[DreamSword]

Episode 9: Friends

I think this is the only episode that's a bit mis-titled. Don't get me wrong, the title itself DOES work given the overall plot of the episode, but I feel like a much better title would've been "Bonds" given the overall theme. Hopefully I can make clear why I think that as we go.



It's a joyous reunion as everyone gets back together again! This opening shows that Jiro is back and he's staying around, and that despite Hattori's' job now technically being complete, he's determined to see this entire situation through to the end. The next step being finding where exactly Professor Gill is hiding, and also trying to figure out what exactly his connection to Mitsuko's' mother was.



Meanwhile with Gill, we get a bigger glimpse at the most popular character in the entire franchise. Who is he? Well, we'll definitely find out later, but for now, what we do know is that Gill finds him capable enough that he declares he's leaving everything in the mysterious man's' hands from here on.

The Mystery Man is voiced by Steve Blum, who needs literally no introduction to anyone at all familiar with the world of English anime dubs. Especially at the time the dub was recorded in the early 2000s, considering Blum was in, well, damn near everything.

And hey, I ain't knockin' the guy! Blum does a great job in basically any role he's given; Having voiced several of my favorite characters(and being in many of my favorite shows) outright. Some notable examples being Roger Smith in The Big O and Kazuma in s-CRY-ed.



As the episode continues, it becomes more and more apparent at just what the overall theme of the episode actually is; The bonds that people create between one another, and all of the memories, moments, and emotions that come with that, both good and bad.

Hattori, despite having every right to bail at this point, has grown close to everyone and continues to support them any way he can. Mitsuko, obviously, has her close ties to her family, and her memories of them continue to serve as vital clues to the plot at hand. Jiro's' life is beginning to take a turn upward now that he's decided to make his own life with those he cares about.

And Masaru? Well, he makes some new friends!

Tragedy strikes though when a new robot appears. And despite the situation and the hesitation that Jiro feels within his Gemini Circuit, it's clear what has to be done.

Oh, and Fish Sandwich mentioned earlier in the thread that Jiro's' Japanese VA is Tomokazu Seki, famous for being the voice of Domon Kasshu of G-Gundam fame. Weelll let's just say that makes sense now.

I'm actually a rather big fan of this style of storytelling; Specifically ones that start of rather lighthearted and "normal" but slowly become more and more dark and sinister as things go on. That's not to say it's the only way a story should be told(heck, one of my favorite shows in Rune Soldier, a hilarious and light-hearted comedy), but something about stuff like this just appeals to me.

And yeah, this episode totally nails it. And I ain't gonna lie, the very first time I saw this episode? I teared up a little at the end. Not to sound macho or anything, but it's very rare a show actually makes me do that. Heck, I still feel major empathy for Masaru, despite this being like, my 6th time watching this show.

Overall, great episode, as usual.