Episode 1: The Self-Defense Force Goes to Another World
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 1 Review – Quick Summary
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 1, “The Self-Defense Force Goes to Another World,” Youji Itami wanted nothing more than to buy his favorite Doujinshi. On the train ride to Ginza, the listings on his cell phone took up so much of his attention that he missed two key details. First, he didn’t see concrete pillar until after his forehead smacked into it. Second, he didn’t see the man dressed in what looked like medieval armor riding a dragon — apparently performance air-born reconnaissance. Eventually, though, the screams of dying civilians captured his attention. How will Itami react? Can he accept that a fantasy army just invaded Japan? And even if he can, what can he as one man do about it?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 2: The Two Armies
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 2 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 2, “The Two Armies,” Senator Casel confronted Emperor Molto Sol Augustus over the his army’s catastrophic failure on the other side of the gate. That loss cost 60% of the imperial army, and now a force of unknown capabilities had setup camp on Alnus Hill, the gate’s home. Not only that, but the loss left the empire open to attack from its “allies.” This material seemed serious. So why is the emperor almost gleeful? What plan could he possibly come up with to counter those terrible losses? And what can a single Princess named Pina Co Lada do, in spite of her father’s scorn?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 3: Fire Dragon
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 3 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 3, “Fire Dragon,” Youji Itami hauled the unconscious elf out of the well. She had been the only survivor or the Fire Dragon’s attack on her village, and she remained unconscious. When Itami and his team returned to Coda Village, they found that the Village Chief could not accept responsibility for the elf. The main reason was he knew dragon lore: Once a Fire Dragon got a taste for human of elf flesh, it began hunting far and wide. They had to evacuate the village immediately. With Takeo Kurata accidentally reminding Itami that the local lords were dead because they’d dared to storm Alnus Hill — and the JSDF dug in there — Itami took on the responsibility of leading the village to safety. But where was safe from a Fire Dragon? And would the dragon just let them travel unmolested?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 4: To Unknown Lands
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 4 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 4, “To Unknown Lands,” Piña Co Lada, Hamilton Uno Ror, and two other of Piña’s knights continued their undercover mission to learn about the enemy at Alnus Hill. They were fortunate to find a Coda Village refugee working as a waitress. But can they believe her story that the “men in green” actually drove off a Fire Dragon? Meanwhile, Youji Itami brought the refugees back to Alnus. There, he learned that he’s responsible for them! How will he handle the extra responsibility? Finally, Piña found that a church had taken in Duran to treat his injuries. What he told her about her own father’s decisions chilled her to her core. What will the princess do with this information?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 5: The Battle of Italica
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 5 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 5, “The Battle of Italica,” Piña Co Lada tried to organize the defense of Italica with her knights Hamilton Uno Ror, Norma Co Igloo, and Grey Co Aldo. Even with their help, the undisciplined townspeople barely beat back the bandit assault. Now, in the lull between battles, they had started preparations against the next onslaught when three green vehicles pulled up outside the walls. Piña, flanked by her knights Hamilton and Grey, watched in shock as first a mage, then a fairy elf, and then Rory Mercury, who Grey knew as Rory the Reaper, emerged. The appearance of a single human dressed in green was almost anti-climatic. Will Piña let them into Italica? Even if Rory had taken the side of the bandits, was there anything Piña could do about it? Was Piña’s first major command in battle about to end prematurely?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 6: Ride of the Valkyries
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 6 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 6, “Ride of the Valkyries,” Piña Co Lada looked on what seemed to her to be the fall of Italica. The bandits had broken through the gate. Her knight Norma had fallen to the bandits’ swords. The militia urgently begged for reinforcements, but she had none to send. As Hamilton stood beside her in horror, they could only watch the scene unfold. What she didn’t know was that Rory Mercury had ideas of her own, and where Rory went, Itami and the recon patrol wouldn’t be far behind. Will they be able to turn the tide of that battle? And what what was Itami talking to HQ about?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 7: The Princess’ Decision
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 7 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 7, “The Princess’ Decision,” Piña Co Lada felt aghast that her knights, under the command of Bozes Co Palesti, had assaulted and captured Itami. It wasn’t clear just how badly Itami had been injured, because he fell unconscious as Hamilton tried to assess his wounds. What can Piña do to bring the situation under control? Will Itami be okay? Even worse, from Piña’s perspective, what will the JSDF do? Will they turn their military might against her? Meanwhile, Itami’s recon team waited for night to go in to retrieve Itami. While they waited and talked, Shino Kuribayashi learned something about Itami that made her question her worldview. Will she treat him with any more respect, assuming he recovers? Or is that simply impossible for her?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 8: Japan, Beyond the Gate
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 8 Review – Quick Summary
