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Argevollen
Episode 11

by Matt Packard,

I've been hard on some of the exposition in past ARGEVOLLEN episodes. The series has a tendency to convey information through talking heads babbling vaguely about war plans, conspiracies, mechs, and so on.

The dialogue scene that opens this episode is a considerable upgrade. It's a tiny battle of personalities, with Lieutenant Samonji's icy competence and imperturbable nature put to the test by the prodding overconfidence of the General who seems dead-set on upsetting him. His eventual success—even if the evidence is just a small crack in Samonji's disposition—is a pleasant reminder that the stone-faced Lieutenant is only human. He's a talented and intelligent man, but still bound by both his past and the system he's a part of. Everything antagonizing Samonji comes to a head by the end of this scene: the reality of his unit's tiny role in the enormous war, his struggle with his superior officers and military bureaucracy, and the weight of his experience with Tokimune's sister.

Much of the episode is similarly devoted to smaller, more personal moments. I've often thought the balance of war to peace was a little off in ARGEVOLLEN—nowadays the Independent 8th Unit seems to be on R&R as often as not—but there's no denying that such moments offer a more complete picture of our heroes and heroines, one that would have remained hidden if they were constantly suited up in their mechs. In one scene, Tokimune's passionate extolling of ARGEVOLLEN's virtues seems to dredge up a memory from deep within Samonji. In another, Suzushiro toasts Okui in a manner both embarrassing and heartening, and her almost motherly brand of officer-to-soldier respect leaves a clear mark on him. The episode's climax, in which Tokimune comes to blows with Samonji over the death of his sister, packs an emotional one-two. The guilt-ravaged Samonji wanted to be struck, so he turned Tokimune on himself like a weapon. The look on Tokimune's face is impotent, despairing fury rather than his usual well-directed anger. These are simple tricks, minor tweaks on formulas, but they're used well enough to make something that's enjoyable if not exactly distinctive.

There's a lot here: peace and conflicts and histories that stretch beyond the war. ARGEVOLLEN still isn't breaking the mold, but if I may borrow the General's words, it shows moxie and promise.

Rating: C+

Argevollen is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.


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