Could it have ended any other way? It was an ending Michael Bay would have been proud of — with plenty of explosions, high-tension moments, dramatic scenes, and of course, the heel-face turn…
Continuing on from the last episode, the I-401 is now stuck between “Death Star” Kongo and the American Fog fleet. Kongo fires her now supercharged supergravity cannon at the American fleet, wiping them out.
Kongo stalks the I-401…
Kongo fires her overpowered supergravity cannon.
Blue Fleet’s mental models decide to confront Kongo and question her decision to fire on the American fleet. Kongo claims that it was to prevent the creation of “errors” like herself and those who defected to Blue Fleet. Kongo makes a declaration of war against Blue Fleet and kicks them out of the virtual “tea house”.
The mental models of Blue Fleet confront Kongo.
Back on the I-401, Hyuga reveals that the supercharging of Kongo’s engines will eventually lead to her destruction.
Kongo turns her attentions back to the I-401 and goes on the offensive. To ensure that they complete their mission (coupled with Iona’s growing compassion for her fellow mental models), Iona decides to personally contact Kongo — with the concept communication system locked down, the only way to contact Kongo is for Iona to make a direct connection.
With torpedoes, missiles and lasers firing all around, Iona (in a torpedo) launches herself towards Kongo. Iona goes to great lengths (the lengths of several torpedoes/missiles anyway) and eventually reaches Kongo.
Fact: Mental models can run on top of torpedoes…
What hacking looks like in the virtual world…
Both in the physical and virtual worlds, Iona hacks/talks to Kongo, trying to convince her to stand down. Kongo, however, eventually captures Iona. Kongo is about to launch a suicide attack when Gunzou’s shouts seemingly reach Iona, thus, inspiring a fightback.
Kongo captures Iona…
Just as Iona defeats Kongo in the physical world, she also breaks through Kongo’s defences in the virtual one. Iona gives the emotionally-drained Kongo a hug and the attacks on the I-401 finally stop.
Everyone needs a hug…
Iona invites Kongo to join Blue Fleet, but she declines, saying she needs to think things through. Kongo adds that no matter what, they are still connected. The I-401 completes their mission, delivering the vibration warhead to the United States.
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Epilogue
End card
Can you identify all the mental models?
As a whole, I think Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova - is a pretty decent show in itself. The CG animation, though it takes a little getting used to, is top-notch; the plot is well thought-out and paced well, obviously helped by the pairing of scriptwriter Makoto Uezu and director Seiji Kishi (they previously worked together on Carnival Phantasm and Kamisama Dolls); and it has a decent cast as well.
Unfortunately, the series pales in comparison to its source material. Perhaps I am a little bias as I am a firm believer in what tvtropes calls Adaptation Decay, but nonetheless, the manga elaborates and expands on many more plot points, and is significantly bigger in terms of the scale of its plot and the .
To be fair, Ars Nova is a good standalone sci-fi/military anime series, with even some robot philosophy thrown in for good measure. But as a fan of the manga, I am just disappointed that it didn’t reach the heights of its source material. With some hope, perhaps there might be a proper adaptation in future…
