[cosmicrescend0]

It's Episode 17!

-It's the long-awaited job competition arc!

-As its core, I like the concept of this arc: In a world where the usefulness of their AI technology can soon be accessed in sleeker, more efficent ways for humanity, why continue to rely on the Humagears? What is it about them that truly enriches our soicety, and how will both sides react in the possiblity of one outgrowing the other? Can't really speak on my overall opinions on this arc,(mostly because it's the 2nd longest one in the show), but I will say I did enjoy a lot of the ideas it brings up....

-Izu's joke? 5 stars, I can see a wonderful career in comedy for her.

Round 1: Flower arrangement, start! I think it's really interesting to start off the "Do we really need Humagears?" debate with a challenge in the arts, where a "human" touch is almost naturally preferred? I think it's been impiled before but the idea of Humagears only being bulit for a set amount of service jobs, but can expand their roles by picking a type closest to it (in this case, a gardener) and have them engage in a heavy learning process, it's a fun idea that adds to their complexity. (I can easily imagine something like G-Pen initally being a Humagear specializing in graphic design and then being heavily trained on manga.)

-Sakuyo...... Not particularly a favorite or anything, but she's real neat. The idea that witnessing/experiencing human malice firsthand might be the catalyst for the Ark's new method of creating Magia, is solid, and I honestly prefer a lot more than just sticking a Zetsumeriser onto a Humagear/suddenly hacking into them. "Our ideology will continue to spread", indeed.

-Oh right, Thouser time. Love how his finisher has the little (c) ZAIA Enterprise thing, that's such a fun touch. The jack-off sword is such a dumb idea, I love it. As mentioned, Gai and Aruto have this wonderful contrast, and it's even present within how they fight. Zero One's movement is real bouncy, rough, and sponteanous (even with Shining Hopper's projected attacks), while Thouser this kinda "calculated, no unecessary movement" fighting style? Not as much as say, Kabuto, but it's certainly enough to draw a clear gap between the two. As fun as their dynamic was without needing to make things "personal", Gai having a bone to pick with how his idol's genius was ultimately was "wasted" on tinkering with Humagears when he could be advancing the quality of life for humans in other ways is a neat added layer to their conflict.

-......Forgot Mystery Person showed up this early.

-Fuwa and Yua seem to be put on the backburner for now, and I kinda get it. MJBR is down for the count, so there's no need for our trio to necessarily follow each other around anymore.... Gai is such a "I was made to contrast with Aruto" kinda villian that it'd be weird to interject like, Fuwa into the main A plot. At least he had something to do this episode tho....

-Ultimately, I think this is a real fun opener for this second arc? Sets up everything quite nicely save for a few little things.