Episode 1: Live Forever
Review: Listeners Episode 1 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 1, “Live Forever,” Echo had put in another day of sifting through trash to find sellable bits when his eye caught a rare vacuum tube. As he reached for it the trash heap beneath him crumbled, and he landed on top of the unconscious form of a strange, white-haired girl. He took her back to the bar where he lived, only to discover she was dressed and outfitted like a Player, people who fought back against humanity’s enemy, the Earless. She couldn’t remember who she was, but she remembered she liked beer, so as she and Echo enjoyed a round, McGee, the mayor, stopped by. He recognized her gear and blamed her and the other Players for their current destitute situation. Can Echo do anything to protect the girl, who he named µ, from the mayor? But if the mayor’s right, should Echo protect her? And why can’t she remember who she is?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 2: Half Man
Review: Listeners Episode 2 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 2, “Half Man,” Echo frantically bemoaned the trail of devastation that he and µ (Mu) had left after the Earless had attacked his village. Frustrated that he had interrupted her enjoyment of the train ride, she chided him, saying that the past was the past. Besides, McGee, the mayor, was probably too tough and cantankerous to die from a small thing like a monument falling on him. Probably. Echo relented — a little — and tried to enjoy the ride with her. Things took a sharp turn for the worse when several Earless swarmed the train tracks later that night. And even worse than that? The finishing move that had worked for µ before suddenly stopped working — as they stood on a very high bridge. How will µ and Echo escape the Earless without plunging into the water more than a hundred meters below?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 3: You Made Me Realize
Review: Listeners Episode 3 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 3, “You Made Me Realise,” µ (Mu) had just taken a terrible beating at the hands of the Neubauten sisters, who were apparently trying to “awaken” her. Just as they thought they’d defeated µ, a new figure in a four-legged mech dropped among them. Calling her the “she-knight of a fallen country,” the three sisters attacked. However, they were no match for the newcomer, and they had to quickly withdraw. The “she-knight” scooped up both µ and Echo. When they came to, they found themselves on a flying ship under the deputy-directorship of Bilin Valentine. But it wasn’t a rescue. They were in Valentine’s custody. What are Bilin’s intentions? Why did she go to the trouble of fighting the Neubauten sisters to retrieve µ? And how will Echo fix their Equipment — without any spare parts?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 4: Teen Spirit
Review: Listeners Episode 4 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 4, “Teen Spirit,” µ (Mu) and Echo travelled to the first stop on their quest: the “prestigious” Freak Scene Academy. They’re searching for information about Jimi Stonefree. The school’s director had a personnel file on him, but she would only show it to them under one condition: they investigate the use of Teen Spirit on campus. Where is the addictive chemical — which Players on the front-line use in combat against the Earless — coming from? Who’s distributing it? Why is the student council president hitting so hard on µ? And why is the shy, diminutive young woman following Echo?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 5: In the Embrace of the Beat / When Doves Cry
Review: Listeners Episode 5 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 5, “In the Embrace of the Beat / When Doves Cry, ” µ (Mu) and Echo arrived in Paisley Park looking for the elusive Denka. Their ultimate mission was to find Jimi Stonefree, and since Denka spent a lot of time with Jimi 10 years ago (before the cataclysm), µ and Echo hoped to learn where Jimi might have gone. But a quarrel tore µ and Echo apart, and they had to get separate part-time jobs to pay room and board. Can they get back together and complete their mission to meet Denka? How much does Denka really know about Jimi? Does µ really end up working as a kind of phone sex operator? And what does Denka know about her past?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 6: Good Bye Blue Sky (Special Edition)
Review: Listeners Episode 6 Special Edition: Pink Floyd References
I had intended for this to be just an extra, special section in my regularly-scheduled Best of Show review of Listeners, but as I got into it, I realized something. If someone was happily reading an article expecting my typical celebration of anime and ran into the jarring contrast that is my relationship with Pink Floyd, at least I’d confuse folks.
At worst I’d upset them. I really don’t want to do that.
