Aldnoah.Zero: Ame no Danshou - The Penultimate Truth

The ratings I gave are purely analytical. Aldnoah is an amazing show, and it is definitely one of my favourites

This is the kind of epilogue of sorts, and is done beautifully. Aldnoah. Zero is a really fast-paced anime with little to no breathing space between battles, which in turn makes you feel like there is a lack of breathing. This epilogue, however, is totally opposite; there is no fighting just peace which shows that it is finally over, this may not have completely covered all the loose ends of the anime but it surely shed light upon many lingering things * spoilers* I loved how ... they portrayed that lumrina was able to go to earth and have her leg checked along with how everyone is living their lives after the war.

Story--6
There was not much story progression in this, but it was still a good enough epilogue. I am familiar with this kind of plot point, and I dislike that the princess didn't end up with any of the main cast as it is always something that I hope for,

Sound-10
even though there was no SAWANO in this I still liked the ending song so go 10

characters--10
like obviously this whole episode was just character building so it is def a 10

A sedate character piece and epilogue that addresses one of many issues I had with the original series: forced and somewhat vacuous "character moments" that are more paint by number rather than demonstrating both agency and gravity.

Here the episode gives proper space or 間 for characters to properly breathe, for dialogue to flow naturally, for what's unsaid to peek out into the surface for a fleeting moment.

Does it redeem the wasted potential and mediocrity of S2 (and I dare say parts of S1)? No, no it does not. What should be compelling arc villains were reduced to monsters of the week. Inaho and his Analytical ... Engine steamrolled the opposition at nearly every turn, overshadowing the scant moments where other characters were given a chance to shine. We never get another villain as complex and driven as Count Saazbaum, with Slayne being far too sympathetic to reach his adopted father's level. We settled into a routine of battles becoming generic shootfests rather than Real Robots vs. Super Robot, until The World's Only Autist Kaizuka Inaho arrives. Terran military politics is limited in a way that betrays its cultural origins. We were strung along on a barebones plot with plot-driven dialogue that had so much meaningless repetition, crowding out chances for better scenes.

All these things annoyed me, and while individually they could be overlooked, all together it seemed to a sort of death by a thousand cuts. A rewatch of S2 confirmed my feelings on this.

Yet, watching this episode... I was at peace. I remembered how charming the characters were. Of their conflicts and agency. And of Kaizuka Inaho having trouble with proper emotion yet still with a silent, almost naive resolve to help people. Of the connectedness over distance of so many characters.

It reminded me of that initial beauty of watching those first few episodes so many years ago.

I am thankful. I am glad for this little bit of closure.

This extra episode is nothing more but a relief after all long fights and drama. There goes no pressure or irrelevant scenes just to fill in, really. It's exactly that needed breath of little philosophy and characters chemistry that sometimes were lacking in both original seasons. Thus, a watch was comforting and peaceful.

The very idea Inaho brings back about birds, their freedom and a purpose itself of flying somehow reminded me of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood ending. Like, it goes the same way: one should go further no matter what, but instead of metalheart here it's birds that resist the rain and all other obstacles.

After ... all, life is all about struggles. Everyone remembers it every day without a second thought. Yet such a tranquil, soothing philosophy is what helps going on. That's why the extra episode was great and all who missed its release should give it a try.