Rideback episode 12 (FINAL) and review

A graceful end

RideBack ends not with a political note, not with a military bang but with something centered on Rin's introspective fulfillment. In the end, a military overthrow wasn't needed because some "reformist" elements within the GGP changed its course from being a dominating military force into something under the national government.

The way Rin had her flashbacks was eerily reminiscent of Evangelion. I kinda anticipated the very same thing that happens afterward, a berserker mode which would just annihilate the "enemy", and true enough, Rin managed to defeat the remaining bots but didn't go berserk. So much for 400% synch rates.

In the end, RideBack was not a political series, nor a mecha/sports one, but a girl's version of a bildungsroman. The RideBack itself symbolized freedom from dissatisfaction with life (as evidenced by Rin's "flying-with-rideback" scene) and represented Rin's transition from an alienated ex-ballerina to someone who is more confident in her own abilities. The "struggle" against GGP was just a step on the way. In one way or another, RideBacks represent a journey not just on roads but in life too.

RideBack is a very good series, both technically and story-wise. The characters were pretty much archetypal though, save for Rin herself--but the story makes up for that. Rin was awesome. She's up there in terms of female coolness. She's definitely one of my favorite heroines alongside Matsuri, Lain and the Major. In terms of graphics, Madhouse does a good job, keeping animation fluid and sharp throughout. Overall, RideBack is a well balanced series suitable for general viewing, though the premise itself does not require as much intellectual firepower to understand, unlike the more artsy series'. People from 6 to 60 years old will enjoy this one because its simple and easy to understand.

Stay Tuned.

Rideback Episode 11

The BMA looks to even the score. GGP 1, Team Ogata 1
Anguished over Suzuri's death last week, Rin and her clubmates try to cope up with the loss in their own ways while the top BMA instigators prepare to launch a full scale assault. However, the GGP won't go down easily, as they introduce an entirely new kind of RideBack, a fully automated one.... and use it against our heroes.

To say that this week's episode is awesome is an understatement. In fact, it's coolness rating is off the scale, especially the last 5 minutes or so. Rin transitions from emo mode to being the heroine she became famous for. I don't really think the automated RideBacks will prevail. Contrary to what others think, Tamayo and Rin are too good for those computers. They won't fall. Moreover, a lot of BMA guys have their death flags raised. This includes all the goons, but not Okakura and Kiefer. The next episode will be a bloodbath. I'm sure of it.

Honestly, Suzuri's death was not executed really well. For me it seemed rushed and it looked as if she only died to fuel Rin's morale. The fact that Suzuri is a minor, one-dimensional character who just happened to be Rin's friend does not make her death scene all that traumatic. Yea it may hit you like a truck the first time you see it, but after a week, it turns into "Meh", considering she didn't "die" but was just used to advance a plot. In short, Suzuri was a tool. .. But if it takes a tool to kickstart Rin Ogata's depleted fighting spirit, so be it. Fortunately, the series is going back to the action packed mode I love. They should keep it up until the end!

PS: I like how Rin looks this week. It must be her clothes.

Stay tuned

Rideback Episode 10

GGP 1 , Team Ogata 0. A reason to fight, a person to avenge.

Do any of you know the story of Patroclus, the Greek hero who wore Achilles' armor into battle, killed a few baddies but ultimately got killed by Hector? Well, you see, the same thing happened here. In this episode, four-eyes dresses up in Rin's riding suit en route to a protest against the GGP. However, she gets KILLED.Capital K, as she was in the middle of her flag-waving to Rin. One blow to the head and blood spurts out...she might be beheaded too.

I must give kudos to whoever directed this episode. You successfully kept the main plot twist until "that moment". For most of the episode, I expected some more crawling, leading up to battle action (that little trojan planting by the ex-commandos), but not this. Not this. Now, Rin has a personal reason to fight the GGP. She saw this murder before her eyes. Even I never thought that this would happen. Thumbs up for you mate! :)

Though four-eyes was not that major of a character, the thing that made the murder sickening was the her little flashback. That innocent, though sometimes lesbian-like girl who was shown doing friendly stuff then instantly dying after one hell of a whack. Tsk tsk. Poor girl. This coming from a guy who likes brutal rapes and stuff... This shit I just saw was different.

To sum it up, GGP 1, Ogata 0. The GGP scored the first blood, literally.

Stay tuned for the best series of winter 2009, though its already summer here in the Philippines