So, in this post, I’m breaking out my thoughts on Pink Floyd through the lens of Listeners episode 6. If you prefer to keep on the positive side of life, please do stop reading now. I’m not saying this gets crazy or anything, but I’m briefly turning my filters off. So it might get awkward.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 6: Good Bye Blue Sky
Review: Listeners Episode 6 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 6, “Good Bye Blue Sky,” µ (Mu) and Echo were following the map that Denka had given them in the previous episode. Their long journey had left them feeling tired and grumpy. µ immediately perked up when she caught sight of the vast expanse of blue that was the ocean. Excited, she sprinted towards it, and she didn’t think much as Echo complained. But when they got the beach, Echo collapsed, a thread of blood flowing from his nose. Terrified, µ called for help, only to find the vacuum tube around her throat glowing brightly. She could see a previously invisible bridge leading to a camouflaged pyramid. Under it was a hidden island a couple of hundred meters out onto the sea. She struggled to haul Echo across the bridge. When she got to the city, she met Roz, who offered to help. But the help she offered wasn’t at all what µ wanted. Can µ figure out a way to convince Roz to actually save Echo? Or will the island’s past come back not only to haunt her — but to consume her as well?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 7: Day of Rage/Problems
Review: Listeners Episode 7 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 7, “Day of Rage/Problems,” a young Lyde was scavenging in Londinium when the Earless attacked. Along his friend Ritchie, they tried to escape, but they were cornered — only to be saved by Jimi Stonefree himself! Years later, they were barely making ends meet working in a repair show when Nir showed up, a broken Amp in tow. Lyde fixed it. As thanks, Nir took him for a ride in her Equipment, which now ran more smoothly than it ever had. They were forced to stop when they got too close to downtown — police Players and their Equipment blocked them. Why does Lyde hate the police Players so much? Why does Nir still have such a hard time accepting Lyde and Ritchie’s kindness? And what will they do when a gigantic Earless shows up and threatens to destroy what little they have?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 8: Real Me
Review: Listeners Episode 8 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 8, “Real Me,” µ (Mu) and Echo had just taken their leave of Roz when three enormous helicopters emerged from the sky to land just in front of them. To their astonishment, a young man whose name they learned was Tommy Walker walked up to them, knelt in front of μ, and called her princess. The shocks kept coming as Tommy flew them to Londinium and introduced her and Echo to the kids and young, young adults who were spear-heading the defense against the Earless. And why had Tommy sought out μ now? Why, to have her star in a play, of course! But the purpose of the play actually appeared to play into μ and Echo’s mission. Can they trust Tommy and his cohorts? Will the play actually go off as planned? And how do events in this timeline align with Nir’s visit to Londinium?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 9: Freedom
Review: Listeners Episode 9 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 9, “Freedom,” Echo tried to pick up the pieces of his life and move on after µ’s “debut,” but he doesn’t get very far. Nir eventually came across him as he sat huddled against a wall, but she wasn’t happy at all to see him — and she made no attempt to hide it. Meanwhile, µ tried to talk to her memories of Jimi Stonefree, and we got some more details on how she emerged into this world. Does that help her or hurt her? Nir eventually relented (a little) and talked to Echo. She’s determined to kill µ; Echo is determined to stop her. But as they continue to verbally wrestle over their mission, they make a discovery that things are even worse than they’d thought. And they’d thought it was really bad! Can Echo make it to µ before Nir does? Will it matter if he can? Or is µ already too far gone?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 10: Cross Road Blues
Review: Listeners Episode 10 Best In Show
In Listeners episode 10, “Cross Road Blues,” Echo came to full consciousness in a dilapidated dairy barn. Janis cheerfully informed him that she’d found him unconscious on a trash heap. She’d carried him here, where the cow tried to give him a tongue bath. Bewildered, still despondent and emotionally crushed after his last encounter with µ, Echo could only accept Janis’ kindness. Soon, he found himself helping out on the farm and enjoying good farmstead food. One night, though, he happens to find the gigantic vinyl album connection in the basement. Janis was not in the least bit upset, but after that, everything changed. What is Echo doing at the farm? What does he intend to do with his life? What’s really in his heart? The rest of his life depends on the answer.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 11: I Am the Resurrection
Listeners Episode 11 Best In Show Review
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.
Episode 12: Hello/Goodbye
Listeners Episode 12 Best In Show Review
In Listeners episode 12, “Hello/Goodbye,” the King Listener form of µ had crushed all active threats. Now, she gathered herself for the final blow — a blow that looked like it would destroy everyone. As the Earless gathered around her, a single piece of Equipment remained upright amid the trash. Echo stood on its shoulder. The only thing between the Earless and the death of humanity was the humble man from Liverchester. His put his hope in the purity of his feelings for µ. But µ’s sanity was crumbling, and the Earless seemed more powerful and bent on destruction than ever. Can Echo, even with their shared experiences, get through to µ?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
