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Apr 24, 2020 10:19 AM
#1

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THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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Heh, it's interesting they're getting into school life now with the investigation in his story.

That school seems normal though, at least for this show. Some of the guys there are worth to keep an eye on, especially Hole. I also found the second half of this episode strangely entertaining, especially with the character chemistry among the cast.
Apr 24, 2020 11:52 AM
#2
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I'm living under the rock, but this is the episode that (I think) I know the real world reference, like Nir = Nirvana, though I'm not sure if Hole is related to the band Hole which is lead by Kurt Cobain's girlfriend (so they're genderbending in this anime).

But then again, it just doesn't work on me.
Apr 24, 2020 12:05 PM
#3
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This felt incredibly rushed
Apr 24, 2020 12:42 PM
#4

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I think the score for this on MAL is criminally low. It’s a really fun and chill show. Pretty original story, great art, cool characters, etc. I may just have a lower bar. I don’t really look for things to “stand out” if something’s fun I enjoy it. Simple.

I also enjoy the puberty references similar to what we had in FLCL. Teen spirit is a pretty clear acid/LSD reference, we got some sex references last episode. Idk, just feels like how anime used to feel like as a kid. Back in the Jetix days.

I knew that blonde kid was full of shit. Gave off that perfect nice guy vibe and made it pretty easy to see through. Sad that he took advantage of Nir though. Exploiting her fears for his personal gain

Lol, echo are you really that dense bro?? What did you think Nir was 😂

Another solid episode. I think it was a missed opportunity to not continue the school setting as an arc though. Would have been really cool to see them interact with more people and learn more about the world that way. We got there and left so quick imo. Looking forward to next week’s Prince references

CakeMan-kun said:
This felt incredibly rushed


It definitely did. Would’ve been cool to spend more time in the school.

phantomfandom said:
I'm living under the rock, but this is the episode that (I think) I know the real world reference, like Nir = Nirvana, though I'm not sure if Hole is related to the band Hole which is lead by Kurt Cobain's girlfriend (so they're genderbending in this anime).

But then again, it just doesn't work on me.


Did you get the teen spirit reference?

Mod Edit: Merged duplicated posts; please use the edit button.
MonkeyDHunterApr 27, 2020 8:24 AM
Apr 24, 2020 12:49 PM
#5
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The pacing of this show really needs some work. They jump from situation to another in every episode. I would like that they remain in place a bit longer.

Jimi looks so much like Noi from Dorohedoro. And of course Denka (your highness in Japanese) is a identical to Prince.
FarabeufApr 24, 2020 1:03 PM
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Apr 24, 2020 2:38 PM
#6
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Great, the blonde guy was so stupid xD
Apr 24, 2020 2:50 PM
#7

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Very good episode, nir was cute too bad she seems to be still an enemy
Apr 24, 2020 3:00 PM
#8

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Ya, the pacing is definitely not helping. Cookey evil villain high school kid is rly not what we needed. Hey the OP is still a lot of fun tho. Also appreciate all the references. Nothing gets me stiffer than the Riemann Hypothesis.
Apr 24, 2020 3:28 PM
#9

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As has already been said, the pacing this episode was just completely out of wack. Compounding this issue was the fact that the transition to the school was just so jarring compared to what this show has been throughout its first three episodes.

I can deal with a monster of the week style show, I'm not sure if I can deal with a completely disparate and unrelated setting every week.

I think I counted at least 4 moments during this episode when I audibly said, "What the fuck is happening?" Also that joke at the end about Echo not realizing Nir was a girl was so stupid I couldn't help but laughing.

But hey, its all okay, because I can, "Get high on numerical formulas" whenever I want!
Apr 24, 2020 3:30 PM

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the references are the most endearing and annoying thing about this show.

like in this episode you have kiss, smashing pumpkins, pixies, Nirvana, hole, and nir's second mech form looking like it's based on in utero. and im fine with all this

then you got shit like splicing lyrics into the dialogue that just makes it cringey, and the use of teen spirit i'm impartial to

also are the mud covered math lovers a reference to something, because i'm drawing a blank

also also is the fact that Nir's plug is on her head a reference to the fact Kurt Cobain shot himself in the head.
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Apr 24, 2020 3:45 PM

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Anyways I didn't enjoy this, felt like the episode was crammed. No room to breath.

