Toward the Terra - 22
Oh my god. Just when you thought this anime couldn’t get any better it surpasses itself! This episode was utterly, utterly incredible. Obviously, spoilers are going to follow. Do not read this entry if you have yet to see this episode.
This episode really blew me away, and it also convinced me that Toward the Terra is going to make it into my top-10 favourite anime ever. It’s just that good.
This episode was all about Keith, Tony and Matsuka. It starts with a small recap, after which we switch Keith and the commanders of the human fleet. Matsuka notices that something is wrong with Keith, but can’t quite put his finger to what it might be. He then retreats to his chamber, with Matsuka following him after being warned not to get used by Keith too much by the sub-commander.
Matsuka asks why Keith let him live, despite his belief that every Myu is a monster. Keith merely replies that he did this to fight monsters with monsters. When Matsuka asks what’s going to happen to him once the Myu are defeated, Keith merely answers that he’ll dispose of him as well.
Tony, meanwhile, has become infuriated with Keith’s new plan of using fellow Myu as a hostage near Jupiter, so he goes out on his own to stop Keith. Jomie meanwhile decides to head straight toward Terra, though he plans to save one ship and the three remaining Myu in order to save the space-station containing the Myu.
Matsuka meanwhile finds out why Keith is acting weird when he accidentally touches him: SAM DIED! God dammit! That’s why he gave Keith his toy: he probably knew that he didn’t have much time anymore. Keith immediately orders him to leave, which leaves him unprotected for Tony, whom Matsuka notices too late to come in action.
Tony introduces himself and tries to strangle Keith, as a revenge for his comrades who died. He makes sure to do it slowly, which turned out to be a grave mistake, as it allowed Keith to actually call out for Matsuka, and Matsuka to go berserk. This power allows him to become of equal level as Tony, so he decides to not waste time anymore and kill Keith while he still has the chance. Matsuka, however acts as a human shield for Keith, dying in his place. Tony retreats, suffering because he just killed one of his own kind.
Seriously, that was incredible. I’m amazed at the ease at which the past few episodes have made me cry. Also take a note when Keith was unconscious and struggling for his life: both Sam and Shiroe flash before his eyes, but he can’t reach both of them: both have failed to save him. And then Matsuka appears, and easily manages to grabs his hand and pull him back. It’s awesome to see that Matsuka has finally received his moment of recognition; he died like a true hero.
NOOOO!!!! Matsuka! *sob*
Comment by Mythophile — September 9, 2007 @ 0:34
NOO, why do all the poeple i like die. first shiroe then blue and now matsuka.
Comment by D — September 9, 2007 @ 4:04
Oh man. I was going to wait for subs, but I have to go download the raw. I wonder what Keith is going to do next. Everyone he ever cared or had around is now dead. Same and Matsuka dead…. I don’t see anything but destruction and sadness next episode.
Comment by melissa — September 9, 2007 @ 9:05
For all the cold efficiency that Keith has been made to be by the machines, deep inside him lies his humanity. Hiding his emotions deep inside himself but slowly and surely being dragged up - Shiroe’s death hit him hard enough for him to shed his first tears, Sam’s death had him acknowledging it by now wearing an earring on his right ear lobe, and now Matsuka’s death has him outwardly showing his feelings. The progressive tearing down of the “machine”.
Comment by leongsh — September 9, 2007 @ 10:14
I wasn’t so sure that Jomie would actually save the Mu station since he’s been so focused on getting to Terra. Glad I was wrong. I wonder if he’ll have time to meet with his parents and Leticia… too few episodes left. :O(
Comment by sylvan — September 9, 2007 @ 19:27
WTH!!! Matsuka Died!!! Increible serie (awesome) no puedo creerlo ahora falta solo la derrota humana!!! Sugoi sugoi sugoi!!!
Comment by Neflyte49 — September 9, 2007 @ 20:29
I agree with tearing down the machine part. I think the one flaw in this anime is they have not really done a great job portraying Keith to start with. He does actually ask questions in the manga. He’s not just a robot or machine. But other then that the one thing has been wonderful from start to finish.
I don’t think Jomy will ever meet his parents. He had the chance to, but didn’t.
Comment by melissa — September 10, 2007 @ 10:24
Oh!Oh!!This is the second episode that moved me that much! The first one is Shiroe’s death and now it’s Matsuka’s. The feeling of these two episodes are much greater than that in Blue’s death!
Comment by Hoshia — September 10, 2007 @ 15:43
A find that the Keith/Matsuka connection was done amazingly well, especially Matsuka’s last scene — helping Keith with his hand, and his last tear.
Comment by Shiro — September 10, 2007 @ 23:03
I had to wait to read this post until I had watched the episode because I had a feeling about what was coming; I was right … but despite the fact that Matsuka had become my favorite character and I hated to see him die, this was an amazing episode. On the other hand, waiting for the final two (!!) episodes is driving me crazy; I hope the ending is worthy of how amazing this series has become.
Comment by Senna — September 11, 2007 @ 0:12
Why????!
I knew Matsuka would die but wow, this is just about the first time any anime episode has made me cry like this.
Comment by Rosegirl18 — September 12, 2007 @ 1:38
All i can say is Wow!!!
Comment by Kurik — September 16, 2007 @ 6:13
MATSUKA I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!! CRIED SO HARD WHEM YOU DIED… TOPPLED OVE LE CHEVALIER DEON AS MY NO. 1 ANIME!!!!!
Comment by ISABELLAINSANITY — October 21, 2009 @ 12:18
I enjoy how this anime keeps remind us that Keith is in the end just human. All the attempts on his life would have probably succeeded if not for Matsuka’s protection, unfortunately nobody except keith himself knows about Matsuka’s heroics and in the end he died like all true heroes do.
Comment by tazman0208 — March 7, 2010 @ 19:37
this episode is juSt so DAMN grEat!!!i had always admired Matsuka!!! and dAng!! i jUst cRied and cRied tiL i tHought i could no longer breathe!!i cried wHen sHiroe and bLue diEd…oH, but whAt the f**k??!!! theY couLd nOt comPare to whAt i feLt whEn mAtsuka diEd!!i don’t remember an anime that made me cRy so f***ing hard!!! toward the terra…this is just oNe of the bESt of the bEsT!!!!!absolutely lOve it!!!XD
Comment by cRystaL — September 29, 2011 @ 13:37