Recap: Kaito discovers the impossible: a football-sized meteorite with the powers of a monopole. Theories are thrown about, but little is actually done. Instead, efforts are focused on convincing Akiho that Gun-Build1 needs to make way for a mark 2.

Gee’s Thoughts: This week, the robotics club discusses what went wrong with the original GunPro 1 and what can be done to prevent it from occurring again. Before all that though, Kai bears witness to an old RPG standby; “The magical rock that descends from nowhere” plot device. True to form, the mysterious mono-pole  a magnet with only one pole, which in theory, is a physical impossibility, falls from the sky next to Kai, whom I suppose in this situation, would be the equivalent of our fated chosen one. Already, I can tell this thing will likely be the mysterious sci-fi power source plot device that every science fiction story in the universe relies upon.

Still, despite initial worries that this would lead to a departure from the realistic approach Robotics;Notes has run with so far, we immediately switch to Subaru harshly criticizing the original GunPro 1 and pointing out that in its current form, it will never walk. While I feel like he could have been nicer about it, I’ve come to accept that Subaru is essentially a male tsundere and he’s just acting this way because he cares. I think.

Accepting the reality of the situation, they talk to Nae at JAXA and after discussing it, Akiho must come to a decision. To create a practical robot, she must forsake everything that made the GunPro1 so special. But to accept that means to give up on her sister’s dream of completing it. In the end, the advice and encouragement come from Kai of all people, in a manner I can’t help but admire.

This episode was a great developing moment for Akiho. While she’s always been an enthusiastic girl with dreams, it’s interesting to see her come to realize that she can still fight for her dreams while working with the limitations that reality imposes on us. She may not be able to create the GunPro 1 right now, but she can make it to the expo and show the world the efforts of her and her club. And in that sense, it’s just as inspiring of a dream. And so, I too shall keep believing in her. Even if the rest of her team is…something.

Marlin’s Thoughts:

I suppose it was finally time for Robotics;Notes to show us its slightly explainable pseudoscience macguffin. It is interesting that, while the Time Machine was always the focus of Steins;Gate, Robotics;Notes has decided to take its time in developing its science mystery. Undoubtedly these monopoles will lead them to a clash with NASA, but my question is how will they effect things in the long run? While it may seem like a distant memory the fact remains that this world’s sun is explicitly stated to be dying. Either this is just a show about the pyrrhic victories of life even in the face of Armageddon, or they are going to have to be the ones to fix it right?

It was interesting to see how the past episode somewhat humbled Akiho, but didn’t kill her can-do attitude. I’ve also started to cotton up to Subaru much better. He makes a report showing how infeasible her plans are, but not to crush her dreams like her father, just to change them into something more manageable. Kai is also a little better this week, and though he did ask to meet with Subaru alone there’s no reason to continue messing around with Akiho about things related to Airi and Geji, especially considering the time she risked her neck to come find him. All in all, it was nice to see the band around a new idea and finally actually feel like a cohesive unit. I’m still not sure what Jun will be able to do in all honesty, besides be adorable. I suppose that might be a story for a later character arc but for now I’ll enjoy seeing Aki and her genki self get pumped up for a new project.