Mod edit: removed unnecessary vulgar language
BrandonMay 14, 2020 9:49 AM

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But my feels.
Apr 24, 2020 4:10 PM

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How the hell did he not know she was a girl?
Apr 24, 2020 4:30 PM

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Yeah I can safely say this is the worst anime I have seen this year. The only good things are the opening, Endings, and Rie Takahashi. Otherwise this anime is utter trash. Acting, art and animation, and especially the story is straight garbage. Even the characters (outside of Mu) are bland and boring.
I apologize if I offend anyone but after 4 episodes...I'm out.
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Apr 24, 2020 5:34 PM

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The Best thing in this episode.. was the Ending...

After 4 episodes i dont see this getting better...

Nyan-Pasu!... [ Ara Ara ] [ Waifus ]
Apr 24, 2020 6:51 PM
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This was a fine episode.
Apr 24, 2020 9:01 PM

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This episode...definitely "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the whole Nirvana reference ringing.

A school setting in a similar fashion to one of Nirvana's most famous songs sees a new but episodic-shot female character Nir (that Echo has the usual trouble of recognizing sex) that stalks around him.

Don't need to mention this, but since when a school setting is necessary for such original stuff like this (when it's mostly episodic) that completely throws the script off. But obviously, since Echo and Mu are just starting out to explore the outside world to find more Equipment and Players, and interact with them to extract information for Jimi "Hendrix" Stonefree.

But then again, the random mecha fight of "good vs. evil" with cakey high school "backstabber" villain Hole and "tool" Player Nir vs . Echo and Mu felt like a plot device that's waiting to happen with the "mecha of the week" exposition.

NGL, still fine, but it's starting to wane the experience.
Apr 24, 2020 10:47 PM

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Third episode was slightly better than previous ones, but again disliked this episode. I don't think this can get any better, though will give 1 or 2 more episodes before dropping it
Apr 25, 2020 3:28 AM

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Awesome. I feel I know a little more of the outside world beyond the characters, and it sounds brutal. I also got some giant mechs, always a plus. MC is clueless, bless him not knowing the other player was a girl. But at least Mu didnt need to be jealous.

And that out sequence with the music. Lol, mathematicians know how to party hard!!

I shouldnt of but im drunk, so read all the previous comments. People dissing this show or playing pretend and saying x this y that, im not sure I should watch it. You all should just go somewhere else. If you have nothing better to say other than your internalised negativity. Go take your toys to someone else's sandpit, as we dont want to hear it!

Mod Edit: Merged duplicated posts; please use the edit button.
MonkeyDHunterApr 27, 2020 8:24 AM
To have you, Id give a billion lives A-Chan best girl
Apr 25, 2020 6:36 AM

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This episode was more interesting than the previous ones.
Apr 25, 2020 9:32 AM
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I actually think this works fine as an adventure show. The dynamic between Echo and Mu in previous episodes makes it fun to watch them interact with just about any setting, and I like that we're getting drip-fed worldbuilding each episode, in sort of a minimalist way.

I can understand complaints about pacing but to me the show feels it wants to just be about these two characters adventuring around figuring out who exactly Mu is, as a vehicle for exploring new locale's and introducing new locations, which I think is kinda effective.

I'm not totally in love with the show but I don't dislike it anymore like I did with episodes 1-2.
Apr 25, 2020 10:40 AM

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I like that everything is a music reference; Jimi is Jimmy Hendrix, Denka is Prince, and Nir is obviously referring to Nirvana, hence "Teen Spirit", which you breathe in (Smells Like Teen Spirit, anyone?). Hell, she even says "Here we are now" followed soon after by "Entertain Us", which is a reference to the lyrics of the song (should be "entertainers", but close enough). Let's not forget the guys that are literally smashing pumpkins.

