Stein’s Gate Episode 16 – And in the End, Breaking These Chains, Changing Our Fate

May your sacrifice prove integral

Stein’s Gate is one of those series that refuse to let you get on with your life. It’ll stay in your mind and make you wish for your very own time machine, not to travel into the past but to travel into the future. Oh, how I wish time would fly. At times like these, I’m tempted to get my hands on a copy of the visual novel. Given the fact that it hasn’t been translated though, I’d be in trouble when it comes to understanding the story, so I’ll hold off for now.

And after all this time...

We all know that Mayuri’s tragic death was uncalled for and that Okabe will stop at nothing to ensure her safety, think about this though: who’s the real damsel in distress here? Sure Mayuri getting shot, getting run over by a bus, and getting pushed in front of a moving train are gruesome deaths, but have you ever stopped to think that there are things worse than death? Suzuha truly had a bad hand of cards in her deal with fate.

Stein’s Gate Episode 15 – Mado Scientisto – So Cool [Kamisama Dolls Ep2, too]

Who would have guessed?

Unlike Kamisama Dolls, Stein’s Gate keeps the heat up in this week’s episode and wouldn’t let me tear my eyes away from the screen. Okay, that was an exaggeration. I admit I glanced around the room a bit, but that’s besides the point. I’m glad that SG was given the “two-season” treatment as ending it somewhere around episode 12 would have been a huge disservice to the world at large. In contrast, Kamisama Dolls is withering with each passing week; I just can’t get into that show, may as well drop it soon.

Suzuha laid quite a shocker on us last week by revealing that she was a time traveler from the year 2036. In that dystopian future, SERN apparently controls the world by changing the past to suit its needs. Strange how a scientific organization turned into a totalitarian regime. One of my only complaints about this show is how odd that whole set up sounds. But it makes sense if you understand the power changing time can bring, and what power can do to twist you. I started to sound pretty intellectual myself, didn’t I?

Stein’s Gate Episode 14 – Divergence Lines, Shifting Reality, Moving the Heavens

When life gives you crap - you move heaven and earth to change it

Anything new, whether it be shows or gadgets, tends to win the hearts of people as it’s a break from the usual and because it’s a change of pace. If that’s the direction most anime fans are going for the month of July, I am glad to be out of the majority. So, we’ve seen Mayuri get killed time and time again in brutal ways, and sometimes in downright stupid ways. But whatever the method, she winds up dead. What’s a mad scientist to do in all of this madness? How does the great Okabe Rintarou escape from his twisted reality?

Our angel, our savior - Kurisu

The theory of fatalism struck a chord with me since it’s a pretty powerful idea: no matter what you do, something (it could be anything) is going to happen. No way in the world is that result going to change. No way, no how. But it seems like the cast of characters are getting closer to a solution towards all of this – a way out. If this idea actually works, all will be well. But if it’s to fail…Oh boy, is Okabe in for a world of hurt.

Stein’s Gate Episode 13 – Can’t Change the Past

Suzuha just jumped right into my favorites list

Just like everyone predicted, Okabe immediately rushed over to the time leap machine in order to prevent Mayuri’s death. And who can blame him? He’s been with Mayuri forever, since they were kids, and without a doubt, she’s one of his most treasured companions. That being said, a lot of the other characters take a backseat this week as the whole episode focuses on Okabe’s efforts to get Mayuri back. At least Suzuha managed to have an awesome and badass scene (above).

Don't blow your ears with headphones, kids

As far as episode summaries go, you can tell that I’m not a big fan of them (I’m using “as far as” a lot these days). It’d be a safe bet to assume that most of you guys have already watched the episode by the time you read these posts, and if you haven’t…I just have to wonder why you would spoil the story for yourself. But whatever, it’s your choice. And it’s my choice to make these episode summaries as succinct as possible. Let ‘er rip!

