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「空っぽの意味」 (Karappo no Imi)
“What it Means to be Empty”
The second episode of Gleipnir gives us some insight on the role Clair has in being Shuuichi’s arms and legs as she tries to search for the answer to how her sister Elena shapeshifted into a monster. As it turns out though, their first test of strength is whether Shuuichi will be able to stomach Clair’s “take-no-prisoners” approach to getting rid of other adversarial monster-people such as student-athlete Hikawa.
It was interesting to see how much information they gave us about Hikawa’s school life given how finite her time on the show ended up being. Her status as a runner who couldn’t make the cut for graduating with a recommendation for her achievements in track & field tied into the bargain she made to have her limbs enhanced to improve her running capabilities.
But in the midst of her powers going berserk, she flew too close to the sun in wanting to hunt down Shuuichi for the coin he possessed. It was enough to go off of that it was hard not to feel bad for her overcompensating for everyone who wrote her off as a runner or how Clair destroyed one of her ankles knowing how it would be a death sentence for her aspirations as a runner.
As for Clair, this episode gives her more to work with after she discovers that she can do with Shuuichi’s body. Using his body as a living flesh suit, Clair could give Shuuichi a part of his body that he’s been missing his whole life: a spine. In a visually messy yet fluid fight, Clair uses Shuuichi’s body to pummel the everloving tar out of Hikawa.
And though Shuuichi still spends a majority of the episode being disgusted with Clair’s instinct to use his body for self-defense, she ropes him back in by mentioning that his ability is a link that could help her find out what happened with Elena. It’s also the one thing that humanizes Clair as more than just the self-destructive architect of Shuuichi’s angst, so it’s nice that there’s one thread that can keep the plot going beyond the duo having to face a rogues gallery of monsters for no other reason than survival. The kernels we get of a person who gives out these abilities and a girl that was “too little, too late” to try to court Shuuichi were neat, but what makes Gleipnir a guilty pleasure are the morbid thoughts that Clair entertains in order to protect Shuuichi and convince him to go along with her brand of crazy.
Yeah, in the end, it’s gonna be the characters for me. The show is kinda bland for what it is, but the characters are just weak. It’s telling that the most interesting character in the whole episode was the Yandere at the end, but I’m not willing to force myself through the main two to see more of her. I feel like I can get better battles elsewhere, and, even if not this season, better horror aesthetic elsewhere as well, and I”m not so into the genre that I have to have a fix every season.
I really wanted to like this. It’s got some interesting ideas, but it’s just kinda boring for me.
I’m also dropping this after 2 eps. There’s not enough going for it to keep me interested. Shuuichi is too weak a character and Clair (Claire?) is a bit too one-dimensional: find my sister or die (herself or others). And the whole mystery around the coins have nothing to grasp viewers aside from sheer curiosity.
As with other commenters, I am not not too engaged with ep 2. Can do without the fan service as well and currently there is no one to root for. Shuuichi I a bit weak minded and Clair seems to have a death wise or/and a psychopath. I will however give it my 3 episode run and see if they can change my mind with the 3rd.
Impressed with episode 2, both the action and the characterization. Claire being on the edge as well has having a mix of deeper motivations was interesting, and Shuichi is slowly developing. I also enjoyed how Claire was careful to ask Shuichi’s permission before entering his body and taking him over (even if she didn’t want to show mercy during the fight). So far, Gleipner is the best new series of the season! Also like the idea of a transformed stuffed animal being used as a powered armor suit…
I like to think Clair’s “Barefoot people on your balcony are always enemies!” was a stupid answer to match Shuichi’s stupid question of “How could you tell that girl who indiscriminately attacked us was an enemy?”
That fight scene animation was way more awesome than it had any right to be. Just superb work all around on the sakuga artists’ parts.
Part of me was hoping Hikawa would make it out alive, but having learned what type of series this was moments before diving in, I knew deep down this episode would be her last.
I’m pleasantly surprised that Clair’s being shown to care more about Shuichi than I believed she was based off the promotional description. It’s good to see her want to help Shuichi become stronger as a person, even if the manner in which she’ll help him achieve it is way more than a little unorthodox.
Shuichi’s transformed state being the result of some random admirer’s affections is hilarious, for reasons only I would understand.
So yeah, really enjoying this show. Gonna keep with it (not that I was even thinking of dropping it) and see how much further things go from here.
lol once I knew its a manga adaptation I quickly went to find its wikia and was satisfied 😛
Wanted to know what the coins are.
Now what happens when that guy get back all his “coins”?
Leave the town to become a battle royale of super humans?
Don’t think the manga is done.
Will the anime have an original ending?
Will it garner enough interest for it to follow the manga and have a 2nd season to wait it out?