First Impressions / STAR DRIVER

「バニシングエージ」 (Banishingu Eeji)
“Vanishing Age”

Ask and you shall receive, as included this week was a new maiden song by Keito, “Aki-iro no Aria”, to kick off the next arc. With Koshimizu Ami singing, it’ll probably only take another episode for the song to establish itself as the new Zero Time theme too. Combined with the obligatory beach episode where Takuto was the “oil boy prize” of a volleyball match, the only things that made this episode even better were the radical changes within Kiraboshi.

Much like the episode title suggests, Head quickly made Vanishing Age the only division that matters anymore, after he destroyed the cyber casket, revealed that only Star Drivers with a real mark can pilot Cybodies in the third phase, and added Takashi, Kei Madoka (Yukana), and Atari Kou (Saiga Mitsuki) from Otogi Bank to his group because they fulfill that requirement. It was a drastic turn of events, yet not entirely unexpected given that Head’s been seen conspiring with Keito already. It was only a matter of time before one division tried to capitalize and take over the entire brigade, even though Head downplayed what the other members perceived as a coup d’etat. The question is, will everyone who was left out sit idly from the sidelines or will they band together against the power hungry Vanishing Age? At this point, I’m inclined to believe they’ll do something about it, if the updated ending sequence with all those left out is any indication of things to come. The one exception is Takashi, but I can picture him leaving Vanishing Age for Simone’s sake.

For now, that remains some early speculation of mine as more questions surrounding Head himself are raised. This includes the person in a coma he visited, plus how he told all the Kiraboshi members that he knows who the last maiden is but won’t reveal her identity. In the latter case, his explanation was that the “Higanishi” (east) maiden’s seal must be broken when Wako’s is due to the risk of a Star Driver getting trapped in Zero Time if they can’t cancel their apprivoiser, though I wonder if that was only a pretense to make everyone stop searching for Keito. It’s definitely a possibility considering how cunning Head’s been. The only person who seems to know as much as him about what’s going on is Kanako’s husband Leon, who’s been keeping close tabs on all of Kiraboshi’s activities with Mylene’s help and even knows Head’s real name — Miyabi Reiji. (I guess that explains the “R” initial seen on all his paintings.)

On the Zero Time side of things, it feels like we’re back to the usual affair in a slightly revamped form. Madoka’s (Window Star) fight with Takuto made the newly-acquired third phase look like it was all that it’s been made out to be, until learning that Takuto was holding back so he wouldn’t hurt her quickly suggested otherwise. The one notable difference is that Sugata’s King’s Pillar has been rendered ineffective, while Tauburn’s been upgraded accordingly and Takuto keeps pulling new attacks out of nowhere to make up for it. The Tau Missile was one of his flashier abilities though — launching Takuto as a “radiant meteor” — and seemed to impress Madoka to a certain degree after she was plucked out of her Cybody. I gather the real test will be if Head gets another go at Takuto, if he’s willing to take the 50/50 odds on getting his Cybody repaired for a rematch.

 

ED2.5 Sequence

ED2: 「Pride」 by スキャンダル (SCANDAL)
Watch the 2nd ED!: Download, Streaming ▼

The ending sequence was updated slightly, with the most notable changes being Keito replacing Mizuno/Marino and the group shot at the very end.

Preview

77 Comments

  1. beach volleyball episode… they are everywhere… can’t underestimate its power…
    Tau missile is sort of funny, Takuto being the missile himself XD
    the story is getting on a much better track now, can’t wait for next week… and more sword training and firework attacks!

    jrj
    Reply

    1. Agreed, that is definitely the same one. Odd that neither seemed to remember it, though it’s defeated now so maybe it doesn’t matter.

      You know, it might have been helpful if perhaps Mizuno had mentioned to Takuto that it was Keito who lured her in.

      N
      Reply

      2. Not quite, he was asleep when he entered Zero Time. Pillow Takuto and Pillow Sugata are funny :3 though someone should tell Takuto to stop wearing the same clothes day and night.

        Suppa Tenko
        Reply

  6. I kind of like the idea of those left out trying to do something about it. Looking at the preview, it seems to be Filament versus Vanishing Age with the fireworks.

