[Fish Sandwich]

So, two things I already knew about this show that this episode has me feeling even more appreciative of.

One is the dedication in the action scenes to always having some notably cool and creative moment. Usually way more than just *a* moment, too, of course, but even in a fight like the one that caps off this episode, which doesn't have a particularly grand narrative context (a major villain's first time... watching Gavv and Valen!), it's still totally thrilling and engaging because even close to 30 episodes after Caking's debut, the crew on this series can still think up clever new ways to use the Whipped Soldiers. There's still fun the show has yet to have with Frappe Custom's two-in-one Gochizo. We seem to have finally hit the point where I can't count on PoppinGummy always getting to show up, but not only are older forms still making regular appearances even with Over Mode and Master Mode around, they get to look just as cool while they're doing it. I've praised Gavv for similar reasons in the past, and I'm that much more impressed now, when there are less than ten episodes left, and yet those sentiments are still holding just as true as ever. I'd have been satisfied enough merely to see an early power-up getting ineffectually slapped around this late in the game, as long as it was at least there, but Gavv just keeps going beyond. So much variety, so much imagination, so much excitement, week after week.

The other big thing I want to note is that the human drama this week was also great, because the action has always been but one facet of why I'm so enamored with Gavv.

I'll mention this episode was written by Mouri, but this time it's only because I want to make sure I'm giving him due credit. Outside of that, there's no need to bring it up whatsoever, because all the great conversations driving the plot of this one are filled with such Gavv-y nuances that I literally can't imagine what small touches Koumura could've brought to the table that aren't already there? The whole concept of the episode is a real winner to begin with, and none of that potential goes to waste. The show has been patiently working Masaru into the story for a long while at this point, and while it was always fairly obvious there would be some revelation about him that would affect Shouma in a major way, what ends up making that twist compelling here is as much about how that revelation affects Masaru himself, without him even fully realizing the scope of it yet. Entirely deliberately, looking at Masaru has kinda been like looking at Shouma himself. They share the same kind and gentle disposition, and now we finally learn that -- as with so many characters in this show -- they also share a similar pain underneath that. It makes Masaru that much more relevant to the overall narrative in terms of both plot and themes, but the thing I find most fascinating is that idea of seeing a character like this entirely from the outside for so long. That's the unique angle. A lot of the beauty of Gavv is in the sheer emotional intimacy with which it explores the trauma of its heroes, really letting the viewer feel everything alongside them, and Shouma considering this whole new side of someone he knows had me considering in a whole new way how much I maybe take that for granted. Finding out Masaru is Shouma's uncle is a solid soap opera twist for sure, but the much more impressive twist to me is realizing I've been looking at this man the way lots of people in-universe probably look at Shouma, not knowing his whole life story.