思い出は時の彼方なの。。。 Memories that Lies Beyond Time...
Monday, June 04, 2007
Nanoha Episode 12: The Time of the Sealing of Our Fates
Fate-chan collapsed last time over the dissolution of her primary (and most `real') amae bond. Arf takes her to the infirmary, then leaves to join the others, fighting to stop Precia. Fayt-chan awakes to see Arf and Fayt-chan, commenting over her relationship with each. She resolves to join them, and takes off..
Another parallel here. Fayt-chan appears to help out Nanoha-chan while in a pinch, and, of course, her aiding strike comes from above. Divine redemption indeed.
Arf and Fayt-chan's bond is reaffirmed...
and one is forged between Nanoha-chan and Fayt-chan, as the latter takes the former up on her offer of friendship.
There's an awful lot of white used here in the background - perhaps an indication of them having found `truth'? They've certainly found their path (as was noted a couple episodes ago, for Nanoha-chan, and just now, for Fayt-chan). They've `seen the light' (heh). Indeed, here Nanoha-chan appears to be `showing the Way' to everyone. The symbolism of a shepherd guiding sheep may be a little too much, but the idea of a shepherd as a guardian and guide is certainly appropriate.
One final time, Fayt-chan offers to rebuild the amae relationshp between her and her mother - because she's obliged to (giri). Precia, however, turns her away. Precia herself disappears into a dimensional rift (or something) taking the tank containing Alicia with her.
The majority of the next episode seems to be the denoument, so there may not be many new points to bring up, but certainly plenty are raised here.
It's important to note that in mahou shoujo series in general, magic is used as a realization of more abstract concepts - feelings, bonds of friendship, et cetera. The genre as a rule tends to be aimed to the younger set, so such concepts are fairly easy to spot (I often feel as though I'm belabouring the obvious), but that does not diminish their importance.
Well, one more episode to go, so stay tuned. You never know, something really neat might happen.
Labels: Nanoha
