IGPX Episode 26: The End...and the Beginning
Original Japanese title: The End...and the Beginning
Team Satomi and Team White Snow are still fighting for the finals. But Team Satomi is about to face something nobody expected to see: a big mech composed of all three of White Snow's mechs. Satomi isn't about to give up. Will they give it their all and pull off a win for the second year in a row? This episode features the first time an episode has ended without the words "To Be Continued", but, instead, the slogan "WE WILL NEVER STOP" appears.
Spoilers Below
Don't scroll down any further if you want to avoid spoilers! The action reports, music credits and screenshots contain some spoilers from the episode!
Report #1
Team Satomi Crushes Team White Snow
A race full of never-before-seen attacks that break all rules known for how mechs work!
The day that will decide who is the best and strongest team of the 2049 IGPX Season has arrived. This year saw the quick pairing of four teams who were tied for first place at the end of the Regular Season into two semi-finals races. The two teams that advanced by winning those matches were two-time playoffs entrants Team Satomi and first-timers to the IG-1, Team White Snow.
Team White Snow was at the top of their game in the Regular Season. In their match with Team Satomi, Amy was injured and had to miss racing the next two races. The "Puppet Master" attack that they used against Team Satomi was banned by the IGPX Arbitration Committee, citing that attacks that enter into opposing teams' operating systems and take control away from the pilots are considered prohibited maneuvers. They have seen in increase of fans who recognize that they are "an unfair team", but there are some fans who say that they are a team, saying, "you can look forward to White Snow pulling something new out of their sleeve every time they race." Andrei (Rocket G), the coach working for Team Satomi, is said to have stated these words before the race: "Don't write us off just yet." These words would soon become true.
Team Satomi allows Team White Snow to have the lead for the entirety of the first lap and then proceeds to make the first move in the second lap. But something totally unexpected was awaiting them. Zanak's mech copied all of Takeshi's moves one-for-one. It was like having two songs composed by a skilled musician played at the same time and yet feeling in-sync. That was almost the only way people were describing it after the race. But if that wasn't enough, it was like there was a mirror being held to Zanak and Takeshi. That mirror was Judy attacking Liz and Max attacking Amy in the same way - copying their every move. Punches and kicks were thrown in this all-out dogfight, and all the mirrored moves were making contact without the slightest bit of difference from their original counterparts.
One would think there couldn't be any more novel ideas from Team White Snow at this point. Then they decided to focus their efforts on Takeshi. It transformed from a 1-on-1 battle to a 3-on-1 battle. Team White Snow surprisingly attacks Takeshi with so much vigilance that Liz and Amy eventually have to intervene. They reach Team White Snow and stop them. Team Satomi breathes a sigh of relief, but this was only the prologue to Team White Snow's ultimate plan.
Audiences were about to witness what appeared to be a new mech constructed on the race track itself by Team White Snow. Using parts from all three mechs, White Snow stacked parts on top of each other, forming a new mech unit. What appeared before everyone's eyes was a mech nearly twice as big as a normal mech that stretched the width of the track and each of the six arms seemed to be able to stretch over 45 feet away from the main body. This was a mech never before seen in the IGPX.
The official rulebook states, "Teams are prohibited from using attacks with parts that completely detach from the mechs, (intentionally or unintentionally)". However, the parts of the giant mech called "Snowman" were considered to be properly connected to each mech. Furthermore, with rules stating that switching out parts during pit stop repairs is allowed, there was no way for officials with the IGPX to be able to suddenly declare the Snowman's assembling as prohibited and stop the race from continuing.
Takeshi was the first pilot to try attacking the newly formed Snowman. It wasn't able to do much to the Snowman. But this didn't stop the three members of Team Satomi from trying to attack the Snowman from all directions. The swiftness used here was reminiscent of the swiftness with which Takeshi used when he fought Cunningham (of Team Velshtein). If you watched closely, Team Satomi was dodging every attack put out by Team White Snow. But they wouldn't be able to win the race by dodging alone.
In the third lap, as they approached the "Spiral", Team Satomi took their final gamble. The three pilots stacked themselves on top of each other, even surpassing the Snowman's height. Takeshi used air-based attacks, while Amy used arm-based attacks and Liz used feet-based attacks. They were able to throw the Snowman off its balance. Seeing an opening in Team White Snow's defense, Team Satomi changes into Speed Mode and aims straight for the finish line. Contrast that with Team White Snow, who were thrown off balance and were late switching into Speed Mode.
