Bounen no Xamdou Episode 26 Discussion

Iselith said:
Let's talk about some answers:

Lady Sannova is Nakiyami's mother, she was a 'love child' with the Tessik Chief and a nursemaid and was raised in the cheif's household. Because her mother held an important political position she became a member of the royal family but left to go train under her mother Lady Sannova, following her mother's footsteps, instead of taking on the responsibilities of becoming the leader of her people. This is stated in the last few episodes by Kujireika and finally Nakiyami calling her 'mother'. Also they look quite identical and have the same face tattoo. She grew up estranged from her mother and due to her choice to save Kobako remained that way until episode 25 where they finally heal their relationship.

Her relationship with her mother comes up time and again in earlier eps (as with all other mother's in this series: think about Akiyuki/Fusa and Toujirou Kakisu/his mother, and finally the Hiruken Emperor and the fact he was denied a mother. Unconditional love and forgiveness is a huge theme in this anime and is most often exemplified by the mother-child bond.

One note on Lady Sannova: she is not the mother of the emperor, nor is she at fault for the stillborn Hiruken Emperor. She said clearly that she was blamed for it and kicked to the curb. (This was not an uncommon thing to happen to midwives throughout history especially if they needed someone to blame for the tragedy of a child being stillborn.) The ruling family/order then allowed the body to be infused with the Hiruko in an attempt to resurrect the dead heir. Though not her fault directly, Sannova took responsibility and created Xam'd in an attempted to bring balance back to the life stream. In other words, the shadow of the Emperor was born from the light of Sannova and she needed the Xam'd to bring balance.

Nakiyami is in stasis at the end, frozen in time holding the Hiruken Emperor/Lady Sannova/combined life force. It was stated at the beginning that Sannova was going so that she could offset the dark powers and bring everything into balance by sacrificing herself. In fact, Nakiyami's choice to be sealed was not necessary -the quickening would have happened either way:

a) Kill everyone and reestablish balance of the life-force in the world. The battle between light and dark begins anew.

b) Seal light and dark away with herself in the quickening chamber until it opens again in 1,000 years.

Because of her sacrifice she gave the world she so loved and all the people in it 1,000 years of peace and relief from the battle between light and dark.

As was stated in the previous episodes (though not exactly clearly) what was going to happen was a culling of all life in the vicinity in order to restore the balance between light and dark. Nakiyami and Akiyuki both made sacrifices so that they could pacify the light and dark sides of the equation. Nakiyami then sealed herself away of her own choice to save everyone- she wasn't alone, she was with the life force she so cherished and sought to preserve in every aspect of their world. The ultimate mother archetype and ultimate son archetype, Sannova and Hiruken respectively, were reunited as life-force (think yin and yang) and became whole. The fanatical zealots with the bandages who had come to sacrifice themselves was made whole again and healthy- able to return to their lives and theoretical disaster was averted.

Ishuu being alive was a surprise but not strange nor impossible. After all, the crew of the Zanbani was contacted by Nakiyami to look after Ishuu and they left en route to do so- so it can be assumed that they were successful in rescuing her from the explosion though it was not shown. This is anime, after all.

Why nine years later: It shows that the adults have not aged in that time (or perhaps aging very slowly?) and that they are realizing the repercussions of Nakiyami's sacrifice. The children obviously do grow but as other people have noticed- none of the other characters have aged a bit. Nakiyami sealed herself and the life-force that is Xam'd away to prevent people from abusing it and to remove the source of the war and the power struggle within their world. "Until the world has had it's fill of happiness" to quote the anime.

The girl's mother who had also turned to stone was actually dead- not sealed like Akiyuki. You remember seeing those giant metal spikes in her back? I think it can be assumed she died protecting her family and then turned to stone. Akiyuiki became encased in stone because he had sacrificed his memories to the Emperor, leaving him half Xam'd and half human. The last scene between Akiyuki and Yango is important because it shows that Akiyuki understood and responded to Yango's pain over losing Nakiyami- and used his power selflessly and dangerously to save someone he cared for- hence he became completely encased in stone.

Yes, Akiyuki is alive. It kind of goes without saying but since some people are distressed: he remembered and returned on his 25th birthday. Previously the Zanbani airlifted him from the 'quickening chamber' back to his home and Haru visited him everyday and sent her thoughts to him until he could remember himself. There's no epic embrace or screaming and running around because, well, like every other couple on the show (if you notice) they have a very reserved love for each other. I also believe it can be attributed to a cultural difference as well where love, faith and trust is implicit and understood and does not necessarily need to be reaffirmed if it is in your heart. Subtlety is the key.

Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts on how this show ended it really helped to clarify for me what happened as many of you noticed things I did not. Whether it's good or bad- well, that's just an opinion and we all have them. This is only an interpretation and it's mine. Hopefully it will help someone looking for answers after the heartwarming yet WTF?!!?!? ending.

Iselith said:
Let's talk about some answers:

Lady Sannova is Nakiyami's mother, she was a 'love child' with the Tessik Chief and a nursemaid and was raised in the cheif's household. Because her mother held an important political position she became a member of the royal family but left to go train under her mother Lady Sannova, following her mother's footsteps, instead of taking on the responsibilities of becoming the leader of her people. This is stated in the last few episodes by Kujireika and finally Nakiyami calling her 'mother'. Also they look quite identical and have the same face tattoo. She grew up estranged from her mother and due to her choice to save Kobako remained that way until episode 25 where they finally heal their relationship.

Her relationship with her mother comes up time and again in earlier eps (as with all other mother's in this series: think about Akiyuki/Fusa and Toujirou Kakisu/his mother, and finally the Hiruken Emperor and the fact he was denied a mother. Unconditional love and forgiveness is a huge theme in this anime and is most often exemplified by the mother-child bond.

One note on Lady Sannova: she is not the mother of the emperor, nor is she at fault for the stillborn Hiruken Emperor. She said clearly that she was blamed for it and kicked to the curb. (This was not an uncommon thing to happen to midwives throughout history especially if they needed someone to blame for the tragedy of a child being stillborn.) The ruling family/order then allowed the body to be infused with the Hiruko in an attempt to resurrect the dead heir. Though not her fault directly, Sannova took responsibility and created Xam'd in an attempted to bring balance back to the life stream. In other words, the shadow of the Emperor was born from the light of Sannova and she needed the Xam'd to bring balance.

Nakiyami is in stasis at the end, frozen in time holding the Hiruken Emperor/Lady Sannova/combined life force. It was stated at the beginning that Sannova was going so that she could offset the dark powers and bring everything into balance by sacrificing herself. In fact, Nakiyami's choice to be sealed was not necessary -the quickening would have happened either way:

a) Kill everyone and reestablish balance of the life-force in the world. The battle between light and dark begins anew.

b) Seal light and dark away with herself in the quickening chamber until it opens again in 1,000 years.

Because of her sacrifice she gave the world she so loved and all the people in it 1,000 years of peace and relief from the battle between light and dark.

As was stated in the previous episodes (though not exactly clearly) what was going to happen was a culling of all life in the vicinity in order to restore the balance between light and dark. Nakiyami and Akiyuki both made sacrifices so that they could pacify the light and dark sides of the equation. Nakiyami then sealed herself away of her own choice to save everyone- she wasn't alone, she was with the life force she so cherished and sought to preserve in every aspect of their world. The ultimate mother archetype and ultimate son archetype, Sannova and Hiruken respectively, were reunited as life-force (think yin and yang) and became whole. The fanatical zealots with the bandages who had come to sacrifice themselves was made whole again and healthy- able to return to their lives and theoretical disaster was averted.

Ishuu being alive was a surprise but not strange nor impossible. After all, the crew of the Zanbani was contacted by Nakiyami to look after Ishuu and they left en route to do so- so it can be assumed that they were successful in rescuing her from the explosion though it was not shown. This is anime, after all.

Why nine years later: It shows that the adults have not aged in that time (or perhaps aging very slowly?) and that they are realizing the repercussions of Nakiyami's sacrifice. The children obviously do grow but as other people have noticed- none of the other characters have aged a bit. Nakiyami sealed herself and the life-force that is Xam'd away to prevent people from abusing it and to remove the source of the war and the power struggle within their world. "Until the world has had it's fill of happiness" to quote the anime.

The girl's mother who had also turned to stone was actually dead- not sealed like Akiyuki. You remember seeing those giant metal spikes in her back? I think it can be assumed she died protecting her family and then turned to stone. Akiyuiki became encased in stone because he had sacrificed his memories to the Emperor, leaving him half Xam'd and half human. The last scene between Akiyuki and Yango is important because it shows that Akiyuki understood and responded to Yango's pain over losing Nakiyami- and used his power selflessly and dangerously to save someone he cared for- hence he became completely encased in stone.

