[Paladin]

Houtaro must investigate the strange spell of Zyukyumpire!

[weedle013ZiO]

Opening reference! Ding!

[Zolda]

What does Kyouka mean when she says @ 06:51 that Minato carries a great burden? Her remark might be an allusion to the truth that he's very likely a double agent, assigned on a mission to sabotage Glion's plan, by one or several people whose existence has never been implied in any conversation so far, along with their identities and motives. I've been hypothesizing about the existence of a group of people who are even higher in rank than the AU's top brasses. These people are very likely not only secretly manipulating the AU's top brasses, but Glion as well. Glion thinks that he's the master of his own schemes, while in reality he's also been manipulated by another group of people with even higher bird's-eye view. It could be a great irony if it's true. And why doesn't Glion show any sign of suspicion toward Minato? Has it never occurred in his mind that Minato might be secretly planning to sabotage his plan? Why doesn't he manipulate Minato's mind as well, given the fact that his alchemy skill is higher than Minato's?

These ultimate manipulators might also have something to do with the original plan/design of the Gotchardriver. So far, it's still unclear who designed the Gotchardriver. Kyouka has stated and implied that she was only a participant, meaning that the Gotchardriver that she's created for spanner is based off an already existing design. Fuga's statements also implied that he's not the one who designed it. My gut feeling says that these people might also have a crucial connection to Houtarou's dad who is the most enigmatic character in the story so far. Or am I missing something here?

Oh, and speaking of the AU's top brasses, where are they now? Are they so deeply manipulated by Glion that they can't even tell the difference between truth and falsehood anymore? Is every single member of the AU (barring Houtarou & his club and Spanner & Kyouka) manipulated by Glion? It just feels weird when an organization of this size with supposedly many members doesn't seem to do anything when its hierarchical structure is tampered with.

Glion confirms @ 07:44 that Clotho and The Sisters are indeed homunculi that he created. He then proceeds to upgrade her outfit (and power) with his signature golden alchemy. Later, she manages to overwhelm Houtarou in his Fire Gotchard form.

It's shown @ 07:07 that Glion's spy cameras are surprisingly cinematic, haha.

Next week:

Rinne will get a new form that has similar color scheme to KR Blades Tategami Hyoujuusenki.

Super Gotchard Cross X-Rex will appear again, although at this point it's already outpowered. Even Fire Gotchard is already outpowered by several new golden Malgams recently.

[DreadBringer]

Now a Chemy is the (implied) main threat.

Zukyumpire’s personality is of the flamboyant gentleman type that attracts many people, including Renge. Honestly, from my experience, this kind of personality feels suspicious now, given how often it’s portrayed in the media. This adds further suspicion to him this week.

The main cast also confronted Zukyumpire in a menacing way, at least before learning he’s a Chemy. Zukyumpire is established as someone who sucks people’s life force with Zukyun and plans to unleash Zukyun on the entire mankind, while still claiming he’s doing good for them.

The reserved Rinne, acting hammy due to Zukyun, provides the biggest comedic contrast here.