来週!! たのしみみ!! (But more on that in subsequent posts!)
In the meantime, we've all been treated to a very intense episode of Kill La Kill. (Watch it on Crunchyroll!)
Spoilers to follow, so feel free to catch up and come back. I can wait.
In a series full of epic battles, this was one that maybe we weren't expecting, but wasn't surprising when it happened:
Satsuki/Senketsu vs Ryuko/Junketsu
Kamui Senketsu!!
Most stories will have a lead character, whose narrative and perspective will drive the story. The lead character being the center of the (story) universe, and all others revolving around them. Here, in Gurren Lagann and in Game of Thrones (for non-anime people), you can argue that there isn't a lead character, or that the lead perspective shifts. It's very entertaining when it happens or when you shift your perspective accordingly, and it even allows you to revisit parts of the story with a newer perspective. Great stuff!
Ryuko was the lead character perspective early in the series, but since then it has shifted (or I have shifted it) to Lady Satsuki.
With that in mind, all of the instruction at the Academy wasn't to reinforce fascist principles, but rather to warn against it.
Of course, our MVP (Mako, Valuable Person) of the series, is Mako Mankanshoku!
(The only safe way to have Mako communicate a convoluted message:)
Mako Mankanshoku is on her way!!
One interesting note that comes up frequently in this episode, and most thankfully (finally) in Silver Spoon, is what it means to be a friend. You sometimes hear the phrase, "I don't want to ruin the friendship." But sometimes being a true friend, is putting the friendship on the line if you ultimately feel that doing so, is for the best interest of your friend.
Repeatedly, despite how many times she's been pushed away, Mako has never wavered in fighting for what she believed was right for Ryuko, her friend.
What a great episode!
#3dc
-- wake.eat.sleep