The recently aired second episode of Angel Beats! provided viewers with both a more concise story than last week’s premiere episode, as well as a spiffy new OP that is reminiscent of their visual novel equivalents.
Both the OP and a number of screenshots from the episode are below…
My Soul, Your Beats!
Performed by: Lia
The OP is sung by Lia, a singer that is no stranger to Key fans – most should easily recognize her as the singer of several gorgeous songs made for past Key games or anime adaptations, such as Clannad After Story’s “Toki o Kizamu Uta” and “Torch”.
Eroge fans should also quickly spot the heavy use of visual novel-style static introduction shots; many frames from the OP look just as if they had come straight from a Key game’s opening.
Intermixed with the impressive animation are some odd shots of scenes from later in the episode, which should confirm one line in an article from the latest Megami Magazine: “Make sure to watch the opening every episode, please! Don’t think it’ll be the same every time…probably… (laugh).”
That means we should see a slightly different sequence next episode, with at the very least the frames containing footage from this episode being replaced. The OP song seems likely to stay, however.
Here follows the promised screenshots, minus the extensive commentary given to the first episode recap:
It should be obvious, but despite the limited captioning given the images below, be warned that there are some minor spoilers.
Highlights of the OP sequence:
It’s easy to miss, but be sure to notice Tenshi suddenly sprouting angel wings in the last frame of the OP shown just above!
Screens from the episode proper:
One amusing part of the plot is the immortality of all the SSS members as explained in the previous episode.
Since the already dead students simply regenerate/reincarnate back from any injuries or death, there is little problem with any of them being killed, and so practically everyone is offed in some way by the end of the episode.
This scene below deserves a closer look for its delightful service:
Tossed off a bridge, the group dangles off the edge with Yuri, Noda, and Otonashi at the very bottom of the chain.
This screenshot is just here for Yurippe’s firm and taut midriff.
Yuri:
“Stop resting and climb over me already!!”
Otonahsi:
“…What am I supposed to grab onto?!”
Yuri:
“Anywhere’s fine, just do whatever you like!!”
Noda seems to take Yuri’s instructions on where to grab too literally; in this last shot he’s sent plummeting to the bottom by Yuri, presumably to his death, which should still be a decent trade-off for Noda as he’ll simply come back to life eventually.
Substantially further into the episode, after all the other members have been picked off (mostly to traps or silly slip-ups), Yuri and Otonashi are left alone.
Yuri gives Otonashi a length story of her life before her death.
Yuri is the loli hunched over by Dad on the left.
They arrive at the subterranean “Guild” that gives the episode its name:
Tenshi eventually seeks them out, starting off an especially well animated battle scene:
Tenshi doesn’t seem like the sort of girl to be so mean, no?
It would take too many screenshots to show the fluidly moving fight properly, so these are just the highlights that have the most flashing lights or other fun effects.
Tenshi eventually gets taken out.
As does Guild:
Some of the members finally waking up from their inconvenient death / incapacitations.
The cute bear moesome Shiina is clutching also happened to be what took her out in the first place.
The closing shots of the episode, with a wistful Otonashi looking towards Yuri:
This minimalistic ED makes an appearance, using the same song by Avant-Garde Eyes that played over the closing minutes of the last episode:
Be sure to notice Shiina’s standing spot!
Still five times better than K-on ss2 up until now. K-on ss1 is worthless to mention.
The episode is a win, so much LOL moments, but Yuri’s past is so dramatic, it might shock most of the mortals.
It is a Key work, so prepare to cry like some little girly!
I like Shiina!!!
Is it just me or does anyone else feel that the story is going too fast.
Yea, only the fact with Otonashi’s development.
Oh and if we are going by the Matrix formula, we need 2 Tenshis (to make 3 Agents in total). One MUST have twin tails, and the other MUST have a single ponytail. (well, that makes all the necessary hair style Tenshis xD)
Then we need Tenshi bullet-time and “I know kung fu” scenes.
They are different types
And I think the spirit is the say as
Tokido Saya: fighting against the “God”
I thought this is Saya After with a different face…