@@marcellom So I run D&D professionally. I have a bunch of players of the millennial generation and beyond. I am going to use the rules for the Druid's Wildshape agility that feel like an Animorphs fan having fun with a morphing character, to make an Animorphs game for the new kids, and then send them a link to the books!
I think the simpler explanation is that as Jake's consciousness snapped back to before the Safeway mission, it made the Amazon jungle events a branched timeline. So the Animorphs he leads on in future books is the same Animorphs since book one. So it's just the Animorphs in this one book that are "Variants" in the grand cosmic sense. Right? Idk. lol
@@marcellom"You'll have to wait until Book 53 to get to The Answer" "Damn it!" "Too long of a wait? Well, if you're not willing to wait for "the answer" there's always The Solution. That's book 22."
Ha! Good timing. I just finished binging all these already on your channel last night. Good series Edit: That is probably the most on point description of the tv show I've ever heard. I still kinda like it, though
I usually see this book dismissed as a dumb time travel story that doesn't matter since everything goes back to normal at the end, but I'm glad to see you do such a good job talking about how this is actually a very good Jake book. I've always kind of seen it as the turning point for Jake as he starts to become the leader who can order the death of his brother at the expense of one of his team since it would save more lives. We've seen Jake in previous books deal with how his decisions can hurt those close to him, but this book is when his eyes are finally opened to how he really can get everyone killed if he just makes one bad call. That kind of responsibility and stress help the reader understand little moments much later in the series that show Jake being read up on famous officers and military stuff in general. Sure, he's probably looking for inspiration from well regarded leaders about how to fight, but he's also scared to mess up and get everyone killed again. Of course he tries to find guidance where he can, since it's not like he can ask anyone he knows for help. So for me the Jake at the end of 54, who seems to live in the past and question every decision he ever made during the war, seems to start showing up in this book. This is also another one of the rare books that treats Visser Three like a real threat instead of a cartoon villian, which is always nice. And I'd never considered whether he would remember the events of the book before. I suspect he wouldn't, since I think Axe comments that Jake was the only real person there so when the Saario Rip collapsed everyone else stopped existing and the real conciousnesses, back in the time and place they were supposed to be, became the only conciousness for everyone. The Visser included. Plus, I think he'd have something to say about having wiped out the Andalite Bandits during a Saario Rip. Gloating to them during the next fight, yelling at his subordinates that he's done it before so why can't they take care of the Andalites now, that kind of thing. But timeline stuff in fiction is weird, like you said. And imagine how funny it would be if he did remember but was just keeping it to himself for some reason.
I always kind of stored it in my brain as a fun plot book without much character development, which changed on this re-read. Going into this whole series analysis, I assumed I'd gain a new appreciation for Cassie books, which has certainly been the case, but did not anticipate that the same would happen for Jake. I do anticipate that there is probably more development that I've overlooked in my casual reading, and I'm looking forward to encountering it as I plod through this current re-read. And agreed that V3 is kind of badass in this one, nowhere near as much bluster and monologuing as we are usually treated with. You are right that he probably doesn't remember, though.
They are inevitable. I had a podcast with my wife (back when she was my girlfriend) about the massive shortcomings in the world-building and character development of those books, we have loose plans to one day revisit it on this channel in video form. Very loose plans. I wanted to call it the "read another book" show but we decided that would be too negative- somehow I think it might go over a little better now.
I think it probably has some of the best descriptive writing in the series, at least that I've encountered on this re-read. Maybe I should have given it an extra point for writing. It also has one of the best plots, to my taste anyway.
@@marcellom It's really one of the books that shows the massive influence Star Trek had on Animorphs. This book is basically a perfect "Ryker goes crazy/timeloop" episode
I could be wrong on this, especially having only gone through the series via Audible releases so I don't have the full context of the Ellimist Chronicles, but my assumption has been that Jake's memory is a part of the Crayak plot. He took the brunt of remembering things nobody else does on quite a few occasions, and those experiences tend to contribute to Crayak's coercion attempts when they exploit his isolation as a leader and the guilt from failed realities only he still remembers.
One thing I've learned through this channel is that basically everyone read the books in a random and often piecemeal order. And yet we all still love them. I think it's a unique skill to be able to write something where chronology is important, but you can also jump in in the middle of the story and still be hooked.