    The last bit with the ending is interesting if it’s a clue, but I see Keito on the far right and Undine on the left. Given that it seems likely Keito is working with Head, this would seem a bit confusing unless Keito for some reason wants to break of their deal for some reason.

    Another thing in the ending, though this isn’t new, is that Sugata’s hand in the scene where they are being surrounded is in the gesture for the Kiraboshi salute.

    N
    Reply

    1. Takashi seems to be planning something so him joining Vanishing Age might be a part of his plan. And Keito might betray Head due to her connection with Sugata.

      But I still think somehow Sugata is going to be last boss…

      Serapita
      Reply

    2. Oops, submitting too soon…

      Also notice that all Kiraboshi member use right-handed pose while the one in ED Sugata uses his left hand to make that symbol, might have some hidden meaning.

      Serapita
      Reply

      1. I’m not sure he’s planning anything. He just seems more cautious than the others in what’s going on. Maybe, if the plan somehow had the potential to harm him in some way.

        Samekh certainly seems like it’s going to be the last boss, which would seem to indicate Sugata. It would feel really odd though as things are now unless something big happens that breaks whatever bond they have or some other circumstances arise. Still, I think that whatever happens, they’ll still be friends in the end.

        True, though maybe he is left handed. I also seem to recall one of the Star Trio doing the salute with his left in an earlier episode.

        N
        Reply

  10. One thing i really like about this is because they are always very flashy..
    Anyway I really like how the series heading to right now…I still don’t understand why head didn’t have transformation scence..LOL

    Zone
    Reply

      2. Diamond – Head (Reshbal)
        Emerald – Takuto (Tauburn)
        Sapphire – Takuto (Tauburn)
        Amethyst – Takashi (Tsvadict)(also Daltos)
        Ruby – Benio (Peshent)
        Pearl – Madoka (Hegent)
        Sardonyx – Stick Star (Lamdos)
        Garnet – Sword Star (Zainas)

        Peridot – ??
        Aquamarine – ??
        Opal – ??
        Topaz -??

        rau
        Reply

      4. Simone didn’t have one, she let Takashi take over in her fight.

        So far there’s:

        Takuto-Emeraude and Saphir (Emerald and Saphirre
        Head-Diamant (Diamond)
        Takashi-Amethyste (Amethyst)
        Benio-Ruby (…shouldn’t have to say it)
        Tsukihikio (Ep 9)-Sardonyx (Onyx)
        Takeo (Ep 10)-Guruna (Garnet?)
        Madoka-Pearl (PEARL.)

        So that makes 8, with 4 remaining. I’m gonna assume that Ginta (the green haired guy) and Kou have one each, which would leave two left.

        Da5id
        Reply

    1. Could have at least called herself Ginga Bishoujo… and where is the fabulous costume transformation? Unless it only transforms a person if it deems his/her costume not fabulous enough.

      Suppa Tenko
      Reply

  15. “I gather the real test will be if Head gets another go at Takuto, if he’s willing to take the 50/50 odds on getting his Cybody repaired for a rematch.”

    We all know he’s more than willing and that he’ll definitely make it out alive.
    Still, after even being so predictable, Star Driver doesn’t fail to entertain.

    On another note, the song sounds really flat. It’s been downhill since monochrome.

    unlisted
    Reply

  18. The new maiden song still doesn’t top monochrome in my opinion. The beach section wasn’t long enough. I thought it would be the whole episode. Too bad. We did get to see the club president in a swimsuit, and topless sideboob. That was nice. What happened in this episode was pretty much what I also expected, Head taking power. But I wasn’t expecting the “merging with Cybody” reason he used. Also when Takashi fought Takuto for the first time they did say he had a mark so I was expecting him to do something too. And then he also joined Vanishing Age. They also said exactly what I was thinking the whole time takuto evolved at the same time they got to the third phase so it was pointless to challenge him again.
    So are Madoka and her fiend lesbians? There was only one bed in their room. And they were holding hands while looking at the sun. Those twin drills were nice. I didn’t like their bodysuits like kiraboshi uniforms though.

    Rockmanshii
    Reply

  19. I love how this show has gotten infinitely better; albeit still predictable. Even though Takuto once again pulled a trick out of nowhere, I still felt excitement from it. I haven’t this excited watching Star Driver in quite a while and I like it. And still nothing beats Monochrome but I do like the new maiden song.

