![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alchemicinkI blinked and somehow am already through 24 episodes of my Kuuga rewatch. So many things happen in this set of episodes, you just want to keep watching and watching.
Again, no real deep analysis here, but just some (spoilery) random thoughts about this set of episodes.
What really gets me in these episodes is the growing sense of dread as the stakes get higher and start hitting closer to home. In the earlier episodes, the Grongi killings feel almost separate from all of our main characters. Godai and Ichijou show up to put a stop to the killing spree, and then return back to everyone else to continue with their regular investigation into what's happening.
But you can see in these episodes how the chaos and killings start to creep closer to the main characters. Enokida and Sugita talk about a colleague who was killed before his wedding day. Minori keeps one of her students late because his mom can't come pick him up while one of the monsters is on the loose. Nana's acting teacher gets killed by Number 31. Enokida's working so much that it starts to strain her relationship with her son. And, in episode 24, Sakurako very narrowly escapes becoming a victim herself.
This slow shift just does such a great job ramping up the tension as you watch. I remember during my first watch being so anxious every episode that a character I liked would get killed off. Now I know what's going to happen this time around, but it's still the little things like this that just have so much impact.
***
Godai's death and then revival remains one of my favorite parts of the series. Everything about those two episodes was masterfully done, in my opinion. When Tsubaki calls to tell Ichijou the news and we don't get to hear what Ichijou says in response. We can only see his face. That was perfect.
But also, I'd forgotten that there are so many funny things that happen in that episode before Godai gets attacked and hospitalized?? Skill 1808: STOMP is still perhaps the FUNNIEST thing in this whole series to me personally. (I cannot explain why tho). And this is also the same episode that includes Tsubaki flirting by telling a lady she has great collarbones and tibias 😂 he's the biggest weirdo in this series and I love him
***
Actually I love that this show manages to pack in so many fun moments in between all the drama. Godai's hilarious impersonation of Ichijou when he answers the phone is priceless. All of Pops terrible jokes are fun. And I still remain amused by all of the outfits that the Grongi wear in human form. (I've already forgotten his number, but the crazy one who liked to back up trucks was my personal favorite.)
***
Have I talked about how pretty the Rose Tattoo Lady is? Because she's very pretty and I'm always 😍🤩😍 when she's onscreen. (I forget her Grongi name tbh. It might not even be introduced yet.) But anyway, I just love everything about her character. She never even flinches when Ichijou points his gun at her in episode 22. I'm fascinated by her and I wish the series had explained literally anything about her.
***
This span of episodes gives me so many great Godai/Ichijou moments. I can't even list them all. (Though special shout out to "I'm weird?" "Well... in a good way") It's just great to see them spending time together. I am... gonna write SO MUCH FIC when I'm done with this rewatch.
Post about episodes 1-12 is here
Again, no real deep analysis here, but just some (spoilery) random thoughts about this set of episodes.
What really gets me in these episodes is the growing sense of dread as the stakes get higher and start hitting closer to home. In the earlier episodes, the Grongi killings feel almost separate from all of our main characters. Godai and Ichijou show up to put a stop to the killing spree, and then return back to everyone else to continue with their regular investigation into what's happening.
But you can see in these episodes how the chaos and killings start to creep closer to the main characters. Enokida and Sugita talk about a colleague who was killed before his wedding day. Minori keeps one of her students late because his mom can't come pick him up while one of the monsters is on the loose. Nana's acting teacher gets killed by Number 31. Enokida's working so much that it starts to strain her relationship with her son. And, in episode 24, Sakurako very narrowly escapes becoming a victim herself.
This slow shift just does such a great job ramping up the tension as you watch. I remember during my first watch being so anxious every episode that a character I liked would get killed off. Now I know what's going to happen this time around, but it's still the little things like this that just have so much impact.
***
Godai's death and then revival remains one of my favorite parts of the series. Everything about those two episodes was masterfully done, in my opinion. When Tsubaki calls to tell Ichijou the news and we don't get to hear what Ichijou says in response. We can only see his face. That was perfect.
But also, I'd forgotten that there are so many funny things that happen in that episode before Godai gets attacked and hospitalized?? Skill 1808: STOMP is still perhaps the FUNNIEST thing in this whole series to me personally. (I cannot explain why tho). And this is also the same episode that includes Tsubaki flirting by telling a lady she has great collarbones and tibias 😂 he's the biggest weirdo in this series and I love him
***
Actually I love that this show manages to pack in so many fun moments in between all the drama. Godai's hilarious impersonation of Ichijou when he answers the phone is priceless. All of Pops terrible jokes are fun. And I still remain amused by all of the outfits that the Grongi wear in human form. (I've already forgotten his number, but the crazy one who liked to back up trucks was my personal favorite.)
***
Have I talked about how pretty the Rose Tattoo Lady is? Because she's very pretty and I'm always 😍🤩😍 when she's onscreen. (I forget her Grongi name tbh. It might not even be introduced yet.) But anyway, I just love everything about her character. She never even flinches when Ichijou points his gun at her in episode 22. I'm fascinated by her and I wish the series had explained literally anything about her.
***
This span of episodes gives me so many great Godai/Ichijou moments. I can't even list them all. (Though special shout out to "I'm weird?" "Well... in a good way") It's just great to see them spending time together. I am... gonna write SO MUCH FIC when I'm done with this rewatch.
Post about episodes 1-12 is here
