Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, episode 4

[cypsiman2]

Ken, you have issues, both of the Daddy variety, and of the revenge variety. Please do not push either of these issues onto bereaved young girls who've just lost their fathers, ever again. Also, do not punch them in the stomach and drag them onto dangerous missions without informing them or getting their consent.

Also, if you were to let someone else on the Science Ninja Team have some screen time and focus, that would not go amiss. You being really in love with Jun only goes so far, Ken the Eagle.

Comments

[sarajayechan.livejournal.com]

Episode 4 sheds a lot of light on Ken's character flaws. He gets quite a few "what the hell hero" moments throughout the series, but the writers are at least careful to explain them and balance them out with truly heroic moments. Personally I like that he's so flawed, it subverts the whole "standardized clean-cut hero" thing he seems to have going at first. (yeah, I'm a Ken fangirl, can you tell?)

And don't worry, the other members of the team will get their fair share of spotlight, Joe especially.

What are your thoughts on the characters so far, by the way?

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

I just found it weird how Professor Nambu made a point of how Ken couldn't let his heart affect the mission, and yet when Ken does exactly that in a really over the top way...he doesn't punish him for it. Still, I do like my heroes flawed, and hopefully the narrative will more explicitly call him out on this in the future.

Heh, I wasn't worried about Joe getting his time in the spotlight, I can tell you that much.

Hmmm, it's hard to have too much in the way of thoughts on the characters at this point; most of the character focus has been on Ken, with just itty bitty bits for the others. I do find it weird how no one will let Joe shoot the damn bird missiles like he wants to, and I have to raise an eyebrow at them bringing Jinpei along while telling him that he can't join in on missions. And Jun, you've already got my thoughts on her. Again, we need some episodes with less explosions, more character exploration.

[sarajayechan.livejournal.com]

I always thought Prof. Nambu was often torn between his roles as both a boss and father figure. He knows what's best, but he also knows Ken.

He's awesome, there's a reason he became probably the most popular character on the team. XD

I guess the Bird Missiles are meant to be super dangerous and kind of a last-resort thing? It's been a while since I've seen the show, so I can't remember if they explained it. Then again, Joe tends to be trigger-happy so maybe they're afraid if they let him control the missiles he'll fire 'em all and bad stuff will happen.

I have to raise an eyebrow at them bringing Jinpei along while telling him that he can't join in on missions.

Huh, really? Never noticed that except for a few times. Ryu's always the one being left behind on the ship, but at least there's concrete reasons for THAT.

Well, thoughts on Jun outside her being Ken's potential girlfriend? XD

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

True, but it kind of felt like the latter scene was written by a different person who wasn't really aware of the details of the former scene. But yeah, I can definitely see him not really knowing what to do with Ken.

Well, kind of? I mean, that's the inference you would have to make every time Joe's all "GRRR, must launch Bird Missiles, blow up Galactor until nothing is left" and everyone's all "No, Joe, you musn't, for the good of the mission!". And honestly? Given Joe's archetype, I wouldn't think he'd have to do anything awesome to win Fandom's love, LOL JK.

Yeah, Ryu does get left behind, but he doesn't raise a stink about it the way Jinpei does, so it doesn't register in the same way for me.

Umm, outside being Ken's girlfriend...she seems nice and capable? I mean, for a female character in an early 70's anime aimed at young boys, she seems to be handled pretty well, but again, I'd need a focus episode or two to really be able to say.

[sarajayechan.livejournal.com]

Really? Well, it might've been.

*nod* Yeah, the issue with the bird missiles...sometimes it seems a little overwrought. But then there's an instance where Joe fires so many he actually runs out, so...

Yeah, Ryu gets a little put out about it now and then, but I think he understands. He does have a family to consider.

I mean, for a female character in an early 70's anime aimed at young boys, she seems to be handled pretty well

YES. She gets the distress ball now and then, but they all get it. Jun is quite progressive for a girl of her era.

[cypsiman2.livejournal.com]

Episode 5 is the one where he shoots the missiles 'till they run out, and he just keeps pushing the button, trying to reassert the meaning of his life. That's how it came across to me anyway.

And Ryu has family? Huh, haven't gotten to that part yet, I look forward to finding out more about them.

And trust me, when I get to an episode that really focuses on Jun as a character, I'll let you know.