A post co-written by bitmap and Dez The first few weeks of the summer season have passed, and they have not been without their pleasant surprises. But one show has managed to capture our imagination beyond all others. It signals the long-awaited return of a certain infamous director back working on a television series; full of sexually-charged imagery, it's a show just waiting to be dissected as the weeks go on. The first episode threw so many things at us on a thematic, visual and conceptual level that we found it a welcome relief amidst the myriad of moe-pandering shows the industry cranks out. To be frank, we were left speechless, and more importantly, eagerly awaiting the next episode. And so, we, bitmap and Dez, decided that we had to episodically blog it. Of course, we're talking about Kaitō Tenshi Twin Angel ~Kyun Kyun☆Tokimeki Paradise!!~ (localized as Twin Angel - Twinkle Paradise for online English distribution). Let's go fever time! bitmap: Well, I think the part of this first episode that really stands out in one's mind is its recurring sexual visual motifs. It's not unexpected, of course, considering the director, Yoshiaki Iwasaki, notable for his directorial work in Revolutionary Girl Utena, although he is perhaps most familiar for having directed both Love Hina and the first season of The Familiar of Zero. The most immediately accessible image that we as the viewers are exposed to is that of the cherry. As the school logo of St. Cherine's Academy, it features prominently in both the female school uniform, which has cherry-shaped ornaments connected to the front ribbons, and in decorations such as windows and paintings. The cherry persists as a symbol of purity and virginal sanctity in both Western culture (as in "to pop the cherry") and Japanese flower symbolism (hanakotoba, lit. "the language of flowers"). This interpretation ties in well with what Iwasaki is trying to do with the loaded sexual imagery in Twin Angel. I don't think it is too much of a leap to see the meaning in these schoolgirls symbolically wearing their virginity on their sleeves (or chests, as it is). And when Haruka and Aoi transform into Twin Angel, it's no surprise that we see the cherries glowing, their chastity the apparent source of their power. However, these cherries disappear during the transformation sequence; this, combined with the standard fare of the girls being stripped before their costumes materialize on top, helps to cement the idea that the Twin Angel transformation is a metaphor for loss of innocence, and more to the point, virginity. Of course, suggesting that Twin Angel is unique in this aspect would be unfeasible, but in this case, the analogy can be extended further. Twin Angel are described in the first episode as "two, acting as one," and their success is dependent on their teamwork. Would it be reading too much into it to suggest that Twin Angel symbolize the twin female reproductive organs, the ovaries? I think not. See the full gallery on Posterous Fig. 1: Of cherries and magical girl transformations. Dez: Another important theme in Twin Angel is responsibility and how it ties with fate. Early on in the episode we're introduced to an important character, the butler, Heinojou. Heinojou has the eerie habit of appearing without notice, as when Haruka and Aoi are leaving the toilet,  to inform them of their next task. He is presented as an ominous figure that is aware of everything and is always watching the main characters. This, combined with his role of giving out tasks, leads me to believe that he represents responsibility and fate. Even in their most vulnerable moments, as in the toilet, they can't escape from him. Their encounters with Heinojou make it undeniably clear that they cannot avoid their fate as Twin Angel, and what initially appeared to be a miracle turned out to be a service that they must now pay for by fighting for the headmistress. Fig. 2: The trapdoor of fate. Dez: After the main conflict is resolved we're presented with a scene that is strikingly similar to Heinojou's introduction, where he assigns another task to the girls. Haruka acts displeased―one might even say disgusted―with this development, while Aoi accepts it as something that can't be helped. This demonstrates their opposite approaches to fate: while Aoi submits to fate and accepts it as an inevitability, Haruka wants to decide her role in life by herself. The show gives us a hint on why Aoi acts this way when Heinojou refers to her as "Heaven's Envoy". All humans are fated to reach the afterlife, the final stop in the train line of life. Aoi, as an agent of Heaven, the place where fate converges, knows how utterly meaningless it is to resist. This fundamental difference in the way the main characters approach the concept of fate will most definitely be the source of a major conflict later on in the series. I was already excited about this series before the season started, due to the director's track record, and now we have genuine reasons to look forward to it every week. bitmap: I agree wholeheartedly. A great first episode makes the viewer ask questions, and Twin Angel has done just that. Just what is "Heaven's Envoy?" What of the hunt for the mysterious "Seven Amulets?" And most importantly, just what is the true identity of the handsome yet mysterious "Misty Knight?" I, for one, am sticking with the show, if just to find the answers to these mysteries. What about you, Dez? Dez: Well I know with absolute certainty that I'm going to be watching this riveting show. bitmap: Most excellent. 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