The Rock of Steel (Beast 18 discussion)

Crimson Seiko

Let me start by clarifying that I'm NOT writing an episode summary for Beast 18. I don't know Japanese and I'm not going to pretend I do. (If anyone wants to contribute a full summary within this topic, have at it.) However, I've noticed some users are getting a little disheartened that there hasn't been any new topics regarding Beast episodes lately. I understand that those capable of writing good summaries are busy, but I figure some users would appreciate at least knowing a little bit about what's going on this week in Rockman EXE.

So, I'll just toss in some tidbits for this week's episode (though it's hard to scrounge up many; this episode really drug on)...

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Beast 18 - The Rock of Steel (02.04.2006)
Character introductions (and re-introductions): Dotarou (with Groundman), Press (with Dustman), Mrs. Millionaire
Art Direction: Yasuo Shimizu (also does Beast 2, 5, 8, 12, 15)

Eye-Catches: Enzan/Blues and Dingo/Tomahawkman (they really should have drawn eye-catches for Meiru/Roll and Laika/Searchman...)

Here's Capcom's summary (translated by Heat Man):
Enzan and Meiru drop by a rural town in search of Netto and the others, and meet Dotarou and Press of an excavation and recycling contractor. The seemingly wealthy female Millionaire has called on Dotarou and the others there. Millionaire wants them to excavate through some solid bedrock in a rocky mountain with Groundman and Dustman to unearth a precious item. Though Dotarou and Press are glad to take the job, Enzan feels that Millionaire's conduct is suspicious and starts to investigate. Meanwhile, Meiru comes to help Dotarou and Press at the rocky mountain.

Note: BLG = Beast Link Gate (the "PETs" Beyondard humans use)
It's unclarified whether they're still called BLGs in the anime or if the anime is passing them off as Beyondard PETs (since that's certainly how they're being used now). But until I'm told otherwise, I'll call them BLGs.

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- This episode was fairly filler-ish; there weren't any enemies at all (other than a giant-sized Beast Mett). As far as I could gather, Dotarou and Press work with/under Mrs. Millionaire to dig through a rocky mountain. Millionaire needs them to unearth something which doesn't become really evident until the very end: it seems people were trapped in that mountain. Meiru goes with the three to help dig while Enzan, who seems suspicious of Millionaire's intentions, goes his own way, helping in the end.

- This is a fully Meiru/Enzan-centric episode (though Enzan is fairly silent and absent). Netto, Laika, and Dingo weren't present a single time. (On another note, neither was Blues.)

- Press looks a lot like Charlie. =P

- Dotarou and Press have a love/hate kind of relationship (e.g. they'll be fighting over spaghetti at one instance and then hugging and laughing the next.)

- Groundman and Dustman are customizable. Basically, they have removable attachments and what-not to change, for example, Groundman's drill presses. At one point, they use attachments so Dustman can connect to Groundman from behind; Groundman drills through the rock while Dustman pushes him forward. However, both navis (and Roll) constantly dematerialize from overworking themselves, having to retreat to their PETs/BLGs. It seems navis can't stay outside of their PETs/BLGs in Beyondard for too long.
Update: Ryouko clarifies that they weren't overworking themselves; navis have a 10 minute time limit in the real world before they go into automatic sleep mode. More information can be found in Ryouko's post below.

- On another note, Dotarou and Press have different BLGs; Dotarou has blue and Press has red. (The red is Falzer and the blue is Grega. I'm still not sure why humans in Beyondard have BLGs themed after the two cyber beasts.)

- Millionaire's character is a lot different from her single appearance in the original EXE. I somehow expected otherwise, so maybe it was just me, but Mrs. Millionaire was not an enemy. Actually, she was an extremely passionate, kind-hearted woman. She's so determined to dig through that rocky mountain that she's eventually clawing at the rocks with her fingernails (until Dotarou stops her, which sends her to tears). Furthermore, she doesn't seem to have any connection to Zoano-Snakeman that was deleted a few episodes ago...

