Maser Patrol podcast episode 47: Symphogear

After a long hiatus, it’s time for another episode of the Maser Patrol podcast. This time, we take a look at a show with a valuable life lesson: That’s right, this time around Josh and Kevin discuss the sweet Swan … Continue reading →

After a long hiatus, it’s time for another episode of the Maser Patrol podcast. This time, we take a look at a show with a valuable life lesson:

That’s right, this time around Josh and Kevin discuss the sweet Swan Songs of the Valkyries in the Senki Zesshō Symphogear franchise. It’s largely a synopsis of the five seasons, but hopefully our enthusiasm (and a little bit of the historical context) gives a sense of why it’s a program absolutely worth checking out.

Warnings: Many spoilers. Also, the editing for this podcast might not be all that tight due to Audacity problems (but it’s Maser Patrol, so of course it’s a couple hours long anyway).

Direct download

Show notes:

Buy Season 1 hereBuy Season 2 hereWatch on CrunchyrollThe indispensable Symphogear wikiThe Shooting the Moon fansite

Marketing

How Symphogear is marketed in Japan:

How Symphogear is marketed in the US:

How Symphogear probably should be marketed:

But what Symphogear is really about:

Sample clips:

The marketing leading up to season 1 all implied that Kanade would be a main character, and not, say, someone who would die halfway into the first episode:

Talking about the show:

Hibiki Tachibana in a nutshell:

The Noise designs are very much like Tohl Narita’s Ultraman monsters:

Even more psuedo-Ultraman: The Nephilim was modeled after Zetton, while Hibiki turns into a red-and-silver giant at one point.

Yumi’s self-awareness:

Ignite module vs Kill la Kill god robe:

The mobile game

Symphogear XD Unlimited mobile game opening:

XDU Collaborations that’d be of interest:

SSSS.Gridman

Godzilla

ULTRAMAN

Nanoha Detonation

Attack on Titan

the Gamera trilogy

Nendoroids mentioned:

Hopefully that all sheds some light on why the franchise has such a devout fanbase, and why “watch Symphogear” has become a meme associated with rabid, proselytizing otaku. But seriously, if you’re even a bit curious, it’s worth checking out.