CROSS ANGE Rondo of Angel and Dragon

Episode 17

So what's been going on in Ange's regular world during the three episodes that she has been on the Original Earth (which is what I will call the DRAGONs' world from this point out)? Quite a lot, apparently, although this episode only really provides a taste of what has happened. For the more complete story, we will apparently have to wait until next episode.

The first half of the episode is devoted to wrapping things up on Original Earth. Since Ange is now mostly respected for her efforts to protect the dragon people in the previous episode, Salamandinay gives Ange the option of staying and joining their upcoming effort to retake Aura or returning, which might mean that she would eventually have to fight the dragon people again. Ange opts for the latter, though she vows that she will not again fight the dragon people – except, of course, for Salamandinay in their ongoing friendly competitions. Vivian also opts to return to see her friends, though not before an emotional parting with her newly-found mother.

This being only episode 17 of 24, though, things naturally couldn't go smoothly with their departure amidst the DRAGON assault the next morning. Embryo, it seems, was well aware of the plan because of having captured and (by implication) tortured a confession out of Riza and has set an ambush using some new direct servants piloting black versions of Villkiss: Salia, Chris, and Ersha, as well as a couple of other lesser Arzenal pilots. Though not directly stated, their new absolute loyalty to Embryo can easily be inferred to result from him having saved them at the end of episode 13 (which would explain why Embryo bothered to do so then) and now they seek to capture Ange on his orders as she attempts to thwart them from pursuing the retreating DRAGONs. Thanks to some help from Tusk and Vivian, Ange is able to escape and pull her teleport trick again, this time plopping her, Tusk, and Vivian back at the ruined Arzenal, where they soon have a reunion with the wetsuit-clad Momoka and Hilda.

The developments here are not too surprising, since you had to figure that Embryo would have something special in store for the DRAGONs. It makes perfect sense that Salia would be one of his new loyal minions, as her frustration over not being able to pilot Villkiss would have made her jump at a chance to take the lead in a copycat version even without Embryo having (presumably) rescued her; she apparently will replace Salamandinay as Ange's bitter rival now that the latter two are chummy, though it should be interesting to see how her and Jill interact in the future. And as Vivian might say, “Quiz time: what other anime series does this whole scenario most resemble? My-Otome, of course!”

With the plot being relatively predictable, the fun here is in the details. Vivian's parting with her Mom does strike a chord, Ange can apparently say Salamandinay's name correctly if she wants to and is just messing with her over the nicknames, and Salia has a ring now herself. Tusk of course gets his obligatory crotch-plant (that the series is specifically finding some way to get this scene in for every episode in which Tusk appears makes it more entertaining as a running joke than fan service), crotch-grabbing guys has apparently replaced breast-groping female characters, and seeing Ersha and Chris being discontent with Salia's naming convention for their special maneuver is a further amusing little touch. Watching Ange and Tusk's relationship and her and Salamandinay's friendship continue to develop is also neat and Ange's attitude is increasingly fun. Fan service is very limited beyond Ange's battle apparel, but some meaty mecha action and a strong musical score make up for that. The quality use of sound effects in the series is also worthy of note; I am remiss in not having mentioned this before.

Overall, it's a pretty good episode, but the real meat should come next episode when Ange gets to talk to Jill about what's really happening on both sides.

Rating: B

CROSS ANGE Rondo of Angel and Dragon is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.