[DreamSword]

Episode 16: Gill Rises Again

The action packed openers continue, as this time Ichiro works to hold off an oncoming horde of robots while Jiro tries to escape with Rieko and Akira. Things start to go badly for Ichiro, when suddenly he's saved by a unknown party. The same person then goes on to rescue Jiro from even more robots that were giving chase. Who is he?



This is Rei, and his name literally translates to "Zero." Given what we now know about the naming conventions of Kohmyoji's' sons(thanks Fish!), shouldn't his name be Reiro? Ah well. Regardless, he's actually Jiro's' little brother despite technically being older, as he was an unfinished model who was only completed recently by Futen.

The aspect of his design I like most is that he primarily wears yellow. Not only does it help differentiate him from Jiro's' primarily blue and Ichiro's' primarily red, but it also serves to highlight the third color of Kikaider. It's not as pronounced as the red and blue, but the yellow Is there, and only serves to compliment the Kikaiders even more.

And look, introducing a new main character this late into the story? I'm sorry but you're gonna have to do quite alot if you expect me to like this guy--

https://i.imgur.com/JMrcXvh.gifv

Dear Tamashii Nations, please make a figuart of Kikaider-00 for me and only me, thanks. Love, DreamSword.

So as you might've guessed, Rei is also a Kikaider, designated 00(Double Zero), and true to form, he's the one who looks the least complete out of all three brothers(and has very pronounced nipples). He also serves as a foil to both Jiro AND Ichiro, being cold to emotion, and not even having an instrument to play!

His wonderful voice is provided by Crispin Freeman, and while he's done alot, none of that matters because he voiced one of the best characters EVER. That being Cougar from s-CRY-ed. All of his other roles are as nothing compared to that and I will not hear otherwise.

Oh and he can also do this:



Yeah, yeah I like this guy.

After the battle, Rei is cautious of Rieko and Akira just as Ichiro was, but it's not like there's much else they can really do in this situation. But hey, on the bright side, they manage to find a copy of Jiro's' favorite book!



Rieko continues to be hopeful that Akira will get to grow up to make a life of his own and create many wonderful memories, instead of only being able to remember the horrible experiments that Gill would subject him to. And thanks to her own memories, she realizes a place that the group might be able to hide out in. Nice!

Turns out this wasn't the best idea though.



After leading the group into a trap, Gill arrives and reveals the truth about who Rieko is. She's an android created by him with fake memories. This served two purposes. First to ensure she'd keep Akira safe, and second to make fooling people like Jiro all the easier. And while it's not directly said, it's made clear that she could also be considered the twin sister to Bijinder, all the more emphasized when you look up what Bijinder's' other name is: Mieko.

Unfortunately, despite fighting as hard as they can, and even with help from Bijinder, Rieko's' life comes to an end.



Like with many of the important deaths in this show, Rieko's' execution is rather brutal, and further emphasizes that, robots or not, all life is important, and it's just a tragic when a robot dies as when a human does.

Gill now has everything he needs to complete his plan for world domination. The final battle lies just ahead.

One thing I really dig about this episode is how it misleads the viewer. The title would make you think the episode is about Gill(and to an extent it is), and the opening scene would have you believe it's all about Rei. But in the end, all eyes are focused on Rieko, and I think that's just wonderful.

The final episode is upon us. Prepare yourselves guys.