[DreamSword]

Episode 10: Which Memories Do You Regret?

Holy cow was the animation off model for the majority of this episode.

This is Dynazenon's' version of SSSS.Gridman's' "Dream" episode, an episode I remember noting that I wasn't really a fan of.

As such, it should serve as no surprise that not only do I not think very highly of this particular episode, but if we're to compare the two, I actually think this one is a little bit worse.

Alot of the issues I had with that episode carry over to this one, but with even more elements that I just can't jive with added ontop. To try and keep it short, this episode has bad animation, bad pacing, a bad action sequence, and entirely hinges on you being absolutely in love with this show's' plot, of which I ain't.

See, here's the thing. This episode is meant to be a sort of deep dive into the pasts of the entire main cast(except Yomogi because he's not allowed to have a character arc), giving you more insight into their regrets, their motivations, and what they might do if they had the chance to do things different. Except that this episode fails to deliver on all fronts.

Koyomi and Knight get basically no focus despite being dragged into the dream, Kano is revealed to have not actually committed suicide which in turn robs that entire plotline of half its drama as well as the social commentary it seemed to be going for, and the bit with Gauma exists solely to try and make the Kaiju Eugenicists look more sympathetic than what they actually are(Note: them being persecuted/betrayed does not excuse any of their actions up to now).

My biggest issue however lies with Yomogi. And I'm not even talking about how he doesn't even get a chance to show any of his past. I have long since accepted that his entire arc is to hover around Yume, much as I don't like it.

No, my biggest issue is that he's the one who breaks everyone else out of their trance. He's the one who gets shilled as the heart of the team when up to now it's been Gauma that's been the legs that the entire group stands on. Not only does it give Yomogi credit that I feel he's never earned, but it completely robs everyone else of having what could've been a strong moment for themselves(other than arguably Yume).

For as much as I disliked the previous season's' "Dream" episode, atleast there, the Gridman Alliance were able to showcase their own growth and inner strength on their own. Atleast there, the point was that the crew were able to get past their hang ups and come back together despite everything. Atleast there, there was a lesson to be said about not living in a fantasy. Not so much here, where the solution is not to find the strength to keep going from within, but rather to sit around and wait for someone else to save you.

I really couldn't find anything to like in this episode, but hey, I had similar feelings with "Dream" and was later able to find some aspects that stood out with time, so who knows, maybe this is just an episode that I'm required to reflect on in order to appreciate; Not that it should be a requirement.