"Why is Jake the only one who remembers this?" Well, when in doubt I like to blame the Ellimist. Jake probably had to go through this for him to grow as a leader so Toomin made sure he remembered it.
probably my favourite animorphs book ever too. to have this series be some of my first readings and to be exposed to this level of sci-fi at 13 years old even before knowing that stuff like the twilight zone existed, or that Lost was even produced was mind blowing. I mean, i came from goosebumps twists, but this was MATURE and ADULT for me. Soooo good.
Aahhhhhhh! I was hella late to the party this time! Goober square dancing alert. Stomp the floor like you're stomping Yeerks. The sarcasm edit got me. I laughed hard. *deep breath* screw ants. Screw ants so much. Everytime ants are involved in any media they are absolutely the worse. I will forever hate ants and it definitely started with Animorphs. I think the main reason jake has the flashes is because his mind is predisposed to see the larger picture. In more than one occasion in these books, a characters mindset or personality is what allows certain events to occur (example: megamorphs 4). I think Jakes ability to make such decisions is what allows for it This book is so good and reminds me why i love jake. His decisions are insanely tough and the gravity of them weighs heavy. I find him relatable due to my life experiences and having tough decisions thrown at me regardless of how i felt. Sometimes it would feel like an alien invasion was easier to deal with. Great video as always! So excited for the next one. It was my introduction to Animorphs!
Honestly I was wondering where you were lol. Welcome back to the best comments section on the internet :D Interestingly, I am eternally fascinated by ants, probably also because of Animorphs. Although I do not like termites very much. That's a good point about characters' mindsets enabling the events of their respective books- I think it's probably true to a degree for each book in the series, likely moreso as we get further away from the beginning. This book also reminded me of why I love Jake. Or maybe reminded me THAT I love Jake. It's easy to forget that he's a character you're supposed to relate to when in each other book, he is The Fearless Leader, because that's how the other Animorphs perceive him, for the most part. It also didn't occur to me that he might be MORE relatable to some because of how he's basically forced to make all these difficult decisions. I don't think I paid enough attention to Jake books in all my previous re-reads, and am looking forward to more insights as I slowly make my way through this series of videos. Your support is appreciated more than you know. When the channel blows up and I am a Real RUclipsr, yall will be the VIPs.
I finally circled back to your Book 11 documentary lol I also really liked this one. But, I would like to respectfully disagree that this book was only significant to Jake. I think it's at least an 8, because if you think about it, if the Amazon timeline played out, it was game over. All of the Animorphs are dead. The Yeerks win Earth. By snapping back to a prior time and aborting the mission, the Animorphs live to fight another day. That's huge. So, I think that living Animorphs is a significant plot point, and significant to the series. And I always saw this as Jake's "Ender's Game" scenario. It was a litmus test to see if he had what it takes to be a leader. And, he failed. But, he learned from his mistakes and the scenario helped him become an even better leader down the road. This book, and 26, is where Jake shines, where you see him leading at his best. Though, someone else mentioned that Jake has multiple times in which he is forced to carry the memories and alternate timeline information in his head. It makes me wonder if this also contributes to later on down the line, when he becomes more militant in his decisions. A little instability due to everything he has to carry in his mind? Due to stress? Idk. And the timeline thing... well, you're somewhat right. By returning to a point in the past, you DO create an alternate timeline to what you experienced. However, as long as the events leading up to that convergence were the same, Jake IS speaking to the same Animorphs he went to the Amazon with... only, they know absolutely nothing about what happened, and had no maturity or growth from being in the Amazon. The only one who ISN'T the same is Jake. JAKE is the entirely different person. The Animorphs are interacting with an entirely different Jake. I love time travel stories and parallel universes. I love delving into "What If" type stories. But, what's NOT a parellel universe is us getting some quality content from our favorite Marcello. You did a great job breaking this one down, good sir! Keep up the good work!