Stein’s Gate Episode 12- Mind-Messin’

D'aaaaaw

Compared to the other shows of the season, there really isn’t anything that I can complain about in regards to Stein’s Gate. The pacing is well done and the comedic scenes are well-balanced with the ones with more serious under-tones. I’m going to gloss over plot summaries for now because I’m sure that all of you out here have already watched this episode. And really, with a show this captivating, how could you not?

Not quite sure what to make of this particular development. So Mayuri in the “present” is not the original, and neither is the Okabe in the “present”, they are simply themselves in the future, but in a different timeline than their own. Hm, I guess that sums it up and it’s a bit confusing. What that implies is that both Okabe and Mayuri have some special significance that basically pulls them from the standard realm of reality and places them in a different position all together from everyone else. That would explain Okabe’s ability to retain memories from a world line shift, and there’s also the possiblity that Mayuri has the same power as well. She never did let on whether or not she had it. There’s more to her than meets the eye.

Stein’s Gate Episode 11 Review- SERN Spy

SERN appears to be closing in on Okabe this episode as they continue to send threatening messages as well as pictures, though it’s up for discussion whether or not the mysterious entity really is SERN. The scene that followed the threat was slightly out of place though. It looks a bit too testosterone-fueled, but it was awesome, nonetheless.

Hoo, boy, do I hate doing summaries. So, as always, I’ll strive to keep it as concise as I possibly can. After running a few experiments concerning the D-Mail, Kurisu ascertains the conditions under which the D-Mail can be operated optimally. She even has an idea of transplanting someone’s memories into electrical data. 

The Butterfly Effect – Stein’s Gate 9

The fact that the Butterfly Effect is showing just how much effect it can have is making my interest in this anime rise like magma in a volcano. No joke. And it doesn’t help that Feyris has an irresistible charm. Who could possibly withstand all those nya~s?

Nyan~

And now, we finally get a taste of what time-travel can really dole out. Specifically, a single D-Mail from Feyris leads to a whole section of Tokyo to completely change, that is, Akiba is no longer the otaku haven it once was. Okabe is obviously shocked at the development and so are we, which forces us to think, if things are constantly changing, how

Stein’s Gate Episode 8 – The Adventures of Pinocchi-ette

Here's your blue flashes

I should start naming this the epilepsy show. I mean, just think about how many doses of blue flashes we get each week. Quite a few, if I remember correctly. That aside, this episode was one hell of a mind-bender (okay, not really), but it still had me wondering throughout the whole show, “What next?”

Sure looks like one

We pick up where we were last episode, with Okabe ranting on and on about how John Titor was being ridiculous by even suggesting that Okabe be the “messiah” who’ll save the world. Of course, his reluctance to experiment eventually lets up and he and the rest of the gang return to their favorite activity: microwaving bananas. Oh joy.

However, Kurisu objects to the experiments, saying that it’s unfair to change the past in any way whatsoever. Yet, when Okabe presses her on this, she shifts into tsundere mode and adamantly claims that she’s not supportive of his experiments, though she’s present when they take place. Moeka interrupts the both of them during their talk by asking if she could send a D-mail into the past. Strangely enough, when they do send the D-mail, not only does Okabe experience his “power” kicking in, Moeka also disappears from the other lab members’ memories. Hm…. and Pinochi-ette? Why didn’t you ask earlier?

"I want to be a real little girl."

I hereby dub Ruka Pinocchi-ette since the focus of the latter, lighter-toned segment is about how Ruka asks Okabe if she could possibly send a D-mail to her mother in the past. Apparently, she overheard them talking while she was on the way to deliver a watermelon and decided to jump on the chance. If you have no idea why Ruka would want to send a D-mail, think hard.

Same here

Yeah, you guessed it, Ruka wants to become a girl. But then again, with a trap that well-laid, anybody would fall for it. He doesn’t even need breasts. Heck, Daru can attest to that.

