This is far and away one of the best episodes in this series. Turns out when the team actually puts legitimate effort into this show it's actually a really good watch. It's a god damn shame that episodes like this are so rare and I'm sure next week's episode will be a return to the usual drivel. Well at least Naoki got a good episode written around him (again) as this was quite compelling and once again proves my theory that VG anime episodes written with the Narukami character as it's focus are a bajillion times better than usual.
In addition to the on place +1 in game he also causes +1 to the animation budget.
So what did this episode do right? Pretty much everything. Naoki's character arc has been pretty easy to follow and this ep follows up on what's been happening in a realistic manner; Naoki's picked up Vanguard, is having fun with the others in the club but otherwise his life hasn't changed. He's still unable to stand out in the eyes of others and he's still looked down upon by his brother as a quitter. Kourin continually telling him these things through a PSY-Qualia link that they have going on is also making it worse as any time he seems to be able to snap out of this she brings him back in line by attacking him where it hurts. Aichi for his worth is also trying his best free Naoki as he keeps telling him that he's changed and this entire scene is complimented by good use of V's middle of the road OST. It also helps that the animation budget got expanded considerably as we have a fight here that's moving with the same level of fluidity and epicness that hasn't been seen since Team Try-3 took down Gyze.
I have nothing witty to say. This just looks really cool.
Alongside this we have a quick update on Kai's situation and not alot happens other than Miwa running off to avoid helping him carry groceries and no doubt meeting Ibuki along the way. Back to characters we actually care about Naoki continues to wrestle with what he's been told by two different sides as he's still guilty over how he ignored Aichi being bullied as a kid and he thinks himself as a monster for it. Aichi more or less tells him he's no monster as what he's done since the two met again is proof of that and that they're team mates plus other friendship/heart of the cards stuff. It almost works as Naoki all but says that this fight isn't poper until Kourin once again steps in, says that he will never be a true team mate of Aichi's unless he's able to rival him in strength (oof, that's actually a solid point?) so there's only one real way to make it happen. Naoki then coldly proclaims that "Break Time is over" in both an awesome call back to the original series that is also really saddening as he "Break Rides" Detonix Stinger Dragon.
So uh...this guy kinda ended up being the best Restander in the game until DOtG gets released.
Drill boi hits the field and Naoki completely rips it apart as he goes on the attack and declares that he'll shine just as brightly as Aichi. He flips a front and goes for the second check but hesitates as despite seemingly committing to Kourin's suggestions a few seconds ago he's still fighting her influence. She again tells him to keep going and its at this point that Aichi notices something else is having an effect on this fight and before Naoki defeats him with a crit he sees that it's Takuto or rather the thing that he's become. Aichi is defeated and gets attacked by Takuto, Kourin and Naoki in PSY-Qualia world which causes him to pass out IRL while Naoki watches, realizes what he's done and also passes out while urging Kourin to stop all of this. Misaki picks up on this and after seeing to it the two are resting in the infirmary she tells Shingo to keep them from fighting as she has to see someone; Kourin.
One of the best episodes in the series? Fuck that. This is the best. Kai and Ren episodes have got nothing on this.
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