This episode of Rose of Versailles builds upon the previous episode, as on the 16th of Mat 1770, Auguste marries Marie Antoinette. The first scene in this episodes starts with the pair signing their marriage certificate, and when Marie Antoinette signed the marriage certificate, she stained it, thus causing the people witnessing their marriage talk about that it’s a sign of things to come with their marriage.

As this episode started on an interesting note, this episode is mainly about Marie Antoinette, and the Countess duBarry, which is the mistress of the king. In this episode Marie Antoinette learns from the other gossiping ladies in the court that Countess dubarry background involves, killing other men with poison and being a commoner and a whore.

In this episode duBarry is shooting daggers each times Marie Antoinette, when the two make eye contact with each other. I thought it was very interesting that Countess duBarry was so troubled by Marie Antoinette being the centre of attention in the court, that duBarry decided to hire the best designers in Paris, just to look good in front of the ladies of the court, to act smug in front of Marie Antoinette.

The breaking point from Countess duBarry in this episode comes, when the ladies of the court are in the palace gardens, and that Countess duBarry thinks that Marie Antoinette is about to address her, but Marie Antoinette walks past her and talks to another person. While Countess duBarry is very upset about Marie Antoinette upstaging her in the court, Duke Oreleans comes to help Countess duBarry get Oscar side with her, instead of being by Marie Antoinette side.

Duke Orelens plans to get Oscar on Countess duBarry’s side involves making Oscar’s mother a maid in waiting for Madame duBarry, which Oscar is very upset with, as she wants to side with neither of the two.

Overall, I was very happy to some good old fashioned status fight between to important people in the place court, as the next episode should be very interesting.

As the previous episode of Glass Fleet was a recap episode, this episode deals with the aftermath of Vetti gaining victory over the People’s Army. This episode starts off on an interesting note with a young Creo talking to Eckhardt, where Creo gloats about having the side of the universe on his. After this small flash back scene, we are shown a brief sequence of events, which shows Creo and Eimelle escaping in an escape pod, to a planet controlled by people under Vetti. After Creo and Eimelle are picked up, they are both are taken inside on a jail, where Eimelle has to deal with some perverted jail people, while Creo is taken to a room, where Muska wants to cut up Creo.

I thought the character designer of Muska was pretty good, as her character and actions portray her being a sexy, yet being dangerous at the same time. Before Muska can cut Creo open, the Warden comes in, and takes Creo to his cell, much to the annoyance of Muska. As the Warden and Muska where talking to each other in this episode, we learn that Muska is called the praying mantis women, who cuts apart anything. Before Creo is throw into the cell with Eimelle, Eimelle tries her best to fight off the leader of the people that Eimelle is sharing, but can’t fight them off, until, Creo is thrown into the same cell as Eimelle. Once Creo has waked up Creo goes to work to mop the floor with his new cell buddies, which is a step into eventually escaping from this dust filled planet.

While Creo and Eimelle spend time getting used to their new surroundings, we learn that after the battle with the People’s army that Vetti managed to gain 10% of the galaxy, thus making him owning 70%, of the total galaxy currently. As B.B and the other aristocrats have fled during the battle, Vetti ties to negotiate with them, instead of fighting them, because if he fights them, they will continue to run away, thus wasting time instead of dealing with them, and using non-violent means.

As Hector as signed a peace treaty with Conard, Hector thinks that Conrad will honour his word with the peace treaty, but Conard basically ignores the peace treaty, and its contents that was agreed upon, in episode twelve. As some may be wondering what happened to Michel, well Michel is a guest at Vetti’s palace, where Vetti is basically mocking Michel, as Vetti says the he will use Michel to talk to the People’s Army, in front of Vetti’s guests.

