Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau − Children of the Whale (Anime)

This show gets me more and more confused each week.

How did that guy survive? Why did those other guys showed up suddenly. What is even going on? We were supposed to get explanations but didn't!

Oh, but the nudist Chief was great.

Eh, it's not that complicated, really. The anime forgot to explain how Leodari survived, but otherwise the situation's pretty clear. Ohni killed the Nous Skylos, so the Apathoia had to retreat; Olivinis, the incarnation of that Nous, gave Chakuro a little critter that allows the inhabitants of Falaina to finally move it freely (it's the ship's "rudder"). And now Orka is going on trial for his operation's failure.

……

Episode 11 has some seriously epic voice acting − it also has George Fucking Nakata in it. Even the scene with the twins was better that I expected.

What wasn't however was the singing scene. I really would have liked to hear the full song in all its beauty, without all that narration and dialogue over it. Or at least a good chunk of it.

While it rearranges some events and omits a few details that could be important (such as why the higher officers of the Empire's army seem to have emotion), the anime conveys the tragedy of Falaina itself being the reason for its inhabitants short lives pretty well. Seriously, just imagine learning that the place you grew up in and love is slowly killing you every second… that would be fucking depressing.

Season 1 concludes next week… These last few episodes have been generally better in terms of animation and direction, so if there's ever a season 2 I hope it stays on that level.

So yeah, we got more or less an explanation of what's going on, with that myth. Bad ancient civilization, God destroys it, now Nous are here and emotions are outlawed. Also Thymia and Daimons. More or less straightforward.

Would have loved to hear why the higher ups have emotions tho. That's been bugging me.

Also why Orka sent his sister to Falaina.

Huh, so Mud Whale is the reason they live so short. Makes sense I guess, but man it would be an awful to find out, since as long as they live there, there's nothing they can do.

Those two are stirring up trouble? Are we going into a civil war arc now?

Nah, the twins are just an annoyance for the most part. Which is why I wish they had removed them entirely. They really don't add a whole lot to the story.

Aaaand… episode 12. A conclusion episode that serves both to close the first chapter of the story and set up the next. We finally get the explanation about the Sarx AND the full departure song, which is nice.

They rearranged a lot of events in these last few episodes (and postponed the whole Midén arc), but ending the series with the departure to Amonlogia makes sense. I do hope there is a second season though… Since it ends on a "the travel continues" card, I have good hope.

Yeah, the twins turned out to be just a pair of assholes.

So, the Empire preaches that emotions are evil, but having emotions is a privilege reserved for the ruling class? Hypocritical bastards.

Lycos brother sure has a lot of ambitious plans for taking over... and he got himself a wife? I wonder how putting Lykos on the Whale works out into his plans.

So yeah, this seems like the end of the first story arc, with Falaina leaving it's cage and the bad guys prearranging for a second round.

I hope we get another season.