It is a mildly enjoyable show, but unfortunately, everything about the show is just average at best and, given that we're 1/3 of the way through, I can't really see a lot of hope of improvement in this show's future.
That__GuyApr 25, 2020 10:44 AM
Apr 25, 2020 6:20 PM

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So I finally understood what this anime is about: making references about irl rock personalities.

But it isn't enough to meet the lack of content on its story, a third of the show is done and the progress so far is quite mediocre.
Apr 25, 2020 9:12 PM

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i don't know where the heck is this show going...
3/5.


Apr 25, 2020 11:19 PM

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LaLeLuLiLo said:


also are the mud covered math lovers a reference to something, because i'm drawing a blank



My best guess is Red Hot Chili Peppers. They are famous for going shirtless. I know the sign on the outside of their club was a 4 letter acronym too, like RCHP.
Apr 26, 2020 7:22 AM

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So we got Nir the stalker who also happneds to be an addict to that so called "Team spirit " and Hole the student council president who is a dealer of that spray drug.....
Ya know that "Team Spirit" spray drug kinda reminds me of those War Boys from Mad Max : Fury Road.




As you can see one of the war boys does was basically the sames as those bad guys from the said movie.
Apr 26, 2020 8:13 AM
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The previous episodes were excellent. But this is the episode that blew my mind. The level of pure, distilled ridiculous referencing in it was an utter joy to me. I'm ahuge music nerd, and this one was completely filled with groups and such I adore. Nirvana was a huge part of my middle and high school experience. I was in 7th grade when Kurt killed himself, for instance, so holy crap my head is spinning after this.

And to top it off we got Black Francis (The Pixies!), Hole, Sonic Youth, CBGBs, and so many more. Even the use of the lyrics was hilarious (Even if they had to slightly alter things, if only for copyright concerns). And then the music - so much of it was instantly recognizable as what it was... while legally distinct. I'm going to need this soundtrack, the whole series has been amazing.

And now next week has the artist that's totally not Prince? I am super excited about that too, and really looking to see how much the city will be based on Minneapolis, and the club on First Avenue - since I've actually been to said legendary club and seen shows there, and know Minneapolis pretty well!
Apr 26, 2020 9:37 AM
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totally dragged and I lost count of how many times I slept, everything is very fast and it was supposed to be a fun and exciting journey, but it's the opposite.
Apr 26, 2020 9:40 AM

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A much better episode. Poor girl, i felt for her in the beginning, literally me haha(jk jk)


I really didnt expect a school arc. I didnt think they'd have an actual school ... ? but why did it last only for 1 episode, what was the point >_>
Speaking of weird, the headmaster that makes such intimate contact with the student she's never seen? >_>
2 Guys who met Miu... what am i watching haha. It was kinda funny (in the ED song only, it's better not to hear them talk and just listen a nice Takanashi Rie's voice)

Was kinda weird how Echo proclaimed that Nir is his friend after just meeting him, i guess that's because he thought she was a guy and since he didnt have many (or any) friends his age back in Liverchester.

That exchange between Hole and Echo was so stupid with Echo pulling his pants at the end... Yeah, weird again >_>

ED was so good :v i need to donwload it.

LaLeLuLiLo said:
the references are the most endearing and annoying thing about this show.

like in this episode you have kiss, smashing pumpkins, pixies, Nirvana, hole, and nir's second mech form looking like it's based on in utero. and im fine with all this

then you got shit like splicing lyrics into the dialogue that just makes it cringey, and the use of teen spirit i'm impartial to

also are the mud covered math lovers a reference to something, because i'm drawing a blank

also also is the fact that Nir's plug is on her head a reference to the fact Kurt Cobain shot himself in the head.

100% this. Way too much reference injection. Especially inserting english words. But maybe its just me being annoyed that i dont understand any references >_>
Apr 26, 2020 12:44 PM

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The only thing that i'm actually enjoying in the show so far is the soundtrack.

I really have not liked the characters so far and i think this episode is a good example why. Like, why does Nir just info dump her whole life story after speaking to Echo once? and suddenly Echo is super attached to Nir because....gotta advance the plot?

