¹²
To The Lighted Stage

Finally, the final episode. I’m sorry for all the delays in this anime’s posts, there isn’t probably many people still interested but, that doesn’t matter.

The Grimoires are very effective, they instantly aim to Tamayo’s RideBack weakness. Ogata reverses her course so that Tamayo can still get away. She is eventually stopped and falls unconscious. She dreams about being handicapped in a ballet theater. There she finally understands her feelings better. I think her guilt disappears almost completely at this moment.

Meanwhile, the terrorist’s attack isn’t successful and Kiefer oders retreat. Still, Romanov is doing all he can so that Kiefer dies here and now. Okakura, hearing a report on Rin’s chase, goes to help her. He arrives just as she wakes up. We finally get to see him on action, although not aboard his RideBack.

Kiefer fights one of Romanov’s henchman and manages to win. Meanwhile, Okakura manages to turn off one of the stations controlling the Grimoires and Romanov orders for them to rebooted even if they have no one controlling them. This makes those Grimoires run wild and attack everything. Kiefer then goes to see Romanov. Romanov, much like Kiefer and the others some years ago, has been abandoned by his superiors. All he has left now it to settle is score with Kiefer. It looks like he’s about to win when Misawo Yokoyama comes and kills him.

Rin takes them to the park where Suzuri died. She starts taking out the Grimoires one by one in a fight that seems more like a dance. Eventually, one of Fuego’s legs gives off and Fuego loses functionality, the irony.. Still, she manages to push him to the limits, she stops all the Grimoires just as Fuego gives out. Everyone watched her performance in awe. It’s like this fight was the perfect dance that she could never do in ballet because of her leg. She’s kind of making it up to Suzuri.

Everything finishes well. A new government is appointed thanks to Megumi Yoda, Ryuunosuke Kataoka, Misawo Yokoyama and some others. And Rin returns to her friends free of all the regrets. The episode doesn’t shed much light to many character’s future but, it’s fairly predicable they will finally be able to rest now.

This episode was very good. Didn’t deliver as much as I expected action wise but, did very well on the drama and plot resolution. And it’s not like the action was bad, it was very cool. The character development was always fresh and unexpected, if I had to guess, I though Rin would turn out quite differently but, she surprised me a lot.

This is a great series, not perfect and will surely be no classic but, definitely entertaining for it’s 12 episodes. It’s also original in the way it did many things. I recommend it if you’re looking for an action/drama series that focus a lot on it’s plot, politics and real life issues. It was well worth it.

¹¹
Sometimes, It’s Cloudy After The Rain..

Rin thinks over her life, why she took ballet, why she took RideBacks. She struggles with guilt for all that has happened, specially Suzuri’s death. Kiefer tries once again to recruit her to join him in the attack. He asks her what she wants, to run or to take revenge. Rin feels disgusted just thinking about it, I think she doesn’t feel like she’s repenting if she goes on riding again.

The terrorists prepare for the attack with Okakura, while Rin and Tamayo are supposed to leave the country. It was interesting hearing Kiefer’s theory of how his and Romanov’s fight will go down. Anyway, the attack starts. Romanov spots Kiefer’s units and sends his new "RideBacks". Okay, they don’t really look like RideBacks unless when they are standing, I’ll just call them anti-RideBacks. Anyway, they are really small, powerful, and maneuverable.

Meanwhile, almost before arriving at the helicopter, Rin’s emotions and memories rush through her. How everyone supported her and was happy about her passion for RideBacks, also probably the fact that she’s abandoning them. She stops and runs back. Tamayo goes after her. Coincidence, the new anti-RideBacks appear and destroy the helicopter.

So, not only Rin but, Tamayo too ends up escaping the building on her RideBack. They are being followed by the anti-RideBacks. They’ll will probably try to destroy this ones and join the fight.

Very cool episode, everything was set nicely. I’m really excited to watch the ending now.

• Next Episode: To The Lighted Stage

¹⁰
Monster Of The War

So, Tamayo’s brother was the one helping the reporter. It’s good to finally see him take some action against Romanov. Also, Okkakura will be helping Kiefer as part of their deal, things are getting interesting. Kiefer mentions Rin realizing she can only reach her true potential on a RideBack amidst the fire and bullets. That’s probably why Rin decided to not ride again, makes sense now.

Meanwhile, Rin and the others are going to meet after the demonstration against the GGP. In there, Suzuri is mistaken for Rin. Because of the misunderstanding, she ends up being chased by white rides. It ends badly. Suzuri is dead.

The new RideBack Romanov got is called Grimoire. It’s supposedly so good that it won’t matter who it is put up against. The terrorists are going to create a temporary failure on the GGP’s system so they can invade the place. It’s probably going to be the final attempt at bringing the GGP down.

I was guessing something had to happen for Rin to get on Fuego again. Maybe Suzuri’s deaht will do this. The next episode seems like a build up about Suzuri’s death and how it will make some characters develop. I think it will end with Rin deciding to ride again.

Nice episode, everything is coming together nicely and feels very real.

• Next Episode: Sometimes, It’s Cloudy After The Rain…

⁰⁹
In The Sunlit Garden

Sorry about this show, I don’t really know why I just couldn’t continue to blog it sooner, it’s like I never had time and I would blog the other so they wouldn’t get late too. Anyway, I was really liking this show, time to finish it.

After his failure, Romanov decides to go extreme. He imposes a state of emergency. Meanwhile, Okkakura goes to make a deal with Kiefer, something related to Rin. Rin decides to leave RideBacks behind and says goodbye to Fuego. I didn’t think her reasoning really made sense but, anyway, she seems determined on her decision but, it wouldn’t be the first time if she ends up getting on a RideBack again.

