Crest of the stars

Fun but pretty awkward tbh. The stilted voicework makes the show seem really awkward. TBH it kinda works though, since Jinto is a young boy who is trying really really hard to fit into his role as a noble, and the Princess Lafiel is not even human, and has a bajillion years of royal traditions to adhere to. It's kinda cute in a way, but also pretty boring at times. It's also interesting to see how this kid was basically ushered into basically falling in line with his own opporessors. It gives a very eerie vibe to the whole thing, and its quite interesting to see how all the different peoples react to being subdued by the Abh. That aspect of it was extremely compelling. All of that playing off the (mid and cliche) romance between Jinto and Lafiel makes for a fun concept. Just note it is a little slow at times. Also did i mention they have big fucking heads?? Like god damn jinto you're built like a LIGHTBULB WITH A WIG ON!!! Also Lafiel looks really scary!! Ahh scary monster!!

The main theme is super memorable, and even though they use it a lot it doesn't ever feel that old. It's not as annoying as Maccross' My Boyfriend is a Pilot (i swear they spammed that song like 3 times per episode LOLOLOLOL)

I must say the fake language they use kinda frustrated me in the beginning, but I appreciate it's addition. It makes the world feel lived in, and that's a key part to fiction for me. A pristine universe is not one I can believe in.

Banner of the Stars 1 and 2

Much better in every way. It's worth watching Crest of the Stars for this. The non-space battle scenarios on a macro level are pretty mid honestly, but the execution of how they all unfold is absolutely stellar. I love how the characters interact with each other, especially in the really tense moments. All the characters feel pretty thought out, and it was pretty refreshing to see. I can't say I understood all the space battle jargon.. spacetime bubbles? Plane space? But I did have a blast seeing everything play out.

• The Abh are space colonizers. Do not forget this!!
• The Abh are space colonizers. Do not forget this!!
• Aww but they're so nice aren't they? Don't you wanna be colonized by the Abh???
• The Abh are EVIL space colonizers. Didn't you read three body problem??? DO NOT FORGET THIS!!
• I really liked the relationship Beneej Spoor had with her uhh vice commander? I forgor what his job was. You sorta thought she was the type to try to kick somebody's ass but in reality she was just really compotent. Her and her guy played a "good cop bad cop" role and that was kinda cool to see in some ways. I think Jinto and Lafiel did this even more so, since Jinto could relate entirely with living on a planet and interacting as a human, while Lafiel could not. In some ways Spoor was like a much more extreme version of Lafiel. Very interesting.
• The amount of characters that would rather be somewhere else is kinda stunning lol. Most of the main cast don't wanna be there for some reason or another, which I kinda get right? war is war. But they make a point to say that they'd rather not be on a battleship or rather not be nobility. What were the creators trying to say here?
• Jinto should have died. The post credits sequence did not rizz me up that much tbh. Him dying was way more interesting and way more perfectly directed, even if it was fortold in the opening scene. As a matter of fact, Jinto's apparent death is in the beginning of the series, but after he "dies" for realzies.. we get a five minutes scene where he is like totally fine, everybody quits the ship, and Lafiels father won back Jinto's planet from the United Mankind and he gets to return. Like wha? Idk i wanted to see him dead that was satisfying to me for some reason. Big headded ass.
• The full version of the opening theme is the flavor the show needed. I can't stop listening to it along with the piano version.
• United Mankind is a fucking cool name for a group.
• Watching the Bebaus bros interact with each other was pretty fun too. It was really funny to see the ship crew get annoyed with their banter.
• I've listened to the main theme like a hundred times now, and i think it has a really haunting beauty to it. Wonder curiosity, fear, and fierce loyalty all in one track. It's very very well crafted. The lead up and release with G, G#, G, A# G#, G, F, G, D is super gorgeous and romantic. I really can't get enough of it. What can i say? I'm a sucker for the strings.
• Samson is a cool chill motherfucker. I'll have a drink with him.
• The way they honor the machines really characterizes things a lot. It makes sense, since the Abh basically live by the whim of their machines, they must care deeply for them in ways that land dwellers might not fully grasp.
• I like how this show really doesn't shy away from any of the stuff that happens despite feeling like it wants to.
• The brain usb technology is a pretty neat way of commanding a ship. More of this please.

Jinto shoulda died tho. I haven't seen part 3 yet. Don't know if I will. But either way I had fun.