Hello folks, and welcome the heck back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am beyond eager to dive back into Star Driver, because goddamnit, what is happening in this show!? The last episode saw the narrative seemingly tensing for a whole-scale board flip, with Kanako demonstrating the variable subfactions and distinct priorities within Kiraboshi, even as Sugata slipped ever closer towards proud villainy. Having shifted from just sort of being a generally creepy guy to receiving private lessons on arrogance from Head, it’s clear that Sugata is now headed down a dark road; even if he’s currently using the King’s Pillar simply to assist Takuto, I can’t imagine he’ll stop there. After all, as Head says, power is gifted by the gods, and the gods intend us to use our gifts.

Meanwhile, the drama of both Kanako’s makeshift family and the You sisters is demonstrating a variety of awkward fault lines both within and adjacent to the Kiraboshi organization. Both Kanako and Marino seem more dedicated to protecting their loved ones than progressing the organization’s central cause, so I’m hoping we might see some defections in the near future, which could shed some light on how this organization came to be. Regardless, with Igarashi and Enokido at the helm, I’m sure we’re in for a fun and fascinating time. Let’s get to it!

Episode 13

“The Red Sword in Love.” I guess when your secret organization only includes overstimulated and undersocialized teenagers, this is basically bound to happen

It’s a little sad thinking how unlikely a production like this would seem today. A two cour original story with traditionally animated robots and no mobile game to support? Basically unthinkable outside of Gundam

We set down in Sugata’s mansion. Wako’s “Takuto, you’ve been coming here on the weekends a lot lately” is quite the efficient introductory line, clarifying both our present circumstances and the changing dynamic of the core cast

This irreverent running argument between Takuto and Wako emphasizes a return to the peaceful dynamic of the show’s first few episodes. Scenes like these set up an expectation of relative dramatic peace, which can either be validated or undercut by the moments to follow. For a vivid example of the second case, think of the movie Alien, and how it uses the familial normalcy of that “one meal before we go under” dinner scene to intensify the dramatic intrusion of what follows

We learn that Benio Shinada is the head of the school’s kendo team, and actually just won a tournament. I wouldn’t have figured her for such a diligent athlete, but I suppose that’s kind of the point with this show – all of these characters possess distinct personal and professional selves, and struggle with the inherent contradictions that often arise between these selves

Sugata mentions that Benio’s been an expert swordfighter since she was a kid. Given his close familiarity with so many of the Kiraboshi captains, it feels all the more suspicious that he seems to have so little experience with the organization itself

And right on cue, Benio herself arrives demanding a kendo match. Presumably she’s still pretty miffed about Sugata’s rejection of her influence during the first act finale

She states that she’s “come for training in the Shindo-style Ancient Martial Arts.” So presumably Sugata rejected her as a student before, and she’s now hoping her victory will cause him to reconsider

Benio’s design is very good. The round bob with those two massive pigtails is quite the distinctive look, and I like how the lines of her hair lead into the lines of her jaw, making for poses and expressions that incorporate her whole facial structure

Sugata states that she must first fight his apprentice, Takuto

Benio wins in an instant, somehow appearing behind Takuto seemingly without moving. Sugata calls for a rematch, but Benio is tired of this disrespect, and leaves. Sugata has a real habit of quietly undermining the desires of those around him; Benio came here in full earnestness, and he essentially shamed her with this apprentice farce

Back at the dorms, Takuto is interrupted by Benio in the bath, who is wearing an absolutely phenomenal hair umbrella

Benio briefly goes into dedicated Kiraboshi mode while assessing Takuto as an acquisition, but is caught off guard by him asking about her own relationship with Sugata. Like with Kanako, it seems Benio’s alleged dedication to the cause is a mask loosely fitted over a tangled web of personal desires

She proceeds to wildly abuse her powers as RA, using her key ring to sneak into Takuto’s room and kiss him while he’s asleep. An incredible sequence of terrified noises from Takuto as he wakes up

She confirms her First Phase no longer works, and proceeds to instead attempt an old-fashioned seduction

