ReviewsXabungle

Xabungle Ep. 29: Even the Innocent Become Desperate

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Summary

The Gallier makes its way through a snowy landscape with the Iron Gear behind it. Jiron, standing on the deck, gets cold. Dyke and Blume return to the Iron Gear, having been scouting. They say some traveling drifters saw an Innocent machine fly past the dried out river and Delivery Point J is nearby. Rag complains to Jiron, but then they suddenly see some Walker Machines and Hoverheli’s off in the distance. The Iron Gear starts attacking them, causing the Walker Machine to raise a white flag. The Iron Gear comes to a stop. Meanwhile, on the Innocent plane, Elchi gets out of her bed and looks outside. Elchi asks where they are going and Biel tells her to Point J. The Iron Gear has stopped by a cave, finding it to be occupied by members from the same organization as Toron, Salt. Collins, the pilot of the Walker Machine they saw earlier tells them that Salt is an organization fighting for freedom. He claims Salt’s goal is to defeat the Innocent, which Jiron and the others laugh at. Collins say they are aware of their previous success at defeating the Innocent. He tells them they’ll provide whatever supplies they need if they fight alongside each other. Collins gets frustrated as the Iron Gear‘s crew continue to laugh and not get what he is saying. Timp Sharon, hiding away in a Walker Machine, watches as Biel’s plane heads towards an Innocent dome. Timp thinks Biel doesn’t have much time left if he’s trying to take refuge with Biram. Inside the Innocent dome, Elchi is pleased to see some artwork. Biel tells Elchi he’ll use her talents for the furthering of culture. In comes Biram and a woman, Dr. Manet. Biram is already familiar with Elchi and has Manet take her with her. Biel gets concerned but can’t do anything as Biram is in charge of this dome. On the Iron Gear, they have received some weapons and food from Salt. The Sand Rats joke around about fleeing with their new supplies. Jiron wants to go out and find Elchi, saying they need her transporter’s license and he doesn’t want to be used. He heads out on the Gallier with Chill. Back in the Innocent dome, Biram refuses to let Biel speak to a man called Arthur Rank, but says he is aware of 3 domes that have been destroyed under Biel’s watch. Biel is confident they are getting close to accomplishing the mission of the Innocent. Biram tells Biel he is going to be demoted by three ranks. Rag has followed Jiron in the Xabungle. Jiron spots a Walker Machine off in the distance and is surprised by it when it approaches. Horla reveals himself as the pilot.

Biel tells Biram that the era has begun to change due to the civilians and he needs to let Arthur know of this. Biel talks of how the Innocent’s purpose is to strengthen those on Zola and he let them break into the domes to test their strength. Biram says this way of thinking is dangerous and asks what will become of the Innocent. Biel wants one last chance to test the civilians. Biel plans on sending Elchi against the Iron Gear and Biram plans on doing something similar. Rag fires upon Horla, who has to knock down the Gallier in order to talk to them. He says Elchi has been brought to Point J. Jiron thinks Horla wants his help at getting back Elchi, causing Horla to get embarrassed and leave. Later on the Iron Gear, Jiron tells Kotsett and the others about Elchi being at Point J. Kotsett wants a plan while Jiron wants to just rush in and come up with one on the fly. They tell him he has to consider the supplies provided by Collins and Salt. On the Gavalier, Horla talks to Geraba. Knowing that Biel’s influence has lowered, he wants to bring a wonderful present to their new boss, namely the Iron Gear and its crew. Meanwhile Elchi lays in the tub being told it will make her more beautiful and wash away any bad thoughts. Snow starts coming down. Kotsett hopes it won’t cause them trouble, such as the engine freezing. They spot four Capricorn Walker Machines riding on skis approaching from the distance. Within the Innocent dome, Elchi looks upon some sculptures and paintings. A robot woman comes by with a book on the fine arts from Biram. The skiing Walker Machines approach. Jiron and the Rag realize that their Walker Machines aren’t starting up in the cold. The Iron Gear fires upon the Capricorns as they approach. Jiron has crew members blast flame throwers at the Gallier and Xabungle in order to warm them up enough to start. The Gallier nearly gets stuck in the snow but Rag helps lift them up in the Xabungle. Horla watches from afar, realizing the fight has already started. Various members of the Iron Gear fire the cannons upon the enemy. A Walker Machine grabs Jiron’s Gallier and Jiron realizes it is Timp piloting it. Timp taunts Jiron for falling for his earlier act of faking his death. Jiron is concerned over how fast Timp’s Walker Machine is. The Gallier pursues Timp’s Walker Machine but is quickly running out of gas and ammunition. The Gallier nearly strikes it but the Gallier runs out of gas and Timp is able to get away. Jiron starts sobbing, realizing Timp is alive.

Commentary

Another fairly strong episode. What I probably liked most of all about this episode was the total change in landscape. For most of the series to this point our characters have traveled through a desert-like landscape, but now find themselves in a snowy one instead. This leads to some interesting stuff, such as the Walker Machines failing to start (kind of makes sense as they are started up just like a car) as well as Walker Machines traveling on skis! This episode expands the world a bit more, with us getting more of a formal introduction to the rebel organization Salt, as well as another Innocent d0me and administrator, Biram. He and Biel speak of an Arthur Rank, who must be another Innocent higher up. Timp Sharon makes his return after a lengthy absence. I was surprised to see him being so boisterous and revealing himself to Jiron though. He finally got Jiron off his back by faking his death, but now Jiron will almost certainly go after him for revenge again.

Overall Rating
4/5

Xabungle Info

Director:
Yoshiyuki Tomino

Writer(s):
Tsunehisa Ito
Fuyunori Gobu
Soji Yoshikawa
Yoshihisa Araki

Mechanical Designer(s):
Kunio Okawara
Yutaka Izubuchi
Tomonori Kogawa
Yoshiaki Akutagawa
Yoshiyuki Tomino

Character Designer:
Tomonori Kogawa

Musical Composer:
Koji Makaino

Format:
50 episodes; 1 compilation movie

Airdates:
Japan 02.06.1982 – 01.29.1983

Theatrical Release:
Japan 07.09.1983

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