Quick Summary
In Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – episode 12, “The Power to Open a Path,” Kongou reveals her final form: A Death Star-like construct that was so huge it used nine cruisers to fire a super gravity cannon blast. As they discuss what it is they are trying to become, Iona expresses her desire to communicate directly with Kongou. Gunzou Chihaya confirms that yes, that is a will — and the other Mental Models embrace the concept that is the key to their freedom. But before they can do anything, they have to deal with Kongou, and she is utterly consumed by the idea of killing Iona, all of her friends — and more. What can a single ship, even a combined heavy cruiser/submarine, do against such reckless hate?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
What’s in This Post
3 Favorite Moments
Moment 1: Iona’s Will
Iona is utterly resolved to heal Kongou — and she knows what it might cost. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Iona voiced her commitment to persuade Kongou, which drew gasps from the other Mental Models and even outright alarm when she said he’d have to contact Kongou directly — physically — because Kongou had locked out the concept communication system. Iona explained she had to do it because Kongou’s heart was hurting, and Iona wanted to help her. The other Mental Models would have ridiculed the idea of “heart” just months ago. Now, they all struggled with the concept. Takao, sounding rueful that she hadn’t figured it out yet, asked (8:55), “Weren’t we just weapons?” Maybe Gunzou had been waiting for this conversation because of his talks with Iona, because he seemed ready. He said, “It’s not about what you were. It’s about who you are now.” They considered his what he’d said. Iona, emboldened, said clearly that she wanted to save Kongou because (9:17), ‘…a motivation beyond my processing capabilities is compelling me. Gunzou, is this what ‘will’ is?” The idea seemed to strike a chord with the other Mental Models. The whole series had been building piece by piece to this moment. I thought it was a beautiful thing to see them take the next step to full sentience. Recognizing their own volition was the last necessary piece.
Moment 2: Iona’s Flat-Out Astonishing Badassery
Iona had to run on missiles to get close to Kongou. How badass is that? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The outcome of Iona embracing her own agency was that she took on the mission to physically visit Kongou. How did our diminutive Mental Model pull off such a feat? She road in a torpedo tube-launched missile, of course! That alone was a badass move. But did Iona stop there? No! Iona ejected from the missile (12:10), calmly (yet sternly!) assesses the situation. She has to turn away from the sight of the I-401 being hammered. Instead, she resolutely turns back toward her target and sees dozens of Kongou’s missiles heading for her. She doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t hesitate. She runs down the missiles towards Kongou! To Kongou’s credit, she adapted and altered her missiles to explode not on contact but on account of proximity. But not before Iona had gotten close enough to use her shielding to slow her fall and land on Kongou’s forward deck. The animation and sound effects really sold it, too.
Moment 3: Iona’s Resolve
“I’m sorry for being late,” Iona told Kongou as she initiated physical contact. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
After nearly being blown out of the sky, and after dodging dozens of Kongou’s mammoth swords, it almost looked like Iona was on the defensive. Maybe she was from an operational perspective, but strategically? She was in control the whole time! Her whole plan was to make physical contact with Kongou so she could communicate directly with her. The battle came to the point where Iona got slammed to the deck (13:45). Thinking her foe almost defeated, Kongou approached, wondered aloud just what Iona was, and created a smaller version of a sword — undoubtedly to slash at Iona. But Iona was ready. Almost gently, she reached out and took Kongou’s hand (13:57). “I’m sorry for being late,” Iona said, and you could hear the anguish in her voice. Anguish for Kongou’s state; anguish that Iona herself had not been able to do more. Iona grew so much during the course of this series, and it was in perfect keeping with the show’s themes that she was in that spot, in that moment, because of her own decisions.
Thoughts: Kongou and Iona
Did you see the early battle between Kongou and the I-401? That’s the sort of thing that I found so attractive the first several times I watched the show. The directing made the flow absolutely immersive. The art and sound completed the immersion. It really looked like the studio Sanzigen, which did a great job throughout the season, saved their pennies to give an especially amazing battle to start the episode.
And they didn’t stop there. The whole episode looked that good.
In the Thoughts section for the previous episode, we talked about how Kongou was in mental anguish. It wasn’t that she was enraged. She was hurting. Iona saw that and acted on it. What I thought was so effective about this episode was how it portrayed Kongou’s state.
Look at how Kongou fought Iona, especially after Iona touched her hand. As Iona dodged attack after attack, Kongou let slip the real emotions that were fueling her reaction. “Why can’t things stay the way they are?” she practically sobbed (18:50). “I don’t need change! I don’t need relationships! I was find being alone!”
Even as she pounded Iona, Kongou couldn’t suppress her tears. She was terrified and didn’t know what to do about it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Her agony hit me right in the feels! For a show that to outsiders looks like another harem-style “let’s make everything a pretty girl,” Arpeggio of Blue Steel managed to delivery poignancy in what’s become a well-worn science fiction trope of AIs becoming feeling and sentient. We’ve talked about several of those poignant scenes in these reviews.
This episode contained the scene that brought it all together. After Iona breaks into the sealed concept communications system, she find Kongou sitting alone, knees drawn up, her face hidden. Iona quietly kneels beside her and gasps when Kongou turns her scared, tear-stained face towards her. Iona slowly puts her arms around Kongou and says, “It’s going to be okay… you don’t have to be afraid anymore” (19:52).
Up until this point, Kongou’s Death Star-like ship was intact. In a quiet voice, she asks Iona, “What’s the point of understanding each other?”
“Then we can become friends.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Iona tells Kongou. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
That’s the instant Kongou re-imaged herself. The scene dramatized it by showing the artificial garden morph into a green field. “I see,” Kongou said as the gigantic ship became to disintegrate. Then she and Iona were lying on the deck of the ship Kongou, where they had a lovely conversation that ended with Kongou asking what was Iona’s guide — the implication being, since it wasn’t the Admiralty Code, what was it?
“My own will,” Iona said (22:05).
The concept of free will is important to me. I’ve pondered its mysteries for as long as I can remember. I remember feeling actual rage at the predestination concepts in Calvinism, for example. To find these ideas treated with such respect in Arpeggio of Blue Steel was a real treat. I said I loved this show’s naval battles, and I do. I’ve joked that Takao is my favorite character (Takao? More like Tak-WOW!). But when all’s said and done, the themes are what makes it timeless.
What did you think of Kongou in this episode? What were your favorite moments? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Spoilers] Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio Episode 12 Discussion
- Rabujoi: Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova – 12 (Fin)
- MemoryNK: Arpeggio of Blue Steel Episode 12 REACTION
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 1: Those with Shipping Routes
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 2: Into the Storm
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 3: The Fortress Port of Yokosuka
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 4: Assault on Yokosuka
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 5: Not Human
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 6: Arpeggio of Blue Steel
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 7: Iwoto
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 8: House of Dolls
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 9: Desperate Escape
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 10: Devotion of Self
- Review of Arpeggio of Blue Steel – Ars Nova – Episode 11: Sisters
“I’ll say it again, this series is seriously underrated.”
The harder I watched it to review it, the more I agree. It actually got better after each viewing! I think I was distracted by the beautiful Mental Models!
” It certainly brought back some memories for me. Thanks for the review Crow!!.”
Very glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for saying so!
Kongou remains my fav character. Yeah though, I’ll say it again, this series is seriously underrated. It went largely ignored, this mostly due to HxH being aired at that time. It certainly brought back some memories for me. Thanks for the review Crow!!.