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 8, “Japan, Beyond the Gate,” Piña Co Lada, Bozes Co Palesti, Rory Mercury, Lelei, and Tuka traveled through the gate and emerged in Japan. What they saw amazed them. Piña and Bozes felt dread at the further confirmation that the Empire’s new enemy was well beyond them. But Rory, Lelei, and Tuka felt excited and wanted to learn more. Their handlers led Piña and Bozes to a meeting with an assistant to the Prime Minister, while Itami and the others went to the Diet. Can they escape the trap that the anti-JSDF political faction laid for them? Could they evade the even bigger trap outside the Diet? And who in the world keeps texting Itami about food and heat being shut off?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 9: The Hakone Mountain Night Battle
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 9 Review – Quick Summary
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 9, “The Hakone Mountain Night Battle,” Itami had taken his team to the apartment of Risa, his ex-wife. After getting past his team’s shock that anyone would actually have married him, they made their plans: If they’re being tailed, then the more people they can surround themselves with, the better. That works well until the Ministry of Defense regroups and sends them to a safe hot-springs hotel. It turns out that “safe” is relative. Can Itami survive the foreign soldiers gunning for them? More importantly, can he survive Rory?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 10: Despair and Hope
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 10 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 10, “Despair and Hope,” a cell phone call interrupted Rory’s plans for some quiet time with Itami. The call’s timing seriously displeased Rory. What displeased Itami was the subject of the call. But before he could take any action, three covert military teams from three different countries converged on the hotel. Neither expected the others. Shocked, the teams from China, the United States, and Russia stood, frozen in a standoff. That is, until Rory decided to take matters into her own hands. Rory had never encountered assault rifles. Will they tilt the balance of power to the humans? Or is a demigoddess a demigoddess, regardless of what world she’s in?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 11: Visitor
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 11 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 11, “Visitor,” Princess Piña teamed up with Kouji Sugawara, a Japanese diplomat, to visit Senator Cicero La Martos. That Senator was a member of the pro-war faction, but he had a weakness. Unknown to him, the Japanese held his nephew in custody, a prisoner from the raid on Earth. Will that leverage flip him to their side? Meanwhile, Rory has plans for an evening with Itami. A Dark Elf, Yao Haa Dushi, arrived just in time to misunderstand the situation and launched a misguided attempt to protect a “child” from Itami. How will Rory react? Will Yao Haa survive? Or will Rory’s revenge be more subtle?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 12: What Would Itami Do?
Gate Thus The JSDF Fought There Episode 12 Review
In Gate Thus the JSDF Fought There episode 12, “What Would Itami Do?“, Yao Haa Dushi finally got to meet some of the Green Men at Alnus. However, it didn’t go the way she’d hoped. The gate guards she met could only say hello in her language. Within the town that had sprung up around the PX, she tried to find anyone who could understand both her language and Japanese.
However, the men who offered to help her had something else entirely in mind. As a warrior, she had no problem fending them off, but one of them went to the Military Police (MPs) to accuse her of extortion. Misunderstanding why the MPs wanted to talk to her, she got her hopes up again. Can she clear herself of charges, or will the language barrier be too much for her? Even if she can clear herself, can she convince the JSDF to mobilize on behalf of her village?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
I watched GATE for all the reasons you listed at the end and it mostly delivered. This is one of the best anime. I like Japan a lot and honestly know they have more of a passive approach due to their defensive nature, hence why they are called Japanese Defense Force and not something more aggressive. They are limited to just their lands mostly and it makes sense that they would be allowed to enter the gate on their lands. I agree with handling of other nations but we would probably try something like that due to resources though with a lot more diplomacy and tact because no one is THAT stupid, even aggressive nations like Iran and North Korea. I loved the interaction between Japan and their Empire and how difficult it can be, especially when their Empire started breaking down.
Yeah, the North Korea and even United States special forces sending teams in felt a little too blunt. But then, I suppose that seemed more exciting to portray than intense negotations!
Though seeing Rory negotiate might have been very interesting, given her experience and subtlety!
One of the best isekai out there.
Every time I rewatch it, I like it better. It’s like it took the stuff I don’t like about the isekai genre and fixed it. Itami is an adult and he has realistic powers (no matter what Shino Kuribayashi says!).
If only they hadn’t made Rory the “ancient lolli” trope. I really like her character. At least give her boobs.
I’m with you!
Can you imagine if Rory looked more like Yao Haa Dushi? Rory’s attitude in that body?
Well, maybe it’s for the best… Talk about distracting!
It is an overused anime trope. In Re:Zero I was happy with it because Beatrice was never set up as a sexual interest.
Maybe she could be a little more like Washoe from Tenchi Muyo.
I really need to watch Tenchi Muyo. I have this strange gap from the mid 1970s until the early 2000s.
There are several Tenchi’s out there, Tenchi Muyo Ryo Ohki is the original and IMHO the best. In addition there are reboots, sequels, spin-offs and movies.
It is still running but the current series is very sad. Go with the classic.
Thanks for pointing that out! I’ve added it to my Crunchyroll watch list.