Early Access: Battle Athletes Victory ReStart! Episode 10

Disclaimer:  The Herald Anime Club discusses shows in a generally unmoderated format. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!

Meeting Date: 6/13/2021

Samantha Ferreira: Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Herald Anime Club. I'm Samantha, and I'm here with Anthony and L.B.

L.B. Bryant:  Hello.

Anthony Simpson: Evening.

Samantha Ferreira: Tonight, we're entering the final stretch of Battle Athletes Victory: ReSTART! with episode 10: "God damn it, Paglia, WE WARNED YOU not to trust the shady dude."

L.B. Bryant:  So, I have one BIG question about this episode...

Samantha Ferreira: OK.

L.B. Bryant:  Did no one in the audience think it was just a bit bizarre that there were suddenly two Evas competing in the Grand Divine Games? They watched Eva 01 compete and then a few contestants later they watched Eva 02 compete and IIRC no one other than those who were already in the know batted an eye. Am I misremembering the episode (totally possible) or are we chalking this up to anime logic?

Anthony Simpson: I would say a bit of anime logic was at hand.

L.B. Bryant:  Also, I totally 100% purposely referred to them as Eva 01 and Eva 02.

Samantha Ferreira: Honestly, I was side eyeing that myself. It was such a weird thing to just gloss over.

"Hey, this random person is suddenly in the finals despite not being in the Tri-Harsh or anything else."

L.B. Bryant:  "AND she looks exactly like someone we just watched a few minutes ago! Gee, what a coincidence!"

I still love this series and consider it a love letter to the previous incarnation, but I do believe we're about see the series shit the bed and/or miss the landing.

Samantha Ferreira: I hope not, because it really picked up nicely from that weird stumble in week one.

L.B. Bryant:  Yeah, it did. I've really enjoyed the whole series and won't write it off entirely if it misses the landing because it's been a fun journey but I'm not 100% sure how they can adequately recover from this.

Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. Unless there's some epic asspull involving Jeff and Miss Cookie.

L.B. Bryant:  Speaking of Jeff, can I just acknowledge really quickly how awesome it is that we got a smart, capable, non-stereotype, black supporting character?

Anthony Simpson: This bungle here does raise some concerns since the series has been doing good since week 2 onward. I'm with L.B I'm not writing off the show but this does take things down a peg.

And Jeff is the best.

Samantha Ferreira: I love Jeff. He's just, well... he's Jeff. He helps a lady in need and knows his way out of a tight spot.

L.B. Bryant:  I was so happy a few weeks ago when they teased killing him off only for him to pop back up next week looking fresh as a daisy because he's a badass like that.

Anthony Simpson: And he drives the Back to the Future DeLorean how can one not root for someone driving that.

L.B. Bryant:  I think it's fantastic that in the year 5100, the 1980s are back in style 😊

Samantha Ferreira: Right? Haha.

Anthony Simpson: Between that the Beverly Hills Cop theme homage/rip-off the 80's have made a comeback of sorts.

Samantha Ferreira: All that's really missing is the crimped hair and leg warmers.

Honestly, at this point, though, it's clear they're creating that all-important "all is lost" moment for the big climactic finale.

L.B. Bryant:  It's going to be fun to see if ReSTART is capable of pulling off an ending that surpasses the hilarious ending of the original. I doubt it but hope springs eternal, etc, etc.

Samantha Ferreira: Right? To be fair, I could see it happening... at worst, it can't be as bad as what the spider anime's going through right now.

L.B. Bryant:  lol

Anthony Simpson: I do hope it can at least stick the landing.

Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. They did so well building it up to this point, you know?

L.B. Bryant:  Not that anyone besides us is watching it. Fewer than 1000 people have bothered to give the series any kind of rating on MAL. On Anime-Planet that number drops to fewer than 100.

Samantha Ferreira: True enough. A shame, because there's a lot of heart in this series.

Anthony Simpson: There is a lot of heart. Mistakes aside you can certainly see it.

Samantha Ferreira: Yeah. There's a lot of love for the world and characters, and it really shows. I hope they find a way to send them off well.

Anthony Simpson: I'm hoping so, as well.

Samantha Ferreira: Any final thoughts this week?

Anthony Simpson: Well, I hope it can recover and pull off a good ending for the series.

L.B. Bryant:  I'm shouting into the wind/preaching to the choir, but more people needed to watch this show and it bothers me that no one gave it a fair chance.

Samantha Ferreira: Truth. I really hope it gets some interest down the line, but I worry that we're holding out false hope there.

One thing I would like to mention: I rather liked the actual Hattori competition. It was over-the-top and silly in that fun way.

L.B. Bryant:  I actually wrote recently that one thing I love about this series is that it's not really a sports series. I mean it is but sports are so not the main point of the show.

Samantha Ferreira: Truth.

Anthony Simpson: Sports are there but it’s not the main plot.

Samantha Ferreira: It's mostly about the leads and their relationships, and I'm all for that.

L.B. Bryant:  True that.

Samantha Ferreira: Kanata and Shelley are a great couple, as are Lydia and Yana \o/

L.B. Bryant:  Lydia and Yana = 💙

That was the best story of the series and I'm a little sad that it wasn't teased out all the way to the end.

Samantha Ferreira: Truth. Paglia can get bent, though. She literally betrayed everyone to go with the one obviously evil person, KNOWING he was obviously evil and threw everyone under the bus, then put on a Surprised Pikachu face when it was her turn under the "fuck you I'm out" express.

L.B. Bryant:  lol

Do you think there is any way for her to be redeemed in the end?

Samantha Ferreira: Not really. Stabbing all of your friends in the back is super shitty, even if she makes attempts to do right.

Anthony Simpson: Maybe, but even if she does the right thing, she needs to face the music.

Samantha Ferreira: Either way, I do hope she tries, at the very least.

Aniwho, that's all the time we have this week! Til next time, remember: LydiYana and KanaShelley are canon couples, and that's awesome. Have a great night!

Anthony Simpson: Good night

L.B. Bryant:  Night!