the times you least expect it or want it. Thankfully, I have a patient boss for this blog, but that still doesn’t erase my guilt.
Thus, I’ve gained a small kinship to Shuu, who is also having a dreadful time as things don’t go his way.
Let’s sum up things a bit to catch up.
Episode 5
Shuu is rejected by Inori after confessing his feelings somewhat and continues to be hated by Gai. But he still joins up with Undertaker and Ayase (lady in the wheelchair) is the new awesome character. Being rejected aside, Shuu comes up with some clever thinking, and void drawing, during a battle with Ayase in her mech and gains the respect of the other members of Undertaker.
Lesson of the week: The right answer is not always the obvious one.
Episode 6
The great reveal of the Leukocyte happens in this episode, which almost killed Gai at the end of last episode, but not quite. It’s a super weapon from space that threatens to wipe out the entirety of Japan, so therefore, we must get rid of it. Through complicated planning, we find out that Undertaker can destroy it by having Shuu use Kenji (the murderer’s) void to manipulate gravity.
Shuu is facing more pressure this episode, even though Gai offers to take the blame.
Shuu begins to develop more movement forward in his confidence. Near the end of the mission when things go a bit downhill, Gai starts to “sacrifice” himself for the good of the rest of his team, but Shuu decides to throw his fear aside and jump in and save him. Not without some help from Inori’s void combined with Kenji’s void, though!
Overall, the episode ends rather easily and makes you wonder where are we going with this? Also, Daryl is back, in case you were worried about the guy.
Episode 7
Shuu returns to school this episode and is frankly rather nervous about it. Thankfully after a few bumpy encounters, the student council president, Arisa, is introduced and helps everyone accept Shuu back into the class.
Gai gets Shuu and everyone involved in another mission to gain support from a weapons dealer who happens to be the grandfather of Arisa.
Through a series of events, we get to see Arisa’s void, which is beautiful.
Also, it helps a lot that this sequence had the Waltz of the Flowers playing in the background:
It also makes me wish I had more time to review this episode. Arisa’s void hides her true self and potential behind a “cowardly” barrier. I’ll admit that I do this sometimes as well. In order to keep a certain “front”, I hide my true self.
Oh yeah, we get to finally meet Shuu’s mom too, but he doesn’t call her his mother. But she calls him her son. A bit curious.
Episode 8
Otherwise known as the staple beach episode.
Not too much happens besides Shuu’s dad getting to this rock before Gai and Shuu have a chance to get to it. Also, Souta (that guy who’s very energetic in Shuu’s class) has a void that can open doors. And Shuu still remains conflicted whether he like Inori or not.
Though, the ending did surprise me. Shuu obviously used Souta and his void for the purpose of gaining entrance into a secret facility. Though before this, Souta was trying to get together with Inori. But, Shuu jumped in to stop it, thus upsetting Souta. So, oddly enough, Shuu is honest with Souta about it, expecting to lose any sort of friendship that he had there. But, instead, Souta is thankful for the honesty and is honest in turn to Shuu. And both come out feeling like they can actually be friends now.
Episode 9
Yahiro and his little bro Jun are apparently on the run from GHQ and Major Segai.
Gai apparently is going away for a while to do something, so Shuu is helping his classmates film a movie, but somehow gets tangled up in going to go shopping with Hare, the girl who has a huge crush on him.
But then! Shuu runs into Yahiro, the guy who betrayed him. But, this time Yahiro is really looking for help. GHQ was going to “put down” his infected brother, so they are on the run away from the facility.
Shuu takes a chance and asks Undertaker to harbor Yahiro and Jun, but this sequence doesn’t go down without a scuffle between Shuu and Yahiro, especially when they start getting attacked and Shuu tries to withdraw Yahiro’s void.
Unfortunately, Daryl shows up in his mech, but things take an unexpected turn.
Then, the virus migrates to Daryls mech and goes berserk, picking up the unconscious Yahiro.
Shuu stabs the mech, thinking Yahiro in danger, but gets transported to a dream world where Jun is.
To sum up the next scene in a sentence is beyond my skill with words. But, it’s rather touching, sad, and somewhat horrifying. Shuu ends up severing Jun’s life chain at his request in order to save Yahiro.
The episode ends with Shuu still in shock from killing Jun and telling Yahiro he did.
Meanwhile, Hare is lurking in the shadows. She followed Shuu and I wonder if she saw everything?
How far have we come? From episode one, where Shuu is a cowering boy, to episode nine, where he displays all the confidence in the world, but has to make a terrible choice, he kills someone. Not only that, but he kills someone who was completely innocent. That guilt will be following him wherever he goes now.
Guilt is presented as somewhat the main theme of this show (see title of show), but I think this is the most we’ve seen of it so far and we’re approaching the end of the season. It’s sad yet important to see characters at the highest you’ve ever seen them, and then be dropped to the lowest spot you can imagine. Shuu had finally gained a presence of knowledge and authority. Finally, he was going to help someone on his own accord, but he ends up killing them. I’m reminded of a comparison in Fullmetal Alchemist episode 6, with Nina. This episode happens shortly after Ed and Al had proven themselves to be fantastic alchemists in Lior and they succeeded in “saving” the town, and Ed even boasted how alchemists are the closest things to gods. Then, in episode 6, they couldn’t even save a little girl. Not one ounce of their power was worth anything.
I have hope that Shuu will be able to face the circumstances of his choices and grow stronger through them.
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Goldy is back!!!
Guilty Crown has been interesting, but I really had difficulty with that last episode. It reminded me of Ga-Rei-Zero. I really am not a fan of the entire idea of people wanting other people wanting to die, because a lose of free will or being controlled by something.
The series could have done without the beach part of episode 8, but besides that I have been enjoying it. It is nice to read your reviews again, as always I agree with your review.
I’m not a fan of people “having” to die either, especially when it involves something/someone controlling them. But even moreso when the person doesn’t have a choice, like Jun. While the scene is not entirely needless (it shows the effects of a disaster on individuals), I do hope it can benefit our main characters and help them grow, mainly Yahiro and Shuu.
And thank you!
I literally cried when I watch this. I missed those days when I was a student and not worrying about the future. unlike now, being adult it’s very stressful.
Everyone is talking about how beautiful this song is
But still the ending of this anime killed me inside