Hello folks, and welcome the heck back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am eager to catch the ferry to Southern Cross Isle, and resume our investigation of the fascinating Star Driver. We’re now a solid stretch of episodes into the show’s vaguely defined second act, which was essentially delineated by the activation of the King’s Pillar, and Takuto’s subsequent clash with Sugata. Though they allegedly resolved their differences via the Fists of Friendship, it’s clear that Sugata is no longer satisfied with the status quo as realized in the show’s first act. Encouraged onward by his troubling friendship with Head, Sugata is slowly learning to embrace his power, as well as a philosophy that frames power and righteousness as one and the same.

Meanwhile, Takuto’s been busy hacking away at a fresh fleet of Cybodies, and dramatically undercutting Kiraboshi solidarity in the process. For both Kanako and Benio, it seemed like contributing to Kiraboshi was initially the only way they could gain power and, through that, perhaps some fragment of agency in their lives. In defeat, each of them actually seem far happier than they were before, and more willing to embrace their conventional teenage desires.

With Sugata embracing conservative hierarchies just as Takuto dismantles them, it’s clear we’ve got a collision awaiting some time in the future. But considering we just reached this act five episodes ago, I imagine there’s still some time for shenanigans between then and now. Let’s see what wonders await as we return to Star Driver!

Episode 14

We start off honed in on Mizuno’s face, before revealing that she’s currently on top of the town bus again. There’s definitely a thematic charge to this situation now; this is essentially her version of the previous shrine maiden’s birdcage, the place that allows her to serve as a conduit into zero time

The fact that her “cage” is actually a moving vehicle, complete with the soothing sensation of wind blowing past, seems to imply she has more control or agency over this situation than the previous shrine maiden

A nearby crow appears to speak to her with a woman’s voice. Perhaps another shrine maiden?

As usual for Mizuno sequences, the character acting is far more generous than usual, with careful attention paid to illustrating the careless energy with which she leans back and settles against the bus. This show’s animators clearly have a favorite

Aw shit, new OP! Damn, I genuinely loved that first one, so hopefully this is a worthy successor

They actually open this one with a nod to the original, beginning with that same profile shot sequence of Takuto rising and running to the left, but this time at night

The song is sadly kinda generic this time

The OP concludes on the familiar image of Takuto, Wako, and Sugata all standing together. Interesting – I sort of expected either Mizuno or Sugata’s actions to shake up this core trio

Mizuno leaps into a tree and leaves her shoes on the bus’s roof, an extraordinarily Mizuno sequence of actions

Takuto carries Mizuno home like she’s a lost cat

“Oh, our fateful encounter!” Mizuno frames everything in terms of magic and fate, yet appears almost oblivious to her own connection to this island’s magical systems. I wonder if that actually reflects her closeness to the core of this operation, or is simply her method of coping with her family circumstances

Takuto once again showing his general innocence regarding romantic matters, as he freaks out about being in a girl’s room

Oh my god, these two are so much. They each float off into delirious fantasy of romance after learning that Takuto doesn’t have a girlfriend

Wako runs into Mizuno at a barber shop, wherein Mizuno’s hairdresser immediately deduces she is seeking a Love Haircut

Wako’s “Bam-Bam Romance!” face is terrifying. I’m always happy to see more weird, unique flourishes of personality out of Wako; she can often fall into that non-characterization standard of “hot-blooded guy, cool-blooded guy, and girl” that basically treats her gender as characterization enough. Of course, in the context of Star Driver, that itself is a thematically loaded choice; it could be that Wako feels obligated not to express any emotions or behave in any way that would be unbefitting of a shrine maiden, thus limiting her to her demure, generally “nice” affectation. Given that, it could be that a friendship with Mizuno is exactly what she needs, as Mizuno clearly pays no mind to the expectations inherent in being a shrine maiden

Aw shit, there’s going to be a kissing scene in the play!