The fastest mech from Team White Snow, Max, passes Liz and Amy and closes in on Takeshi, in the lead. But even the few seconds being late changing into Speed Mode was enough to cost White Snow the victory. Takeshi gets the checkered flag to end the 2049 IG-1 Season! In this moment, Team Satomi shined most brightly, becoming the champions of the 2049 season of the IGPX!
Last year, Team Satomi dethroned Team Velshtein, the team who was once said to have been the unwavering king of the IGPX. This year, they overcame seven races to become champions again, making IGPX history. What team in 2050 will be able to beat this team with the strength that these three team members have honed? We're already getting excited for the next season of the IG-1!
Music Credits
Toonami Version
"15 Levels of Magnification"
By Neotropic
Album: 15 Levels of Magnification
Heard: At the beginning of the episode
"Everything Is Under Control" (DJ Kentaro Mix)
By Coldcut
Album: Everything Is Under Control
Heard: After Andrei gives the team a short pep talk
"Ruthless"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Soundtrack
Heard: After Max says that she'll take over
"El Cargo"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Soundtrack
Heard: Towards the end of the race
"Chicken Spit"
By Pest
Album: Necessary Measures
Heard: When the race is over
"Coke & Wet (Instrumental)"
By Spankrock
Album: YoYoYoYoYoYo Instrumentals
Heard: When Team White Snow talk to Team Satomi
"Extra Life"
By Hexstatic
Album: Master-View
Heard: Towards the end of the last conversation and continuing when Cunningham speaks to them
"Freedom" (Fila Brazillia Mix)
By DJ Food
Album: Refried Food
Heard: After Yuri finishes talking to Takeshi
"A Letter from Home"
By Ulrich Schnauss
Album: A Strangely Isolated Place
Heard: When Takeshi and Liz talk on the roof
"Backyard Betty (Instrumental)"
By Spankrock
Album: YoYoYoYoYoYo Instrumentals
Heard: As the scene changes to the next race in 2051
"Verbal" (Kid 606 Remix)
By Amon Tobin
Album: Verbal Remixes & Collaborations
Heard: The last song of the episode
Production I.G Version
"Thunder Struck"
By John Powell
Album: Action 2 (not commercially available)
Heard: At the beginning of the episode
"Red Heat (Perc Mix)"
By Brian De Mercia
Album: Epic Adventure (not commercially available)
Heard: As Team Satomi and Team White Snow attack each other
"Fatal State"
By James Brett
Album: Epic Adventure (not commercially available)
Heard: When Max says she'll take over
"Go For It! (Instrumental)"
By Granrodeo
Album: Go For It!
Heard: Towards the end of the race
"Victory Quest"
By John Powell
Album: WWII in HD (Music from the Original History Channel Series)
Heard: After the race, at the end of the talk between Team White Snow and Team Satomi and continuing for a bit
"Pearlfisher"
Licensed Track (not commercially available)
Album: Ethereal Journeys 5
Heard: After Yuri finishes talking to Takeshi.
"Getting Pumped ALT"
Licensed Track (not commercially available)
Album: Alternate Emotions
Heard: Towards the end of Takeshi and Liz's talk on the roof
"Verbal (Topo Gigio Remix)"
By Amon Tobin
Album: Verbal Remixes & Collaborations
Heard: When Liz and Takeshi walk into the celebration
together
"Let's Roll"
By Donn Wilkerson
Album: Killer Stage & Screen 1A
Heard: The last song of the episode
Additional Information
US original broadcast date: August 26, 2006
Japan original broadcast date: Never broadcasted
Toonami Version Differences
- One brief shot of Max's mech is changed. In the Production I.G version, this shot of her mech fades into Max herself. In the Toonami version, it only shows the shot of Max.
- To avoid the appearance of nudity since this episode was aired on Toonami, the Toonami version puts a bright red color over the original yellow color of the skins of the Team Satomi pilots in the dreamlike sequence seen toward the end of the race. The faces of the pilots remain yellow.
Screenshot Gallery
