OP: “Imperfect (インパーフェクト)” by Masayoshi Ooishi
SSSS.Dynazenon has certainly gotten off to a flying start as compared to its predecessor. Yet as with Gridman, it’s the quieter moments that make the series really sing for me (though the action sequences are great, too). The contrast between the low-key “in-between” moments and the frantic combat scenes is one of the elements that make this franchise so effective. This even extends to music, with minimal to no BGM most of the time and insert songs when the battles are going on. And not only that, Dynazenon’s theme song apparently actually plays in the cockpit when it’s in combat mode, ROFL.
That cockpit soundtrack is one of a couple of different things that stand out to me as different about this series as compared to the first one. Most obviously, unlike in Gridman it seems as if the damage from the kaiju battles doesn’t reset this time. This implies a very significant change in the circumstances surrounding the two universes, though it’s too early to be absolutely certain. The presence of the “Kaiju Eugenicists” is another big change, and one that seems as if it’s going to play a major role in Dynazenon going forward.
That last part is especially interesting to me, because on top of its already bursting sack of influences, it seems as if SSSS.Dynazenon is adding Star Trek to the mix. In the first place, the “Instance Domination” gesture the Eugenicists use is a clear lift of the Vulcan “live long and prosper” gesture from Trek. But the reference to eugenics itself looks like a Trek reference. If you’re not familiar with the term (and an ugly one it is) Google it, but the character Khan – from the original series, the (classic) second film, and a later novel called “Eugenics Wars” – was the product of a supposed mass Eugenics program in the late 20th Century on Earth.
We’ll see how far Dynazenon takes that track, but it certainly solidifies what was already impressive geek cred from the creators, as Star Trek to me knowledge isn’t especially well-known in Japan. Tonally speaking this is as Gainax as it gets. As I noted in my Gridman coverage there are basically two styles within the Gainax umbrella – Imaishi’s zany and bombastic oeuvre (best exemplified in Gurren-Lagann but often unsuccessful), and Anno’s more brooding and cerebral approach (obviously NGE foremost). Amemiya Akira is an Anno disciple as if there was any doubt, and the juxtaposition of the insanity of the kaiju attacks and the quietly nonchalant aftermath is classic Anno.
Indeed, the casual way the characters and their world react to the situation – the sheer weirdness of it and the massive destruction – suggests that there are some weird things going on with this universe. Mind you it’s adorable the way Yomogi doesn’t want to miss a shift at work to practice saving the world and Yume stresses over apologizing to him as if they were normal 16 year-olds. Their bond definitely deepens here, as Yume invites Yomogi out after school both to apologize to him and to get in some two-way “Wing Soldier” practice (which will come in very useful later). Most crucially she comes clean about her sister’s death – and one suspects this is not something Yume has talked about much, if at all.
That act of trust is obviously crucial in their relationship. And a very natural and believable one it is, too – this pair has a quietly engaging chemistry. Meanwhile Gauma pretty much gets himself adopted into Yomogi’s family – he shows up uninvited and hops into the bath, then stays the night. Yomogi’s desire to be “independent” suggests there’s more to his family situation than simply a divorce, but again, it’s too early to say for sure. Gauma is a bit of a buffoonish character but he’s actually a pretty good manager, and not bad at tactics either – his decision to un-gattai against the warping kaiju leads to an eventual win. And Koyomi puts his otaku knowledge to good use in that fight – he’s proving to be surprisingly competent and willing (though his NEET status is probably safe – at least the “NEE”).
“I want to protect – if I can”. It’s a fittingly modest battle cry for Yomogi, SSSS.Dynazenon’s modest hero. Cockpit music, Gainax explosions, Trekker Easter eggs – this series is something of a Viking buffet for geeks of a certain stripe (of which I’m undeniably one). Dynazenon is enough like SSSS.Gridman to scratch the same itch, yet at the same time it’s different enough to feel as if it’s not simply recycling the same premise and themes. Trigger has got their hands on a real winner here both commercially and (at long last) artistically, and that as much as anything makes this a very significant series.
