February 9th, 2014 
AstroNerdBoy キルラキル ep. 17 SPOILER Review
KILL la KILL episode 17
Synopsis:
As Mako and Senketsu help settle Ryuuko’s and Tsumugu’s disagreement, Satsuki returns to Honnouji Gakuin, thanking the Elite Four for their help in the recent fight, then making an announcement to the school, thanking them for their part in the recent fight. She announces that the director of the school, Ragyou, will be coming and that they will be hosting the Great Sports and Culture Festival. Meanwhile, as Ryuuko looks at the utter devastation in Osaka, and observes Tsumugu training. Mikisugi tells Ryuuko that Tsumugu’s older sister died in a Seimeisen experiment by Dr. Matoi. He explains that Dr. Matoi’s work caused him to merge Senketsu’s Seimeisen threads with Ryuuko’s DNA, which is why Ryuuko can commune with Senketsu and can only be worn by Ryuuko.
That evening, Satsuki has tea and a quite chat with her butler, Soroi, recalling how she started the path she’s on. The next day, Ira has an announcement in town about the coming festival and the provided clothing the people are to wear to it. Mako’s family gets on stage, demanding to know where Mako and Ryuuko are. Ira brands them as traitors, but says that the Mankanshoku family are pardoned to attend the festival. Barazo demands to know if Mako and Ryuuko are alive and if food will be provided. Hearing the answer to both questions is “yes,” Barazo says the family will attend. Meanwhile, Mikisugi shows hidden camera footage from Honnouji, where they see Satsuki readying for the festival. Ryuuko learns about Ragyou, but when the group sees a ton of Seimeisen being shipped to the school, the go into action to attack, Mako joining as well.
At Revocs, Ragyou gets the latest on her clothing expansion, then has a little chat with Nui. The Elite Four continue to prep for Ragyou’s arrival. Houka tells Satsuki that Ryuuko and the others have taken the bait and are the final piece on the board. Satsuki summons the Elite Four and Iori for a cup of sake and success in the festival, then throwing the cups on the floor. On the day of the festival, Ragyou arrives in gaudy fashion. After her speech, she activates the Seimeisen in the clothing of the people and normal students, causing them to be encased. As she savors her triumph, Satsuki stabs her with her sword, no longer addressing her as mother, and sends Ragyou flying so she’s impaled on a cross. Ryuuko and company arrive to see this and are shocked by it as Nui smiles at this twist.
Thoughts/Review:
Did I call this or what? ^_~ I have to admit that as this episode proceeded, I began to wonder if my theory about Satsuki was correct, but then when the ending happened, I thought, “Oh yeah! I was right all along.” ^_^
Back in episode 9, I made this remark.
Seeing Satsuki’s offer to allow Ryuuko to rest before her next fight, combined with the second flashback of Satsuki and Ira, makes me think again that Satsuki isn’t the ultimate opponent here. I could be wrong, but Satsuki sees a world gone wrong. Based on the flashbacks we’ve seen thus far, the world seems a very jacked up place. So her notion of creating an army to accomplish her goal by using Honnouji Academy as a proving ground makes a lot of sense.
Her goal, as I saw it, was to fix this jacked up world. I didn’t know the source of things being jacked up, which turned out to be the Seimeisen aliens, but it seemed that this was how things were playing out.
Satsuki’s actions were those of a samurai lord, following the Bushido code and picking other samurai (the Elite Four) who could aid her in her cause. As such, that’s why I started thinking she wasn’t the actual villain even if she was the antagonist for a time, challenging Ryuuko and using Ryuuko to sharpen her army’s skills.
Then in episode 11, I made this remark, speculating that Ragyou was the enemy.
…I think that the army Satsuki is trying to raise is for use against her family, specifically her mother. I base this on Nui being tied to Satsuki’s mother, and Satsuki having the negative reaction to Nui, as if she could thwart Satsuki’s plans.
No wonder Satsuki was troubled by Nui. Since Satsuki was intending on killing her mother and removing the Seimeisen threat (even if Satsuki didn’t know the specifics until Ragyou showed told her the truth).
Since then, I’ve remained convinced that Ragyou was the target and that Ryuuko and Satsuki would end up teaming up. That later part hasn’t happened yet, but I think it is still to come. (I also think that they’ll still end up fighting each other, but only after Junketsu takes Satsuki over for a time.)
As to Ragyou, even if I hadn’t seen the preview for the next episode, depicting her to still be alive, I would have predicted it. I think Ragyou as Seimeisen within her, hence the red eyes she has. I don’t think it would be that easy to kill her.
I’ve speculated that Ragyou and Nui are pretty sharp cookies and knew Satsuki was up to something. Satsuki’s done everything in such a way so that her actions could not be seen as harming the COVERS project, including her saving Ryuuko’s life. I wonder if Satsuki’s successful war (and the devastation of Osaka) caused Ragyou to relax her guard just a bit. Then again, Ragyou may not be concerned about being stabbed and crucified, giving Satsuki the opportunity to turn on her.
With Nui on the scene, things should get quite interesting, especially since she apparently has the ability to destroy Seimeisen threads.
On a lighter note, Mako does her awesome job of keeping things from getting too dark, as depicted in how she helped stop Tsumugu and Ryuuko from fighting.
Speaking of Mako, when her family confronted Ira, my first thought was, “Ira is meeting the future in-laws, and they are giving their future son-in-law the once over to see if he’s worthy of Mako.”
Seriously, doesn’t this image of Mako’s father come off like, “You want to date my daughter?” *lol*
In the end, a really good episode to be found here, with my predictions coming true.
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The “real” episode 17 review, after I somehow jacked up the previous episode, by labeling it episode 17. ^_^;;;
Yaaay the review is here! Been waiting for this XD
Anyway personally I’ve been on the edge of my chair this whole episode and the way Satsuki kept talking about her mother, with that grim determination, it was pretty obvious that she was going to do something Mommy wouldn’t like. And then… and then “I’m the Director of the Kiryuuin Conglomerate, Kiryuuin RagGHU”
BEST! BACKSTAB! EVER!
Satsuki pretty much cemented her position as my favourite Female character in all of fiction.
Okay enough with the fanboyism. Or maybe not XD It’s really impressive really, everything Satsuki did for the last couple of years was aimed at building up her power and being able to go after her mother. She manipulated everyone and everything to get her chance at that, it takes a really exceptional person to pull something like that off. Ryuuko was played for a fool for the entire first half of the series and only contributed to Satsuki’s progress.
I have a feeling that we may get one-stars or drones with sewing guns in the next episode. Just before Inumuta switched to satelite view of Team Nudist he had the Nudist needles on his screen. Satsuki probably got her hands on Nudist weaponry, she wanted as much stuff as she could get that could counter her Mom.
Ira meeting Mankanshokus was great, especially after they asked about catering. He had this delicious “I’m getting trolled by this family way too much” expression. I see his offer to join the Festival as sort of show of good heart. He wanted to spare the Mankanshokus being kicked out so he gave them a chance to atone. Except it went somewhere horrible thanks to Ragyo.
Fight aside, the next episode is going to be great because Ryuuko will have to adjust her attitude towards Satsuki. How will this sudden shift affect their relationship? Also it would be hilarious if Elite Four off-handedly told her that they are allies now and they’ll fight together. Ryuuko is going to tsukkomi about with all of her power.
Not to mention that we don’t know how much of what Satsuki said and did was her own thoughts and how much of it was saying stuff Ragyo wanted to hear. As she said to Soroi, she used to be a kind-hearted girl, but now is ruthless and manipulative in her drive to kill her mother and destroy Life Fibers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ragyo either killed or drove away Satsuki’s father and that was one of the big reasons why she is gunning for her.
Also, “It’s Dotonbori robo right?” “DTR!”
Yeah, it will be interesting to see how she reacts.
I agree. I don’t think I’ve stated it before, but the absence of Satsuki’s father has made me wonder what became of him.
Some people are saying that Nui and Ragyo switched places. Ragyo said something along the lines of “wear something that fits my tastes.” This implies Nui dressed up as Ragyo in order to smoke out Satsuki. We have gone two episodes without any long action scenes. I can not wait for the action packed episode we will watch next.
I thought about Nui being disguised as Ragyou, but then when I saw Nui as herself, I thought differently as we’ve not yet seen that Nui can do this kind of illusion of making others change appearance, just herself. But it is possible that this theory is right and that Ragyou somehow disguised herself as Nui.
Hmmm this really does feel like a gurren lagaan recycle xD… It kinda gives u the expectation ryuko and satsuki will team up to fight a common enemy just like how viral and Simon teamed up to fight anti spirals
I never watched Gurren Lagann. I always intended to, but never got around to it. ^_^;
You should, it made by same people as kill la kill. You get nostalgic feelings whilst watching the series…
Example the kendo guy in the elite four is the viral of this series, seimeisen is acting in place of the gunmen mecha.
Mikaido is kind of a kamina clone (appearance wise at least)… The Lord genome role goes to ragyou and if this is any thing like gurren lagann… Ryuko and satsuki will team up to fight a advance being… like how Simon and co went to face anti spirals.
If you like kill la kill your bound to love gurren lagann.
The series is still on my (LONG) list of series to watch at some point. ^_^;
Same here but I’m more weigh down by new current anime, well when you do get to gurren lagann you will get a number of kill la kill déjà vu
KILL la KILL déjà vu, eh? *lol* I’ll keep that in mind if I get a chance to watch. ^_^
1- Hahahaha, great backstabbing! And what a throw! ‘Nuff said! LOL
2- Yes, the scene with Mako’s family was really good! They invaded the stage out of nowhere, just like their daugther before them!
2.1. And the little brother is still safe, thx to his poverty! I wonder if he’ll have a meaningful role?
3 – Frebruary 10th was my birthday! Thx for this gift of a post! ^^
P.S. This is completely unrelated, about Tenchi Muyo: I know about this OVA, where Tenchi lives with all the girls and a son (whose mother was not revealed…or was she? Plz answer this).
And now, not long ago, I saw the arts you posted…so, did he have daugthers from BOTH Aeka and Ryoko?1 Seriously, is that cannon? Because if it is…awesome! The harem dream has come true after all! XDDDD or bigamy, at the very least? LOL I wait for answers!
Happy belated birthday! ^_^
As to the Tenchi Muyo! stuff…
Tenchi’s son’s mother has yet to be revealed. ^_^;
It is considered canon. Of course, being in doujinshi form, Kajishima-sensei can always opt to make some changes, which he’s already done for Ryoko’s daughter in terms of character design. We hope the materials from -If- get made into an anime. ^_^
Just saw episode 18 wow that was amazing they teased the viewer with a bit of info and at the end all you can think is I knew it!
Heh! Can’t wait to watch that Saturday night. ^_^
Lol the ep reflects on how lord genome and shimon relationship in gurren lagaan
I just saw the episode and am about to write up a post. ^_^