We have officially hit the series low in Cross Ange episode 18, in a way far different than had been anticipated. Episode 18 means we have 7 full episodes before the series ends, and it also means that nothing fucking good can happen for the rest of the series. There is simply no way that anything from now on can be good and give us happy feelings, unless those happy feelings will result in death. We have 7 episodes to explore the following:
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Jill/Alektra and Libertus, Embryo, the girls who defected to Embryo, and the truth of Aura / the DRAGONs ultimate end goal to fruition. Finally the real ultimate truth comes together with the two, Embryo and Aura. Once we have all of those things laid out then we have the full story of Cross Ange. Now, let me just be up front: How many of you reading this think any of those things can end well and will have a happy exploration? Okay, now all of you who raised your hands- wait so there’s none of you? None?
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The most intriguing thing could be researched with Jill. But we see this episode that if Jill’s story is any indication, none of the rest of the series will be anything but gut wrenching. Jill is determined to make Ange fight and destroy Embryo, and her desperation is very clear. She wants to use the DRAGONs to destroy everything there is, and she doesn’t care if many die in the process. Even moreso, she wants to use Ange to outright destroy Salia and the others with no care for their fates.
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We see from the beginning to the end that Jill has become unhinged, she must crush Embryo for reasons that are only eluded to. We get a glimpse of Embryo hovering over, seemingly naked, speaking to Jill and it gives the feeling that there is definitely some history of sexuality between the two. Why do I get the feeling that Embryo has periodically targeted the incarnations of each girl to sexually abuse? The way he talks to Ange almost seems to imply heavily that he covets her beauty in a specific way, and we even get a glimpse of naked Salia in the preview to imply that’s exactly what’s going on between them.
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It’s not that this is bad now, it’s that the show itself is making me uncomfortable but in an interesting story way. I want to get passed this and get to the good stuff but I know the next few episodes are going to hurt right in the feels. What else can this show be right now? It would be a disservice to try and give us a decoy ending and a decoy final fight like they tried to do once already, and so they’re manipulating us and making us feel bad.
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Finally, Ange is becoming all around a champion for reasoning and a good idea. Ange used to be an asshole who would do whatever she wanted, now the thought of simply throwing away lives or ending lives or even viewing lives as ‘tools’ makes her hesitant, and makes her fight to stop it. She actually gives a fucking shit about Salia’s life! Right there I kind of lost is, for all her bitch Ange has not lost her loyalty or her desire to save the people she is close to. She could have given in right in this episode but for once she did what a heroine does and actually decided to fight for what’s right.
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Tusk has also proven himself to be useful at every turn. When Ange can’t get shit done, Tusk has a plan. I never feel like he’s just ‘saving’ her either because his plans usually don’t mean swooping in and physically beating people up. Hell, when Ange is throat punched by Jill who is threatening her, he literally gets bitchslapped to the side. Vivian, Ange, and Tusk are a formidable team that seems capable of dealing with most issues, and I don’t really put anymore stock in one over the other. Ange’s proven 50 times over she can kick Tusk’s ass and solve shit without him, and when they have Cafe Ange he’ll be the one taking care of their four kids while she runs the business. Lolz.
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Things are not getting good from here. The 3 riders show up and the preview heavily implies Embryo gets his hands on Ange, and I am so not okay with this. The way her eyes die in the finale and the ultimate shots everywhere, I’m so fucking terrified. I both crave next week and fear it, much like my stupid League Championship games. Someone please save me. I cannot handle the fear I am feeling. My stomach screams repeatedly and it screams,
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EMBRYO IS A RAPIST RUN
I’m running, alright, right into the clutches of said probable rapist. PS: the animation this episode sucked.
Oki
If Ange somehow dies at the end of this (considering Sunrise’s thing to kill off its main characters at the end) I see Tusk and Vivian ending up together, just because they already have a great dynamic (though I kind of just see them as trusting friends). At the very least, Tusk opening that cafe in Ange’s honor with Vivian working there. So, who do you think won’t survive the end of this series (asides from Embryo)? My figurative money is on Ange, Jill, and Chris (for some reason I’m thinking that if he’s dead then the “revival” magic he used on her would wear off)
Wow that’s rough, I don’t feel like Ange will die because of her personality type but it could happen. I’m thinking Hilda might die since she has an unrequited love for Ange and there’s got to be pain coming soon. I can see Jill as well, though. Tusk and Vivian I can see living the whole show since Tusk is a dude and Vivian has a mom who could die instead (sorry vivian’s mom). But I wouldn’t be surprised if Tusk died. Jill, I think, will only die if Salia dies with her.
Every single week this anime always goes above and beyond to give something amazing to its viewers. Seeing Ange concerned about Salia after her betrayal was a great moment for her. Not to mention I was not expecting Jill/Alektra to go full bitch mode. Even Jasmine and Maggie were like “Whoa, calm down bitch” also yay new characters! They haven’t done much yet but I hope they get development. One last thing… How DARE you not mention drunk Emma?
I love Emma and I love drunk her but I know she is going to do way more than be a one note trope soon and I really want to wait until that day comes for me to give a retrospective on how she has grown. Personallyif she lives I think her role will be negotiating peace with Norma.
Yeah…unfortunately I doubt that the mana-users will be eradicated, but instead after this whole mess is over with, will have a negotiation with the Norma, like you said, with people like Emma being the moderator/ambassadors of peace. In a sense I don’t think they’re being brainwashed….but just really that lazy/paranoid (all thanks to that easy life Mana gave them). Somehow I see Embryo being exposed to the public, along with the fact that they’re getting their mana from real “monsters”, aka the Dragons, which will make them beginning to rethink themselves.
As for your other response: now that you mention it I do see Salia and Jil dying together (if the shot of them embracing in that pan-shot in the op is anything to go by). If Hilda does die, it’ll probably be when she tries to be part of Anges missions (considering like…this is twice she feels left out) but mistakenly gets in the way of fire and dies.
If Embryo has shown anything, it’s master manipulation. I’m not saying I forgive the mana users, I’m just saying given their easy naivety he must really have an easy time. He convinced freakin Salia, Chris, and Ersha- and two of those were nothing short of bringing people back to life.
You’re gonna make me cry but given the company in charge of this I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED
It is true that this is only the start of her development but still, it was funny.
Is it me or Hilda is holding Tusk’s arms in an intimate way in the new (aka slightly modified) OP? Is that suggesting something for the ending? What do you all think?
It’s a good question, it could mean they come to terms I suppose?