Scampi
April 10, 2021 at 10:26 pmThere’s a voice drama about Yomogi’s family for this episode. It was nice but I honestly wish they’d make it more prominent because I already forgot voice drama was a thing for Gridman and almost missed it.
The atmosphere and the fight scenes are awesome as always, but after catching up with first episode’s voice drama I can’t help but think that everybody but Yomogi in Yomogi’s clique are an annoying reminder of how heartless young people can be about social ostracization, a thing Japan is notorious for.
Guardian Enzo
April 10, 2021 at 10:36 pmI wish they would too, because as with Gridman I think it’s the best part of a very good show.
That sort of thing was pretty endemic when I was a teenager in the U.S., so I’m not sure if Japan should be any more notorious than we are. But yes, adolescents can be incredibly cruel that way.
Yann
April 11, 2021 at 11:53 amCalling eugenics a Star Trek thing is like calling Nazism an Indiana Jones thing…
Guardian Enzo
April 11, 2021 at 12:03 pmDid you miss “Google it”? I’m not saying it’s a Star Trek thing, but the fact that it’s a prominent Trek subplot and the Eugenicists are using a Trek gesture suggests this is a homage.
Yann
April 11, 2021 at 1:03 pmMy bad. English is not my first language and to me that sentence reads like you thought this very dark part of American history (unfortunately still going on, but somewhat covertly…) was a fictional thing from Star Trek.
I swear I re-read your sentence a few times, but I still don’t get it… 😛
Guardian Enzo
April 11, 2021 at 2:54 pmFair enough. It doesn’t read that way to me and that certainly wasn’t how it was intended.
Wangwang
April 11, 2021 at 10:03 pmI feel like I guess what make a Gainax anime. It’s the listless movement, right? Even in the most serious scene most character still move in a listless way that kinda unique.
Haraga
April 12, 2021 at 3:46 amAmemiya’s work is to me the closest thing to Evangelion. Even Anno’s later rebuild movies have lost their way and are not anywhere close to the original series (they’re not necessarily bad, just different).
You make a great point in your posts how authentic Amemiya’s direction feels. And authenticity is crucial here, as he doesn’t just parrot Anno, he has a deep understanding of what makes his senpai’s work tick and adds his flavor to it.
Guardian Enzo
April 12, 2021 at 6:48 amYup. This is not a homage, this is a guy who was there. You can tell the difference.
Nadavu
April 12, 2021 at 7:47 amSo I’ve not seen SSSS.Gridman and I don’t usually watch giant robot shows (unless you consider Nazo Kanojo X part of that genre). I didn’t even like Neon Genesis Evangelion (people might argue about the ending, but I admit I never made it that far).
This is a weird experience for me. I like the characters and the setting, but as soon as the giant robots become the focus, I feel like I’m in some alien universe with alternative physics. How is it that these people seem to know the names of their robots and their attacks before actually using them? How do they become proficient at using them after one and a half days of practice? And how am I suppose to relate to the bombastic, over the top, kinda silly fight scenes? Is this tongue-in-cheek satire on genre tropes, a-la Gundam, which I don’t even know that well (I mean, I watched Macron 1 over than thrity years ago, but that’s about it for me and mecha)
I wonder if this is what hearing metal / hip-hop for the first time was like for my parents.
(But of course I’m gonna watch, because the gag where everyone is handed their piece of Dynazenon and loli stares into her empty hands in disbelife like the rest of them was a killer. Also, your NEE joke had me chuckling. So I’m in for the ride, for now.)
Guardian Enzo
April 12, 2021 at 11:59 amHappy I could do my part.
Whether to count MGX is an interesting question. Richii himself says it is, but it doesn’t meet the literal definition by having a literal giant robot. As to how to transition yourself into the mecha mindset as a viewer, that’s a tough one. Mecha anime have been a staple of my anime life since the beginning, so I’ve never not been able to immerse myself. Suspension of disbelief has a part to be sure. You also have a kind of choice, whether to take things at face value or watch these shows on the metaphorical level.