After Michel runs into Rachel, and starts a conversation with her about the future of the galaxy, Vetti lures Michel to another room, where the two prepare to have a meal together. As it seems that Vetti is treating Michel very well at present, Vetti has plans for Michel, as Vetti mangers to make Michel drink some drugged wine. The drugged wine that Michel drinks, causes Michel to pass out, where it’s assumed that Vetti then raped Michel, when she was unconscious.

Despite myself finding this episode a bit more interesting than I had intended, there’s a new ending theme with this episode, and I would have to say I quite enjoyed it. I also thought that the ending animation, matched the new ending song well.

This episode of Rose of Versailles has Oscar experiencing her first day on the job of being the leader of the royal guards. This episode is centred on Lady Antionette and the marriage to her France husband. In this episode we get a quick look at Lady Antionette, and my remarks about her is that she is still a kid (at the age of 14), and has yet to understand the responsibilities that his needed to be part of the France royal family.

This episode also brings in a nice political element in this episode, as Duke Oreleans hatches as scheme to kill Lady Antionette, thus causing Louis XV to be dethroned, and thus him seeking the crown. The scheme that Duke Orleans hatches in this episode, involves a guy dressing up as Lady Antionette, and having the real Lady Antionette disposed off, while everyone is thinking that the real Lady Antionette is still alive, and is being taken to her husband, Auguste.

My thoughts of Duke Oreleans in this episode that he is very cold person, as he kills one of the people that he hired, when one of the hired men calls him by his real name, when Duke Orleans makes his first appearance in this episode. Duke Oreleans follows up his early coldness in this episode, by throwing a knife into the back of one of the soldiers, that Oscar managers to subdue, when rescuing the real Lady Antionette, in this episode.

I thought it was interesting that when Lady Antionette meet Auguste in this episode, that Auguste’s kiss didn’t excite her, and that introduction of Fersen at the end of the episode, will complicate matters in the near future.

Overall, I has very pleased to see how this episode played out, and that I was happy to seen a more realistic rescue scene in anime occur, when Oscar managed to rescue Lady Antionette in this episode.

Episode Rating: A-

This episode of Glass Fleet is a recap episode of what has occurred in the series so far. There’s no real new footage in this episode, beside the bit at the end of this episode, where Michel is seen moving a chess piece, and drinking some tea, in that get royal getup, where Michel is telling us this story.

Episode Rating:N/A

This episode of Glass Fleet is pretty much the big battle that would normally come after twenty or so episodes, as Vetti’s army comes up against the People’s army lead my Michel, with Creo helping Michel. The episode opened up on a calm not with a little peace between the two forces, before the two armies decide to open fire on one another.
As the two armies want at each other, I really enjoyed the battle in this episode that occurs between Creo’s speedy and mobile glass ship, and the three high mobility ships that are sent to take out the glass ship. I thought the dog fight between the four ships was really interesting, as it was a fairly well choreographed battle between the speedy ships.

While Creo and Michel are busy trying to do their best for their respective side, Hector who was in coo hoots or sorts in the previous episode with Vetti’s side, plays an interesting role in this episode, as Hector along side Theodoric (a loyal subordinate of Michel) deal with Conard (from Vetti’s side), to negotiate a deal to end this battle. I found it very interesting that Hector was willing to kill Theodoric in order to sign the negotiation deal, as he strongly believed in a diplomatic way to deal with the current situation, while Theodoric thought that the only way to make things right, was to destroy Vetti’s rule, and then make the rules through self governance.

As this episode is playing in this episode, the order of the black cross (along with Rachel) seems to be carrying out some sort of ceremony. I thought it was interesting during this episode that B.B sort of retreated as the battle started to wine down. I was glad that this episode showed that Creo’s glass ship isn’t invincible, as Vetti outsmarted Creo, when Creo tried to use the aim for the heart technique on Vetti’s ship.

