[DreamSword]

Episode #21: Emotion

There are two halves to this episode, both of equal importance.

One half is resolving the abduction plot that should've been the main focus of the previous episode, while the other half is a personal story involving Psy.

When it comes to the abduction plot, and hence the bigger overarching plot of the current arc, it turns out that remnants of the Skrugg have been kidnapping people and animals in order to create robot copies. And they are very dangerous.

And in the search for those kidnapped, we get a small glimpse into Joey's' past, as the mine that the Skrugg were hiding out in is one that Joey himself is familiar with, with Holly even noting that the mine is "cursed" during the final moments of the episode. This will get further explored in the future.

Don't get me wrong, that's all big stuff, but the emotional core of the episode lies with Psy, wherein we get a closer look into his past and, more specifically, the incident that robbed him of his ability to ever run normally again. Previously it was framed as Will being the culprit, and while still technically true, we get get the full context here.

In short, an argument followed by a botched play on a part of both Psy and Will led to Psy's' knee getting completely shattered. Tragic to be sure, but a surprising takeaway from the story is how Psy is able to reflect back on it, and rather than use it as fuel to hate Will, sees it as proof as to the type of person Will is: Yes, Will is rough around the edges, but the fact that Will never forgave himself for what happened proved that he'd never go out of his way to seriously harm others.

While it does stand a bit in opposition to how Will treated Joey in the early episodes, and even with how he attacked the group at the start of the arc(Joey even brings this up), I think the whole point of the discussion is moreso to show how people are complex in what they do and how they think, and it's up to you in what qualities you choose to keep at the forefront of your mind. The scars of what happened to Psy will never fully go away, but he chooses to make the most out of it that he can, and is mature enough to not see Will as the sole villain.

Plus, man. That sequence of Psy trying to score just one more touchdown? That hit right in the feels, I must admit.

Today's' song serves as the last "normal" battle theme in Heroman(if memory serves). "The Dawn: Heroes and Villains" certainly has a grandiose name, and an equally epic score to match. It certainly serves to highlight how big of a deal the prospect of the Skrugg returning really is, ontop of being a banger.

[DreamSword]

Episode #22: Memories

This is my favorite episode of Heroman.

And yet, in contrast to all of the love that I'm about to give this episode, it's also the one that cemented me never liking Holly.

A vast majority of the episode is about what heroism means to different people, ontop of Joey and Holly's' relationship with their parents. While they have the typical main character trait of both parents being dead, this episode delves into it.

Joey takes a very positive and optimistic view of both of his parents, as do the residents of Center City, given that Joey's' father was someone who ended up sacrificing his life in order for others to live. Holly, however, takes a very negative and pessimistic view of her father, and refuses to elaborate.

Look, I get it. Holly's' entire viewpoint is meant to highlight not only her not processing the sudden death of her father properly, but to have a contrastic viewpoint to Joey in order for the overall message of the episode to come out stronger. Remember the lesson Psy imparted to Joey last episode? Holly is meant show the polar opposite of that idea.

But just because I can acknowledge the purpose, doesn't mean that I have to like it, nor like Holly as a character. She is entirely selfish in this whole ordeal, and whenever Joey attempts any sort of communication with her, she brushes him off. And yet the episode still attempts at making her look sympathetic in all of this. I will definitely give the episode credit in that it never once tries to show Holly as being in the right, though.

So, on nothing but positive notes going forward, I dug almost every moment of this episode through and through. The atmosphere is incredibly somber throughout. The backstory of Joey's' parents in themselves were ones I found very engaging, and the subplot about Lina meeting Will felt every bit as powerful despite not being the center focus. The climax of the main plot, showing how the anime has had hints leading up to this big moment were great to see too, leading to the twist about the helmet that really did work for me.

It's been years, and yet I still remembered almost the entirety of this episode beat for beat. And hopefully that'll tell you something.

Following in the somber mood, today's' music highlight is "Lost" which is an equally somber song. Here it's used in regards to Lina, who fittingly enough is at a loss about what to do with her own family situation. I really felt for her in all of this, as her sections being the side plot helps to highlight her own feelings of being pushed aside. And this song very much helped in carrying those emotions.

[DreamSword]

Episode #23: Sortie

Heroman has entered its endgame.

The remnants of the Skrugg finally make their move; Taking over the White House and planning another full scale invasion.

And while the arc welding that goes on here is pretty nice, and the stakes of the final battle made very clear very quickly, I really gotta hand it to this show for making the time to have the "smaller" moments between characters take place.

I really like the scenes between Joey and Lina, which are not only acted well, but composed well too(in terms of both music and scene direction). It goes to emphasize that despite the divide that been put between them due to recent events, both still care for eachother.

Outside of that, again, this episode is very much just prep work for the endgame, with the invasion of the Skrugg, Will being on the move, and some sick new power armor for Heroman himself. The finale is definitely looking to be bombastic, and I of course am not going to give anything away, but I will say that viewers are definitely in for a treat with the next few episodes.

"Advent" heralds the arrival of the Skrugg, and the utter ruthlessness inwhich they're able to take control of the territory they want once again. Everything began with their arrival, and the show makes it very clear that it'll end with them too.