10.21.04
Report on October 10 meeting
At the October 10 meeting, as scheduled, we watched Naruto #23, Full Metal Alchemist #9, Hikaru no Go #33, Scrapped Princess #21, and Galaxy Angel II #15-16, plus episodes 9 and 10 of Panda-Z and episode 2 of Sweet Valerian. (Summaries below.)
I will not be present for the October 24 meeting, but I’ve given Kris a tape with the scheduled episodes.
Naruto #23: Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke enter the room for the first exam, which is crammed with people. We meet the other rookie Genin from Konoha, plus an older ninja named Kabuto who gives them some advice and shares some data he had gathered on Rock Lee and Gaara. Naruto attracts everybody’s attention by declaring that he won’t lose to anybody. Some Sound ninja get annoyed and attack Kabuto with a sonic technique. Then the examiner for the first exam arrives.
Panda-Z #9: Wild Soldier
Full Metal Alchemist #9: Mustang calls Ed in and gives him the mission of investigating a particular coal mine. Ed and Al travel by train to the mine, where the innkeeper tries to charge a ridiculous price, so Ed pays by fixing things for the miners — but when they learn that he’s a State Alchemist on an inspection tour, they throw him out. Lieutenant Yoki, who’s in charge, shows up and threatens to close the inn; he’s a real jerk. Ed prevents one of Yoki’s goons from hurting the innkeeper’s son, and Yoki brings Ed back to his mansion, feeds him, and attempts to bribe him. Yoki’s pet alchemist, Ryla, blows down the inn. Ed buys the mine from Yoki with a huge amount of gold, then trades the ownership certificate to the innkeeper for a night’s stay at the inn (which he has rebuilt), just before the gold turns back into coal. Three years pass, in which Ed gains a reputation as a “dog of the military who sides with the common people.” (This concludes the extended flashback.)
Sweet Valerian #2: Defeat of the cell phone monster!
Hikaru no Go #33: Isumi, Waya, and Hikaru go to a Go salon to play adults as a team. They win 3-0; then they win again with a 2-stone handicap; then finally Waya ups the odds to a 3-stone handicap, and they win again, 2 games to 1. The three make a plan to do it again the following week, and Hikaru starts practicing at the Go salon daily.
Panda-Z #10: A new quiet duel
Scrapped Princess #21: As the Peacemakers engage Shannon and the Gigas, Chris leads the Obstinate Arrow to the castle, where they rescue Pacifica; Col. Sturm lets them escape. The Peacemakers knock the Gigas down and offer to let Shannon survive if he stands aside and lets them kill Pacifica. He refuses, but as Steyr begins to crush him, the Gigas return and destroy her; Socom and Cz depart and the city is no longer under attack. The siblings and their friends are finally reunited. Pacifica is pained that so many have died. Shannon tells her he doesn’t care what others think — if she wants to die, he’ll kill her himself; if she wants to live, he’ll protect her with his life. She chooses to live.
Galaxy Angel II #15: Vacation at sea! #16: Protection of endangered species.