Scratched a few itches I'd been developing for a while now. When the Agni Kai attacked, I was disappointed that it seemed Kate wasn't among them, since it's been far too long since Utena and Kate have kicked ass together. Later events were therefore gratifying. Kate's obviously always been the more reluctant combatant, especially compared to Utena's boldness, and it's nice to see her having matured and come to terms with the essential contradiction of Katsujinkenryuu.

As to Corwin, I've been waiting for years to see him follow in his mother's footsteps like that. Shades of Futureshock right there. Again, though, I wonder about the breadth of his domain. When the Black Rose's true goal (and their success) was revealed, I couldn't help but think of Christmas Rose and his aborted oath, though he seems to have been tempered since then. Seems like he's now got a submarine, though. Some guys got it.

Izumi's death was necessary, I think, and well-executed. No way they could hold off that onslaught without casualties. Those viirdaanik have always been interesting, and I've been fascinated with that concept, so it's nice to see it explored explicitly. Of course the dragons have a word for it.

It was likewise nice to let others shine. We've seen Utena fight so many times that we know how that goes.

And so Saionji and Anakin have broken cover. I half-expected some form of repeat of Titan, with Saionji defending Anthy, but there were too many. While it's nice to have him back, I worry about Mia, now without support.

I now truly see the long reach of Akio Ohtori. It seems I've been underestimating him, but I should have known better. Not for nothing is he Duke Cocytus. I, like others, dread what he could do with Annabelle and Garnet. He's certainly bent a lot of power arranging this. The loss of some of his more notable manpower is certainly going to tax him, and I can't help but think he's not quite come out ahead. The Mashō being scattered to the winds deprives Akio of some potent warriors, but also has interesting implications for Ishiyaman geopolitics. Touga's final death means it's possible Nanami could finally wriggle out from under Akio's thumb, and the reveal of Saionji should give him pause, happening as it has now for the third time. At the least, it might shake the confidence of his less-loyal minions.

And Anubishu has fallen into the hands of the Valkyries. He doesn't seem to recognize his plight, which is odd, since he's been living in a pocket dimension off Hell, and so he's not exactly unaware of the structure of the cosmos, and as a soldier one would think he'd pay attention to briefings on the enemy.

It seems, also, that everyone's leveled up again. Not nearly as dramatically as during the timeskip between Symphony No. 3 and No. 4, but still noticeable. Outright use and reference to the Force suggest Kate and Utena have been doing some reading over the past few months.

The last wrinkle, of course, is who it was who trounced Anthy and Nyima and made off with the kids.

Thank you, Gryph et al. 'Twas a riveting read.