As with Mizuno, Takuto mostly seems overwhelmed by gestures of outright physical affection. Though he’s allegedly fighting against an organization designed around conservative gender values, he’s actually more innocent and conservative in his approach to romance than the rest of the cast. In contrast, though characters like Benio and Kanako pledge allegiance to Kiraboshi, they clearly have no respect for the vision of society implied by its shrine maiden system – they are proud sexual actors, not caged birds

Takuto begins a condescending lecture about not fooling around with guys who might actually care about you, and Benio rightfully mocks him for it

Takuto’s rejection only makes him more enticing. Meanwhile, other suitors throw themselves at Benio’s feet, only to earn her scorn. Excellent Igarashi faces from Benio as she learns about some compromising camera footage

“Without any Cybodies, what’s the purpose of Filament’s existence?” Having exhausted all her warriors, Benio’s status in Kiraboshi is in jeopardy

Kate tracks her down after the meeting, at a disused shrine. Presumably this is one of the shrines whose maiden has escaped

Oh god, Head’s painting again. That can’t be good

Akira Ishida basically uses the same voice for Head that he uses for Kyousogiga’s Inari and Evangelion’s Kaworu. Seems to be his go-to “otherworldly trickster spirit” voice

“People need to find out for themselves whether they’ve really lost what they believe is already gone forever.” He’s speaking about his own passion for painting, but his words are also obviously pertinent to Benio’s current drama, and her doubts about reactivating her Cybody

Kate digs this same knife in during her conversation with Benio, stating that Sugata’s willingness to risk his life must be what puts him on a “whole other level” from losers like Benio

We learn that Tetsuya, Joji, and Benio were childhood friends who were born and raised on the island. In spite of each of their families once possessing crests, those crests were lost over time, and Benio is now determined to right this dishonor. As with last episode, a clear thread regarding class and social hierarchies here, with Benio seeking to prove that personal effort can overcome unfavorable birthright

“When the Day of Departure comes for him, are you just going to wave goodbye to him from here?” Hold up, hold up, what is this Day of Departure? Is it some sort of male equivalent of the shrine maidens leaving the island, or something even more significant? Given that escape from the island is frequently framed in Utena-reminiscent terms of escaping adolescence, presumably the Day of Departure also ties into some sort of ascension or coming of age ceremony for the clan leader? Much to consider

Marino seems like a totally different person in her Kiraboshi persona, reveling in Benio’s discomfort as the revival ceremony begins

While most of the team assessing this process is composed of our young Kiraboshi leaders, the actual console is being manipulated by a middle-aged man. Presumably youth is essential to leadership in Kiraboshi, given their reliance on libido for their power? Or perhaps that’s just what the old guard wants the young leaders to think

As expected, the young Benio had a crush on Sugata, but was barred from being close to him due to her clan’s lack of an emblem. As such, her feelings of romantic longing and class inferiority have always been awkwardly entwined. She asserts her value by reclaiming the emblem, and her status as a Star Driver

Wako continues her string of being teleported to zero time in the midst of a compromising situation, this time popping in with a giant ear of corn in her hand

Benio’s revived Cybody arrives in all its glory, with a fresh coat of paint and lots of that iconic Star Driver heavy shading

“I wanted the kind of power that would enable me to change myself, and the world I lived in.” Understandable, considering both Benio’s overall social structure and individual position within that society have only ever held her back. As with Kanako, she has forced herself to embrace a power structure antithetical to her own desires, because playing by this world’s rules is the only route to power

She furthermore acknowledges her feelings for Sugata might just be reflective of the hope that he could actually destroy this structure

Sugata seems relieved to learn that Cybodies can be regenerated, a far cry from Takuto’s vow to destroy all Cybodies

Fortunately, Benio seems to take this loss in stride, and immediately challenges Takuto to a real-world rematch

And Done

Woof, another Takuto victory that’s basically impossible to cheer for. While Takuto charges through this narrative like the worry-free ginga bishonen that he is, his challengers are scraping and striving to protect whatever fragments of territory they can hope to defend in this antagonistic world order. Like Kanako, Benio spent this episode proving herself a passionate and hardworking victim of circumstance, someone who has had to embrace every tool available to her in order to manifest a fraction of the power available to the island’s destined few. Her indomitable spirit and nefarious methods are both extremely charming, and I’m happy to see that being defeated again hasn’t diminished her spirit. Rally back and destroy this world, Benio!

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