[DreamSword]

Episode 4: Suspicion

This episode is full on awkward. But like, in the good way!

When Rikka and her friends get invited to hang out with a famous YouTube group, Akane decides that's her best chance to try and find out about Gridman.

Rikka's' reaction to her friends going gaga over e-celebs is priceless.

Same, Rikka. Same.

Meanwhile, Yuta discovers new found feelings for Rikka, as he gets rather jealous and decides to tail the group. Interestingly enough though, Rikka is far more fixated on getting to interact with Akane, as it's apparently been awhile.

Akane, however, didn't think to figure that maybe a large social gathering wouldn't be the best place to have a private conversation, so she keeps getting interrupted. And, well, we all know what happens whenever Akane is even mildly inconvenienced, don't we?

Hey look, that fog from episode 1 is back.

There are of course many bits to this episode that I could see people pointing to as the highlight. Whether it be the battle at the end, the conversation Yuta has with Max, the awkward bus conversation between Rikka and Akane. But to me, the standout is Anti. I loved how single-minded he is in his mission to kill Gridman, to the point that he decides no one else is allowed to.

I also love that he literally uses the Kaiju as a projectile against Gridman, that was great. The fight itself, as always, is entertaining, and the finisher this time is one that many might confuse as a Rider Kick, but the Super Lightning Kick is actually a reference to the Inazuma Kick from Gunbuster; an OVA that many of the Studio Trigger staff worked on in the past. Although me personally I didn't so much care for it.

While I could certainly do without the romance subplot, atleast this show is getting it out there right away, rather than having there be literally no chemistry for the longest time and then going "Yeah they're a couple now." (Hi Terui and Akiko.) And it's not like it ruins the show or drags anything else in the episode down in any way. I guess the only other thing I can really say is to repeat a question Akane asked: "WHY are they talking?" We'll get the answer to that in due time.