GATE: Season 1 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)
Episode 9: The Hakone Mountain Night Battle Overview As it is revealed who is the threat to Itami and his team, those of the other world continue to be dumbfounded by the advanced technology of Japan. Characters & Story (with Commentary) Topic 1: The Eccentric Ex-Wife – Itami & Risa With the introduction of Itami’s ex-wife…
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 9: The Hakone Mountain Night Battle
Overview
As it is revealed who is the threat to Itami and his team, those of the other world continue to be dumbfounded by the advanced technology of Japan.
Characters & Story (with Commentary)
Topic 1: The Eccentric Ex-Wife – Itami & Risa
With the introduction of Itami’s ex-wife Risa comes a whole new angle to Itami. If only because, especially if you ask Kuribayashi, the idea of someone falling for Itami seems a little strange. Truth of the matter is though, Risa did. I mean, originally she makes it seem to us that their relationship was about financial stability, and perhaps Itami helping his friend since middle school, but with the way Risa talks during the hot springs scenes, it seems it was more than that. At least to her anyway. As for how Itami saw it? Well, with his promotion to the SDF came worry from her, showing she does truly care for him, but with him talking about “at least you’ll get the insurance money” it seems that was a clear sign he didn’t get she does have real feelings for her. Hence why they are now divorce.
Topic 2: Shopping & Hot Springs – Itami
But, despite being divorced, Itami continues to take care of Risa by both bringing her food, and paying alimony. Leading to, after spending the night over Risa’s, a day of shopping, as well as going to a hot springs. Though not all at once. For, despite some unknown entity after them, Itami has it where his 2nd in command, Bozes, takes Pina and her knight Tomita to a library, since they seem to like books, mostly of the BL kind. Then, when it comes to Rory, Tuka, and Lelei, they go shopping with Risa. Thus leaving Itami slightly on his own until he meets up with Defense Minister Kanou Tarou, a man who seemingly is like a father figure to Itami.
In fact, it seems DM Kanou may just be the reason Itami is the person we know today. For one, it seems Kanou is the one who got Itami into manga, and being that Kanou is the defense minister, and heads over the SDF, he likely is part of the reason the low ranked, yet currently excelling, Itami is in such a position. Though, while their conversation is mostly pleasure over business, it ends with him reminding Itami to head off to the Hot Springs – as a direct order.
Topic 3: Trouble on the Horizon – Itami & Rory
Which, ultimately, becomes a setup. For, you see, it is revealed that the people after Itami and his peers are Americans. Ones which didn’t expect those protecting Itami and his peers to be so effective. Leading to multiple casualties but then the American president calls Prime Minister Matoi with a veiled threat. One which leads to DM Kanou pulling back and it leading to the Americans having all they need to kidnap Itami, and his group, and take them to America.
But while Itami is well aware something is going on, he isn’t sure exactly what. However, with Rory going mad due to not being able to do nothing about people fighting and dying around her, she ends up coming onto Itami. How you ask? I mean in the type of way that, if they are discovered, it is going to look so bad. For she has damn near mounted Itami, and he is about to put his hands on her waist. This is, despite him already having strong feelings about how wrong having relations with Rory would be.
Final Thoughts
Probably the first thing worth really talking about is the odd harem like scenario which is slowly coming with Risa still having feelings for Itami, Rory coming onto him, and Lelei snuggling up to him whenever everyone is sleeping. Now, the Risa thing makes sense, for they just recently divorced, and Rory has been flirtatious with Itami for a while now, but the Lelei things is coming a bit out of nowhere. Granted, I could be jumping to conclusions, and she may just seem him as a big brother, but with this show being as it is, I doubt her feelings for him are platonic.
Romantic, and lustful, storylines aside, the political maneuvers of the US government are certainly something else. For while I have been wondering, since perhaps the beginning, how would the US government get involved, especially considering how envious/ jealous they were of the other world’s resources, this kidnap plot seems a bit much. Mostly because, it just seemed so unnecessary. I mean, granted, the Japanese government probably still has it where only their own people can cross the gate, but you’d think the US wouldn’t have to resort to political blackmail just to spend some time with the refugees. Then again, it is the United States of America we are talking about.
Collected Quote(s)
“There are too many people who demand a piece of the pie even though it isn’t ready.”
— “The Hakone Mountain Night Battle.” Gate
Things To Note
Though this thought fits more for the last episode, I do wonder if we may see how and when Rory became a priestess.
Based off the hot springs scene, it seems Lelei can use magic in our world.
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.