- Groundman and Dustman mirrored Gutsman's typical heart-eyed behavior towards Roll. It seems she's attractive to big-lug navis.

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Next Week
Beast 19: Iiiit's the Secret of the Lake (02.11.2006)
Character introductions (and re-introductions): Chirol (with Circusman), Kurohige (with Diveman)
Art Direction: Akira Takahashi (also does Beast 1, 4, 5, 9, 11, 16)

Capcom's summary (translated by Heat Man):
Dingo and Laika are reunited with Netto in Phakchi's village. Dingo goes out to the mountain in search of curry ingredients, but he is attacked by the submarine type Navi: Diveman, who seizes his reward. Dingo intrudes into a lake castle while following Diveman, he finds out that the keepers of the castle, Kurohige and Chirol, are cooperating with Zoano Darkman and using the lakewater to govern neighboring villages. Furthermore, Iris is imprisoned in the castle. Dingo and Tomahawkman come to rescue Iris, and get into battle with Chirol's Navi: Circusman.

- Diveman has legs. I wasn't sure either.
(There's not really anything in the next week preview that isn't mentioned in Capcom's summary.)
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**Ryouko** · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:32 am Post subject:

If anyone is confused on the limitations of materializing navis in the real world, here are the specs:

-Navis may only materialize for 10 minutes. After that time has expired, they have no energy left to function, and as you saw with Roll, will go into automatic sleep mode. If they are returned to their PETs before the time is up, then they're usually fine.

-It takes three hours to recharge the navi before they can fully use another 10 minutes of materialization. If they materialize before the recharge is complete, their time allowed in the real world is shortened. We saw this when the drillers began drilling the mountain - but they were forced to stop. Press and Dotarou mention it was because they used their navis to create the onsen earlier in the day.

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Episode 18 was cute, but Millionare was way too out of character. They really should have chosen someone else for the role. n.n; I really did like Dotarou and Press though, their determination was heartwarming. "Money what?! We see it through to the end for pride!"

Poor Enzan though. :P
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Crimson Seiko · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

Thanks. That really does clear up things. I figure the navis were just getting worn out (though it doesn't make much sense why Roll suddenly dropped). It's a bit lame the writers decided to limit the navis' times in the real world. I would have really preferred seeing Rockman and Netto walk around together instead of him having to STILL hang out in the PET. (On a side-note, anyone else notice this time limit doesn't seem to apply to Trill? He was walking around with Netto last episode no problem, and apparently, is doing it again next week.)
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Dingo · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

I think the time limit seems a bit more realistic. Think about it: nothing's perfect, even in an alternate dimension.

About the episode:

- Lovin' the Dotarou/Press team. They seem to be a lighthearted, hard-working band of miners just doing what they love. Can't wait to see more of them!

- Beyondard is seeming more like a Bizzaro world in some cases. This time, Millionaire was the victim. In the real world, she's a selfish little witch. In Beyondard, she's compassionate and caring. I just wonder if we'll see any more of these characters (unlike Narcy/VideoMan).

- ...But like any fanboy, I can't wait till next episode. More Dingo/TomahawkMan goodness! ^_^
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Even though Millionaire got bizarroed, I'm really impressed with the episode... They managed to pull off some really good scenes in this episode and had a couple of new BGMs which I liked a lot.

A full summary for the episode will come later today.

Anime Master ZERO · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:20 am Post subject:

Midnight · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:53 am Post subject:

Mmhmm.

As the majority of you, I do believe Millions was far out of character, since last we saw of her, she was rather haughty, and Enzan didn't exactly appreciate being used as a pawn...

The two operators are somewhat cute. Although they both are rather klutzy at times, they shined during their respective moments, and it was nice to see them work well in tandem with one another...and their sheer determination to do what they do.

