[DreadBringer]

So Ikki's amnesia stuff is only used to wrap-up the story. Kinda explains why it's so little brought up before, despite it being the lead character's arc. Now I know the reason why it's so left out, but this doesn't change my view of how it's another Revice wasted potential that it made Ikki seem overshadowed in the 2nd half of the show instead (after what I think, is a good MC potential of exploring hero complex problems).

Turns out George still appeared after last seen breaking down over Masumi, and not only that the "date" Hiromi asked him before actually happened here, he's quite significant here to use his scientist knowledge to theorize something (which he didn't do so due to being temporarily villainous). About how the contract between Ikki and Vice hasn't ended because .... and Ikki previously acknowledged Vice as something more than a partner, family.

That'd be normally touching, if not for how it's the actual cause of the tragedy in this episode. Though the amnesia arc is quite a waste especially for Ikki's role, I do feel bad at how in Ikki's POV here, Vice is truly the scumbag he despised at the beginning of the series, though now he had hard time accepting it due to Vice being his actual partner for so long. It personally hits home for me as, though I often assume the worst of people, that assumption turning to be the truth is also my biggest fear, and Ikki would go through that here regarding how he hated Vice at first for justified reasons.

Ikki not being able to fit in with his family and later leaving them also at least increases the impact of Ikki's amnesia, despite that it's only him forgetting, not others. The Igarashis trying to get him back is a more difficult task than imagined, and it requires more than just reminding him that they're his family, but also reminding him of their quirks, banters, etc. A̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶n̶ ̶A̶r̶u̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶e̶a̶c̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶I̶z̶u̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶Z̶e̶r̶o̶-̶O̶n̶e̶.̶ A loss of a family member would be hard to swallow, even if it's only one member, and now, it'd be what potentially happened to Ikki, had he killed Vice and that his memories would return by that.

I'd tolerate Vice's antics in this episode, as unlike many other cruel to be kind approaches, this one's genuinely has no other solution to solve Ikki's problem (while other cruel to be kind scenario got the audience, or sometimes people, subjectively paint that method as the only way), as per how the contract worked, and for here, hating Vice is the main objective here, instead of the usual side effect of someone being cruel to be kind. And perhaps, there are no real damage done to everyone, other than emotional damage to Ikki alone. Though I predicted it, I genuinely laughed too seeing Sakura and Yukimi holding ketchup bottles at the end. Other than that, this is also a display of teamwork done by all the cast (except Ikki), to have everyone being onboard with Vice's plan to return Ikki's memories, and have each of them serve their roles well, probably even some of the civilians there. The cast perhaps can make a good movie/TV show team too by this!

Other than comedy material, Vice weaponizing a rubber duck to "defeat" Dadstream is also a sight to behold. The duck also provides some real spectacle that makes itself look "strong" to put down Destream. It's also a call-back to Revice: The Movie (though haven't watched it yet).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mesnick

To be honest, Hiromi and George are beyond bromance to me. Rather, somewhere on the same territory as Sakura and Hana.

Digging deeper than that.... Hiromi and Sakura can be comparable to each other IMO. They both have serious/tough outer shell, but are good person, and are already ambitious since young age, Hiromi wanting to become a hero due to his bullied victim past, and Sakura wanting to become the unbeatable fighter. Beneath their serious/tough outer shell, there are vulnerabilities where they've been stuck in denial and can't own up to a crippling fear of failure, such as Sakura's defeat at Aguilera's hands. Hiromi also had an example in him perceiving his younger self as a failure, and was embarassed for that. Later Sakura succeeded by being truthful and accepting to herself, which earned her Lovekov and Jeanne, and while taking longer time, Hiromi would eventually achieve that too much later likely after Dear Gaga.

At least at their early portrayal, unpopular but I also found some similarities between George and Aguilera. Both have similar style to me of speaking to others, presents smile and joyful disposition but has obvious maliciousness among it, won't treat others seriously, constantly taunting others. If George is a Kamen Rider fan, then Aguilera could be the kaijin counterpart to him (the kaijin fan instead), who gets excited when the stronger Deadmans appear, also only interacting with humans who show potential to become Phase 2 Deadman or higher.