They didn't even play up the whole "echo thinks Nir is a boy" thing at all so the joke at the end has absolutely no buildup or payoff. The comedy in this really doesn't make me laugh even though it has potential. for example, why have pictures in the principal's office of (i'm assuming) past principles in Kiss makeup and yet have the principle be just a super normal filler character? All they had to do was give her like kiss makeup and a little bit of a "crazy rocker" personality and it could have fit and been funny.

I was also disappointed in the fight this episode, especially after i liked the fight so much in the last episode. I hope that any of the other player vs player fights are better going forward and not the vague wrestling match we got in this episode
Apr 26, 2020 1:02 PM

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LaLeLuLiLo said:
also are the mud covered math lovers a reference to something, because i'm drawing a blank


My guess is that it's peanut butter and it's a Iggy Pop reference, he's known for singing shirtless and putting peanut butter on himself.
Apr 26, 2020 1:41 PM

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I like the thought behind this episode, but it was just laughably rushed
Apr 26, 2020 8:01 PM
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I watched this week's episode out of curiosity to see if I should reconsider my decision to drop...yeah no regrets.

The references are less heavy-handed than they were last week, but it still feels like it's trying too hard to make musical references & name drops rather than tell a coherent story. At least the OP & ED are always a treat, but everything else is pretty forgettable.
Apr 26, 2020 9:46 PM
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What in the actual fuck is this anime? For something that has this many musical references it's pretty damn hollow in almost every other aspect.
I should've stared at a turned off screen for ~20 min. instead of watching because my experience would've been roughly the same.

I'll stick around next ep. because Suwabe's voicing Prince.
standApr 26, 2020 10:00 PM
Apr 27, 2020 12:09 AM
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They dared to ask the question,

What if Kurt Cobain was an anime girl?
Apr 27, 2020 4:41 AM

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Another episode of Listeners and, although I found it funnier than the previous ones (the math club was the funniest thing), I think it still does not have "that" epic moment showing us that something is really happening (both in the plot and in fights).

By the way, what kind of The Beatles were those?
Apr 27, 2020 11:32 AM

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KANLen09 said:
This episode...definitely "Smells Like Teen Spirit", the whole Nirvana reference ringing.

A school setting in a similar fashion to one of Nirvana's most famous songs sees a new but episodic-shot female character Nir (that Echo has the usual trouble of recognizing sex) that stalks around him.

Don't need to mention this, but since when a school setting is necessary for such original stuff like this (when it's mostly episodic) that completely throws the script off. But obviously, since Echo and Mu are just starting out to explore the outside world to find more Equipment and Players, and interact with them to extract information for Jimi "Hendrix" Stonefree.

But then again, the random mecha fight of "good vs. evil" with cakey high school "backstabber" villain Hole and "tool" Player Nir vs . Echo and Mu felt like a plot device that's waiting to happen with the "mecha of the week" exposition.

NGL, still fine, but it's starting to wane the experience.



I literally said

:"Teen Spirit? Smells like Teen Spirit?
Well played man, well played"

Still, i feel this particular story didn't need that boy as a villain, it works and it should have been without him
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Apr 27, 2020 12:22 PM

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I just love the moe Kurt Cobain
Apr 27, 2020 2:44 PM
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Apr 27, 2020 5:31 PM

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This episode we are back to another high school scenario since episode 3. It went from a sort of super distopian world to an academic scenario. Whcih I think this sucks for most of the audience that was expecting something and end up in the same cliche school world. Not every sceries have to become Isekai quartet.
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Apr 28, 2020 8:37 AM
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LaLeLuLiLo said:
also are the mud covered math lovers a reference to something, because i'm drawing a blank


Probably Mudhoney.

They were the proto-grunge Seattle band that spawned the scene that gave us Nirvana.

The math reference is likely referring to their original incarnation's name "Mr. Epp and the Calculations" named after Mark Arm's math teacher.

Other visual references I spotted in the episode that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet:

The Scottish bands Teenage Fanclub & BMX Bandits (Cobain said "If I could be in any other band it would be BMX Bandits").

Dinosaur Jr, Butthole Surfers - more pre-grunge bands that influenced the sound.