I love this analysis. I feel like #11 gets left behind in a lot of favorites because the plot resets at the end, making it seem like another "monster of the week" book. BUT it is absolutely true that this book is vital for Jake's character - he gets to test himself, to test loss and death, to test what it's like moving through one bad call after another, and to do so what is in the end a "play" environment. It's like a free Kobayashi Maru. I think the events here are a *huge* reason he could keep risking mistakes and thus keep them alive, instead of playing perfection general sitting on a still stone, as Marco remarks in #54. They prove to him that lesson: just keep moving. One note in defense of Tobias, though. When Jake first wakes up in the forest after the Sario Rip, he starts calling for his friends. Except - he starts calling for Marco, and Cassie, and Rachel, and then runs through those names again. Only those names. It's Tobias who finds him, and Tobias who hears Jake calling for everyone EXCEPT him and Ax. That must, especially given Tobias' traumatic background, make him feel like he's less important than others - make him and Ax feel disposable to Jake. No wonder, then, why he lashes out when just minutes later Jake sends Ax, seemingly/possibly, to his death.
You're catching up to me! I just read aloud to my wife book 13 and am reading the andalite chronicles to her now. 14 next. Looking forward to your next video
Your wife sounds like an absolute gem, based purely off the fact that she's into you reading Animorphs to her, in order, in its entirety. What an awesome thing to do as a couple.
Just finished this one. I loved & kinda hate this one just because of the... twist? I like a lot of what we get through the book until the end. I know it wasn't all for nothing but I guess I feel kind of "rug pulled from under me". Maybe I have to sit with it a bit.
From what I understood of the Lerdethak/death scene, it’s that while most of the Animorphs were dyING, it was a slow process, while Jake was killed quickly and thus first
YOUR VIDEOS LITERALLY LIGHT UP MY DAY,, KEEPING THE ANIMORPHS COMMUNITY ALIVE 😭‼️‼️
We are in the early stages of an Animorphs revival, I think and hope
@@marcellom So I run D&D professionally. I have a bunch of players of the millennial generation and beyond. I am going to use the rules for the Druid's Wildshape agility that feel like an Animorphs fan having fun with a morphing character, to make an Animorphs game for the new kids, and then send them a link to the books!
I think the simpler explanation is that as Jake's consciousness snapped back to before the Safeway mission, it made the Amazon jungle events a branched timeline. So the Animorphs he leads on in future books is the same Animorphs since book one. So it's just the Animorphs in this one book that are "Variants" in the grand cosmic sense. Right? Idk. lol
We'll have to ask the Ellimist, I think he would know.
@@marcellom"You'll have to wait until Book 53 to get to The Answer"
"Damn it!"
"Too long of a wait? Well, if you're not willing to wait for "the answer" there's always The Solution. That's book 22."
Ha! Good timing. I just finished binging all these already on your channel last night. Good series
Edit: That is probably the most on point description of the tv show I've ever heard. I still kinda like it, though
I also kind of like it now, in spite of myself
I usually see this book dismissed as a dumb time travel story that doesn't matter since everything goes back to normal at the end, but I'm glad to see you do such a good job talking about how this is actually a very good Jake book. I've always kind of seen it as the turning point for Jake as he starts to become the leader who can order the death of his brother at the expense of one of his team since it would save more lives. We've seen Jake in previous books deal with how his decisions can hurt those close to him, but this book is when his eyes are finally opened to how he really can get everyone killed if he just makes one bad call. That kind of responsibility and stress help the reader understand little moments much later in the series that show Jake being read up on famous officers and military stuff in general. Sure, he's probably looking for inspiration from well regarded leaders about how to fight, but he's also scared to mess up and get everyone killed again. Of course he tries to find guidance where he can, since it's not like he can ask anyone he knows for help. So for me the Jake at the end of 54, who seems to live in the past and question every decision he ever made during the war, seems to start showing up in this book.
This is also another one of the rare books that treats Visser Three like a real threat instead of a cartoon villian, which is always nice. And I'd never considered whether he would remember the events of the book before. I suspect he wouldn't, since I think Axe comments that Jake was the only real person there so when the Saario Rip collapsed everyone else stopped existing and the real conciousnesses, back in the time and place they were supposed to be, became the only conciousness for everyone. The Visser included. Plus, I think he'd have something to say about having wiped out the Andalite Bandits during a Saario Rip. Gloating to them during the next fight, yelling at his subordinates that he's done it before so why can't they take care of the Andalites now, that kind of thing. But timeline stuff in fiction is weird, like you said. And imagine how funny it would be if he did remember but was just keeping it to himself for some reason.
