Well it’s been a long journey, but it’s time to finally wrap up GATE’s first season. At the beginning of this season, I said we’d be lucky to end it on the battle against the Fire Dragon, and how right I was… How… right… I… was…
We start out learning about how much the Alnus refugee camp has grown into a cultural fusion town. I… had no idea you could just allow new non-displaced people into a refugee camp to set up shop.
Geez, you’d think the anime wouldn’t shy away from SHOWING FANSERVICE by now. They must have met a quota.
Basically, we’re introduced to Yao, a Dark Elf that’s on a mission to get the JSDF to rescue her clan from the Fire Dragon. Along the way, she cockblocks Rory from her brilliant plan to seduce Itami.
We waste a lot of time watching her struggle to talk to the “Green People,” and she eventually gets arrested after she’s reported for assault (by one of the MANY men who attempted to… er, hit on her? Buy her “services?” I REALLY want to say attempted rape, but they seemed to go out of their way NOT to imply that). She meets with Lelei and learns she can translate her plight, but her request is denied by the higher ups, who are worried that a full on assault on the Fire Dragon could start a war AND get them in hot water with the Diet. Sending a small force would also be tantamount to suicide.
However, if anyone would be willing to help, it’s Itami… who’s out of Alnus on a diplomatic mission.
Probably the most amusing part of these episodes is the fact that the Princess has introduced the wonders of yaoi to her Order.
We also learn that Pina has been hard at work trying to work out peace between Japan and the Empire, classifying key figures as either “Hawks (who want war)” or “Doves (who want peace).” It’s a bit much.
So, Yao is depressed that she failed her mission, but according to what she heard, Itami is her best chance at succeeding. Meanwhile, Itami is looking forward to peace.
So, I’m totally looking forward to episode 13…
…wait, that’s the intro…
Isn’t that something you usually do for series finales?
…
…
Fuck me, that’s how we’re ending the season. With a ginormous dangling thread.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?
I… I can’t even… Why would you DO this? Why would you drag the last two episodes on like that? It boggles the mind! You could have cut out a LOT of Yao wandering around and some of the diplomatic stuff… Seriously, a LOT of episode 12 was just retreading things from episode 11. WHY WOULD YOU NOT END THIS SEASON WITH A DRAGON FIGHT?! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!
I’m done.