Shingeki no Bahamut (Rage of Bahamut) – Virgin Soul: Season 1/ Episode 24 “Run Nina Run” [Season Finale] – Recap/Review (with Spoilers)

Shingeki no Bahamut (Rage of Bahamut) – Virgin Soul, comes to an end that gives you the rare opportunity to have closure after a long season.

Come Together (Part 1)

As the Bahamut unleashes its rage, once again, like ten years ago, the angels and demons create a barrier to protect the populace. Whether they are a friend, foe, or simply innocent.

The Assumed End of the Bahamut: Nina, Charioce, Amira

As Kaisar lays dying, with old friends mourning the loss, Nina races to be by Charioce’s side to share the burden of what he has committed to. Something he doesn’t fight but simply accepts. He is done going back and forth with Nina and seems to accept there is no getting rid of her. So, together, they have Dromos morph into a sort of Bahamut and they go blast for blast with the real thing. Leading to the real Bahamut’s head and collarbone area being completely blown off.

However, there remains the cost of using such a power. Of which, at first, it seems it would be the death of both of them if not Nina becoming the new Bahamut. Which I only came up with because we briefly see Amira. But the real costs ends up being Charioce’s sight and Nina’s voice.

Come Together (Part 2): Nina, Favaro, Charioce, Bacchus, Jeanne, Sofiel, Azazel, Rita

With it appearing that the Bahamut has at last been defeated, peace comes back to the land. Actually, something beyond peace. Unlike the last time, demons aren’t enslaved as the rebuilding efforts happen. They are paid wages and it seems imminent death brought the entire populace together. Angels don’t participate though. From what it seems, they have returned to the heavens to leave planet dwellers to their own devices.

That is, outside of Sofiel making occasional visits to Bacchus. Someone who returns to being a grumpy old drunk wondering when Nina is going to leave. But, even with her and Charioce still going strong, though perhaps not official in noble eyes, she doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. After all, she is part of the rebuilding effort and is still sending money back home.

Who does leave though is Favaro. He is growing restless and as much as he loves everyone, it is time to go. Though, with the statue of the Bahamut bursting, it becomes clear that he’ll have reason to return to the capital again. But, until that time, Rita and zombie Kaisar will just watch him wander off into the distance.

As for Azazel and Jeanne? Well, after placing a headstone and some things at El (Mugaro)’s grave, it seems they return to the lives they had before.

Noteworthy Moments

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Can Nina one day become queen?
2. Is zombie Kaisar pretty much a puppet or does he retain any memories of his human life?
3. With the Bahamut statue bursting, you have to wonder how the people reacted. The symbol of destruction burst like it was hollow. Surely that caused panic.

Highlights

Closure and a Hint of a Sequel

Unlike Love & Lies, alongside Princess Principal and Knights & Magic, the ending of Shingeki no Bahamut (Rage of Bahamut) – Virgin Soul gives you a sense of closure. There is an end to the big villain and us getting to see life thereafter. Now, are we treated to absolute answers in terms of whether Charioce and Nina are officially dating now? No. Are we told what will happen with Jeanne, Azazel, much less how are things in the heavens or in the demon world? Nope.

Yet, when it comes to the main story, and those heavily involved. The finale gives what is required. As for all the questions that remain, considering this is one of the rare series to get a second season, there is always the possibility of a third, an OVA, if not a movie. Heck, considering this isn’t bound to a manga, there could also be a spin-off. Whether one to bridge the first and second season or to continue the adventures of Favaro. Someone who seemingly still harbors a lot of old feelings when it comes to Amira and I’m sure would like to, at least once before death, see her one more time.

Criticism

So, About The War of the Worlds…

While we get a lot of closure, the whole situation between Charioce vs. everyone really, that wasn’t resolved. Granted, everyone learned his reasoning in the long run but Jeanne was leading humans, demons, and angels against him. And yeah, he may be blind now, but he is still very much Charioce and used Dromos against the angels once. Plus, he knows secrets which he can still use beyond fighting off Bahamut. So surely, while we are seeing some semblance of peace amongst commoners, those in power of the three realms can’t be honky dory.