I always kind of stored it in my brain as a fun plot book without much character development, which changed on this re-read. Going into this whole series analysis, I assumed I'd gain a new appreciation for Cassie books, which has certainly been the case, but did not anticipate that the same would happen for Jake. I do anticipate that there is probably more development that I've overlooked in my casual reading, and I'm looking forward to encountering it as I plod through this current re-read. And agreed that V3 is kind of badass in this one, nowhere near as much bluster and monologuing as we are usually treated with. You are right that he probably doesn't remember, though.
8:21 lmao. I wonder if we're gonna get any more references to _that series_ as we continue this ranking recap journey
They are inevitable. I had a podcast with my wife (back when she was my girlfriend) about the massive shortcomings in the world-building and character development of those books, we have loose plans to one day revisit it on this channel in video form. Very loose plans. I wanted to call it the "read another book" show but we decided that would be too negative- somehow I think it might go over a little better now.
This is so much fun I’m glad you’re doing this series!! I love Animorphs
I've binge watched all your animorphs videos now, very happy to see them! Can't wait to see more 😁
I remember this one really vividly
I think it probably has some of the best descriptive writing in the series, at least that I've encountered on this re-read. Maybe I should have given it an extra point for writing. It also has one of the best plots, to my taste anyway.
@@marcellom It's really one of the books that shows the massive influence Star Trek had on Animorphs. This book is basically a perfect "Ryker goes crazy/timeloop" episode
I could be wrong on this, especially having only gone through the series via Audible releases so I don't have the full context of the Ellimist Chronicles, but my assumption has been that Jake's memory is a part of the Crayak plot. He took the brunt of remembering things nobody else does on quite a few occasions, and those experiences tend to contribute to Crayak's coercion attempts when they exploit his isolation as a leader and the guilt from failed realities only he still remembers.
This is a great point.
You are doing these so much more consistently and I just want to say that I appreciate that and I see your efforts 👌
Thanks 😀 I realized I try to do too many personal endeavors at once, so I'm trying to focus on this one lately. I am glad it is appreciated
Another great video. Your passion for these books is infectious. Great work sir.
Gotta say, this is my new favorite video series. You do these beloved books so much justice in your analysis. Thank you Marcello!
Thank YOU. I love that animorphs fans appreciate my lil addition to the fandom
This was actually the second book i read and it my favorite and still is one of them!
One thing I've learned through this channel is that basically everyone read the books in a random and often piecemeal order. And yet we all still love them. I think it's a unique skill to be able to write something where chronology is important, but you can also jump in in the middle of the story and still be hooked.
"Why is Jake the only one who remembers this?" Well, when in doubt I like to blame the Ellimist. Jake probably had to go through this for him to grow as a leader so Toomin made sure he remembered it.
I should put "when in doubt, blame the Ellimist" on the wall of my studio as a reminder for times like this.
probably my favourite animorphs book ever too. to have this series be some of my first readings and to be exposed to this level of sci-fi at 13 years old even before knowing that stuff like the twilight zone existed, or that Lost was even produced was mind blowing. I mean, i came from goosebumps twists, but this was MATURE and ADULT for me. Soooo good.
Aahhhhhhh! I was hella late to the party this time!
Goober square dancing alert. Stomp the floor like you're stomping Yeerks.
The sarcasm edit got me. I laughed hard.
*deep breath* screw ants. Screw ants so much. Everytime ants are involved in any media they are absolutely the worse. I will forever hate ants and it definitely started with Animorphs.
I think the main reason jake has the flashes is because his mind is predisposed to see the larger picture. In more than one occasion in these books, a characters mindset or personality is what allows certain events to occur (example: megamorphs 4). I think Jakes ability to make such decisions is what allows for it
This book is so good and reminds me why i love jake. His decisions are insanely tough and the gravity of them weighs heavy. I find him relatable due to my life experiences and having tough decisions thrown at me regardless of how i felt. Sometimes it would feel like an alien invasion was easier to deal with.
Great video as always! So excited for the next one. It was my introduction to Animorphs!
Honestly I was wondering where you were lol. Welcome back to the best comments section on the internet :D
Interestingly, I am eternally fascinated by ants, probably also because of Animorphs. Although I do not like termites very much.
That's a good point about characters' mindsets enabling the events of their respective books- I think it's probably true to a degree for each book in the series, likely moreso as we get further away from the beginning. This book also reminded me of why I love Jake. Or maybe reminded me THAT I love Jake. It's easy to forget that he's a character you're supposed to relate to when in each other book, he is The Fearless Leader, because that's how the other Animorphs perceive him, for the most part. It also didn't occur to me that he might be MORE relatable to some because of how he's basically forced to make all these difficult decisions. I don't think I paid enough attention to Jake books in all my previous re-reads, and am looking forward to more insights as I slowly make my way through this series of videos.
