Episode 3: Red Dragon Introduction As Itami finds himself leading refugees, escaping from their village so that they don’t meet the flames of the Red Dragon, we are introduced to yet another character who would only exist in an Otaku’s collection and fantasies. Characters & Story (with Commentary) Topic 1: Introducing a Wizard and his trainee…
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Episode 3: Red Dragon
Introduction
As Itami finds himself leading refugees, escaping from their village so that they don’t meet the flames of the Red Dragon, we are introduced to yet another character who would only exist in an Otaku’s collection and fantasies.
Characters & Story (with Commentary)
Topic 1: Introducing a Wizard and his trainee – Itami, Lelei, and Kato
With Itami having rescued the elf woman, he ventures back to Coda Village to see if they can take her in. An idea which is quickly rejected for the chief of the village says they must leave once news spreads the other village was destroyed by a dragon. Leading us to meet Lelei and Kato.
Kato is an old wizard, one which is as pervy as most old men in anime, and Lelei is his trainee. Together they both seem capable of using magic, though it seems they conserve their powers which becomes an odd principal for reasons listed in topic 3.
Moving on, as everyone makes an exodus out of the village, with it seeming there is no collective destination, an axle breaks on a cart which stops everyone dead in their tracks. Leading to Itami, and his team, going to assist and with them shouting to each other, and looking absolutely foreign, Lelei lets her curiosity get the best of her and she ventures toward them. She stops though when she sees a young girl injured by the axle breaking, and in that moment she sees what I believe to be Kurokawa help the young girl. In that moment we realize Lelei has perhaps never really seen a doctor, and with a soldier shooting a horse which seemed like it may trample Lelei, she then sees them as heroes.
Leaving me wondering, what type of wizards are Lelei and Kato exactly? For we see Lelei has the ability for offensive magic, but didn’t try to use it to defend herself. Then, with her being astonished at seeing a doctor, it means she and Kato aren’t shaman either, so what type of wizards are they really, and do they serve any sort of purpose in their society?
Topic 2: The 12 Apostles of Emloy – Rory and Itami
With wizards, dragons, and elves roaming around, naturally the topic of religion had to be mentioned sooner or later. For, naturally, with such mystical beings, there has to be some sort of higher power. As for the local people? Well, their god is Emloy and one Rory Mercury is the local apostle/ oracle. One who protects the people from bandits, using her huge axe, and sits on Itami’s lap and speaks to him in such a way which is flirtatious.
Yeah… during the exodus Itami and his team come across Rory, standing upright mind you, in the middle of the road, post killing a dozen or so bandits the night before. She doesn’t have a single bit of blood on her, surprisingly, but isn’t the type of figure you’d think an apostle would be. After all, she is dressed in loli gothic clothing, looks like a child, and the way she speaks when murdering the bandits makes her sound like Lou in Chaos Dragon. Add in she does that lip licking thing Lou does, and it makes her really seem like a villain.
Low and behold though, kids run to her, people pray to her, and it seems she is quite friendly. Of course, as noted, a bit too friendly since she wants to sit on Itami’s lap, thus making him uncomfortable, but by episode’s end it seems she becomes part of his crew. Leading me to wonder if her flirtatious nature is just how she is, or if this may lead to Itami getting himself in trouble. Especially considering one of his female soldiers seem to admire him. Albeit, currently professionally, but you never know.
Topic 3: The Red Dragon Attacks! – Itami
Ok, let’s take into account a few things.
- Itami and crew have .50 caliber bullets
- Rory has a demonic looking axe
- Kato and Lelei have magic
Yet, despite these three things, the Red Dragon seems almost undefeatable. That is until the yet named elf, who somehow became naked, tells Itami to shoot the dragon in the eye. Something which allows one of the members of Itami’s team to fire a rocket at the dragon and not defeat it, but simply scare it off. Giving the village people enough time to possibly escape, but not without causalities.
Leaving us with a handful of kids, Rory, Lelei, Kato, and some old people, seemingly joining Itami. Now, as for what role the may play, assets, allies, or eventual enemies? It is hard to tell. However, with Itami and crew returning to home base, the culture clash surely will be interesting.
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I really wish there was another season of GATE for the simple reason that I’d like them to actually bring the conflict to a conclusion. I know there are issues with the story, but I was enjoying it and it just kind of left me hanging and that kind of takes the rewatch fun out of it.
There needs to at least be a ova, if not a full movie. This was the first show I saw go past 12 episodes and I honestly could have been cool with it going on forever.
The first season kind of reminded me of Stargate and realisatically, I’d have happily sat through 10 seasons of this. It is just kind easy watching.
And, in retrospect, it strangely was able to balance all the genres it touched on. Yes, there was a bit of ecchi, but the sci-fi/ fantasy elements were on point. Also, it had these rather epic action scenes, especially with the Red Dragon. Not to forget quality character interaction, relationships, and growth.
I also loved the soundtrack at times. But yeah, the character interactions were what made the show really enjoyable. Even when the story didn’t quite word as well as it should the characters carried it for me.