[DreadBringer]

Oh, probably this episode's the real turnabout for Revice, instead of George collecting 10 ViStamps. Things really changing much for . 2 of the major human villains Kudo and Amahiko settle their grudges respectively to Ikki and Sakura. And despite being billed as Deadman savior before, this episode actually displays Amahiko as someone only big talk, revealed to be a coward that prefers to save his skin by any means possible (including manipulating which doesn't work on Sakura) like letting Deadmans fight for him, and this elevates Julio in charge to force him becoming Level 2 Deadman himself. As for Kudo, doubling as reply..

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Originally Posted by Matrixbeast

So, Ikki has no or very little empathy for others, and that's a good thing? Um, okay.

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Originally Posted by nitraion

I think he is being called out because the lawyer think Ikki helping people Just to satisfied himself and without really think the consequence, meaning he often projecting himself to the people that he help too.... hence Kagerou also born by that too

Vice bassically says "Well if that who you are, why you so bothered by it, there is nothing wrong helping people if you think is right"

To me none of this right or wrong thats why i think Lawyer commentary is Fire toward Ikki

I don't know why people can easily and blindly buy into any villain's words that sound pleasing to them. A villain making a 'good point' can be one of the reasons for people to even justify them as "did nothing wrong". This one's isn't even an anti-villain that has a noble cause (doesn't mean that the solution is to follow the villains' philosophies and/or course of action), but just someone who is only doing bad things, assaulting civilians, put lives in danger, siding with an organization that regularly hurts others for their own gain. And all only to satisfy his ego of winning streak.

Kudo may made a point, but if it comes from someone without any redeeming qualities, and regularly doing something far worse than just Ikki being clueless at times to the surroundings, it'd be only an example of gaslighting Ikki's actions to make his own actions justifiable. Other than how what someone says make a point, the person who uttered those words should be taken into account too. If it's Kudo talking about that, it's just an example of someone hypocrite, so entitled, would never take responsibility, lacking empathy to comprehend why an action can wrong but instead feels unfairly persecuted, and constantly deflecting blames into others. He's the last one to be lecturing it for.

Back to reviewing.

The Deadmans gain an upper hand due to something that is just so recent including to the characters, about the current Wakabayashi being Chameleon Deadman, due to Wakabayashi being already killed since 1st episode, with the scene giving heavy Evolt vibes of him killing someone in a flashback and switching faces, and using that to induce paranoia and posing as someone's hero to traumatize them... Hiromi. His laugh from the usually super strict demeanor he copied from Wakabayashi is also really upsettling, which means good job on that scene. Apparently George would just hand over the Gifu ViStamp without much thought, wonder what's in his mind for that. Not yet shown for Aguilera's backstory, but it's shown here that humans can be turned into Giftex, which happened to both Kudo and Amahiko. I guess Deadmans aren't inherent that way, and Amahiko will continue despite his newfound joke status. And another cliffhanger for Aguilera that she's revealed to be the sacrifice for Giff.

Kudo's words really get into Ikki, almost breaking him, but this time it's Vice that snaps him back to reality, and it's done in devil-ish way by convincing Ikki to keep his flaw, so Vice being helpful stays loyal to his character of being a demon. But it's also more valid if the one lecturing that is Kudo, basically telling him to ignore someone who has no right lecturing others, and that it's not even about constructive criticism to improve oneself either. Sakura's full schoolgirl outfit finally shows up.. took this long that it was her first look at the scans. I wonder why Sakura's friends stick to her like glue even before she becomes Jeanne. Hiromi is at his limits now, beneath his straight-laced persona, he's always a really emotional guy, the betrayal reduces him into nothing more than a sobbing wreck with all of his bottled up emotions surfacing. The Chameleon Deadman didn't address Hiromi's emotional self enough... as someone who lashes out at Daiji for being emotional to want to become a Rider to catch up to Ikki.

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Originally Posted by Mesnick

But here's the catch: before that, the lawyer entered the bathhouse with his shoes on, which was emphasized.

That moment's probably only meant to be a comedy in the surface... but I too see the scene as more than that; as an Asian I approve of a reminder to not wear shoes on certain places (KR also mostly have characters not wearing shoes in bed, though there are a few exceptions), and yeah if it's someone like Kudo, it should show his lack of regard for others.

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Originally Posted by henshinzero

I hope Aguilera is saved. Despite what she’s done, she deserves a redemption road! Hope Julio remains at her side.

I actually hope they don't pull female being more innocent type via her (or just giving her free pass due to being hot), the idea that women cannot be truly evil; they're inherently only forced into a life of crime. It's kinda Aguilera getting her just desserts after being a bratty control freak that disregards anyone (including her underlings) except if they benefit her.

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Originally Posted by catwhowalks

I don't think that's the point here. I think the point here is that he doesn't have to meet anyone else's expectations. He is who he is. He's imperfect, but that's okay. Everyone is.

Doesn't mean Ikki should stay that way, even if you're imperfect gotta still learn from mistakes and strive to be better. But I guess currently the appeal to Ikki for me is that even if he's nice, well-meaning, and not doing anything morally questionable, he can still cause disastrous consequences, and in a way other than a character being made impossibly idiotic. Also shows that flaws aren't only toxic traits, making flawed characters doesn't mean they have to be made as completely immoral jerk, awful, completely messed-up, which is a misguided take some has.