Ahh, thanks Ryo. It definitely clears a lot of things up--but the time limit, although somewhat expected, seems to be a touch long...since projection of energy into matter would require an immense amount...something that ten minutes seems an eternity for and would consume an incredible amount of energy. Then again...
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rockzero.exe · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:46 pm Post subject:

Hmm. A 10-minute transmission, is it? So, about Zoanaroids and independent navis, since they have no operator, they have the ability to stay outside as longas they want, correct? This question seems obvious, but please clarify with me here.

Also, regarding Cross Fusion, from what I've seen in Beast 16, could it be that the person who crosses in the Beyondard World has a much shorter time limit than operated navis?

Wackoman.EXE · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:14 pm Post subject:

Wow. Millionaire being a good guy? Me thinks they should've put in Ran or some Tamako (then again they're not wealthy). I'm really starting tolike Dustman, his design is growing on me. I don't care much for Groundman, and their operators are kind of interesting. Best point of this ep was easily seeing Dustman and Groundman working together. VACUUM DRILL AWAY!
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Kirbopher15 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:46 pm Post subject:

Eh, not bad. God, ever since Beast started they've been making Mayl into a total DORK episode after episode XD Press/Dustman and Dotaro/Groundman are...interesting. Got some pretty funky but unique character designs, and the only gripe I had was their wierd-as-hell grunting noises for when they start drilling. Loved that Roll-obsession scene though :P Despite there not actually being a fight scene and we've only got to see these new characters for a little while, I think I actually COULD feel a lot of the force behind their big drilling mission, and I only got the basic idea of it.

Mayl: Hey Roll, let's help! :D
Roll: OKAY :D

*futilly pushes behind Dustman*

Dustman: With the power of these two little girls pushing my ass, OUR STRENGTH AWAKENS!!

*plows through walll*

Also, Beyondard Millions was actually pretty cool. For some reason I like her more as a good guy than I do as a mean, lazy-ass baddie in the regular world...and Diveman speaks with a pipe. SAVE ME. XD

Unknown Neo · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

I thought it was an ok episode. The team of dustman/groundman and NetOPs were interesting. And mrs. millionare is very different then she was that one time.

ComicX6 · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

I'm wondering, did it say where Press and Dotaru were going in their trailer home in the end? Cause I thought that Meiru and Enzan would hitch a ride with them. A decent ep, but I do wish we'd get some more BGMs, cause the anime has reused most of its music throughout all 4 seasons.
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AngelfanA16 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:42 am Post subject:

Crimson Seiko · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject:

ComicX6 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

Yes, that's what I mean, we've been hearing mostly the same music since Axess, with a few new ones thrown in every now and then, but we still have the same danger music, crossfusion music, etc, and frankly, I'm getting tired of hearing them.

Now, let's get back on topic.
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Crimson Seiko · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:31 pm Post subject:

Since Beast has been running, there's been a ton of new BGM themes. It seems like the soundtrack has only just recently reverted back to using a lot of the old Axess/Stream songs, but for the most part, Beast has a fairly large soundtrack unique to itself.
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**Sketch** · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject:

There were a lot of songs in Episode 4 that were new. Like at the end, never heard that one before.

I enjoyed this episode, Press is probably my favorite out of the duo. He does look like Charlie, but I like his design, and that hat rocks. XD
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Nenji · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:17 pm Post subject:

Plus, the new Cross Fusion theme is nice along with the Beast Out theme.

I'll post my comments on the episode when I download it though, since I'm still on 15. I'm eager to see the Ops of Dust and Groundman since I played EXE 6 Greiga though.
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Slifer. EXE · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

I liked this episode, the only problem I had was that it was a Meiru ep. Ms. Millions was pretty, and I must say that Press is kinda cute ^^. He could be Dr. Suess =o
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To Crimson Seiko: allow me to congratulate you on getting quite a lot of points in the episode correctly. Indeed, a WHOLE lot better than when I first watched a non-subbed anime ^_^

Allow me to clarify some points: