Well, not really LOL worthy, but there is some EXTREME postal training.

Summary:

An ASP squad drops down upon a Humanform Weapon attacking the town of Kondaral and defeat it by tearing a ring of its neck, which causes the same type of purple stone that was on Akiyuki to grow upon it and stop it working. In another location, more white-haired children (carrying cloaks and staffs) are ordered by a woman named Lady Sannova to return the Hiruko to the great Ruikon. On Zanbani, Akiyuki’s adjusting to life delivering packages on the ship. One morning, Nakiami takes him to see Madame Tenshin for the beginning of his Xam’d training. He is asked by the old woman, “What does Xam’d seek?” Akiyuki says that he doesn’t know, he just wishes to return to Sentan Island. He’s told that the only one who knows how to remove the Hiruko from him is Lady Sannova, who was exiled by the Nothern Government and whose whereabouts are unknown. Telling Akiyuki that the Hiruko will enlighten him as to the answer to the question, Madame Tenshin tells Nakiami to begin the drills. In the Captain’s office, Yunbo plans the routes with Ishu and at the same time, Akiyuki finds out the “training” is just stamping letters as fast as he can.

On Sentan Island, Haru meets her sister and Furuichi (finally know his name) at a harbour where they see a Southern Continent Free Ship. A militia is forming to defend the island during the new war. Haru spots a classmate named Shidara, who’s in shock and depresed due to the fact her parents were some of those wiped out in the previous air raid. Haru’s attempts to console her are futile and off of the ship comes Commander Kakisu.

Akiyuki begins to replace stamps on packages addressed to Sentan Island; though they can’t be delivered now, he can’t let them be destroyed either. Eventually, he gains some help from part of the rest of the crew, and we see how he’s slowly being accepted by them as well. Seeing Madame again, he’s told that in moments of idleness, one begins to craft their true self. That night, he begins to compose a letter to Haru and Akushiba holds a picture of Nakiami with the kids which has the kid’s crossed out; this picture was apparently one of Raigyo’s. The next day, Akiyuki begins to help Kiselji on the outside of the ship and spots another ship flying above them. The ship drops towards them at a sharp speed and lets out a smoke screen, which seems to alert Nakiami. She leaves on the Beat Kayak and we learn that it’s a Tessik ship and for some reason Ishu doesn’t want Nakiami going there. Kiselji says that they are pawns of the Northen Government, without a homeland.

Ishu denies Nakiami’s request to see them, as they’re traitors to the anti-government army and sell-outs; it seems Nakiami has a personal relationship with them and their leader, Zeygend. The conversation gets heated, Nakiami gets slapped and both of them part feeling depressed. Nakiami and Akiyuki go to see Madame Tenshin again; he still doesn’t really know what Xam’d seeks, but discerns that they are lonely and wish to be with their own kind. He’s told by the old women that Hiruko are thoughts that couldn’t be given life. He’s told no more than to continue to think of the answer to her question. Elsewhere, Ishu gets drunk and later Akushiba is just an annoyance to Akiyuki, thought he offers him some “Fantasy Goggles”.

Ryuzo is approached by Kakisu’s assistant, who’s name is Prois Sukkaki. He’s asked to help them with research to combat Humanform Weapons, and though he at first declines, when he hears Kakisu’s name his interest is piqued as Kakisu was apparently saved by Ryuzo at Barador. Back on Sentan Island, the pilot of the Humanform Weapon in Kondaral is being chased by soldiers who have orders to shoot on sight. At the same time, people in strange cloaks with hoods resembling birds appear and extract some strange light from a dead pregnant woman. The pilot spots them and trembling in fear names as the Jibashiri who pull Hiruko from the deceased – just before he’s killed by a headshot.

Next Time:

Thoughts:

Not much happened in this episode until the end and it wasn’t as good as the first two. For now, the show seems content to continue developing on Akiyuki’s acceptance of the crew and vice-versa while throwing in hints and twists here and there. On the home front it still doesn’t seem like Haru has much of a part in the plot so far, but at least the shows keeping its more personal view on the affects of the war with the introduction of Shidara, who’ll be appearing next week, from what the preview’s shown.

Zeygend seems like a manipulative bastard from the 5 second of screentime he’s had and his face just screams “I AM AN ANTAGONIST” so Nakiami being with him can’t possibly come of any good but she’ll be leaving for a while anyway (and most likely coming back after being betrayed in some way) regardless of how much Ishu doesn’t want her to get hurt. It’s pretty obvious that’s the reason she doesn’t want to let her leave, forget about all that “Tessik people are sellouts” stuff. Madame Tenshin has become the token old, cryptic, prophetic woman who doesn’t actually do anything (even though we already have one in the show in the form of Lady Sannova) and though Kakisu and Ryuzo’s relation to each other didn’t come as much of a surprise, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

The white-haired children are as mysterious as ever, now that they seem to have been identified as the Jibashiri (notice that they are carrying the cloaks and staff of the Jibashiri) and now the nature of the Hiruko’s become even more questionable; are they all obtained from the deceased unborn? This would go in accordance with what Mdame Tenshin said about Hiruko being thoughts that couldn’t be given life. What’s interesting is the way that the pilot seemed in such fear just by seeing the Jibashiri; I always thought that their beliefs were in accordance (being followers of Ruikonism) and they were allies of some sort but then again the pilot’s most likely been employed by the Northen Government. Still, something deeper has been hinted, at which is good.

Disappointingly, there doesn’t seem to be any greater level of action next week; once again, though the show’s interesting and well-animated, there hasn’t been any of the surprises or twists or the cracking pace as seen in the first episode. Hopefully things become so intricate that it’ll leave me thinking more about the plot than anything else and being a bit more satisfied.

Alcohol.

The cause of, and solution to, all of lifes problems.