What They Say:
Under the rule of a tyrannical empire, Tatsumi, a young swordsman, leaves his home to save his poverty stricken village. He meets a girl named Akame, an assassin who was bought, brainwashed and trained to kill by the Empire. Akame is a member of the secret assassin group called “Night Raid” who use special weapons called Teigu. Together, Tatsumi and the members of Night Raid confront the corrupt empire.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
This is a bit of a weird episode. First Tatsumi is in the Jaeger stronghold, with no sign of what the other members of Night Raid thought of the situation or even what Tatsumi’s reactions getting to that point were. Furthermore, the great general Esdeath is ready to turn him into a man, not knowing that he’s her mortal enemy, and probably not caring a great deal either way (although she does have her serious moments concerning such issues, so we’ll find out soon enough just how she’ll feel about this revelation). He attempts to convince her of all people to change her allegiance, the only thing that breaks her concentration on taking his virginity throughout most of the episode, as needless to say he’s not getting anywhere with that idea.
Despite his opposing viewpoints being made so clear (albeit without the inclusion of the team he happens to fight on behalf of), Tatsumi is quickly sent out on a mission with the Jaegers, and conveniently he has an opportunity that doesn’t involve him being watched by Esdeath whatsoever. It’s nice to see him talk with Wave, as the two immediately acknowledge that they’re extremely similar, even without Wave (the initiator of the conversation) realizing just how true it is for Tatsumi. The camaraderie has to wait, though, because Tatsumi is getting out of there as quickly as possible, and Wave’s good nature gives him the opening he needs.
A battle does commence, but in keeping with the strange nature of the series, neither is quite sure of the other’s identity, with Tatsumi’s suspecting that he’s fighting Wave but Wave completely oblivious that the man he happened to meet while trying to find Tatsumi was Tatsumi himself, keeping his secret safe even while Wave recognizes his Imperial Arms as one of Night Raid’s. The battle isn’t much of a battle, really, as Tatsumi manages to get away with a significant blow dealt but his identity still safe, and it turns out his Night Raid buddies have been watching him all along, albeit from a safe enough point that they wouldn’t create an all-out war with the Jaegers or catch Esdeath’s attention just yet.
And so as quickly as he was taken away, Tatsumi is back at home, as bizarre a home as it’s always been, and is able to give his report. Just as Wave realizes how similar he is to Tatsumi, Tatsumi realizes that Kurome must have some connection, not only for the same kinds of reasons but also because of their name patterns and looks, and indeed Kurome readily admits that the two are sisters. This gives Akame a little more to talk about, revealing a bit more about her history and setting up for another conflict that’s been brewing for a while now. Speaking of Jaegers, the gag of Bols being married continues on the joke of his character that’s actually pretty funny.
In Summary:
As disjointed as this episode seems, it’s actually pretty entertaining all throughout, and Akame ga Kill! rarely tries to be anything more. While there may be a lot of wasted potential, there’s some solid development on the side of the Jaegers, and a big fight between the two sides is imminent.
Grade: B+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
HP Envy 14.
Admire Bols