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HIKARU: THE NEW DEAL (EP 26-30)
EPISODE 26 - 27 (PART 1)
Episode 25 represented the final episode of the first airing of Grendizer in Italy (6th May 1978). I still remember myself shaking for emotions at its end, and wondering what the hell would have happened in the rest of the story. I had to wait 7 months for knowing the answer. And I still remember my big surprise seeing ep26 beginning, plus my astonishment continuing for the whole episode – I did not even realised immediately the big news of Grendizer fighting against more than one monster, LOL.
Theoretically, Miss Naida is dead from few days or weeks at maximum; why does Daisuke seemed to not be sad or at least recalled her for a moment? Ep26 seems at first impression to be totally “unrelated” with the previous ones, and Daisuke – more then soon recovered from his high depression – acts here as ep25 has been a giant soap bubble ( ) exploded without leaving any trace in his soul. But as I explained, Grendizer is for me like a big matrioska doll, which we are asked to open carefully at every episode in order to find out what it really contains.
I personally consider ep26 as only a pure introduction to ep27. Ep27 is the real Grendizer episode to be analysed, while ep26 depicts only the “official” scenario (the strategic situation from the battle perspective and the need for Hikaru to get blood to survive) to be developed in details by ep27. Actually, Uehara needed more than 23 minutes to properly tell the story of (in random order) the destruction of TFO, Danbei becoming aware that aliens are not friends, Blacky’s death & Gandal being seriously injured, and the start of a new phase of Daisuke&Hikaru’s relationship. Instead to create a mess rushing to add events to events (like instead it will sadly happen in the final episodes), probably supported by the high ratings Grendizer still had at that times, the staff thought rightfully to use the necessary time to develop correctly all the elements required to properly close an era in Grendizer and to finally complete the definitive move to the “adult story” they wanted to create.
And a change in the relationship between Daisuke and Hikaru was necessary at the scope. I called this part of the post as “the new deal”, because it’s how I see the deep meaning of the blood transfusion. I repeat again what me and Suzi have already told in this Forum weeks ago: in the original version of the anime, the reference to the blood transfusion exists only in ep27 and nobody mentions it neither explicitly nor implicitly in no moment in the following 47 eps. I am sorry, my friends, but the French version (VF) is totally wrong in each moment it refers to the blood transfusion as the reason of any Hikaru’s “special power” or similar. (Gerdha refers to the fact that the VF says in several later episodes that Hikaru acquired, by transfusion, physical strength and special powers that allow her to become a fighter).
 
So, the big question is: why inserting the plot of the blood transfusion, if it is never used nor alluded after? It’s such a big event, it must have a meaning. Well, considering the previous “trilogy” (eps 23-24-25) it’s not so difficult to understand it: after all the emotions and upsettings happened in ep25, and the discover of the real personality of his former girlfriend (I won’t enter in details here), Daisuke wants to confirm his love to Hikaru. Face it: he never offered previously nor will offer later his blood to save any earthling (and in lots of cases it would have been probably useful...) but he has no hesitation towards Hikaru; from her side, Hikaru seems not to be extremely surprised for the event and simply thanks him with a smile. Paying attention to the visual aspects of the scene, we could notice enough clearly the kind of look they exchange when she takes his hands between hers. The blood transfusion is a sort of deal Daisuke exchanges with Hikaru, and given the nature of the act, it’s a treat which could not be withdrawn later...In fact, by its very nature, it is a solemn and permanent agreement: it is not that Daisuke in the future can take away from Hikaru the blood that he has given her, saying: "Sorry, I was wrong / I changed my mind, could you give me back my blood?". Since that donation has a specific psychological meaning, it is a pact that Daisuke will no longer withdraw. Because of this it is so important.
  
But, referring to Hikaru, ep27 major points of interest have still to finish. A great scene revealing a lot about her personality happens also in the cavern where she meets Daisuke bringing him Umon’s message. The argument at the farm in ep23 (where Daisuke is revealed) is not an isolated case. Hikaru – very far from being a woman needing to be helped or protected - is in reality the only character in the story who can counterpart Duke Fleed and who is able to convince him that he is wrong and to let him change his opinion or plans.
Here is the first example of the new deal: Umon has not explained all the truth in his message to Daisuke, in order to avoid him to worry for his life, but Hikaru, who knows the truth, proposes an alternative plan to free Umon and Koji and to allow also Daisuke to take the mechanical piece needed for repairing Grendizer. Daisuke worries for her (“Do you want to be killed?”). But Hikaru replies without being impressed, convincing him to change his mind.
Hikaru: Don’t you have faith in me? I succeeded in taking vegans for fools once! (when she run away)
Daisuke: It’s a high risk!
Hikaru: But Umon’s life is in danger! If we lose more time in discussions, maybe it will be too late for saving him!
Daisuke: Your life would be in danger too, don’t forget it!
Hikaru: I know, but I am ready to risk it. Come on, Daisuke, jump on and let’s go!
 
She is the one who rides Daisuke to the Centre, she is the one who treats Blacky for a fool (and as in ep23 Grendizer saves her falling from a precipice – Uehara evidently loved this circumstance ), she is the one that – in the end – saves the situation.
  
After all, Hikaru Makiba enters “de facto” in Grendizer Team in ep27, even if she will need some episodes still to make up her mind and then to let do the same to the male characters of the story...
Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 18:49
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