Myself and I (Being ME): Eureka Seven: (My) Anime Review

Eureka Seven
also known in Japan as Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven
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Synopsis

The series focuses on Renton Thurston, the fourteen-year-old son of Adrock Thurston, a military researcher who died saving the world. He lives what he considers a boring life with his grandfather in a boring town. He loves lifting, a sport similar to surfing but with trapar, a substance abundant throughout the air, as the medium. He dreams of joining the renegade group Gekkostate, led by his idol Holland, a legendary lifter.

An opportunity to do so literally falls into his lap when a large mechanical robot, called the Nirvash typeZERO, and Eureka, its pilot and a member of Gekkostate, crash into Renton's room. Renton's grandfather orders him to deliver a special part to the Nirvash called the "Amita Drive", which releases the immense power dormant within the typeZERO called the "Seven Swell Phenomenon". Afterwards, Renton is invited to join Gekkostate, where he quickly discovers that the behind-the-scenes life of Gekkostate is hardly as glamorous or as interesting as printed in the glossy pages of their magazine, ray=out. Only one thing makes it all worthwhile for him: the presence of Eureka, the mysterious pilot of the Nirvash. Renton, Eureka, and the Gekkostate embark on an adventure that will shape their future as well as the world's.

An anime with a peculiar insight towards life and everything that surrounds it. It felt like there are so many hidden messages within every scenes -- leaving me dumbfounded trying to figure it all out. There are a lot of terminologies in the anime that are not explained. It seems that the anime was created for the pleasure of the avid manga readers and left the other viewers scratching their heads. Don't get me wrong I like it even though it left my jaw dropped at the end ;p

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The ending left a lot of loose ends -- unexplained events like:

Where/When/How did the military got TypeZero?
What REALLY is the Desperation Disease?
What REALLY happened to Diane and how did she got inside the Scub Coral Command center?
Is Adroc Thurston mute? or did he just choose not to speak and leave it all to Diane to do the explaining?
Is there a printing machine in the Gekkostate for the ray=out?
etc. (and the rambling goes on and on...... ~~or I just can't remember what I'm complaining about :p~~)

Ok so I exaggerated a bit for the other questions... but still you got to wonder right? ;p
PLOTHOLES!! and a curious mind!! gotta love 'em ^_^;;

ray=out (the official magazine for Gekkostate) last feature cover to counter Colonel Dewey's false statement.

Sidenote: I've wonder if I watched this anime back when I was still a kid will I even care about stuff that are confusing and can't be explained? Maybe not. Probably all I'll care about will be cool robots/airships/skateboards, awesome fight/romantic scenes, idolized the main characters, and memorize all of the characters by heart. ^_^

Characters

Gekkostate Crew
(excluding Eureka and the chilidren)
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Because there are TOO MANY characters, CLICK HERE to view the looong List of Eureka Seven Characters ^_^

My friend (fellow otaku) and I agreed that almost more than half of the Gekkostate crew are not needed and was a waste of screen time. Those screen times could have been used to explain the unknown circumstances/scenarios/terminologies/etc. in the anime instead.

Image Transformations -- Talho and Eureka

Talho

Talho's transformation from a kinky outfit to an all cover up jumpsuit reminds me of Star Trek series. As the anime progresses, Talho becomes more mature and caring specially for Renton. Her bullying Renton was changed when she saw how Renton faces challenges to protect the love of his life, Eureka, that he is willing to give up anything for Eureka just to keep her safe. Talho's subtle character at the beginning changed as it was revealed to the viewers (indirectly) the reason for her actions. The drastic change was not only seen in the change of outfit but also how her attitude on facing every obstacle that comes into their way with more gentleness towards Renton, Holland and the baby (Talho's and Holland's).

Aside from the haircut and outfit, another not so distinct change was Talho's eyes and face. It took me longer to realize what is so different with the new Talho and with the help of the screenshots I've finally put my mind at ease. ^_^

Eureka

Most of the anime portrays their heroine in an unmistakable charming look. A glamorous look that easily identifies the character as one of the main characters. Eureka, on other hand, pulls it off with a mysterious aura which fits her anime profile. Starting off with an emotionless personality towards others except for Nirvash, the kids (Maurice, Maeter, and Linck) and Renton, Eureka then learned the most important emotion of all, LOVE, with the help of Renton that gave her strength to move forward and fight to live.

Eureka's transformation (image and personality) was more noticeable when she finally accepts her new look without any qualm and embarrassment. Even with the scars and the shorter hair, I was still able to see the resemblance from her previous look unlike Talho.

WARNING!!!

Next photo ----> not so appropriate!!!

ಠ_ರೃ

Oh Charles... poor Renton ~ (￣(エ)￣)ゞ

OSTs

(Anime News Network)

Since I've focused mainly on the characters and the story (though I know I haven't covered all the aspects), I admit being guilty of not paying attention to the OSTs. With the goal of finishing the 50 episodes before my big MOVE (^_~), I mostly skipped the Opening and Ending themes.

So to make up for it, here is a list of songs (with YT videos included in some of them) played throughout the series.

Enjoy! ヽ(＾▽＾)人(＾▽＾)人(＾▽＾)ﾉ

Opening Theme:

#1: "Days" by FLOW (eps 1-13)

#2: "Shounen Heart (Young Boy's Heart)" by Home Made Kazoku (eps 14-26)
#3: "Taiyo no Mannaka he (太陽の真ん中へ; To the Center of the Sun)" by Bivattchee (eps 27-39)