What They Say:
Enraged by his loss, Haruto uses the Valvrave to seek vengenance against the Dorssian Military. But an equally furious A-drie stands up against the attack and quickly overwhelms the inexperienced fighter.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
In case the first episode didn’t make it clear enough, this series moves forward to show us just how similar it is to Code Geass. And no, not just because of the plot similarities. Those are definitely prevalent, but you can find similarities between many pairs of series, and this one may have been more similar to various installments in the Gundam franchise than anything. No, this is like Code Geass on a much more important level, and it’s no surprise that it’s the same writer behind it.
One thing that made Code Geass so memorable is how ridiculous it was and, contributing to the enjoyment of watching it immensely, how much fun it had with its camp, making sure not to take itself too seriously, or appearing to take itself so seriously that it just added to the effect. Okouchi seems to be using a similar method of writing here, because this feels very similar. The result of the first episode’s “tragedy” is revealed as anticlimactically and nonchalantly as the original scene itself, and in the midst of a serious space mecha battle, it’s totally out-of-place and hilarious. Haruto’s new magic power he got from the local unoccupied giant robot lets him switch bodies by biting people, although apparently he originally did so without thinking, since he had no idea how he got into another body. There’s clearly more to this power than we see here, such as the specifics of how he changes when in another person’s body according to their skills and personality, so I am genuinely interested in that, but it’s all so silly that I can hardly think about it very intensely without laughing. Saki is very amusing as well, knowing exactly how to react to the situation given the kind of show she’s in. And what’s the Valvrave’s finishing move? Hara-kiri, of course! Yeah, that’s the kind of game this show is playing.
So is it good? It’s fun, if nothing else. Does it live up to Code Geass? Despite all the similarities in the story and, far more importantly, the way the writing brings it to us, no, not at all. Now this is only the beginning still, so it has plenty of time to improve. I would be rather surprised if it actually reached that level, since Code Geass did have a lot more going for it than simply being hilarious silly and having fun with it, but at least in that regard, this feels like it should turn out pretty well.
If you do want to take the show more seriously, it’s still a decent enough story for the most part, although pretty unoriginal and unremarkable. And of course you have to give a pass to all the really stupid ideas it insists on, rather than just taking them with the sense of fun that the writing seems to demand it all be taken with.
In Summary:
Valvrave solidifies itself as a very ridiculous series but, much like Okouchi’s writing on Code Geass, it’s clearly having plenty of fun with this fact, and that carries over to the audience to make for a more hilarious experience than might have been expected. That’s not to say I have any delusions that it will end up being nearly as good as Code Geass, of course, but it’s definitely entertaining, and at this point that’s more than it could’ve been. If it didn’t present itself with just the right amount of silliness it might not work, but it’s got a pretty nice balance for right now.
Grade: B-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
Toshiba Satellite L655-S5191 PSK2CU-1C301U Notebook PC.
I’ll just leave this here
For those who claim this show �does not make sense�, �hilarious�, �trainwreck�, �guilty crown�(i think its an okay show actually), �plot holes�, �terrible writing�,�so bad its good�, refer to this post if you have any doubts. You can contribute questions if you wish to.
I strongly stand by my point that the events in this show are mostly logical and can be explained by taking a little time to think(which most viewers don�t). Most of the other queations are not going to be answered so early. Please be patient.
How could they build dyson spheres around the sun? they would need materials from the whole solar system!
Judging by the fact that there are multiple Dyson spheres, we can conclude that those are smaller, artificial stars.(it fits the definition)
How did L-11 and friends infiltrated JIOR so easily?
JIOR has held its peace and neutrality for a long time. Making them soft and unprepared. Remember, they don�t even have an army. You don�t expect students to suddenly pull out knives and guns.
Why is L-elf acting like an ass to Haruto?
He had a past which is yet to be revealed. Haruto�s pacifist attitude just hit him in the wrong way.
Why did Dorssia attacked the JIORs?
Probably because they found out about Valvrave?
�Why would someone put a secret military lab under a school? I can�t feel bad for all the students that died because they were standing over a legitimate military target.�(Phaetons_Folly)
That�s the only thing that didn�t make sense. Although I�m sure it will be explained at a later point of time, I�ll give a few of my hypothesis. The location. The school and lab are both located at the center of the dyson sphere, probably due to technical issues. Maybe for energy effeciency, larger space, launch location (it might not be just from the pool), logistics, and the list goes on. Seeing as valvrave seems to be a supernatural mecha, it might be related to the shrine in some way.
Another would be to mask its purpose. Surely a school would be the last place you would think of! Judging by the fact that none of the students are aware of it, the school have to be built after the lab. Somehow the information got leaked.
The students aren�t aware of this.
Judging from the reaction of the scientists, they do not even understand why they were being attacked. JIOR probably had peace for decades and become too accustomed to peace.
Why is the security around the Valvrave so weak?
The scientist was pretty confused why they were attacked in the first place. JIOR is too confident in its neutrality and saw no reason that they would be attacked. They were obviously wrong.
�One big problem I have with this show. How come the air in the city doesn�t get instantaneously sucked out when the shell separating it from space gets a giant hole blown in it?�(newnar)
The colony itself is pretty large compared to the hole, thus air won�t be drained out immediately. And when you build space colonies, the first thing to be incorporated is a temporary fix when a hole appear. There should be a patch that covers the hole automatically. Its not instant but works nontheless
�Another part that was pretty bad was when the guy was trying to activate the robot. There was a big screen in front of him with a big, bright and colorful YES button indicating the activation procedure. The guy, however, spent a lot of time trying EVERYTHING and did not press the god damn button until the very end. During this part I was: �WTF is he doing? Is this guy retard or what? I can see the stupid button from here and he can�t?��(Andr�)
Hypothetically speaking, a war was shoved onto your face from nowhere, you just broke your arm from an explosion, your girlfriend just died instantaneously, you are full of anger, grief and a torrent of emotions, your heart beat is running berserk and you are breathing erratically from the adrenaline and exertion from running and climbing.