The one I am stumped on is the group meditating outside the school. It feels like there should be a Husker Du reference, is this an obtuse Zen Arcade hat tip?
Apr 29, 2020 12:25 AM

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I mean this is not the best anime out there, but 5.89 is definitely too low.
Apr 29, 2020 8:54 AM

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it's been 3 weeks that I start the episode crossing my fingers to impress me so I keep watching, this time school and really cute chara (adoooorable design) that I was waiting to see finally appear but still completely lost in the end of episode...

Nir was saying BOKU (male version of "I" in japanese) so I thought it was a guy although sounded like a girl but even better this way

one of reviews says they get orgasms from all the references and I just feel like I'm wasting my time because I get absolute zero and it's kinda disappointing because I love the style, OP is extremely good and story is somewhat interesting but it's just not going anywhere I expect starting episode 2 :/

might drop if 5th episode won't show me something that will open my eyes
Apr 29, 2020 2:12 PM
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As someone said here the rating is not even close to teh real quality of the show, and man, this episode, all the Nirvana references, I love it, Nir practically sang Lithium and Smells like teen spirit, I just lovd this episode, it was really awesome with rock references
Apr 30, 2020 7:22 AM
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That's why I've never followed the 3-episode rule in anime. Can't believe people dropped it this early without giving a chance.
Apr 30, 2020 8:42 PM

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erinerinyes said:
That's why I've never followed the 3-episode rule in anime. Can't believe people dropped it this early without giving a chance.

I can't blame them, I only continue watching this to see how bad can it get.

If people like it because of all the references, I understand, enjoy it, but that isn't enough for everyone (especially if you aren't into music). Some say that the score is too low, for me it's too high.
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May 1, 2020 8:27 PM
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it's so jarring being in a school this episode lol after the settings of the other episodes. i'm still enjoying this show, but it feels like it's all over the place. one of the only saving graces of this show is that awesome looking OP.
mrixlMay 1, 2020 8:33 PM
May 1, 2020 10:25 PM
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Hinakazari said:
it's been 3 weeks that I start the episode crossing my fingers to impress me so I keep watching, this time school and really cute chara (adoooorable design) that I was waiting to see finally appear but still completely lost in the end of episode...

Nir was saying BOKU (male version of "I" in japanese) so I thought it was a guy although sounded like a girl but even better this way

one of reviews says they get orgasms from all the references and I just feel like I'm wasting my time because I get absolute zero and it's kinda disappointing because I love the style, OP is extremely good and story is somewhat interesting but it's just not going anywhere I expect starting episode 2 :/

might drop if 5th episode won't show me something that will open my eyes


The Boku thing is a liiiiittle more complicated than that, AIUI. There's been girls in other anime using Boku before. My roommate's a lot more fluent in the language after having lived in Japan for a year and explains it can be used by women sometimes. (Ore's the super masculine pronoun in the same way Atashi is super feminine). And I've definitely heard it before, usually by more tomboy sorts, but sometimes by androgynous types (Kino in Kino's Journey, for instance). Either way, Boku isn't automatically male only speech, that's the real thing to take away from this.

The music references are definitely hitting obscure, especially episode 2 and 3. 2 is a German Band even I've never heard of before seeing someone else mentioning it. And 3 is a band from a rather obscure underground genre from the 90s too. I'd say 4 is the first one that is even remotely pop culture that might be more recognizable, and even then it could be easy to miss if you aren't a fan of the alternative scene in the 90s, or didn't grow up then like I did.
May 2, 2020 4:32 AM

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Okayish episode, Mu blushed a bit when Nir asked if she's Echo's gf. I want romantic development between this two.
May 7, 2020 7:12 PM

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I like the blondie
Jun 23, 2020 12:26 AM
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I feel bad for Echo, but Mu had a point. Nir was a trap. I couldn't care less but with the design art like that its obvious that even Echo had nothing to do to even realise the real gender. Thats it.

Secondly, Lmao. Using a drug like that really served as a breakthrough on that dumpster world. No kidding. No good thing about this shit. Only to kept a track about Jimi and who he was. Nothing more. Even the new mecha shit equipment can't felt bland and so bored because its so dull. Such a shame that a music felt so tasteless when needed some refreshment. Thats it.
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