As Creo and Vetti got the chance to duel one another in this episode with swords, I felt this scene looked similar to the duels in the first Star Wars movie, as the two combatants, duel each other on a high walk way, alone. As Creo and Vetti have duelled each other previously in the series, I was happy to see Creo being able out duel Vetti, and willing to cut his head off to prove it. As Creo was about to cut Vetti’s head off, Creo couldn’t cut Vetti’s head off, as he has some sort of sudden attack, of some out. I thought it was good to see Vetti stab Creo in the chest, after he had recovered from about to die.

After Creo has been stabbed, Michel stops Vetti from killing Creo, and Eimelle helps Creo to some medical room. As Vetti is superior to Michel in duelling, it’s not long before that Vetti disarms Michel. I thought that this episode ended well, with Vetti marrying Rachel at the end of this episode.

Overall, I was very impressed that this episode was pretty much all about the battle between Vetti’s army, and Michel’s army. I thought this episode was a rare episode where everything falls the villain way, as the villain wins over the heroes of the story, and get the girl at the end of the episode.

It will be interesting to see how the remaining episodes of this show plays out, considering that the battle that occurred in this episode, is generally left for the later episodes of a series, where the good guys win in the end.

Episode Rating: B+

This episode of Romeo X Juliet continues with Romeo still in the Gradisca Mines, being lost mainly, and searching for the path that will be his future, with Juliet. In a nut shell this episode is basically Romeo earning the respect of all the other people in the Gadisca Mines, with the dangers of caves in’s, to help Romeo gain the the trust and respect people that Romeo is working with.

I felt that this episode was pretty average, thought I thought the best moments in this episode was when Benvilio help Cordelia from the Carabinieri, when Cordelia gave a mouth full to the Carabinieri guards that were looking for Juliet, but found a dead parents daughter. It seems that Cordelia X Benvilio pairing is becoming more likely as this series goes on, and I thought that Cordelia blushing was pretty cute. Besides this scene in this episode, I also liked the bit near the start of this episode where Herione is upset that Romeo hasn’t returned yet, and the next episode of Romeo X Juliet should be very good, as it seems that Herione can’t bottle up her feelings anymore, towards Romeo.

Overall, I thought that this mini arc of where Romeo goes to the Gradisca mines was average at best, though it looks like things are picking up abit in the next episode.

As the previous episode of Darker Than Black had Amber appear in the previous episode, this episode brings Amber into the story of the show. This episode also marked new opening and closing themes for the show. My thought regarding the opening theme is that the opening theme is not as addictive as Howling, though I found the opening animation good, and hopefully the multiple Hei’s that appeared in the opening theme, will play apart in the story. I thought the new losing theme was just as good as the previous closing theme.

The opening scene where one of the M16 contractors that appeared in the show gets smartly injured sets up the confrontation between M16 and the syndicate, and the CIA also.

Amber plays an important part in the story, as Amber was a double agent for M16, and allowing Amber to steal gate information, and give it to the syndicate. As a result of Amber’s double cross, M16 and England lost an advantage in contractor related research. Upon hearing this plot point, I got the suspension that the syndicate that Li is working for is pretty creep, and can now understand Hung’s fear of them. Also upon hearing this piece of information, I got R.O.D the TV vibes, and the syndicate or MI6 may use the research that Amber stole to make multiple contractors, and thus me suspecting that the syndicate may clone Li, thus having multiple Hei’s in the opening theme.

The subject of South America and Hei’s sister came up in previous episodes, and it seems that some terrible things are on the horizon, as South America doesn’t exist in this world. I guess the line form Evangelion where they joke about redrawing the map, could be applied in this episode.

I thought it was interesting that Misaki’s science girl friend appeared in this episode, as there are some interesting actions between her and another fellow work colleague. I for one didn’t mind Kiko and Gai appear in this episode, when Amber visited the ramen eating place.

I thought that the stare down with Hei and November was the highlight of this episode (beside Amber’s presence in this episode), as I liked how November reaved the car, to intimidate Hei, before engaging one another. I also liked how Li cooly switched into his civilian attire, so November couldn’t spot him. I thought the ending was very interesting, as Amber walked up to Yin.

