Ultraman Ginga S Episode 16 (End)
Somehow, despite having posts on the three episodes before it, I never talk about the finale of Ultraman Ginga S. Most likely because I am speechless every time at how awesome it is.
I'm still without words, but I'll try to fill in something...
My usual disclaimer: this is not meant to be an accurate retelling of the episode. What I don't remember, I make it up.
Continuing from episode 15, the two Ultramen try to fight off Vic Lugiel (the mechanical monster-lookalike that fused with Victorium cannon), but they are sadly no match to it. The Octopus is crowing that his master has obtained the ultimate form or something, and is suddenly exploded. Dark Lugiel appears and thanks the octopus spark doll for the job well done. Mana tries to fight off Dark Lugiel, but discovers he is a hologram, yet he is capable of disabling her anyway, sending crashing to the ground. I think his real body appears from a portal and combines with the mechanical monster.
Oh, just before that, seeing that the Victorium cannon is about to blast the Ultramen, Mana returns (well, throws) the Shepardon doll out the window to Sho, so that he can use the Shepardon saber (which I always love to see). Victory destroys the Victorium cannon and Octopus says that we don't need Victorium cannon (an earthling weapon) anyway, now that we have Victorium Core (the place from the last episode where Mana was sent down deep inside Earth).
The tide turns quickly in Lugiel's favor after his fusion with the monster. Hikaru and Sho are forced out of their transformations, before both Ginga and Victory turn into stones, not unlike what happened back in episode 8. The UPG car comes right to the place they crashed land and picks them up. (Good timing, UPG. :) They go to the shelter where the residents of Shizukugaoka are taking refuge and help with turning the power on. People begin to see some light (literally, as well as figuratively, I hope).
Oh, while the UPG members were on the way, they received a message from Mana, essentially telling them she planned to blow up herself along with the monster Dark Lugiel was fused with. That didn't sit well with them, especially Go, but Tomoya said that's what Mana decides/thinks is best. Hikaru understood and realized that's the answer she received from the Victorium Core.
Misuzu comes to volunteer at the shelter by passing out food...well, some rice balls? Hikaru asks how she's doing, she says she is okay, but the lady there needs help. Go takes one look and, remembering the pregnant lady from episode 5, rushes to her side. The doctor doesn't seem to have good news for mother and child and Go looks visibly devastated. Sho comes in and puts his crystal in her hands, apparently calming her down. Go is so happy and relieved that he hugs Sho (who looks kind of stunned but gives it a pass, as though he understands how Go feels). I do like how this is a nice call back to episode 5 where both Sho and Go were around but not working together (Go was possessed by Yapool). Well, I don't know how to explain other than the same three characters (Sho, Go, and the pregnant lady) are together again and now the outcome seems more hopeful in this episode.
Oh, and hi Kenta. I almost despair of seeing you this whole season of Ginga S. Apparently, he and Chigusa are in Furuhoshi (the setting of Ginga). She can't contact Hikaru and is worried about both him and Misuzu. Kenta says rightly that they can't go to Shizukugaoka because the roads are blocked. Chigusa insists that there must be something she can do. Kenta looks at his laptop computer and seems to get an idea.
The Victorian queen and her people come up to the shelter to basically tell the people there that all the living things on this planet have to work together to give hope and trust to save the planet. Well, since she and the other Victorians are giving their crystal pendants to Hikaru and Sho, it probably means for them to become Ultramen again. (Sho only gets crystal from Sakuya, but well, since he's already a Victorian, maybe he doesn't need as much crystal. Or apparently, he and Hikaru share the crystal's power anyway.)