Now, you are in a cockpit of a god knows what weapon of mass destruction, faced with a mess load of controls. To top it off, a giant robot is smashing on your door, throwing you around the cockpit, accumulating more bruises. Now, how much different from haruto will you be acting I wonder. I don�t know about you, but I would be confused and wondering why is it asking me to give up my humanity. you are a machine right? stop throwing me stupid questions and move already!
How could a high school brat suddenly learn how to pilot the Valvrave? It does�t make any sense.
The valvrave gave Haruto his powers through that injection. It will be explained in detail later. I guess it depends on what you think is believable i guess?
Why did haruto have to bite L-11 of all things?
He has no other more effective weapons at hand. He is acting according to what is most effective in taking down the enemy.
How did a bunch of students managed to steal back the Valvrave?
Haruto gains L-11?s combat abilities when in his body. The Dorsia letting their guard down also helped.
How did a student managed to pilot a helicopter?
Yes, I agree that it�s pretty unbelievable here, but since the author played it off as a joke, I�m not sure what to think of it.
Why is the security around the Valvrave so weak?
The Dorssians got overconfident since they already subjugated the citizens and the security forces. JIOR does not have an army. They must have thought it was safe but in actual fact, not.
Why didn�t the dorssians just ship valvrave away?
Do they need to? Its already their territory.
Why is L-elf just standing there when he has a hostage?
L-elf has nowhere to go. �First, he has ALREADY killed Haruto before, only to find that not only did it have no effect but he was taken out of commission because of it and his body was used without his permission. He also has no idea what happened to him and what Haruto did to him. He doesn�t know what Haruto did or what the guy is, and the problem is neither does Haruto. He can�t go back and explain things to Dorssia until he HIMSELF can understand it. Or else, they�ll think he�s crazy or lying and lock him up or put him to death for treason.� (quote from Irenesharda)
Explaining his situation to his comrades is a lot harder and time consuming than you think. Especially when they are in a heated battle. The valvrave could have been destroyed at any moment. Killing all of them including himself. He had to act according to the highest chance of survival.
A single cruiser is enough to liberate Jior who had unconditionally surrendered at gunpoint?
It�s an entire fleet, babe.
How did shoko survive?
It might be a little bit of a stretch, but she could have jumped into the car through the window at the last moment when she saw the beam.
The beam was dulled by the dirt, thus resulting in a bury.Remember this a fictitious, linear beam and not an explosive. We can�t really claim to know its effects when we don�t know how it works.
Why didn�t shoko called all this time.
There�s nothing to say she wasn�t unconcious during that time. And enemies tend to jam signals during an invasion in sci-fi shows.
�Valvrave basically attaining God mode when its heat reaches 666� when for some reason it is just useless from 100-665. Just laughable.�(Kefkiroth)
Its not really that illogical since some engines works optimally at certain higher temperature ranges. We don�t even know how valvrave generator works yet.
Valvrave has to stab itself to gain a powerup, lol.
Its to bathe the blade in theat heated engine. Nothing more nothing less. The engines/generator is not harmed since there is a gap. Its true they are showing a seppuku motive here.
�Haruto�s inability to even pilot the valvrave suddenly turns into a top notch ability to dodge missiles in space all while talking on the phone, making an emotional confession?�(ftghb)
He�s a fast learner. End of story.
�DUDE/ the fact that he couldnt even operate it and then suddenly is engaging in highly militarized personel? Doesn�t that strike you odd in the LEAST bit?�(ftghb)
Valvrave is a lot more effecient and durable compared to your regular weapon. That�s that.
Haruto being immortal feels kinda cheap.
His immortality is pretty hax but we should wait and let the story explain his powers for us. Reserve your judgements until they reveal more. The immortality might have some conditions or limit to it.
Haruto is such a pussy for not confessing.
Too many events and changes happened to him in such a short time. Can you really blame him for not confessing when he became an immortal, body switching murderer?
�Perhaps because that route is the most sensible route if you think deeper about it? Before he and she were the same, classmates and human. Now the war has started, he has killed a bunch of people, is the only pilot that can possibly hold back the enemy, and most importantly he is no longer human. Can she take all these things in? He has not even confessed to her, much less going out with her for any period of time. Would telling her everything shock her too much? The thought of dating an immortal and having kids with him, with all the uncertainty and potential fear, may be too much to bear. Does he want to shock and hurt the person he loves so much? Would telling her he has no idea what�s going to happen help besides adding burden to her? How much can she accept him at this very messed-up state in this very messed-up circumstances when he may just go out to fight the enemy and may never come back? Perhaps it is better to let the beautiful memory in the past stay without it being tainted by the absurdity and cruelty the present is imposing? I am sure it must be a painful decision for him but at least he has the courage of not dragging her into his cruel fate. I would say this is an act of ultimate love and kindness instead of lameness or insensitivity. The best solution wold be for him to find a way to get himself out of the conundrum of this immortal status, but then there is the war that requires him to stay at that status� And so we�ve got what we�ve got for this episode.�(symbv)
Haruto�s reason for not confessing is so lame: �a monster does not have feelings�
Blame the subbers for that, not Haruto. Its a mistranslation. Translation from symbv:�I have turned into this monster�. I don�t have any right to confess my feeling to her any more.�
Phew, that took a life out of me. I sure hope i managed to answer some of your uncertainties and ground my point that Valvrave is not ridiculous.