Overall, I felt that this episode did a wonderful job of putting some of the pieces of the puzzle about information from previous episodes, while also introducing Amber into the mix.

Episode Rating: A

This episode of Glass Fleet is mainly about the follow up events from the previous episode. I thought that the first scene of this episode was interesting because, I really liked how Michel used miniature models, to show and display Michel’s newly formed troops, up against Vetti’s forces, on the galaxy map. Despite Creo being outnumbered against Vetti’s forces (40% vs. 60%), Creo is still confident about his chances against Vetti’s forces.

As Vetti is the previous episode had Jirad launch his troops into combat, Jirad managers to make Jabure (one of the five new people that joined Michel’s cause, due to B.B’s influence) and his fleet surrender to Jirad. After Jabure is caught by one of Vetti’s Aristocratic Generals, Michel is surprised to hear that Jabure in caught, as they were to meet with him shortly. While Michel is confused of how Vetti caught wind of Michel wanting to meet Jabure, Michel wonders if a spy was involved in Jabure being caught. As the episode plays out, it seems that Hector is a spy in Michel’s camp, as there was pans on him during the episode, that suggest that Hector is the betrayer slowly waiting for the right time to strike. Hector also visited a prisoner in this episode, and the prisoner guard questioned why Hector was there, which also suggests that Hector is a betrayer.

The bulk of this episode is mainly about Vetti telling Rachel his interesting past, when Rachel pays a visit to Vetti’s palace. I really don’t know what to make of Vetti’s past as I was glad to see the back story of his past, but it’s rather disturbing. We learn that Vetti had a rather abusive past, and there’s also incest involved in there also. I found it interesting that Vetti killed both his parents in a rather interesting way (poisoned father, stabbed mother in an embrace), and then burnt their bodies.

After Vetti killed off his parents, he became the foster child of the Sfolza family, and became the successor of that House. While Vetti is talking to Rachel, we learn that the connection between B.B and Vetti. Vetti helped the church of the cross to defeat the Aristocratic Alliance (before Vetti took it over), how’s teaching of the church of the cross. The Pope in return for Vetti’s help gave Vetti gigantic funds to build his emperor.

Vetti and B.B were an item once, but Vetti dumped B.B because of the promise to defeat the Aristocratic Alliance, which I assume that B.B was apart of, to gain power. After Vetti has told Rachel all about his part, I thought it was interesting that Rachel decided to go along with Vetti’s goal to bring the galaxy to one. Despite Vetti being able to get Rachel go along with Vetti’s plan, I thought it was interesting that Rachel said that there would be no love in their relationship, though I’m betting that Rachel will fall in love with Vetti somehow, and Vetti won’t respond to Rachel’s feelings, which should be interesting.

After Vetti has prepare himself for the upcoming battle with Creo and Michel, I thought the character designs of Mesoha, Rohha, Bazzawa, Lanzert and Roland (the 30% gain in military power from the B.B deal) were rather interesting, and I wouldn’t have minded in they appear more in the series. The episode ends with Michel, Creo and Vetti waiting for the upcoming battle.

I thought that this episode was okay overall, as that I was glad to see some character background to Vetti finally, though I didn’t expect him to have a really messed up passed. The likely betrayal of Hector to Michel was a nice backdrop to this episode, and it will be interesting to see how the battle in the next episode should play out.

Episode Rating: B

First of all, people may be wondering why I’m blogging this show considering that this show is fairly old, and that there are plenty of new anime shows currently airing. I would like to say I have enjoyed such shows such as Le Chevalier D’Eon and Revolution Girl Utena, and that has this show has a strong heroine lead, and that the show is set in France, I really can’t pass up this opportunity of a show with some elements that I like. I have also heard lots of good things about this show, but have never had the opportunity to watch this show, as I didn’t really get back into anime after a long hiatus until 2000. I do know that a Rose of Versailles movie is coming out in the near future, so I thought that in combination with movie coming out in the future, and that me having little interest in the current crop of summer 2007 shows, that I would blog this show.

