Pikachus don't really have a long life. Every new season is a new pikachu. They just replace him without anyone noticing. Kind of like what your parents did with your pets.
Well... I stopped my order of Unlimited Blade Works. I promised myself I'd stop using up all my money on limited editions and such so I'll wait a bit and see if play-asia picks it up sometime soon. This is harder than I though... orz I think I'll still get the light novels though since they are available domestically via Kinokuniya and I don't have to pay a $30 mark up.
The more I think about it the more I believe that Oberstein is the best character in LOGH.
Let's take a look at the candidates:
Siegfried Kircheis: It is heavily implied that he was equal to Reinhard himself, in terms of tactical and strategic skill. Although he might not have been very politically minded, he was a capable commander by virtue of his straightforwardness. Remember, although Yang Wenli could successfully cast Charm Person on any of his subordinates, Siegfried was the only one to ever cast Charm Person on Yang himself.
And he remained a strong presence in the series even after his death. Had he been alive, Siegfried would've served as Oberstein's foil, but his early death places him in the pantheon of "Characters who could've been great if they didn't keel over." Not that he wasn't a good character. Actually, he was my favorite up until his death, but he didn't really have an impact especially during some of LOGH's critical moments in Parts 2 and 3.
Yang Wenli: Yang, while a lovable goofball, is a good example of "so honest it hurts". He will willingly make a decision that most others would consider ludicrous while knowing the sacrifices involved if it meant adhering to his principles. This is a common character flaw in most truly "good" characters and Yang is no exception. Also, considering
his uneventful death at the hands of a ragtag bunch of terrorists/terraists, he never fulfilled his full potential and instead left his work to Julian and the rest of his crewmates.
Reinhard von Lohengramm: He was a domineering presence during the first part of the series, but once you got into parts 3 his awesomeness really diminished when it becomes
clear that he is guilty of the same overbearing bravado so pervasive among the lesser admirals in part 1. The only difference between Reinhard and those idiots is that the former picks his battles such that going on the offensive is not a stupid move. Later on, he nearly completely relegated his command of the army to his admirals. The only decision he made was which admirals go where. While he was still in control of the strategy, he had no presence on the tactical front, and that had the most screentime. And, despite his numerous talented admirals, he still could not defeat Yang even in unfair conditions, making you realize that maybe his success was really buoyed by the idiocy that surrounded him at the beginning.
Furthermore, his illness and subsequent death was really... Something. I don't know the right word for it, it's not as bad to be described as an asspull but it wasn't really satisfying either.
Oberstein: Oberstein's character was established from the very start, and he never wavered even until the end of the series. He had no regard for his own life, nor that of anyone else's. What he did care about was the Lohengramm dynasty, which was to him just a tool for ensuring peace and stability. People were numbers to him, but this is the only way to guarantee fair treatment of everyone. In a twisted way his sense of justice was the most absolute one out of the philosophies of all the previous three. This fact was acknowledged by most characters who had dealings with him, and it's why they revile him and it's also why they can't argue against him. Although he never dominated the stage, he was, more often than anyone else, playing the tune to which all the major actors danced to. Thus, he was not only the backstage presence behind Reinhard and the Lohengramm dynasty, but perhaps the shadow of the entire series. Furthermore, while all the previous characters had shortcomings due to character flaws or narrative necessity, Oberstein is the only one whose flaws are also what makes him a strong character.
That and, of all the deaths, his was probably the most true to his character. Perhaps a case could be made for Siegfried's sacrifice, which was a very emotional moment. But because of how deeply it affected Reinhard, the viewer's pity is divided between the two budding conquerors. Oberstein, however, monopolized his own death, because no one was there to mourn him. In death, as in life, his thoughts and motives always belonged to him. That and I love tragic characters.
Finally Hikaru gets off his ass
Found in a Lingerie store? Arkward
Wait a minute i heard that name befor..OH shit
They all know his dirty secret (owned)
Minmay being ridiculously positive and/or naive.
Hikaru still not saying what he wants, great pic though.
That barrier is like playing and arcade game, nice
That Macross attack was pretty boss and they look just like us but bigger.
Ep 7
The horrors of War
Misinformation from the Military? Expected as much
Misa had someone, cool
That Zentradi dude is ruthless
The typical "i want to go where he/she is" act
Hikaru and Global saving the day
Ep 8
Its Minmays Earthstrong day, Yay
Hikaru gets a prize and some cronies
Kakazaki - Jovial, knows how to have a good time
Max - more normal compared to Kakizaki, reserved.
Misa hating on the new boss.
Minmay look great, max laying the charm :lol
"Training Exercise" yeah that's it.
Pissed at no gift *sigh* and max coming with a save.
After Battle: Max is the boss, Kakizaki sucks.
Not a bad gift Hikaru given the circumstances
Ep 9
Oh look a contest, i wonder who is gonna win?
The shot were Minmay looks on is really great.
Misa entering could have been hilarious
Captain "Dirty old man" Global :lol
Dick move miss Jamis, dick move
The Zethan recon is hilarious and their reactions to the feed is even more.
And the winner is? you know who (take that Jamis)
The final part of Hikaru's reaction was spot on imo
Doraemon and Conan, to name a few, are well into the thousands. You can't really compare kids' animes because they never end and nothing happens to the characters that last.
So I got EOIII in the mail today. Time to choose some classes! HELP, LOGH GAF.
Guild Name: Iserlohn
Ship Name: ???
Tentative Character list:
Farmer: Yang
Zodiac or Ninja: Oberstein
Prince: Reinhard (duh)
Gladiator(?): Siegfried
And one last empty slot. Of course if I leave out Yang then I could have all 5 slots filled with empire dorks. And I can make a sister team of democracy hoes. But I can't think of any more empire characters I like that much, maybe Mariendorf and Merkatz.
Merkatz - Bucock
Hilda - Frederica
Reinhard - Yang
Siegfried - Julian
Oberstein - Oberstein has no equal on the empire side