More WHR

The Core The Anime Forum
1

I know there’s already a Witch Hunter Robin thread here, but it’s so two weeks ago.

I’m really impressed with this show, and it only really just started to pick up. The past two episodes where Robin is attacked, and then when STNJ is attacked were awesome, especially the latter.

I’m curious about something - I’ve been trying to figure out the episode with the old witch and the one with the inquisitor. What was the point? I think I understand the inquisitor one better than the old witch one.

I’m not really saying anything of substance here… I just wanted to rant for a few sentences about how much I like this show. It’s so great!!1!1!1!11oneone!

2

Hehe I knew someone would start talking after Episode 15 aired :slight_smile: The next few eps are like the calm after the storm. Ep 14 and 15 really rocked my socks. I loved it.

Ok, I’ll try to explain my interpretions, and the significances and such. So, SPOILERS BELOW, PEOPLE!!

The old witch, Methuselah, was a 400 year old witch from the Salem Witch Trials. She was “destined” if you will, to act as sort of a savior or seer, overseeing all the witchcraft activity of her time and the times to come. Because of her rank (which I believe was uncontrollable, she was just a very powerful witch, and thus was granted eternal life), she got to live forever. As she lived on in old age, she gained a lot of knowledge pertaining to her people, their fate, their abilities, etc. This knowledge gave her the ability to control any witches power-you see this, when the electrical witch guy (I forget his name) went crazy when his power awoke-and she “shut” them off. I believe she intentionally awoke his power, in hopes of drawing STN-J closer to her. What she really wanted was Robin. She’s the one who indirectly hacked the STN-J terminals, as well.

So when Robin was drawn to her, Methuselah explained her position. She told Robin of her heritage, and the fact that every witch seems to be reborn, in a sense. At least their essence does. This is why she claims Robin was present at the burning times. On a side note, Pagan religions, such as Wicca, believes they get reincarnated after each life, and many seriously feel they were killed in the Salem Witch Trials.

She also explained that witches were decendants of a god called Saturn or Satyr, depending on what sub/dub you watch. This may or may not tie in with Christian tales-Saturn was said to “fall” from heaven because of witch spawn; he created the race, which flourished and prospered. The humans were slaves, and extremely jealous of the witches abilities, and there came a time when mutation occured within the witch genes and many of them could not pass their abilities on. This caused the downfall of the witch raced; the humans conquered them, and only rarely did the witch gene surface again. One who was born with it was obviously an outcast, or some type of filth, as you’ve probably noticed from watching the show. Because witches are heavily outnumbered, many of them are killed because of the sudden awakening of their abilties, which more often than not trigger violent personalities, or if that doesn’t happen, the witch uses it to harm others, for whatever reasons. Most who get caught using thier abilities have no idea whatsoever what’s happening to them. This is basically Methuselah’s story, I just elaborated on it, to explain the history more. After she reveals all this to Robin, she basically claims that witches and craftusers are one and the same, because, technically, they are, and no matter what they use their abilities for, they will always be witches, which Robin vehemently denies.
After this, Methuselah commits suicide and controls Robin’s fire craft to burn her to death, because she was immortal. She could never die; nothing could kill her, and she wanted her observation of witches suffering to end. The only way for her to pass on was to destroy her soul, which fire did. That’s why she needed Robin. To control her craft; all she wanted to do was die.

It’s been awhile since I saw the Inquisitor ep, so bear with me. He was the guy that tested Robin’s worthiness to become a hunter. That’s what Inquisitors do; they pick out witches and test them with orbo to see how they think and how they will react. If they pass the test, they are no longer deemed as witches, but craftusers, and end up working for Solomon and it’s many branches, such as STN-J. I think that ep was to explain how Robin came to STN-J in the first place, and how that whole hunter process worked. We also assume Amon and Karasuma went through the same test, because well…because I wont say anymore :slight_smile:

But anyways, I’m pleased to see the reaction it’s getting here in RPGC. I didn’t care much for the dub, but I still need to watch more eps to make any final judgements.

3

Thanks for the words about the Methusaleh episode - that helped. I’m still trying to get what the “difference” is between a craft user and a witch, because it doesn’t really seem like there’s any other than the violent personalities. it’s sort of like Glinda’s “Are you a good withc, or a bad witch?”

