If the first eight episodes focused on fish girl, it appears that the next set of episodes will focus on Mizuno, who may be come to known as bird girl. With the updated ending featuring Mizuno’s face instead of fish girl’s on the bus(it finally occurred to me that having her picture on the bus meant something given the nature of the last episode), it is clear that the show has entered a new phase, but not just for this reason.
She's smitten
The show opens with some clarification on Takuto and Sugata’s friendship status and all seems well. However, the real core of this episode was the proper introduction for Mizuno, and her sister Marino, and things get complex pretty quickly. As most had already guessed, and as the show revealed at its end, Mizuno is the Western Maiden, but the real kicker was that her sister is the new leader of the Glittering Crux Brigade, since Head apparently doesn’t want to bother fighting Takuto until they unlock the third phase. That by itself isn’t that big of a deal, but since Marino, and her soon to be regenerated Cybuddy, will be able to locate the Western Maiden, how will she feign ignorance or stop that process, so that she can keep the promise she made with her sister?
New theory: there are two types of people in this world. Those who like Mizuno more, and those who like Marino more. Since I think Marino is far more interesting (how could she not be with a Crux name like Manticore) than Mizuno, I’m only going to focus on her character introduction. Marino’s introduction to the Glittering Crux members was classic. That whole I have bombs all over the island bit was so childish and stupid, and so atypical of what seems to be her typical behavior. Plus, the reactions of all the other members while not played up, was pretty funny. I’m guessing she is doing this on purpose, as her promise with her sister leads us to believe that she may be trying to destroy the Crux from the inside, but if Head trusts her it may be just the opposite.
She's awesome
But the real cool part was getting to see the real Glittering Crux meeting in a back room. The way those guys half heartedly gave the Kiraboshi hand sign was pretty cool (plus far more realistic), and shows that they have a somewhat different perspective as to what is really going on. The way they continually insulted Marino and Head (that hand raising shtick was pretty funny, and that throwing away the can reference was pretty grim), plus their reluctance to fight were all very different from any of the Crux members we have seen so far. Anyway, Marino certainly has some decisions to make in upcoming episodes, but it is hard to see her not falling for one of the bishies, as was the case with Midori and Benio.
The glamor of the real Glittering Crux Brigade
Speaking of the members we have seen fight so far, they may finally have an opportunity to pilot a Cybuddy again with the brigade close to mastering regeneration. While I’m hoping that some of the past characters return, the nature of the show’s set up with 22 Cybuddys and 25 episodes makes it seem like a fat chance, unless we get to a tag team battle (which almost happened in this episode, and now seems like it will happen before the series is over).
The show continues to tell some ok stand alone battle stories as it advances the main plot. The scene with Takuto and Sugata battling right before being dragged into zero time was a nice touch, even if you could easily tell that Sugata’s advice was critical to the upcoming battle. As for the battle, I was expecting more from a member of the real Brigade, although I guess it goes to show you how powerful Takuto really is. Nonetheless, I’m hoping that the Brigade does catch Mizuno, if for nothing else, so that we can finally see the Galactic Pretty Boy lose.
This arc seems pretty interesting, so if you haven’t been watching the show so far, I’d recommend catching up quick, as it seems like we may finally be getting to the good stuff. Plus with quotes like “mines a little longer”, how can you lose?
Very fun episode this week! great introduction to Mizuno and Marino and the big secret they share, I kind of saw the whole one of them being the West Maiden well I was waiting for it lol.
So guess we can assume Marino is going to give the Crux a run around while she protects her sister. Next week looks like fun too with Marino falling for Takuto too..
It will be interesting to see if Marino does also fall for Takuto, will her relationship (and promise) with her sister remain as strong as it is now, or will she become jealous and maybe inadvertently reveal Mizuno to be the West Maiden?