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R1 DVD Reviews
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Tuesday, 12 April 2005 12:41 |
 With the Great Mission behind them, Shipon and friends can
turn their thoughts to lighter things - like romance. Awww.
Among the fluff, though, there are darker moments, as Ayaka snaps when
she feels threatened by Shipon's rapidly-improving skills, and events
out by Ultima turn decidely nasty. Looks like the hard times are
ahead for the inhabitants of Stellvia, as well as behind...
11 - The Real You
With the Second Wave out of the way, it's back to
training classes for Shipon and co, and their first experience with the
DLS control system for their Bianca's - something most of them don't
handle too well, but that Shipon takes to like a duck to water. For
some reason, this doesn't seem to impress Ayaka too much, especially
after word of Shipon's 'genius' begins to travel round the station.
Trying to prove her own superiority, Ayaka challenges Shipon...
Meanwhile, Akira seems to have been under the weather lately,
especially after a particlularly bad showing with the DLS, and of all
people Jojo turns out the be the one able to cheer her up...
12 - Confession
Shipon
discovers she's not the only person Ayaka's had it in for - Yayoi tells
her of her own run-in with Ayaka, that left her in hospital. At least
Kouta had been able to intervene this time before Shipon was hurt, but
for some reason Shipon feels responsible when Ayaka faces expulsion for
her acts. While the students prepare for Christmas and Rinna's return
to Ultima, the staff are more concerned about mysterious spacecraft
that have been spotted in the vicinity of Ultima, and Kouta finally
gets around to sharing his feelings with Shipon...
13 - Winter Vacation
Vacation
time, and back to Earth for Shipon, who's making the most of her break
by going home - and surprisingly, taking Kouta with her. The trip down
in the Fujiyama gives Jojo and Pierre a chance to try & catch up
with Kouta in the "I've got a girlfriend" stakes - while Jojo and Akira
make a surprise couple, Pierre has less luck with Yayoi. Perhaps the
biggest surprise is the reception Shipon and Kouta get after the ship
lands. They don't get as much of a vacation as they'd expected, though
- they're both called back to the Stellvia after Ultima comes under
attack...
Just for the record, the Shipon 'crybaby' meter didn't even register on
this disc - no bouts of self-doubt and no floods of tears. It's
such a miracle that it bears mentioning..!
For the most part, these episodes are really a break in the action
before the story ramps up again - events out by Ultima will play a very
significant role in the next few episodes, and are set up nicely here
with a few key scenes. The gang being called back to Stellvia at
the end of episode 13 sets an ominous tone for what comes next, and is
a good contrast to the more light-hearted moments that make up most of
episodes 12 & 13.
Ayaka's attack on Shipon puzzled me a little, it has to be said, as it
seems more of an excuse to throw some hostitility or conflict into the
mix - it's a major thing, but with Shipon having forgiven her and Yayoi
having covered for her with the inquiry, it's now brushed neatly under
the carpet and never mentioned again. A good bit more could
probably have been made of it, but there you go.
Overall, then, there's not much here that's 'required viewing' -
missing these episodes won't spoil anything later in the series - but
it's enjoyable enough. It's good to see the characters acting
like normal kids again - it's a shame for them that the good times
don't last...
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