Oh, somewhere in between, Misuzu notices Chigusa on her phone and tells Hikaru. Chigusa and Kenta use an internet relay to send video message to the people of Shizukugaoka, telling them to hang in there. She sings and dances to encourage them. I personally think that is a great idea and wish I see it more in real life. (Oh, and oh. I never noticed that Chiaki and Takeru (from the band Voyager) are backup dancers for Chigusa. Well, I did first notice in episode 12, but not before seeing Ultraman X (where Chiaki and Takeru are regulars). Made me wonder for a moment if this takes place in X universe, but the Ginga crossover episodes in X make it clear that the Ginga world and X world are different (despite both worlds having spark dolls), so I'll just chalk it up to alternate versions with same faces. ;))
So, charged with crystal, Hikaru and Sho are about to go transform into Ultramen, but villain factions crash the party. Every alien the heroes have ever defeated returns. And I mean everyone, even from back in the first season of Ginga. Fighting ensues and I kind of enjoy seeing Go using a large barrel to bob someone's head. Sakuya's little brother Repi is kind of cute and manages to get some hits in against the bad guy. Tomoya is good, too, with his Jean-Nine control pads dispatching the bad guys. Kamushin (the elder Victorian) isn't bad either. But I chuckle when the queen uses her power to dispatch many enemies at once and people behind her all clap. :)
Lugiel the hologram is back to ask Mana why someone who has no life is protecting the lives of others, and she says a human (Tomoya) tells her that to live is to change and grow. Lugiel scoffs, saying that a change isn't necessary. Everyone should just be happy to be turned into a spark doll, the world at a stand still, where no violence, no war exists. (But is that really living? <-- okay, I'm not original at all with this question (at least Ultraman X said that).)
Mana remembers Misuzu. :) I don't think they ever met again but of course Misuzu, by being kind to Mana, would leave a lasting impression. Although, to be honest, the first person who actually tried to reach out to Mana was Sho, when he said back in episode 8 that if her destiny was to be a tool for fighting, she should try to change her destiny. (She remembers him, too, along with Hikaru, who is simply an inspiration to everyone - Misuzu and Sho included. You could even say that Misuzu and Sho passed on what they learned from Hikaru to Mana.)
Well, I don't remember much, but after Mana fused with the Lugiel monster, the tide quickly turns in the heroes' favor. They basically beat it with their best final attacks. But wow, maybe Lugiel might even be a bit impressed with Hikaru and co.'s definition of eternal life (that we learn and grow and pass on our experiences to the next generation). Peace restored, everyone works to rebuild the town. The misguided UPG commander moans that he made the matter worse (well, who told you to use power you don't understand nor can control?), but Arisa tells him not to worry since she and the others will work hard to build even a better town.
And if I didn't know that Ultraman Ginga and Dark Lugiel were basically the same being splitted (I did guess - I mentioned it when Ginga first aired), Ginga confirms it for Hikaru. Although it does sound more like they are eternal rivals/enemies. (The stronger the light, the stronger the darkness. Or something along those lines.) But of course, your greatest enemy is usually yourself. That has been a message in many Ultra series.
Oh, and Ultraman Taro, again, likes to fly away so fast. I didn't see Ginga fly off, so I guess he is still with Hikaru. Or did I actually miss that part and Ginga would be back (like Taro) whenever Hikaru called? Oh, well, given that, without having to call on Ginga first, Hikaru can still transform into Ginga in subsequent installments, it's more likely the former is true.
Hikaru and Sho part way by walking away from each other (and of course they will meet again, and again, and again -- kind of reminds me of the way Gamu and Fujimiya part in Ultraman Gaia), but not before Sho quotes what Hikaru said back in episode 1, that everyone is connected under the same sky (I will always love this quote - it helps that Hikaru keeps saying it to everyone new he meets along the way), and Hikaru says, yes, so they have to protect that bond by continuing on an adventure (called life). Oh, the Victorians continue to discover the wonder of chocolates one by one (this time, it's Kamushin). Queen Kisara asks Repi to pass on a pendant to Tomoya, who discovers that Mana stored all her data in that pendant (and presumably, he could work to re-create her).
Well, that's about it. I'm sure I've missed some parts, but as far as finales go I like this one a lot. Of course it relies on miracles (what Ultraman series doesn't?), but the focus is more on people working together to solve problems. It's clear they know what to do and do them to the best of their abilities. Not to say that other Ultraman series don't have people working together in their finales, but I guess the one in Ginga S breaks everything down in a simplistic form, yet still manages to leave a little surprise. I love how everything comes full circle, back to the beginning (you have callbacks from way back in Ginga).
In short, I love this episode, and Ultraman Ginga S as a whole. This is a much more traditional series than Ginga, but I think it works because it remains focused on the main characters for most of its run. Speaking as someone who doesn't care for villains, the main villain is fine, perhaps a bit too nice that his underlings don't care to obey him. ^^;; I would encourage people to watch it, but I understand that Ultraman Ginga is not for everyone (though of course I love that series, too), and, imo, you need to watch that series to appreciate Ginga S.