Indeed

Okabe’s obviously still reeling from the shock John Titor gave him, as you can see. He just can’t seem to come to grips with the fact that he has a special ability to change the past and remain unchanged himself. It’s a handy one to be sure, with it he could do a lot of things that people would only dream of. That’s the dangerous part, though, and it’s a good thing that Okabe’s hinted at this. You don’t know for sure exactly what you’re going to change by altering the past, it could wind up being good, or it could cause everything to go to hell. There’s a fine line the “secret” lab has to cross during these experiments.

Yet it’s also good to see Okabe taking some risks, for example, by actually doing the experiments. The changes thus far haven’t been significant, and the one at the very end of the episode was a cliffhanger. Ruka didn’t manage to turn into a girl so we’re left to wonder about what actually did change. In all likelihood, it’s going to be something seemingly unrelated and unexpected at first. However, I think this change is actually going to be the crux of the events to come in the coming weeks, why do I say that? I don’t know, just a gut feeling. On that note, I have an inkling that Moeka sent a different message than the one she said she would. What do I mean? I mean that though she wanted to change her phone in the past, I think she sent something else. That’s the most reasonable explanation as to why the other lab members don’t recall a Moeka ever existing.

Anyways, this episode also gets into the topic of ethics and time travel. Is it really right and/or moral to go back in time and change things, even if they are seemingly minuscule? Forget the Butterfly Effect and all the woe one dead caterpillar can bring, let’s just talk about the right and wrong. And why do people even think it’s wrong to change the past in the first place? Is it because one person benefits and another doesn’t? Or is it bad because it defeats the whole purpose of people’s hard work and their belief in “destiny”, so to speak.

Stein’s Gate Episode 7 Review – Traps Galore!

Okabe and the gang are looking to ratchet up the intensity of this show in the coming episodes. I’m glad that after the relatively slow build-up in the beginning we finally get to the interesting, juicy parts of this series, especially in regards to changing the past and whatnot. Boy, am I lucky that I never played the game, otherwise this journey wouldn’t be of any thrill to me.

"Ts-ts-tsundere? It's not like I'm writing this post for you!"

Don’t get the wrong idea, okay? Nah, it’s cool, I wrote this all for you guys. And on that note, Kurisu getting all flustered when Daru pointed out that she was acting like a tsundere was priceless. If I’m right, tsundere was a term that didn’t pop up until recent years, when Japanese anime fans decided to mesh two words together, but that’s for another time.

Rather, let’s go over what happened in this episode, and here’s where it gets interesting. Okabe decides to send a message back into the past in order to win the lottery, and thanks to Daru’s impressive hacking skills, pretty much anyone can use the micro-timer (coin a term or two?). Strangely enough, Okabe experiences a strange time-warp and finds himself standing slack-jawed in front of the microwave. Kurisu and Mayuri inquire as to why he’s staring at the cieling, to which he responds by asking them what happened to the experiment. Turns out, there was no experiment. Or at least, there was no experiment in this particular timeline. Oh, ho. You see where this is going? And even more intriguing is the fact that Okabe finally gets a hold of John Titor, who wants him to be the messiah of change. And does the part-timer for Mr. Braun know more than she’s letting on?

I definitely think so. The part-timer (sorry, I don’t remember her name) even looks into Okabe’s eyes to look for brainwashing chips when he jokes about it. Huh, no joke for her, I guess. In my honest opinion, I suspect that she’s part of one of those organizations that Okarin constantly fantasizes about. They might not be the exact same ones he’s thought of, but a secret organization nonetheless. Was she planted in the shop downstairs to spy on Okarin? Who knows?

And as for John Titor, he might not even be a John at all. He could very well turn out to be a random Japanese guy using that pseudonym in order to generate interest. He’s certainly achieved that. But it seems that his ultimate goal is to change the world to his liking, or to save the world, according to him. I don’t buy it. He just simply jumped on the chance that Okarin presented him and is going to use him in order to achieve his ends. Okarin has a right to be hesitant about the whole time-paradox dilemna.

With all those burning questions in your mind, let me leave you with something else to cool off.

You have activated his trap card