Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Quick Summary of Listeners Episode 11
In Listeners episode 11, “I Am the Resurrection,” Denka took command of humanity’s last defense after the fall of both Ace and Tommy Walker. He was joined by an unlikely character, given their bad blood: Roz. It’s a testament to just how badly things were going. As Denka flew all over the country drumming up support, two more people joined him: Bilin Valentine and Kevin Valentine. But even with all their gathered firepower, augmented by others like the Neubauten sisters Ein, Zende, and Stür, Denka realized they still didn’t have the strength to defeat µ. There was only one chance: Kevin had an idea that could give them the edge they need. Will his idea work? Will Denka approve it? And where in the world is Echo?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Best in Show Moment for Listeners Ep 11
No bravado. No stirring words. Only a determination to deliver his message to µ. Nothing else seemed to matter to Echo in this moment. Capture from the Funimation stream.
Setup: Denka Builds His Dream Team
Denka (based, of course, on the talented Prince) had several good scenes in this episode. For example, he was sitting in a bathtub strategizing with his team like it was normal. He took a powerful slap from Roz and told Wendy and Lisa not to retaliate because he figured he deserved it. Most importantly, though, he tried to gather the Players together so they could face µ with a united front.
All through the episode, though, there was something missing. Everyone seemed to be trying their best. Everyone seemed to be working together. But a key Player was missing, though at the time, no one knew that the missing person was in fact a Player.
Denka assembled as many Players as he could. His strategy was probably the best that could be formulated at this time. But there was one Player missing. Capture from the Funimation stream.
Delivery: Echo is the Missing Piece
Looking back over my Best in Show reviews, I see a trend: rarely do I name the climatic moment in an episode as the Best in Show. That seems strange now that I think about it. Shouldn’t the climax be the best moment? Even if it doesn’t need to be, shouldn’t it come up as a best moment more often?
This episode is the exception that proves the rule. My favorite moment is the last seconds of the episode. The Players’ attack failed utterly. Far from defeating King Listener (µ), their attack allowed her to power up into what I hope is her final form. And I’ll give the animators props: it looked terrifying.
I could just imagine even the combat mechs from Muv Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse taking one look at Listener’s final form, uttering one “Nope!”, and turning tail to run.
The Players’ attack was, shall we say, slightly less than successful. Capture from the Funimation stream.
In the chaos of the failed assault, a relatively small piece of Equipment stood up. Its Player was none other than Echo. His arrival was perfectly fitted to this character. There was no fanfare. There was no huge explosions or other commotion. Echo just stood up, his arms behind his back, looked up at the monstrosity that was the King of the Earless, and said a single word.
“Mu.”
There was something about his calm resolve. It wasn’t confidence, exactly, but it was uniquely Echo. It was the perfect entrance for the young man who has a message to deliver to µ. I’m really looking forward to seeing how she receives it.
What did you think of the Players’ last ditch efforts? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Listeners – Episode 11 discussion
- AngryAnimeBitches: LISTENERS – Episode 11
- Random Curiosity: Listeners – 11
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Review: Listeners Episode 1: Live Forever
- Review: Listeners Episode 2: Half Man
- Review: Listeners Episode 3: You Made Me Realise
- Review: Listeners Episode 4: Teen Spirit
- Review: Listeners Episode 5: In the Embrace of the Beat / When Doves Cry
- Review: Listeners Episode 6: Special Edition: Pink Floyd References
- Review: Listeners Episode 6: Goodbye Blue Sky
- Review: Listeners Episode 7: Day of Rage/Problems
- Review: Listeners Episode 8: Real Me
- Review: Listeners Episode 9: Freedom
- Review: Listeners Episode 10: Cross Road Blues
- Review: Listeners Episode 11: I am the Resurrection
- Review: Listeners Episode 12: Hello/Goodbye
Very nice review. I got the reference in the episode title only because of a documentary and researching the music scene in a very certain Norther English city. That’s a reference to a song from The Stone Roses!
Thank you!
“I got the reference in the episode title only because of a documentary and researching the music scene in a very certain Norther English city.”
This episode went straight over my head! The episode Goodbye Blue Sky contained a ton of Pink Floyd’s references. Enough to wreck my emotional equilibrium, in fact! But this episode? I didn’t catch even one reference — even Bilin’s song quote made no sense to me.
“That’s a reference to a song from The Stone Roses!”
I don’t know them, so I checked out I Just Wanna Be Adored on YouTube. I’m surprised I missed them! They seem like there’re right in my strike zone! Kinda reminds me of Midnight Oiil’s Beds are Burning.
Man, I wish I could write music!
Sorry for misspelling Northern. I might check out Listeners for some of these music elements and some 00s anime nostalgia.
Yup. I know a few of their songs. My friends were in a band who covered “I Wanna Be Adored”, too. Glad The Stone Roses are appealing to you. Despite not being born when Midnight Oil was popular, I do know that song by them. I can see some of those comparisons.
Songwriting is really fun. Do you at least play any instruments?
“Sorry for misspelling Northern. ”
Living as I do in a glass house, I’m not about to cast any stones! I’ve been going back through some of my old posts, getting them ready for some Pinterest pins, and I keep coming across the stupidest typos. And they’ve been there for years!
Jeesh.
“Songwriting is really fun. Do you at least play any instruments?”
In ancient days, I learned a little piano. I also learned a little guitar, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the fingerings for chords.
Thanks! Yeah, I’ve noticed that with some of my older posts with typos and I would correct them.
I see. I was just curious. Ever thought about going back to playing music?
“Ever thought about going back to playing music?”
At this point, probably not. If I try anything new, it’d be drawing. I’ve always loved drawing, too! Wasn’t exactly terrible at mechanical drawings.
I think it’d be fun to justify an iPad Pro as a sketch pad!
I see. I was just curious. Drawing would be very cool! That would be really fun to try. Of course, my art skills aren’t in that realm though.
You should. If it can work for Yoshitoshi ABe who can make nice sketches with just one finger, than so can you!
“If it can work for Yoshitoshi ABe who can make nice sketches with just one finger, than so can you!”
No pressure or anything! 🙂
I want to at least finish writing the first trilogy first. Then, maybe I’ll think about some illustrations. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hahaha! Of course, that’s one of my favorite anime creators and artists and I thought how cool it was making those sketches. I hope you do well with your art.
Ooh! That would be great. Let me know when the books are released. Looks like I need to get back to writing because these Hollanduscosm cell phone novels aren’t going to write and edit themselves. No problem!
I don’t remember getting any references either. But considering that, generally, getting references has made my experience a little worse, I’m not too bothered. I don’t know the Stone Roses either, though I fancy I’ve heard the name. Listening to the resurrection track now, and it’s pretty good.
As for the episode, it was okay, nothing special either way.
“As for the episode, it was okay, nothing special either way.”
I’m still holding out hope that Echo will find a uniquely Echo-way to bring Mu down.
It’s been an enjoyable ride. I like shows like this and Caligula that try something a bit different. Even when they don’t completely succeed, it’s fun to watch.