I'm still without words, but I'll try to fill in something...
My usual disclaimer: this is not meant to be an accurate retelling of the episode. What I don't remember, I make it up.
Continuing from episode 15, the two Ultramen try to fight off Vic Lugiel (the mechanical monster-lookalike that fused with Victorium cannon), but they are sadly no match to it. The Octopus is crowing that his master has obtained the ultimate form or something, and is suddenly exploded. Dark Lugiel appears and thanks the octopus spark doll for the job well done. Mana tries to fight off Dark Lugiel, but discovers he is a hologram, yet he is capable of disabling her anyway, sending crashing to the ground. I think his real body appears from a portal and combines with the mechanical monster.
Oh, just before that, seeing that the Victorium cannon is about to blast the Ultramen, Mana returns (well, throws) the Shepardon doll out the window to Sho, so that he can use the Shepardon saber (which I always love to see). Victory destroys the Victorium cannon and Octopus says that we don't need Victorium cannon (an earthling weapon) anyway, now that we have Victorium Core (the place from the last episode where Mana was sent down deep inside Earth).
The tide turns quickly in Lugiel's favor after his fusion with the monster. Hikaru and Sho are forced out of their transformations, before both Ginga and Victory turn into stones, not unlike what happened back in episode 8. The UPG car comes right to the place they crashed land and picks them up. (Good timing, UPG. :) They go to the shelter where the residents of Shizukugaoka are taking refuge and help with turning the power on. People begin to see some light (literally, as well as figuratively, I hope).
Oh, while the UPG members were on the way, they received a message from Mana, essentially telling them she planned to blow up herself along with the monster Dark Lugiel was fused with. That didn't sit well with them, especially Go, but Tomoya said that's what Mana decides/thinks is best. Hikaru understood and realized that's the answer she received from the Victorium Core.
Misuzu comes to volunteer at the shelter by passing out food...well, some rice balls? Hikaru asks how she's doing, she says she is okay, but the lady there needs help. Go takes one look and, remembering the pregnant lady from episode 5, rushes to her side. The doctor doesn't seem to have good news for mother and child and Go looks visibly devastated. Sho comes in and puts his crystal in her hands, apparently calming her down. Go is so happy and relieved that he hugs Sho (who looks kind of stunned but gives it a pass, as though he understands how Go feels). I do like how this is a nice call back to episode 5 where both Sho and Go were around but not working together (Go was possessed by Yapool). Well, I don't know how to explain other than the same three characters (Sho, Go, and the pregnant lady) are together again and now the outcome seems more hopeful in this episode.
Oh, and hi Kenta. I almost despair of seeing you this whole season of Ginga S. Apparently, he and Chigusa are in Furuhoshi (the setting of Ginga). She can't contact Hikaru and is worried about both him and Misuzu. Kenta says rightly that they can't go to Shizukugaoka because the roads are blocked. Chigusa insists that there must be something she can do. Kenta looks at his laptop computer and seems to get an idea.
The Victorian queen and her people come up to the shelter to basically tell the people there that all the living things on this planet have to work together to give hope and trust to save the planet. Well, since she and the other Victorians are giving their crystal pendants to Hikaru and Sho, it probably means for them to become Ultramen again. (Sho only gets crystal from Sakuya, but well, since he's already a Victorian, maybe he doesn't need as much crystal. Or apparently, he and Hikaru share the crystal's power anyway.)
