Xam'd Lost Memories ep.06

August 26, 2008 | 7 Comments

The plot is finally becoming a bit clearer here. I always thought that the Hiruko used in Xam'd and the ones used in Humanform weapon are similar but this episode suggests that they are actually different. I wonder what's different about the two though and if this is the reason why Akiyuki manages to control his transformation better than the humans who turn into humanform weapons. This episode also shows that both Haru and Furuichi are not going to be a mere bystander while Akiyuki goes on travelling with the postal ship. Even a supporting character like Akiyuki's father seem to have more role in the story than how he first appeared in the series. The animation is a bit inconsistent this week, which is rather disappointing considering BONES' track record with other series such as Soul Eater. Having said that, the episode does not look horrible at all. It's just that sometimes the characters don't look like the way they suppose to look.

The episode begins with Furuichi being coached by Prois on how to use the ASP suit. Prois likens the suit to a body without a soul and this is where Furuichi provides the part. With that said, she wants him to think of moving his arm to move the ASP's arm. Although he had difficulty to do so at first, Furuichi eventually manages to do the task at hand. As it turns out, he's not the only one who's enlist to become an ASP pilot because Haru has also volunteered to do so. In the aftermath, both Haru and Furuichi are selected for a real training. Unknown to them, Prois knows that they came from the same class as Akiyuki. While briefing these informations to Kakisu, Prois finds out that the General dislikes her new haircut because it reminds him or his mother. Meanwhile, the postal ship is about to land somewhere when they notice a thick smoke in the distance. Because of this, they send Nakiami to investigate. Ishuu, however, also want Akiyuki to follow her so he can stop her doing something stupid. The two eventually get to meet a humanform weapon which has not yet turned into rocks. Nakiami wants to save the creature but ends up getting her legs encased in the red rocks.

Upon seeing the danger, Akiyuki tries to save her, inadvertently activating his Xam'd. He quickly uses his new power to slice and dice the humanform weapon despite Nakiami's protestation. In the aftermath, the monsters turned into rocks as usual, causing Nakiami to be angry at Akiyuki and asks him if he thinks humanform weapon don't get a chance. Back in Sentan, crazy scientist Kanba is attempting to rejuvenate the dead humanform they've caught but have had no luck. At the same time, Furuichi is disappointed when he finds out that the reason Haru joins the army is because she's hoping that a position in the army will allow her to travel outside the island and find news about Akiyuki. Unknown to Furuichi, Haru has actually received a letter from Akiyuki, who informs her that he's okay and asks her to check on his parents from time to time. In response, Haru decides to send letter to Akiyuki as well. Back on the postal ship, Akiyuki finds out from Akushiba that humanform weapons used to be living creatures. Apparently the Northern government decides to create their own version of Hiruko to create weapons of their own. Akushiba points out that it's actually very noble of Nakiami to put her life on the line to safe them.

Meanwhile in Sentan Island, Haru decides to share the good news of Akiyuki's status to both of his parents. After Haru left, Akiyuki's father informs his wife that he was a military doctor for Northern government during the Battle of Barador. He wanted to save those who survived but he was dismayed when he found out that the Northern government used those who couldn't survive as experiments to create humanform weapons. He think it's a retribution that the same humanform weapon created through his research actually attacked his own son. The next day, Haru and Furuichi are about to do a test with real ASP suit. Unknown to them, the humanform weapon inside the secret lab awakens from its slumber and tries to make its way out into the surface. Kakisu manages to contain the creature by closing the route that it takes. Much to his shock, the creature's little baby produces some kind of bubbles which turns into explosion upon touching a hard surface. The result is an explosion that goes all the way up to the surface. When the humanform appears on the surface, Haru and Furuichi have to fight it since their ASP suits are the only one that are still working.

Impression

It was interesting to see Furuichi and Haru wanting to become ASP pilots. As it turns out, the process of controlling the suit is similar to piloting EVA where the pilot basically must use their mind to move the mech. The worrying thing about this kind of control is that the pilot will obviously suffer some kind of pain if and when the suit is under attack since their brain is connected to the suit. Moving along, the episode also shows that Kakisu has a past issue with his mother. I wonder if this will play a more prominent role in the storyline especially now that humanform weapons are shown to have the ability to bear a child. Speaking of humanform weapon, I wonder if Furuichi will one day become one over his jealousy of Akiyuki. I think it's pretty clear at this point that he likes Haru but Haru doesn't see him as anything other than friends. On the other hand, it's clear that Haru has a lot of feelings for Akiyuki. In a way it's rather romantic to see her and Akiyuki exchanging letters. It's rather unfashionable these days to do so and when you think about it, letters do take a lot more efforts to do. However, that also implies that whoever writes one to you sees you as someone important in his/her eyes.

© memento 2003