    Also… Does anyone know when the heck the OST is going to be released? The music this episode was just too much love to my ears for me to not ask as I’ve been wondering for weeks.

    Solarguardian
    Reply

  21. Holy crap, Vanishing Age. Way to bring your couches and table into Zero Time with you. You forgot the Dart Board, but I think that’s the plan of yellow. After all these episodes he still sucks at darts.

    I liked the new song, but I still prefer Monochrome. I did enjoy seeing Wako get fired up during the volleyball match though. She’s by far my favorite girl and seeing her go at it was just awesome.

    Zack
    Reply

  22. Night Flight Buchou has a nice ass. I was amused by Kei Madoka and Atari Kou’s nipple plugs on their spandex suits. I wonder how Wako was going to get oiled by Takuto with that swimsuit.

    Yea…I appreciated the fan-service when given.

    xcswmboy
    Reply

    1. Definitely. I almost dropped this and the only reason why I stayed was because of the epic leg-crossing by the female villains. Thank god I stuck with this series. The pace and the story greatly improves as long as you don’t concentrate on the Cybody battles.

      Lurker
      Reply

    3. Entertainment is definitely there in the show. The supervilously dynamical poses, the incredibly gorgeous cybody battles (especially when they get blowuptulated), and the greatness of the artwork, music, and animation are plenty reason enough to simply stick with it. 😀

      Shirt
      Reply

    1. I think that it is highly unlikely due to the fact that Keito is already sing the new maiden song and was strongly implied that she was the east maiden. Though it would be good plot if what you are saying is true.

      Zone
      Reply

  27. somehow i have this bad feeling that a mark’s going to get transferred in within the next 2 episodes (got that from the fact that Takuto’s grandfather transferred his during the flashback last episode)

    on the other hand, gotta love vice’s expression during the beach volleyball game…
    …oh, that’s quite a swimsuit issue there…

    info600
    Reply

      2. Don’t get me wrong..I am not saying it is impossible and actually I would prefer your theory more then sugata being the final boss..of course this is assuming the final boss was indeed samekh.

        Zone
        Reply

  31. How could someone not be impressed with Takuto’s Tau Missile! I had that same smirk on my face when he even announced it. His radiance never fails to steal the show. The idea of the Zero-time getting stale crossed my mind early in the series but I’m glad it doesn’t seem to have an expiration date.

    This weeks episode (or perhaps just my download) had a lot of commercials. I like ’em but I was a little surprised.

    Question:
    How does Head know all this stuff? If it was explained in a previous episode, I’ll gladly rewatch it.

    Shirt
    Reply

  33. Great episode overall. I was pretty dumbfounded when I found out that the old guy is Kanako’s wife, thinking that he’s a new character. Thanks Divine for mentioning his name.

    Nhelraios
    Reply

  34. I keep getting Sailor Moon S vibes from this ep (not surprising since its by the same director).
    -Madoka and Atari are Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus (les vibes included) with hair colours flipped.
    -FABULOUS transformation sequence by Madoka
    -Mid-season villian change

    And Takuto’s new attack seriously made me ROFL

    Momogoldfish
    Reply

  35. Thoughts and homage
    The first image looks like the one that died in the final episode from Gundam Seed Destiny, he’s the final boss.
    Sailor Neptune and Uranus indeed.
    The new attack “Tau Missile” that Takuto used was taken from the Power Rangers series, let’s say Sentai series. Also it’s similar to Young Son Goku’s attack against the Old Piccolo in Dragon Ball.

    pedobear
    Reply

  36. What if all this hassle and efforts where planned from the very beginning by Head and Keito to make Kurogane Linebarrel rather Tauburn evolved more (level up) to the next level, as preparation for the final duel with Samekh to free everyone from the island for good.

    pedobear
    Reply

  39. Anyone else thinking the episode after next weeks will be the end of the Takashi Trilogy? It seems the third episode of every arc has something to do with him.

    Also, could we please get some clips of the insert songs on here? Only Monochrome is out online and I can’t find Keito’s song frickin anywhere!

    Da5id
    Reply

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