While the last episode was a terrifyingly mundane study in flesh-eating, there’s more plot and exposition to this one. After some narration by Utsutsu about how he knows his sister takes no joy in eating him, we switch to Maria and her pal Hotoki. Maria takes the sperm of the brother and the eggs of the sister and impregnates herself with the resulting devilspawn, which…yikes. Just yikes. Talk about scientific curiosity!
Rating: 5 (Average)
A mark of a great anime, or any show for that matter, is a deep bench—a well of compelling characters they can draw on if they’re inclined to give the main stars a rest. Golden Time (in theory) and Chuunibyou (in practice) are examples of this, and it was never in doubt that Kill la Kill was as well. It may not have been until episode 19 when both Ryuko and Satsuki are set aside for the supporting cast to show they can carry an episode without them, but it was worth the wait.
A month has passed since Ragyo reclaimed the upper hand by unleashing her army of Covers on Honnouji, and everything’s gone her way since. The Elite Four plus Iori and Soroi joined Nudist Beach—and abide by its dress(less) code!—but are fighting a war of attrition against Covers, which have conquered every academy in Japan, assimilating its students and brainwashed the populace. When we drop in, Uzu is fighting the good fight in his Goku uniform, when it suddenly fails. Then we learn his goku was the last one.
It’s always thrilling to see a genuine shattering of the status quo and reshuffling of alliances, and this episode is no different; it’s cool to see the Elite Four in Nudist Beach lack of garb, fighting along side their former enemies. It’s also good to see the Mankanshokus are surviving, under the constant threat of Cover assimilation, keeping a slumbering Ryuko (who Senketsu dragged home) safe. Also nice to see Gamagoori’s crush on Mako blossoming as he promises her fam he’ll get her back…which he eventually does (with help from Guts).
Satsuki is hanging naked from her arms in a big birdcage, defenseless to whatever sexual assault Ragyo happens to be in the mood for (She’s also saving her for an extra-special new ultra-kamui Nui is preparing). But when Ragyo leaves, Satsuki vows to escape. Far from emotionally defeated, she knows she can still win simply because she’s alive. That nicly mirrors what Barazo says about being alive being its own victory: things can work out.
Rating: 9 (Superior)
Stray Observations:
Blue Submarine No. 6 (の6号; Ao no Rokugo) is a neat little four-part sci-fi OVA that aired between October 1998 and March 2000, long before we became interested in anime.
After watching Last Exile and falling in love with the awsome character designs of Murata Range, we sought out other works of his, and came across this (Another interesting tidbit: Yukana, who voiced the heroine Kino Mayumi, also voiced the antagonist Yukana in the submarine-themed Arpeggio of Blue Steel. She’s also the narrator in Last Exile).
Actually, we haven’t watched the OVA in a few years, but the ending theme—”Minasoko ni Nemure” (みなそこに眠れ “Sleeping Deep Inside Everyone”) by The Thrill, featuring Yukarie—made a lasting impression. So we’ll wrap up the work week with this jazzy, atmospheric gem that never fails to give us a happy tingly feeling. Happy Friday!
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