People everywhere are showing discontent for GGP’s decision to go on Emergency State and confiscate all RideBacks. Tamayo and the club will also be doing something related to this, not sure what. Romanov also gets some new kind of weapon, probably a new RideBack.

Nice episode, not sure how things will progress from here but, it’s definitely interesting.

The preview didn’t show much action. I guess the next episode will be more about building up the situation and things will only start happening in episode 11.

• Next Episode: Monster Of The War

⁰⁸
GET RIDE! The Chosen One

Kiefer finally meets Rin. He confronts her feelings about the RideBacks and what really drove her to "save" her friends. Anyway, it seems he was only trying to free her from the GGP and not really recruit her or anything.

We’re finally told about the incident that put the GGP on the power. Okakura and Romanov were comrades fighting to prevent a military take over by the superstate.

Okakura is also released to go get Rin. The terrorists are planning to leave their base and blow it up when the GGP arrives. Although the GGP is planning on an aerial attack sooner or later, which the terrorists aren’t expecting.

Meanwhile, Kiefer manages to make Rin ride their RideBacks even though she had just said she wouldn’t lol Kiefer helps her experience a RideBack like never before. Once they finish the ride, the GGP attacks.

Kiefer and Okakura’s dialog about Romanov continuing living was interesting.

This episode was really good and entertaining. I’m really interested to see this conflict to the end now.

I think it’s inevitable for Rin to actually get involved in the fight sooner or later, as well as Okakura. I guess Kiefer and his force, having defeated the GGP so soon, will be able to leave before the planes strike. I really liked Kiefer’s character.

• Next Episode: In The Sunlit Garden

⁰⁷
Crime & Punishment

Kenji is tortured. He resists until they threat to do something to his sister. They make him sign a confession that he killed the guy riding on the back seat of his bike. I’m not sure it makes sense for the government to want him to take the fall. I mean, they killed a bunch of others.. with no probable escape goat for them to use.. Whatever excuse they will give for those deaths, they could just do the same to the one riding on the back of Renji’s bike.. They were even going to kill Renji! It just doesn’t make much sense..

The only explanation could be that only that guy died but, they explicitly used lethal force and it seemed like some of the others were killed. Anyway, it’s a really minor thing without enough details to know for sure.

Rin becomes really depressed. I think the GGP is probably considering this a very lucky situation, because they finally got their hands in Rin. I think they probably want to train her to be a soldier for them or something. But, all in all, I think this is actually bad for them. After all they are doing to her, I wouldn’t be surprised if her depression doesn’t turn to hate and rage, making her more easily join the terrorists. Her dream also indicates this.

Okakura finally decides to move. He gives Fuego, which couldn’t possibly have been dismantled (he’s almost a main character after all) to Tamamyo.

Rin’s kidnapped by the terrorists during her transfer to GGP’s installations. They announce on TV that they are rescuing her because the GGP falsely accused her. Okakura also joins the terrorists but, the GGP is following them to their hideout.

Wonder how things will go now. The next episode’s should be about the GGP assaulting the terrorist’s base. I hope to see Rin, Okakura and the silver-haired man in action. Specially the last two :)

Very cool episode, good art as always. I really liked this episode’s more dramatic and dark atmosphere.

• Next Episode: The Chosen One

⁰⁶
Lightning Speed Ride

It’s summer break, which possibly means school is being taken out of the way so the characters can get more into the political plot. Which means things will get more serious.

The RideBacks that Kenji will be driving, are illegal and their owner pretends for them to cause mayhem in the city with the bikes. Kenji feels suspicious for a while but, his RideBack-craze gets the better of him.

Meanwhile, the government, after the last terrorist attack, considers now the terrorist organization as a real army. It seems the leader recognizes the silver-haired man. He also mentions having to kill him again.

Kenji and his new "friends" go wreak havoc in the city. The police acts in a strange way. It guessable that they already have a trap set for this case. I wonder if the "mastermind" behind this RideBack delinquency has made this one purpose to see how the GGP counters RideBacks. Or maybe it was the actual GGP getting an excuse to do some training.

The GGP uses deadly force, even though the situation doesn’t really demand anything near it. Rin, after witnessing her brother on one of the bikes, manages to caught up with him and defend him with a crashed RideBack. She’s has no problem dealing with the White Rides but, she eventually gets surrounded.

I’m guessing she’s gonna be taken for real this time. Unless some of the real terrorists appear now to help. But, I think that won’t happen.

Not as good as the past episodes but it was entertaining enough and managed to push the plot forward.

• Next Episode: Crime & Punishment

⁰⁵
The Mysterious RideBack Girl

Okakura gets really pissed with what happened and suspends the club’s activities. Also, he’s going to dismantle Fuego.

The police gets little closer as to what happened. Also, we learn that supposed "hero" they talked about is really Okakura. There’s a chance that he’ll be suspected for leading the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the two journalists get closer to the club’s members.

Eventually, the GGP and police learn that Rin was the rider. Although they know she’s not involved with the terrorists.

It’s getting even more serious. I’m really liking the shows "mood" now.

There’s a final scene showing the terrorists. They aren’t really worried with the White Rides because they think their skill will be enough to beat them.

It also seems they are looking into Rin and Okakura. Maybe they want to recruit them. Although I doubt Okakura will join. Also, I’m not sure but, I think it’s possible the GGP will also try to recruit them.

I really liked this episode. The art was gorgeous as always.

• Next Episode: Lightning Speed Ride