Dragonaut – Episode 3
20 October 2007
Dragonaut just got really interesting, indecently interesting. The show has a pretty weird, pretty amazing, pretty strange concept: people riding dragons.
So, these Dragonaut guys are psuedo-military people riding dragons like gundams, but it’s really more like RahXephon or even Evangelion because they have this connection with their dragons. In fact, their dragons are actually humans, each with their transformation sequence (which reminded me of Power Rangers), that turn into these giant dragons. And, I’m under the impression the ISDA manufacture these test tube dragons, hence G-10, or Gio and his birth.
Speaking of Gio, poor Kazuki was basically totally ignored this entire episode. Ignored by his childhood friend, ignored by his childhood when he tried to kill him, ignored by his pet dragon, ignored completely by almost everyone. I feel terrible for the poor kid, the way things are going for him right now, I’m going to hypothesize he suffers a mental breakdown in the near future and goes on some rampage.
Then, there’s that romance going on between Jin and Toa. They kissed in mid air, it was the cutest thing in the world, except the part where she starts running away from him after turning into Album and hooks up Gio, whose soul purpose is to protect her. In short, everything got even more confusing when Gio popped out of his test tube and met up with Toa. Both Kazuki and Jin are separated from the possible love of their lives and no one is very happy. I’m not too pleased myself, this Gio guy is the unnecessary third wheel, butting into Jin and Toa’s romance! It was agonizing, albeit only a little, to watch Jin reach out for Toa, remember her kiss and her promise, only to end up calling her a liar as he drifts into the ocean.
And let’s not forget, half the main cast transform into dragons! Hooray! I wasn’t too crazy about the designs, the CG feels awkward, but the action was nonstop, fireballs and crazy explosions and all, some guy (back in episode two) even got eaten. Aside from the dragons, there’s also the Gillard Army. I have absolutely no idea who the heck they are. I’m assuming that they’re some random military organization with no particular affiliation to anyone. Their colors seems to be red, everything the own, pilot or wear is decked in red. That freakish, psycho lady from episode one is even named Garnet.
Last but not least the commander of the ISDA seems to have his own problems. He goes home, opens a can of beer, suffers a momentary hallucination of his daughter and goes to sleep on his couch, ignoring phone calls. Perhaps his daughter died in some incident relating to the dragons as well, and maybe that’s why he joined the Dragonauts. I think, back in episode two, he urges Jin to join the Dragonauts to avenge his father, perhaps his situation is similar.
Dragonaut has a lot of potential, it’s a refreshing concept to watch and I’m really hoping that GONZO pulls it off this time. Last Exile had such a wonderful start but somewhere near the end, it just unraveled completely. The cast is large, people are running around everywhere, but as soon as the story and action picked up, everything fell into place. The story needs to stay nice and neat, tight, with out random loose ends flailing about, because it’ll be a pain to have to tie them back together.
Oh, and the Giga Drill Breaker is so much cooler than Howling’s Star drill attack.
Hmm…
So this means that Garnet’s ridiculous outfit is actually a *military uniform*?
Sign me up.
@Silvering – Yeah, come to think of it, yes. Her outfit is a military uniform. O_o!!
Wholeheartedly agree with you on Dragonaut being a refreshing concept. It’s as good as Code Geass, IMO, and might be the dark horse for Autumn.
Oh, and I was like “NOOO” when Gio appeared and stole Toa away, too. Third parties always suck.
@Owen S – It just might be the fall season’s dark horse, because even I was remotely skeptical of the series. I mean, cmon, it’s about dragons. XD!
I hated Gio! I have a feeling I’m going to eventually learn to like him and then he’s going to die. But, right now, I hate him. He’s not even that good looking! Argh! People do this just to spite me.