I really want to be in love with this episode, especially when it gets a happy ending right before Valentine's Day. But man oh man, it just kind of causes as many problems as it solves.
On the plus side, it's nice to finally see the 9(!) of them finally come together. Similar to LuPat, that aspect feels like it was drawn out longer than it should have been here. But to Inoue's credit, unlike LuPat, there was more stuff going on in the middle, rather than 30 episodes of "you clearly should be fighting together". Still, I wouldn't have minded it happening a few episodes sooner, so that it left more time for wrapping up plot threads.
And the scheme to get the Nouto Inspectors to drop their guard in order to finish off the MOTWs was pretty inspired. Not especially novel, but inspired given the circumstances. It's a shame that they ended up hamming it up in the end with the blindfolds; there are ways that it could have been executed in a more serious manner, to really sell the importance of the moment.
Even for the comedic moments I'll give some credit. Sonroku basically just rampaging by throwing things through portal doors (and finishing off the co-worker joke) was good for a smirk. As was Sonoza's stint as a waiter.
But then we get to Jirou and my right eyebrow starts twitching. At virtually every last moment that character has been mishandled, and now this is the turd that's topping the cake. Why the sam hell does he even have an evil side?! Nothing has been explained. The character undergoes something dramatic, but doesn't get any kind of organic (earned) character growth out of the ordeal. He's just immediately fixed after an incredibly brief pep talk from his evil half. I've joked before about malicious compliance on Inoue's part, but now I'm starting to wonder if that's seriously what's going on here. So much thought has been put into almost every other character; and then Jirou is just along for the ride.
And at some point the giant robot starts glowing gold for reasons that are unclear, and the whole thing seemed unnecessary? Does Bandai have an all-gold repaint they're trying to sell?
There are two episodes left, and of course that's going to be the big two-part finale. I am getting incredibly worried here that there is not going to be enough time (or care) to wrap up all of the series' plot threads, even in a half-assed manner. There are so, so many things that need to happen amidst the heavy action that comes with a finale.
Next ep preview:
I guess the final MOTW is the King-Ohger monster?
takenoko wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 8:20 pm
Did the reward for Tsubasa's capture go up?
I think so? I seem to remember it being one or two million prior.
Wow, did Sonoza's actor really eat that? I thought they usually spit them out since they probably had to do a bunch of takes.
It would seem he did. He either got to enjoy a lot of food, or he was able to do his scenes in relatively few takes.
Also, we get an explanation for why Sonoza sealed Murasame in the manga? lol Unexpected
And the kicker? It actually makes sense, in as much as it's coherent with the plot. None the less, I'm afraid with just 2 episodes left, we're not going to get much more of an explanation for Murasame.
Wait, Shinichi is always broke. Why doesn't he ever have to work?
We've seen him pay in haikus before. Plus, seeing actual repercussions from him being broke would ruin the running gag that is his character's lifestyle.
Dang, even though it went in a door, it seems pretty brazen to be endangering a baby
That raises a question: how do they get the baby back?! That was Sonroku's doing, so it's not like the baby came back when they defeated the MOTW...
Oh that's sort of messed up that Natsumi's dream was of Miho lol
Eh. Jyuto-Miho previously told Tarou that Miho was Natsumi's dream. So this isn't really a revelation to the audience. Though it is to Tsubasa since he wasn't around for that conversation. Natsumi was in a forest asleep; I don't think it's much of a stretch to have her dreaming of something. The only lingering issue is why her Jyuto clone opted to live out that dream, when it seems the other Jyuto don't.
To continue last week's thought, Jirou having a Clark Kent vs Evil Superman struggle to overcome his multiple personalitiies might have been cool. But Jirou is just like "Oh yeah, I have my evil self so I'm not lonely, let's combine. Sweet, tiger stripes". So rushed!
Almost anything would have been better than what we actually got. Virtually every opportunity to do something interesting (and logical) with the character has been squandered.
Why is Sonoi working here? I can see why he would, but take a second to set it up, Inoue. C'mon
He's just as broke as the rest of the Nouto trio. So if he wants more oden he's going to have to work for it. But I agree it wouldn't have hurt to remind the audience of that.
takenoko wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 8:38 pm
>I think the implication was that that's the misfortune he suffered for using his points, and it doesn't need a realistic reason, like how Haruka's base misfortune was being labeled a plagiarist. my big confusion is: why is he suffering again? he still had 2 points after reviving Sononi, no? the time Haruka and Shinichi used their points to get back Tarou they suffered because they went negative was what I thought happened.
Was that a requirement? I thought just making the wish was enough to bring misfortune. But hey, if I forgot that condition, then Inoue probably did too
Correct. So technically, a misfortune can befall you just for using your points. You don't have to go negative, though going negative certainly doesn't help things.
At this point all of the DonBros have suffered negative consequences for using their points; even Haruka's wish was kind of corrupted by having her meet her less fortunate successor. Which, at this stage in the game, has me wondering why points are even a thing. It's a bit convoluted for a plot device just to have bad things happen to the heroes - especially if bad things are going to happen even for selfless wishes.
Connie_Edogawa wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 8:00 pm
kangchan wrote: ↑Sat Feb 11, 2023 8:49 pm
So this series really doesn't have a final boss? Too weird since this episode and next episode look like normal ep, rather than focus on endgame structure.
ultimately, I expect the ending to be anticlimactic with Haruka making one last goofy face at the camera like "THAT'S how we're ending this?!"
At the rate things are going, I'm certainly not going to place a bet against that...
HowlingSnail wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 11:09 am
Tsubasa really needs to explain stuff to Natsumi. She deserves a proper explanation.
To be fair, how do you even begin to explain that?
"You were kidnapped by aliens. One took your place and pretended to be your dream self, including the whole getting married bit. I fought very hard to get you back, and left your doppelganger's husband as a widower in the process. And because you were missing, the police think I murdered you.
Meanwhile I have another alien basically following me as an interdimensional groupie. She's hot and young and petite, and I saved her life at one point even though I was told misfortune could befall me. But I swear there's nothing going on between us!
Oh, and I'm a superhero that takes the form of a small dog"