I’d love to be the guy to add to the parade of comments about how Wako seems to be favoring Takuto over Sugata, but I feel I already did last week. Instead, I’d like to comment on what seems to be the apparent end of the Kou/Madoka arc. These two, aside from having the hots for each other, really seemed to be shallow characters without much of a back story, which may lead many to question why they were even in the series at all (Save filling air time). But, this isn’t a really new phenomenon, and many anime have utilized this late introduction of new characters to varying degrees of success, and Star Driver actually did a pretty good job.
Kou and Madoka helped Wako reach this point
Perhaps the most notable end of series introduction was Kaworu from Evangelion. Questions about his, and Shinji’s, sexuality aside, Kaworu’s introduction was the catalyst for the long-awaited change in Shinji’s character. Whether it was the fact that Shinji finally did something, or that Kaworu’s betrayal finally broke Shinji, his appearance was necessary to explain the events that occurred later in the final two episodes/End of Evangelion.
On the other hand, some characters that are only introduced near the end of the series really do seem to be pointless. While there are probably many better examples than this, I have always kind of had a problem with the introduction of Luciano Bradley in Code Geass, though R2 had a lot of problems I guess. Still, did Code Geass really need to introduce a new character only to kill him off a few episodes later. It seems like the only the show introduced him was so it could kill somebody off without having to lose any of its main characters.
Kou preventing Takumi's defeat of Takuto in episode 20 so that Madoka wouldn't be left behind had to mean something, right?
So where on this spectrum do Kou and Madoka lie? It would be easy to say that they were just eye candy, and given their entrances during Zero Time, it would be tough to debate this point. Still, there were some things about the two that I think really speak to their importance. Though definitely overdone, the two really seemed very close, and furthermore seemed to make no secret about it. Kou stopping Takumi in episode 20 because she didn’t want to leave Madoka behind was probably the most visible example of how much they cared for each other.
But what really made them important characters was how their openness was something others in the show began to adapt. The volleyball scene in episode 17 is certainly indicative of this, especially given how flustered Wako became by the attention the duo put on Takuto, but I thought that the Karaoke body snatching scene in episode 18 was even more important. Sure, in the end, nothing really happened, but the two seemingly forced Takuto and Sugata out of their shells and into action. I suppose the same thing could be said for Keito, for obvious reasons, and Wako.
While we're at it, let' say Takashi is better for meeting Kou and Madoka too, even if he seems a bit freaked out by the two
In fact, I think Wako “benefited” the most from Kou and Madoka. Her use of her seal power in this episode to save Takuto reminded me a lot of what Kou did for Madoka in the last episode. I don’t think she would have done the same, and she didn’t in the past, had she not met Kou and Madoka. I suppose this was a rather roundabout way of saying that Wako seems to have chosen Takuto, but I find the why and what events led to her doing so now just as important. And that is why I appreciate Kou and Madoka. That said, I think they have served their purpose and the story should now begin to focus on other members of the Glittering Crux.
Really enjoy your Star Driver posts. I like how you seem to be able to pick out the small but most important parts of the show. Under all the ‘fabulousness’, this is where the story lies. It’s the ‘why’ of the events that’s really important, not the ‘what’ and I like how you wrote that. Some things I’ve thought you’ve confirmed, or you’ll mention something I haven’t thought of. It’s great! Keep up the good work I look forward to reading your thoughts as the series wraps up. ^_^
thanks for the nice comment. trying to do more than just covering every little thing that happens as I kind of got burned out by doing that and writing posts like these is much funner.
No probs. It’s good to read posts that aren’t just episode recaps but instead give a bit more insight. It’s great that this way is funner for you as well :)
You make a interesting point. I agree, it seems Kou and Madoka did push Takuto and Wako together moreso in that they have helped further Wako’s development as a character. The scene with the knife in the birthday episode for instance was the first time that she took action instead of being a passive character. The same I think is true for this new episode, Wako takes matters into her own hands and disposes of the enemy cybody.
Sugata’s knife as a gift, I think has a two edge symbolism to it 1) that the relation between Sugata and her will undergo change and more importantly 2)she is coming into her own character and power and possibly will no longer need the protection of Sugata or Takuto.
Equally interesting points. I had wanted to mention the knife and that scene with Wako as well, but I couldn’t readily come up with a way to make it fit what I was saying. Your comments regarding Wako coming into her own as a character are interesting as we get closer to the end. It would be something if her decision came right before, after, or during the glittering crux’s attempt to break her seal, given the many ways in which Sugata may react.