Yes, Akiyuki is alive. It kind of goes without saying but since some people are distressed: he remembered and returned on his 25th birthday. Previously the Zanbani airlifted him from the 'quickening chamber' back to his home and Haru visited him everyday and sent her thoughts to him until he could remember himself. There's no epic embrace or screaming and running around because, well, like every other couple on the show (if you notice) they have a very reserved love for each other. I also believe it can be attributed to a cultural difference as well where love, faith and trust is implicit and understood and does not necessarily need to be reaffirmed if it is in your heart. Subtlety is the key.

Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts on how this show ended it really helped to clarify for me what happened as many of you noticed things I did not. Whether it's good or bad- well, that's just an opinion and we all have them. This is only an interpretation and it's mine. Hopefully it will help someone looking for answers after the heartwarming yet WTF?!!?!? ending.

hellsascendant said:


...nice first post

Iselith said:
Let's talk about some answers:

Lady Sannova is Nakiyami's mother, she was a 'love child' with the Tessik Chief and a nursemaid and was raised in the cheif's household.

Iselith said:
Though not her fault directly, Sannova took responsibility and created Xam'd in an attempted to bring balance back to the life stream. In other words, the shadow of the Emperor was born from the light of Sannova and she needed the Xam'd to bring balance.

Iselith said:
Nakiyami is in stasis at the end, frozen in time holding the Hiruken Emperor/Lady Sannova/combined life force. It was stated at the beginning that Sannova was going so that she could offset the dark powers and bring everything into balance by sacrificing herself. In fact, Nakiyami's choice to be sealed was not necessary -the quickening would have happened either way:

a) Kill everyone and reestablish balance of the life-force in the world. The battle between light and dark begins anew.

b) Seal light and dark away with herself in the quickening chamber until it opens again in 1,000 years.

Because of her sacrifice she gave the world she so loved and all the people in it 1,000 years of peace and relief from the battle between light and dark.

taterhead said:
Exactly the same thoughts here.

Predseln said:
At first this ending was a bit confusing for me...
but after i watched the last part again, ive realised that he transformed back from that stone to the real Akiyuki.
You just have to watch closely:
Roppa and that Ongooro is waiting there, cheerfull.
Why is he looking at his hand, moving it?(because he's not used to it)
"Welcome home, Akiyuki."
"I've returned."
"I always heard your voice, Haru."

before:
<img src="http://www.abload.de/thumb/snapshot200902052304328fj0.jpg" border="0">
after they met:
<img src="http://www.abload.de/thumb/snapshot200902052306118ddc.jpg" border="0">
Wheres the stone? Its gone because he's back!

Haru & Akiyuki are meant to be together and i was hoping for this to happen otherwise i would have given that anime a 1!
PS: I hope after her 1000years of sleep, Nakiami is being able to smile again and that there will be a better world for her!

boombza said:
I liked the ending, even though it was very melancholic. .. or maybe because it was melancholic.

Either way as I understand it, the Akiyuki is dead, the original Akiyuki that is. The person Haru was talking to at the end is also Akiyuki, but its basically the Hiruken Emperor with Akiyuki's personalty and looks, because the real Akiyuki gave away his existence so that he could live.

I believe Nakiami is alive as they say in the anime. They also gave a simple explanation that i don't believe needs to be questions, the fact that she is "sleeping" for a thousand years(or 991 years).

Toujirou Kakisu is not dead it seems(yes it is possible to survive from a bullet wound to the head), though if after 9 years he is still on a hospital bed, I'd say hes in a comma.

Nazuna(the white haired girl) seems to have been adopted by Akiyuki's parents after all. Though shes in a wheel chair, the only explanation I have for that is her brain was damaged during her coma and its left her unable to walk.


All in all, I really do like this anime, from beginning to end it felt like Eureka 7 mixed with Last exile put together in Studio Ghibli style. And to me, that's a winning combination. I can understand why some people didn't like the ending, the fact that it could be seen as confusing or was simply to sad to accept. Though I think, that was the anime's last message, was even though things get tough you move on and not to look back on the past but be thankful of it.
9/10

That's definately the original akiyuki, someone a few posts up posted screen shots showing how after Akiyuki net haru at the end the rock that was akiyuki is gone, meaning akiyuki remembered himself so he came back to life.
Read more at http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=65925&show=190#lWTEkeCyj8iQSCeZ.99

PlatinumHawke said:


Except he didn't. Notice the large stone formation that Haru was standing by when the title card showed up and that Akiyuki was the same as he was nine years ago. It was all in Haru's memories.