And Wako immediately imagines it as a sweat-drenched kiss between Takuto and Sugata. Right, I forgot her precise flavor of down bad, and appreciate this reminder. My apologies, Wako, you are indeed as much of a horny mess as the rest of these characters

“I guess it wouldn’t do to have the holy Shrine Maiden locking her lips in a passionate kiss…” And right after this, Mizuno nominates herself. Alright, that confirms both sides of this situation: Wako is heavily constrained in her behavior by her status as a shrine maiden, while Mizuno seems to not even know she’s a shrine maiden as well. So her sister has shared nothing regarding Kiraboshi’s dealings

“It might be a kiss, but it’s just acting!” A line that feels uniquely resonant here, echoing ideas like Kanako’s “kiss through the glass.” So much of adolescent behavior is a performance of self, a rotating dressing room sequence where you try on different potential personas as you seek an authentic mature identity. Given that, there’s little difference between a kiss in a play and a kiss in real life

Over at Kiraboshi, we learn that Ayingot is nearly ready to be repaired, and that its second phase “Ayingot’s Eyes” ability will be useful for locating the unknown shrine maidens. So that’s why Marino knows everything; she’s the pilot of a Cybody with a unique scanning ability

“Your success, of course, depends on your libido.” Good luck with your horniness, Marino

And back at the Kiraboshi lounge, Head makes his triumphant return

It’s decided that the kiss scene will be between Mizuno and Takuto. No breaks on Mizuno’s love bus!

More great faces as the rest of the club react to this news. This episode was handled by the same director/storyboarder team that handled the school nurse’s episode, and it seems they’re practiced hands when it comes to the show’s visual comedy

Mizuno crashes into Marino in between two of the school buildings, and relates the good news. The lighting of this scene reflects the relative moods of the two: Mizuno is flanked by brightly lit buildings capturing the late afternoon sun, while Marino’s side is fully in shadow, echoing her somber feelings

“The pressure and joy of creating a world. Painting might be a simulated experience of how a god’s mind works.” I see Head’s megalomania is proceeding smoothly. I suppose patriarchy is its own form of a god complex

Incredible smash cut from Head’s “I’d like to paint a portrait of you someday” to Mizuno’s goofy Takuto doodles

“If that’s what you want, then I have to protect you.” Marino’s first loyalty is always to Mizuno

A fair number of cheekily inspired cuts here, actually. I like how the roar of Marino’s revived mech transitions directly to a cat’s meow out in the town

Interestingly, when the world flips to zero time, Head is still frozen in place. Presumably the members of Kiraboshi know something about actively flipping between these states, rather than transitioning by default like our main characters

Yep, he pops up a moment later in Kiraboshi regalia

Wako and Sugata are surprised to realize they already know this Cybody’s name. Wako has a bad feeling about Ayingot

“Perhaps we should have given more thought to why that was the only Cybody that was smashed to bits.” Ah boy. Ganbare Marino, please don’t get consumed by your own horrifying machine!

Aw jeez. She runs through a series of memories from their childhood, but her own presence has been erased from them. And only Mizuno showed up in the OP… yeah, this seems pretty bad

Much stronger Evangelion vibes than ever before at this point – we’ve never seen one of these machines attempt to consume its wielder, or go on a rampage entirely outside their will. I suppose the closest parallel is what happened with that mermaid Cybody wielder

Its fighting style is appropriately beast-like as well, as it drops to all fours and leaps at Tauburn. But Takuto can hear Marino’s voice calling for help

Sugata notes that Head disappeared during zero time. Maybe be a little more suspicious of him from here out?

Kate drops some big reveals while talking with Head – not only is she a shrine maiden herself, but we also learn that four shrine maidens are always born in the same year an heir to Samekh is, meaning we presumably still have one shrine maiden to discover

And Done

Aw shit, Mizuno’s in trouble now! Marino did everything she could to protect her, but given there’s only one person Marino is obviously trying to protect, deducing the shrine maiden’s identity was not terribly difficult. Although frankly, I’m just happy she survived what was easily the most disastrous Cybody activation yet, borne of ill intent and almost resulting in her total consumption. And what does it mean that she’s been erased from Mizuno’s memories? She’s clearly got an independent life separate from Mizuno, so it’s not like she could just be some projection of Mizuno’s mind – unless being the shrine maiden really gives Mizuno that much power? That could also tie in to her “witch” identity… agh, but we’re basically swimming in clues at this point, and things could resolve in all sorts of directions from here. Bring on the next episode!

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