Your support is appreciated more than you know. When the channel blows up and I am a Real RUclipsr, yall will be the VIPs.
Always good to see more of you. You take care of yourself out there.
Goddamn i love animorphs so much. Tobias helped me through my gender journey greatttly. hope the vids keep coming!
I finally circled back to your Book 11 documentary lol
I also really liked this one. But, I would like to respectfully disagree that this book was only significant to Jake. I think it's at least an 8, because if you think about it, if the Amazon timeline played out, it was game over. All of the Animorphs are dead. The Yeerks win Earth. By snapping back to a prior time and aborting the mission, the Animorphs live to fight another day. That's huge. So, I think that living Animorphs is a significant plot point, and significant to the series.
And I always saw this as Jake's "Ender's Game" scenario. It was a litmus test to see if he had what it takes to be a leader. And, he failed. But, he learned from his mistakes and the scenario helped him become an even better leader down the road. This book, and 26, is where Jake shines, where you see him leading at his best.
Though, someone else mentioned that Jake has multiple times in which he is forced to carry the memories and alternate timeline information in his head. It makes me wonder if this also contributes to later on down the line, when he becomes more militant in his decisions. A little instability due to everything he has to carry in his mind? Due to stress? Idk.
And the timeline thing... well, you're somewhat right. By returning to a point in the past, you DO create an alternate timeline to what you experienced. However, as long as the events leading up to that convergence were the same, Jake IS speaking to the same Animorphs he went to the Amazon with... only, they know absolutely nothing about what happened, and had no maturity or growth from being in the Amazon. The only one who ISN'T the same is Jake. JAKE is the entirely different person. The Animorphs are interacting with an entirely different Jake.
I love time travel stories and parallel universes. I love delving into "What If" type stories.
But, what's NOT a parellel universe is us getting some quality content from our favorite Marcello. You did a great job breaking this one down, good sir! Keep up the good work!
This book is the origin of my fear of swarms, thanks KA
I love this analysis. I feel like #11 gets left behind in a lot of favorites because the plot resets at the end, making it seem like another "monster of the week" book. BUT it is absolutely true that this book is vital for Jake's character - he gets to test himself, to test loss and death, to test what it's like moving through one bad call after another, and to do so what is in the end a "play" environment. It's like a free Kobayashi Maru. I think the events here are a *huge* reason he could keep risking mistakes and thus keep them alive, instead of playing perfection general sitting on a still stone, as Marco remarks in #54. They prove to him that lesson: just keep moving.
One note in defense of Tobias, though. When Jake first wakes up in the forest after the Sario Rip, he starts calling for his friends. Except - he starts calling for Marco, and Cassie, and Rachel, and then runs through those names again. Only those names. It's Tobias who finds him, and Tobias who hears Jake calling for everyone EXCEPT him and Ax. That must, especially given Tobias' traumatic background, make him feel like he's less important than others - make him and Ax feel disposable to Jake. No wonder, then, why he lashes out when just minutes later Jake sends Ax, seemingly/possibly, to his death.
This is true, and that is some impressive attention to detail.
@@marcellom thank you thank you, thinking too much about Animorphs is my main personality trait
Hope you're having a good day c:
Thank you sir, I hope YOU are having a good day
You're catching up to me! I just read aloud to my wife book 13 and am reading the andalite chronicles to her now. 14 next. Looking forward to your next video
Your wife sounds like an absolute gem, based purely off the fact that she's into you reading Animorphs to her, in order, in its entirety. What an awesome thing to do as a couple.
Just finished this one. I loved & kinda hate this one just because of the... twist? I like a lot of what we get through the book until the end. I know it wasn't all for nothing but I guess I feel kind of "rug pulled from under me". Maybe I have to sit with it a bit.
From what I understood of the Lerdethak/death scene, it’s that while most of the Animorphs were dyING, it was a slow process, while Jake was killed quickly and thus first
That is an interesting way of looking at it, which happens to make more sense than my interpretation. I think I'm going to go with that.
what the hell
I am alive, video tomorrow 🚀