Oh, somewhere in between, Misuzu notices Chigusa on her phone and tells Hikaru. Chigusa and Kenta use an internet relay to send video message to the people of Shizukugaoka, telling them to hang in there. She sings and dances to encourage them. I personally think that is a great idea and wish I see it more in real life. (Oh, and oh. I never noticed that Chiaki and Takeru (from the band Voyager) are backup dancers for Chigusa. Well, I did first notice in episode 12, but not before seeing Ultraman X (where Chiaki and Takeru are regulars). Made me wonder for a moment if this takes place in X universe, but the Ginga crossover episodes in X make it clear that the Ginga world and X world are different (despite both worlds having spark dolls), so I'll just chalk it up to alternate versions with same faces. ;))
So, charged with crystal, Hikaru and Sho are about to go transform into Ultramen, but villain factions crash the party. Every alien the heroes have ever defeated returns. And I mean everyone, even from back in the first season of Ginga. Fighting ensues and I kind of enjoy seeing Go using a large barrel to bob someone's head. Sakuya's little brother Repi is kind of cute and manages to get some hits in against the bad guy. Tomoya is good, too, with his Jean-Nine control pads dispatching the bad guys. Kamushin (the elder Victorian) isn't bad either. But I chuckle when the queen uses her power to dispatch many enemies at once and people behind her all clap. :)
Lugiel the hologram is back to ask Mana why someone who has no life is protecting the lives of others, and she says a human (Tomoya) tells her that to live is to change and grow. Lugiel scoffs, saying that a change isn't necessary. Everyone should just be happy to be turned into a spark doll, the world at a stand still, where no violence, no war exists. (But is that really living? <-- okay, I'm not original at all with this question (at least Ultraman X said that).)
Mana remembers Misuzu. :) I don't think they ever met again but of course Misuzu, by being kind to Mana, would leave a lasting impression. Although, to be honest, the first person who actually tried to reach out to Mana was Sho, when he said back in episode 8 that if her destiny was to be a tool for fighting, she should try to change her destiny. (She remembers him, too, along with Hikaru, who is simply an inspiration to everyone - Misuzu and Sho included. You could even say that Misuzu and Sho passed on what they learned from Hikaru to Mana.)
Well, I don't remember much, but after Mana fused with the Lugiel monster, the tide quickly turns in the heroes' favor. They basically beat it with their best final attacks. But wow, maybe Lugiel might even be a bit impressed with Hikaru and co.'s definition of eternal life (that we learn and grow and pass on our experiences to the next generation). Peace restored, everyone works to rebuild the town. The misguided UPG commander moans that he made the matter worse (well, who told you to use power you don't understand nor can control?), but Arisa tells him not to worry since she and the others will work hard to build even a better town.
And if I didn't know that Ultraman Ginga and Dark Lugiel were basically the same being splitted (I did guess - I mentioned it when Ginga first aired), Ginga confirms it for Hikaru. Although it does sound more like they are eternal rivals/enemies. (The stronger the light, the stronger the darkness. Or something along those lines.) But of course, your greatest enemy is usually yourself. That has been a message in many Ultra series.
Oh, and Ultraman Taro, again, likes to fly away so fast. I didn't see Ginga fly off, so I guess he is still with Hikaru. Or did I actually miss that part and Ginga would be back (like Taro) whenever Hikaru called? Oh, well, given that, without having to call on Ginga first, Hikaru can still transform into Ginga in subsequent installments, it's more likely the former is true.
Hikaru and Sho part way by walking away from each other (and of course they will meet again, and again, and again -- kind of reminds me of the way Gamu and Fujimiya part in Ultraman Gaia), but not before Sho quotes what Hikaru said back in episode 1, that everyone is connected under the same sky (I will always love this quote - it helps that Hikaru keeps saying it to everyone new he meets along the way), and Hikaru says, yes, so they have to protect that bond by continuing on an adventure (called life). Oh, the Victorians continue to discover the wonder of chocolates one by one (this time, it's Kamushin). Queen Kisara asks Repi to pass on a pendant to Tomoya, who discovers that Mana stored all her data in that pendant (and presumably, he could work to re-create her).
Well, that's about it. I'm sure I've missed some parts, but as far as finales go I like this one a lot. Of course it relies on miracles (what Ultraman series doesn't?), but the focus is more on people working together to solve problems. It's clear they know what to do and do them to the best of their abilities. Not to say that other Ultraman series don't have people working together in their finales, but I guess the one in Ginga S breaks everything down in a simplistic form, yet still manages to leave a little surprise. I love how everything comes full circle, back to the beginning (you have callbacks from way back in Ginga).
In short, I love this episode, and Ultraman Ginga S as a whole. This is a much more traditional series than Ginga, but I think it works because it remains focused on the main characters for most of its run. Speaking as someone who doesn't care for villains, the main villain is fine, perhaps a bit too nice that his underlings don't care to obey him. ^^;; I would encourage people to watch it, but I understand that Ultraman Ginga is not for everyone (though of course I love that series, too), and, imo, you need to watch that series to appreciate Ginga S.