There is fair bit of back-story to Rose of Versailles, and that the show is set 20 years before the French revolution, where the nobles would hold dance parties, despite knowing of the poverty of the people. The show starts off with Oscar being born on a rainy night, but Oscar’s father General Jarjayes, wants a boy instead of girl. General Jarjayes decides to raise Oscar as a boy despite, Oscar being a girl.

After Oscar has growth up a little General Jarjayes receives word form his military associates that Oscar and Count Gerodere are the candidate’s that will duel each other to be assigned the task to being in charge of Royal Guard, and look after Marie Antionette.

The back story to Marin Antionette is that when France and Austria were fighting each other constantly, Maria Theresa proposed a peace treaty, in which Theresa’s youngest daughter (Marie Antionette) would be looked after by France.

This episode is basically about Oscar looking at her self and dealing with the issue of being a boy and a girl, and deciding to make deacons for herself. I thought that this episode had lots of good character and plot development in it, as I thought the fist fight that occurs between Oscar and Andre was interesting.

For a first episode, I was a bit surprised of how much stuff was cramped into this episode, though I did think that this episode ended well(and was very good for an introductory episode), with Oscar accepting to be in charge of the royal guards, and looking after Marie Antoinette. Seeing Oscar in a military uniform near the end of this episode, certainly was well worth watching the wait, in this episode.

As the previous episode of Glass Fleet had had Vetti and Michel thinking about talking to B.B of Bardine to support their side, this episode follows up on the two meeting B.B in this episode. I thought the opening scene of this episode was interesting, in that Bardine is a planet that is neutral, and that Creo, Michel and Co, are forced to handy over their ships and weapons before meeting B.B. I thought that the character designs of B.B’s staff were very interesting, as I liked their unique character and uniform designs.

The trio of Hector, Creo and Michel go to B.B’s palace, but before the trio talk to B.B, Vetti is talking to B.B about how the Michel’s group is trying to cause uproar. While Vetti is meeting B.B, admiral Jirad is waiting in space, ready to attack the glass ship, when Vetti hives him the signal.

As this episode is centred on B.B playing musical guests with Vetti’s group, and Michel’s group, I thought that the character design of B.B was quite good, as B.B to me IMO looks like a big purple snake, in her outfit, and I think that long pipe that she smokes, gives the impression that she is very rich and important. I liked how this episode show B.B manipulated Vetti’s and Michel’s group, to get Michel’s group to give B.B the control rights of all trade regions in the galaxy.

While B.B is playing musical groups in this episode, I liked how B.B played some games with Vetti, as B.B asked the person that was with Vetti in this episode, to cut Vetti’s head off in this episode. I also thought in this episode that it was interesting that Creo was able to gauge how B.B thinks in this episode, by saying that she was rejected by Vetti, in this episode.

When Michel and B.B signed their agreement in this episode, I liked how the agreement was made, by using candle wax, to mark their agreement with a ring press on the agreement, and then each group gets half of the agreement. I thought the bit were Creo and Vetti try to attack one another while leaving B.B’s palace was interesting, as the two were forced to not jump out to the carriage, by Michel holding Creo down, and Vetti being restrained by the person accomponying him.

While this episode doesn’t focus on B.B as his playing of Vetti’s and Michel’s group, this episode featured Ralph meeting Rachel, and asking Rachel to marry Vetti. I thought it was interesting when Rachel’s father (the leader of the church of the cross) made a ‘sincere’ talking to Rachel, of why she wants Rachel to marry Vetti.

Overall, I was pretty happy how this episode played out, as this episode played out interestingly as a whole. It will be interesting to see if Rachel will marry Vetti in the episodes to come, or not.

Episode Rating: B+