I am atomic — Weekly Anime Review #3 Part 1
It’s time to once again look at what the anime world has to offer this week. In this review, we will look at selected anime episodes that aired between 30.10.22 (Sun) to 03.11.22 (Thurs).
From chuunibyou flexes of power to high octave moments, I will highlight some of the best anime episodes this week based on certain criteria (e.g. most comedic, best flex, most intense, etc.).
If you are interested in last week’s recap or a more in-depth review for Fall 2022, feel free to read the articles below.
Again, here are some other things to keep in mind:
- This is not a season-wide review, we will only be focusing on one episode at a time.
- Only anime I watched are included.
- There will be spoilers if you haven’t watched these shows.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in! 🎉🎉🎉
Most Feels — To Your Eternity Season 2 — Episode 2
Episode Recap
After knocking everyone unconscious, Tonari explains to Hisame how she builds her poison immunity and tries severing the Nokker from Hisame’s arm. However, the Nokker takes root in Tonari and starts killing her. When Fushi awakes, he grants Tonari’s dying request and shows her his past companions, also realising that more people he knew died. She encourages him to move on and seek more friends in life before passing on. Later, Fushi transforms into Tonari and realises her identity upon reading her diary.
Fushi then meets Hisame in the jungle and reveals her own goal and Hayase’s wish of producing a child with him. After parting ways, he continues travelling to various towns and cities to find new friends, but always leave after 3 days. Over the years of his travels, he meets with Hisame’s successors who are all women. The episode ends with his meeting with Hayase’s sixth successor — a man named Kahaku.
Why this has the Most Feels
The first half of this episode where the emotional pangs truly hit hard. First is when we see Tonari dying, again reinforcing the fact that we are witnessing a new chapter of Fushi’s adventures and the passing of his old companions.
The second pang is when we see Fushi transforming into various people. It is not just seeing his old companions again that hurt. As Fushi can only transform into dead people, he realises that he is now able to transform to more characters. Seeing him struggling with the realisation of more deaths is not pretty.
The third pang is when Fushi finally transforms into Tonari. After discovering her identity, there is gratification in knowing all she has sacrificed for his sake but also the sadness that she is now gone. While Season 1 Tonari might appear be manipulative, Season 2 Tonari is the epitome of selflessness.
Another point worth mentioning is how the second half of this episode highlights Fushi’s loneliness. Despite his best to make friends, he is unable to do so due to his fear of outliving them and the Knokker threat. Ironically, the only “friends” he has are Hayase’s decendents.
For this category, I was torn between Mob Psycho 100 and The Eminence in Shadow. Ultimately, I decide to bequeath this title to The Eminence in Shadow as it is literally a one-sided beatdown.
Best Flex — The Eminence in Shadow — Episode 5
Episode Recap
Cid confronts with Zenon in the underground tunnels. At the same time, Iris and her knights confront the monster created by Alexia’s kidnapper and struggle with its regenerative powers. Alpha appears and swiftly subdues it before warning Iris to stay out of Shadow Garden’s way.
As Cid continues toying around with Zenon, Zenon consumes pills that grant him immense powers. Unfortunately, Cid decides to stop playing and talks to Zenon about his past, his desire to be stronger than a nuclear bomb and finally possessing atomic powers. Cid then activates his magic and obliterates Zenon and the surroundings whilst keeping Alexia safe.
The episode ends with Cid meeting Alexia. As Alexia thanks Cid for complimenting her fencing techniques, she asks him if he would like to continue dating her. Cid declines cheerily, and a new school mystery dubbed the Bodiless Murder is born due to the amount of blood near their conversation site.
Why this has the Best Flex
This episode is basically a whole series of flexes from Shadow a.k.a. Cid and the members of Shadow Garden. While we know Cid is no slouch, Alpha is strong in her own right as she easily handles a monster that a sword-master and a whole team of knights struggle with. Her public appearance is also what puts Shadow Garden on the radar, as now both the cult and the Kingdom are painfully aware of Shadow Garden’s might.
The best flex is undoubtedly Cid. From him easily parrying of Zenon’s strikes, his indifference towards Zenon’s power-ups and taunts, it is obvious that the whole fight is just child’s play. Then there is his narration of his past, the chuunibyou lines (“I am atomic”, “Let the meaning of the almighty flow inside you…”, etc.) and the over-the-top magic explosion, further cementing Cid’s overpowered status. The magic sequence’s animation is a sight to behold too.
Action aside, thumbs-up to the music director — Kenichiro Suehiro and sound director — Jin Aketagawa. The music’s pacing matches the fights well and the decision to whisper the “I am atomic” line makes the delivery much more enjoyable.
Most Intense — Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War — Episode 4
Episode Recap
Sternritters appear in the Soul Society in 16 locations over Seireitei and swiftly murder more than 1,000 people in minutes. As Soul Society’s captains face off against the Quincies, Mayuri Kurotsuchi who is in his private lab realises that the Quincies are stealing their Bankai. Mr. Akon decides to contact Ichigo, who is mounting a good fight against Quilge in Hueco Mundo.
Ichigo realises that the Quincies want to steal their Bankai as they are afraid, which unnerves Quilge, thereby disrupting his defenshi Reishi and allow Urahara to fatally injure Quilge. As Ichigo prepares to leave, he learns of the Quincies abilities and the death of squad captains 2, 6, 7, 10. The episode ends with Ichigo trying to enter Soul Society, but the entrance is closed by Quincy powers as Quilge vows to stall Ichigo despite his serious injuries.
Why it is the Most Intense
This episode is undoubtedly the bleakest episode in the season thus far. While we are accustomed to seeing Soul Society’s captains trounce their foes, none of them managed to eke out a successful comeback as their trump cards are useless. The fatalities also mount on Soul Society’s side, but no Quincy from the Wanderich seems to be injured except for Quilge.
Although Ichigo manages to win against Quilge, it is not an easy match. If even Ichigo is struggling that much, it makes one wonder how the other captains can stage a comeback. The ending’s cliffhanger is not optimistic either as Soul Society’s hope is further delayed. All in all, there is a strong sense of desperation with a only slight tinge of hopelessness permeating throughout the entire show.
That’s all I have in Part 1 of this week’s review. Part 2 will be out on Sunday after reviewing the episodes on Saturday.
Do feel free to share both this article and your opinions if you enjoy what you are reading.
Happy watching!!!
