It’s time to wrap up the Japan arc of GATE, and I have mixed feelings. The most obvious one is, of course, the sadness of leaving Risa behind.
We start off episode 9 with everyone being shocked that Itami was ever married. Once that shock wears off, it’s off to more of the stuff that made this arc appealing in the first place: the Otherworlders seeing modern Japanese stuff. Like Yaoi.
If anything, I’m disappointed Pina and Bozes didn’t join in the fun.
Anyway, I think one of the more interesting parts of this episode was learning about Itami’s relationship with Kanou, a defense minister. Turns out they both share a love for manga, and maaaaaaybe Kanou pulled some strings for Itami (though Itami’s character would be against rising up in rank, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kanou did some things on his own).
And since it’s been a while, naturally we get some onsen time with the girls. Because fuck, why not?
I’ve been downplaying it, but a major subplot of the Japan arc is the fact that SOMEONE is after the girls for political bullshit reasons, and Itami’s trying to shake off anyone on their tail. I couldn’t care less. I fucking hated it in the manga, and I hate it here.
While the girls gossip in their spring, we hear a little more about Risa and Itami’s relationship, and it’s far more heartbreaking hearing it in this adaptation that it was in the manga. Sure, nothing particularly dramatic happened between the two, but the subtle, down-to-earth emotional distance between the couple really pulled on my heartstrings in an unexpected way.
Anyway, while funtimes are going on, soldiers from multiple countries outside their inn are going at it, and that means Rory’s also REALLY feeling it. Since she’s also kinda drunk, she takes the opportunity to hit on Itami the only way she knows how.
Next episode, Youji does something about it.
I wish.
Rory gets interrupted by a call from Kanou warning Itami that shit’s about to go down. That is some Grade S cockblocking.
Let me sum up the entire first half of this episode really quickly: Political bullshit, political bullshit, Japanese soldiers outclass American special ops, Rory is a badass.
By far the most ridiculous thing was Japanese special ops systematically picking off American special ops one by one as if part of some kind of fucking monster movie. I mean yeah, the Japanese are the heroes, but COME FUCKING ON!
On to more interesting things: KUROBAYASHI HAS A SISTER! Yeah, Nanami Kurobayashi is a reporter that’s cute and kinda bad at her job, but she’s cute so she hasn’t been fired yet.
Blah blah blah, the Otherworlders offer their prayers to the citizens that dies during the battle of Ginza, the foreign soldiers are evaded and completely shut down by the forces of good (er, Japan), and everyone goes back through the Gate.
Overall liked the Japan arc, but goddamn… the political bullshit really brought things down. And how pathetic they made the American special ops. That was hilarious.