[DreamSword]

Episode 8

This show uh... it took a turn.

Like, look, I get that the whole "not blood siblings!" justification is a thing in fiction, and if it's your thing, fine, but like, I'd rather just Not, ya know?

Does this new detail, of Rena having a crush on Ray, her adopted brother, ruin the show for me? No. One of my favorite anime of all time as a similar detail in it, after all, but it is something I sure could've went without.

With that out of the way, this episode was very focused on furthering character arcs, to the point that the new monster, of whom I'll call Octopardo, is almost like a background detail in comparison, with having basically no major factor into the plot other than it leading the recent attacks on import/export ships.

George is getting closer to figuring out who Bima is and getting his story, Randy is moving to find out the truth behind the family's' past(and even brings up Ray's' brother, Reza), and Ray himself is still trying to get answers out of Mikhail with little avail, all while his self-esteem is really starting to feel the pressure when it comes to heroism.

I found that last aspect to be rather compelling, actually. Ray feels as if he's ultimately not doing much good, given that, sure, he can blow up the Kombatmen and the monsters every week, but that doesn't just undo all of the damage that they've done. Indonesia is still suffering regardless, with the latest plot being a massive food shortage. Mikhail of course does he best to reassure Ray, but that only goes so far.

It's an episode where not alot happens per say, but I was still overall invested due to the personal stakes at play from all sides. As well, assuming Reza wasn't killed, I have my own personal theory as to what might've happened with him, but I'll save that for a future episode.

But yeah, this was very much a setup episode. If not for the overarching plot then most certainly the episode immediately following. See you then.