The thing with the inquisitor episode was this - was the guy they picked up and had questioned by the inquisitor important in any way, or was the entire thing just an elaborate ruse for testing Robin? That’s what I’m leaning toward, that they just picked some random witch that they hadn’t caught yet and used him as a sort of bait. I also wondered about what their deal was with Robin… they sent her to be a hunter, but it seems like she’s constantly being watched too. Do they do this with all of the craft-using hunters, or is Robin just special because this is Witch Hunter Robin and there’s got to be something wild and crazy and special about her to keep the series going?

… but, yes, I do love this show. The part in the STNJ episode where Amon goes into the elevator and puts the card in Robin’s hair was just wow.

4

Originally posted by VickiMints
Thanks for the words about the Methusaleh episode - that helped. I’m still trying to get what the “difference” is between a craft user and a witch, because it doesn’t really seem like there’s any other than the violent personalities. it’s sort of like Glinda’s “Are you a good withc, or a bad witch?”

I know, it’s kinda hard to grasp. I was wondering about that a little ago myself. Basically there’s no difference in biological aspects. The term witch is applied to someone who uses their abilities for malicious purposes, who has no idea to control, or someone who is not a hunter/craftuser. A craftuser is the term given to a witch who has their powers under control, and who will use them for the purposes of tracking down their very species. In this sense, “witch” is a derogatory term, given to someone who is unstable with the awakening of their powers, or someone who is or potentially may be a murderer. A craftuser is not looked upon as a witch, because they have their powers in check, and they’re working for Solomon (and virtually non dangerous). Karasuma is essentially a witch, since we’ve seen her scrye many times. But her scrying abilty is harmless, she’s passed the Inquisitor’s test, she’s one of STN-J’s top hunters, so. She isn’t looked upon as one, though, because of those reasons. Robin is the same, except her craft can be used to harm someone else. In WHR, there are concepts of good witches and bad witches, but the story hasn’t expanded enough yet to show you that in Robin’s case. I guess you could say a good witch is a craft user, and a bad witch is just referred to as a witch.

The thing with the inquisitor episode was this - was the guy they picked up and had questioned by the inquisitor important in any way, or was the entire thing just an elaborate ruse for testing Robin? That’s what I’m leaning toward, that they just picked some random witch that they hadn’t caught yet and used him as a sort of bait. I also wondered about what their deal was with Robin… they sent her to be a hunter, but it seems like she’s constantly being watched too. Do they do this with all of the craft-using hunters, or is Robin just special because this is Witch Hunter Robin and there’s got to be something wild and crazy and special about her to keep the series going?

I forget the details of that ep, but what I do remember was, that the guy had no importance whatsoever. We never see him again. I believe they meant to explain the process of becoming a craft user, and what happens to a witch who cant control his or her abilities. And yes, they were also checking up on Robin.

Let me put it this way, Robin and Doujima are both “special”. I can say more, but I don’t wish to reveal the end. Yes, there is a reason Robin is being watched, and so is Doujima, for the same purposes. You’ll find out why, later, and both of them didn’t have any clue about each other’s similar situation.

And yes, the end of the series takes a twisted turn. It no longer focuses soley on STN-J. Since Amon is presumably dead at this point, Robin is alone to rethink her position in life, at STN-J and as a potential witch. While doing this, she discovers who her parents were, how she was made, and just what she is. The Ultimate Technique/Craft also plays an intergral role in the series. We learn that Methuselah’s Ultimate Craft was not in her staff but it is contained somewhere’s else…Robin’s past makes her become STN-J’s new target, and when she learns of what she is, and why she was ordered to die, she personally sets her sights on the new enemy, the head of STN-J, Solomon, who has discovered what she is as well. These events are a bit disturbing actually, and the show takes a more personal turn with Robin once Amon is ousted and she has time to think. That’s all I’ll say on that, because if’s almost impossible to give away nothing when talking about the series.

A few words though on the end…you’ll be throwing things at your screen in frustration, hehe. Every WHR fan does it.

… but, yes, I do love this show. The part in the STNJ episode where Amon goes into the elevator and puts the card in Robin’s hair was just wow.

my thoughts exactly. That scene gave me chills. When i first seen a music clip of that scene, I thought they would kiss, but it didn’t work like that, dammit >< But it was beautiful nonetheless. Best ep out of the series in my opinion.

5

Craftusers are witches, but I get the feeling that they (or just Robin perhaps) just don’t realize or accept the fact that they are actually a witch, and instead believe that they are just humans blessed with these magical abilities. Believing this probably makes it easier to hunt the other witches, even the innocent ones, and as a means for Solomon to use them for its own whims.

Just wait a few more episodes, things will start clearing up nicely.

6

Edit: Whoops