LayznerReviews

Layzner Ep. 10: They Called Him Eiji

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Summary

Everyone returns to the observation base, and Elizabeth is glad they’re all safe. Arthur can’t believe that Rohan and David went out to fight, and David says it’s what a real man does in this situation. David asks Eiji why he tossed his rifle aside, and Rohan thinks it must’ve been a mechanical malfunction. However, Eiji replies that it wasn’t a malfunction and says nothing more. Elizabeth takes Eiji aside and asks him to record a detailed report for Earth about what’s happening. Rohan wonders if Eiji tossed aside his rifle to spur them into piloting SPTs, but Simone notes that he’s not manipulative like that. David doesn’t think it matters because they had to learn anyway. David is surprised at how agile Rohan was, and Rohan jokes that he was the captain of his tennis team. Arthur asks if they’re really going to fight, and David pokes him again by saying he won’t just loiter around and wait to die. Arthur explains that he didn’t think it would be good to go into battle with no experience, but David counters that a man has to sometimes do something even if it’s impossible. Simone tells David that he’s being conceited and delusional because they just got lucky. David and Rohan leave, and Simone tells Arthur that he’s pathetic too and should practice in the simulator. After he leaves, she comments to Anna that there’s no hope among the men. On the shuttle, Karla reports to Gale that Eiji trained Earthlings to pilot SPTs. She apologizes for her failure and asks for another chance. In the tripod carrier, Arthur tries the simulator and loses to a Braver. Rohan and David notice from the simulations, which are based on Layzner‘s data, that Eiji is avoiding lethal shots. Arthur announces that he’s no good at piloting, and David laughs that he won’t be able to show off to Simone now. David tells Arthur that Simone is interested in him, but Arthur sees that he’s being teased. After he leaves, Rohan comments that at least he’s not so pessimistic now. Inside the base, Simone discovers a box of food rations. Eiji states in his report that the Grados Empire wants to neutralize Earth before it expands into space. As they cook together, Simone asks Anna if she likes any of the guys in the group. Anna is nervous and asks Simone who she likes, but she answers that she doesn’t like any of them. Anna then asks about Eiji, so Simone wonders if Anna likes him, which makes her blush. Simone then decides to relax and takes off her spacesuit.

David, Arthur and Rohan enter the room and are surprised to find a pot with hot food. Simone stops David from eating right out of the pot and tells them to take off their spacesuits. Arthur notes that they could be attacked at any moment, so Anna explains that they should try to enjoy what quiet time they have. Elizabeth stops Eiji so they can eat and is surprised to see everyone outside of their suits to eat at the “Mars Restaurant.” Rohan tells Elizabeth that spacesuits aren’t allowed and tries to unzip her suit, but he stops when he realizes she’s only got a bra on underneath. David, Arthur and Rohan then playfully tackle Eiji to get him out of his spacesuit. Anna thinks to herself that the boys started calling Eiji by his name without even realizing it. She also notices that Eiji is smiling for the first time. Rohan and David joke about Arthur asking Simone for seconds, but the relaxed atmosphere is interrupted by beeping from Eiji’s helmet. In space, a tripod carrier drops three Dimarges. David and Rohan follow Eiji, and he tells them to follow his orders in battle. David impulsively launches in the Baybull, and Eiji orders Rohan’s Buldy to stay behind and defend the tripod carrier. Eiji tries to call David, but communications are being jammed. David pushes Eiji aside and opens fire on the Dimarges, but they dodge. He then gives chase, unable to hear Eiji’s warnings. Elizabeth tries calling Rohan, but she also can’t get through. Three Dtols appear atop a cliff and start heading towards Rohan. He tries to stay calm and opens fire, but misses. Elizabeth tells Rohan to move so that the tripod carrier doesn’t get hit. She activates the tripod carrier’s gun, and Arthur arrives to help. Rohan gets kicked to the ground by one of the Dtols. David keeps chasing a Dimarge, but Eiji wonders where the other two went. The other two appear and attack, so Eiji punches one with the knuckle shot. David falls through the sky and is caught by Eiji before crashing into the ground. Gale ends the jamming and orders Karla to return to the shuttle. She thinks he’s being soft on Eiji, but he explains that an Earth ship is approaching and they have no defenses. The Dimarges and Dtols retreat, leaving Eiji confused. Elizabeth thanks Arthur for helping to keep her calm.

Commentary

The atmosphere of oppressive hopelessness that has dominated the series up to now is giving way to a newfound optimism. Most visibly, David has dropped his explosive hatred of Eiji and is even friendly with him now. Since he and Rohan are SPT pilots, they have a shared experience with Eiji and understand what he’s doing. Unfortunately, David lets the experience get to his head and he goes into bro mode, constantly knocking Arthur for being indecisive. He also falls prey to beginner’s luck and thinks he can go toe-to-toe with professional soldiers. If not for Gale ordering Karla to retreat, David probably would’ve died. Karla was caught by surprise last time, but now she has a combat force of six SPTs to take down Eiji’s team. On another front, a conversation between Anna and Simone reveals that she has feelings for Eiji. Since Anna is the narrator and Eiji is always in her thoughts, this isn’t exactly a surprise. The episode ends on the tease of an Earth ship’s arrival, which could further change the situation for the stranded Earthlings.

Overall Rating
4/5

Layzner Info

Director:
Ryosuke Takahashi

Writer(s):
Ryosuke Takahashi
Fuyunori Gobu
Yasushi Hirano
Tsunehisa Ito
Hiroyuki Hoshiyama
Endo Miego

Mechanical Designer:
Kunio Okawara

Character Designer:
Moriyasu Taniguchi

Musical Composer:
Hiroki Inui

Format:
38 episodes; 3 compilation OVAs

Airdates:
Japan 10.03.1985 – 06.26.1986

Format:
38 episodes (TV); 3 episodes (OVA)

Video Release (OVA):
Japan 08.21.1986 – 10.21.1986

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