RRV: Kōkyōshihen Eureka Seven 4-8

This is where normal people say that this is their least favorite portion of an anime they enjoy. This is where I say this is the portion I'm slightly less fond of than the rest, but I refuse to skip it after 30 odd viewings anyway.

These few episodes are probably the reason why so few people are exposed to Eureka Seven compared to how many should be exposed. There's a reason why this is a cult classic, and why those of us already in the cult praise it to heaven (somewhat viciously even, if I may add from experience), even though it's a flawed series. However, these episodes often trick new viewers into thinking they're watching something very different than what the series actually develops into. The fault doesn't lie with the episodes, exactly. These are necessary ventures into world and character building and thus important stepping stones, but perhaps the problem lies with execution and with the Trilogy itself. The first three episodes promise a different experience than what these episodes deliver, and it turns many prospective viewers away; that air of grandiosity and adventure present in the Trilogy is suddenly overturned by its own conclusion and the immediate events following it, and it can be a bit of a disappointment to those expecting a bit more.

Episodes 4 through 8, Watermelon, Vivid Bit, Childhood, Absolute Defeat, and to a lesser extent, Glorious Brilliance, are all something of a down to earth, slice of life and comedic experience. The initial awe of the world has worn off somewhat by this point, and everyone who seemed interesting or cool in the Trilogy suddenly shows their much less impressive side. Holland turns out to be immature, a man who likes to walk around in his underwear on board his ship; Talho (Michiko Neya), the gravure model, is immature as well, whining and acting jealous towards Eureka for reasons we're yet untold. Everyone else on board is fairly normal, if not somewhat uncool, and Renton can see how rash his decision was all too quickly. Add to his disillusionment the fact that the girl he likes is a mother, and that her kids are out to make sure he never even touches the hem of her dress, and you get a feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction on the part of our hero, which is depressing considering how excited he was before.

That's not to say these episodes aren't fun. In fact, this is as silly and conventional as the series gets in one sitting. We have fanservice in the form of Talho, who gets her own spotlight in Vivid Bit as she drags Renton around through several mortifying experiences (for a teenage boy with no spine, anyhow), crude comedy instigated by the Gekkostate members through ritual hazing of the new member (see Absolute Defeat), Renton's poor attempts to get Eureka to look his way (with much of his failures attributed to his own cowardice), and his making temporary peace with the children, despite his ulterior motives. It's all something we've seen in anime before, and because the series is determined to keep its secrets close (there's plenty of foreshadowing, though, if you care to look for it), the first impression given by these episodes isn't quite as interesting as the Trilogy would make one believe.

The thing is that the "three episode rule" doesn't work for Eureka Seven; you can't get a measure for what the series really is from either the Trilogy or this set of episodes at all. It's an unfortunate result of a three episode introduction and from the fact that the series has different focuses in each half, with the half leading up to episode 26 consisting of character building to the exclusion of plot. That being the case, if there's something to be gained from these episodes, it's the early links to the characters that prove so important later on. Renton may be lacking in the maturity department, and he's so normal he's almost boring, but everyone else in Gekkostate is interesting, if not somewhat lame (endearingly so), especially in his eyes. The kids tend to get on viewer's nerves, but the cast in general grows on you, with even minor characters like Moondoggie or the military's Captain Jurgens getting screentime. It isn't until Glorious Brilliance, episode 8, that we start to get into darker territory as the series introduces what could be called its main theme: racism/intolerance and acceptance of others.

It's here that Renton, Eureka, and Co. run into a fugitive from the army, a woman from the Vodarac, a religious order that everyone fears because of how little they are understood. Gekkostate captures her and prepares to turn her in for a cash reward, something Renton is unable to stomach, but at the last minute they choose to take her with them, stealing the reward in the process. This contact may not seem that important yet, but its prominence in episode 9 certainly helps draw the line about where this series stands. If I had to point out the most important episode of the first season, Glorious Brilliance would be it; it sets up for the hugely important reveal that follows, and sets the tone for the rest of the season (and especially for the second season) while introducing one of the major poignant themes of the series.

Quick Thoughts

-Seriously Renton, grow a pair. I will never get tired of saying that.

-The bathroom humor in these few episodes has worn out its charm for me, unfortunately. I can see how it was funny once, but I've seen it too often for me to still think so.

-Eureka is as awesome as always, and I love being able to appreciate Nazuka's voice better now that I don't rely on subs to understand what she's saying. I can't wait to get to the second season.

-Speaking of Eureka, it's cute seeing her interest in Renton, even if it's not at all romantic. She's caught the scent of someone different than all the rest of the people she's known, and he doesn't make much sense to her yet. Still, they get along pretty well, even if all of his advances are falling on naive ears so far.

-Okay. Note to all viewers with interest in the female sex; if the girl you like jumps out of a moving LFO without blinking an eye, you probably have a keeper. Renton seems to think so anyway.

-Note to all viewers with interest in the male sex; if there's a guy after you who's a total clown and spineless to boot, you can probably do better, but if he's honest and genuinely nice, stick around. You might just find you like someone who can make you laugh.

-I'm still not annoyed by the kids; I never was though, and I have a hard time understanding why people think so. All kids are obnoxious after all, and these have serious psychological and attachment issues, as well as a young woman for an adoptive mother, so it makes sense that they'd turn out bratty.