Now that he’s discovered the existence of the long-sought after Gatchaman, Rui has an unusual request for Hajime.
What They Say
“Originality” – Hajime’s actions has made the public go into a frenzy, while infuriating Paiman and exasperating her team mates. However, Hajime is indifferent to the uproar and continues to march to the beat of her own drum. Just then, an invitation from an individual identifying himself as LOAD.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The last episode ended with Hajime transforming into a Gatchaman in a period of crisis: a tunnel had collapsed, and people were trapped inside as fires raged. Picking up from that point, Sugane rushes after her, still in human form, and as usual, trying to keep her from causing trouble. Meanwhile, Utsutsu is inspired to assist by Hajime’s example, and she uses her powers to transfer life to heal people. Joe warns Utsutsu that she is only draining her own life force in doing so, and volunteers some of his life force for her rescue attempt. Meanwhile, Hajime approaches Rui, and to everyone’s shock and amazement, she removes her helmet to introduce herself to him. Panicked, Sugane grabs Hajime and flees the scene, but the damage has been done: a security camera captured Hajime in her Gatchaman uniform, and beamed it right to a crisis management center somewhere in the city.
It’s hard to know how seriously the media takes this evidence: Hajime isn’t shown doing anything especially extraordinary, and cosplay in Japan isn’t an unheard of phenomenon. The rumors of Gatchaman assistance in the crisis do spread like wildfire through television media and GALAX. Sugane and Paiman are upset by her carelessness. Paiman insists it’s a big problem… because… of reasons, and demands JJ punish her, though not too harshly. JJ is unresponsive. Paiman seems surprised himself to see that Hajime’s big revelation seems to have had no effect at all on the Gatchaman’s mission, and JJ has sent no messages or warnings in response. Paiman consoles himself that this must mean it’s no big deal, though Joe suggests laying low for a while. However, when Joe heads back to his apartment to pick up a handgun, Sugane catches him in the act. Joe says it’s to take care of Berg Katze, though he quickly changes the subject.
Hajime and Utsutsu seem to be growing closer since the tunnel incident, and when the stationary store messages Hajime to tell her that her order has come in, she brings Utsutsu along as well. Ever vigilant, Sugane decides to keep an eye on her as well. Sugane grills Hajime on her decision to reveal herself, but Hajime insists it was important to do so, and not some mere whim. Against his better instincts, Sugane seems to accept her answer.
At the mall, the media is waiting in ambush to interview Hajime. While Hajime herself seems willing to answer their questions, Sugane thinks better of it, and tries to come up with a way to get out of the situation. Luckily, Rui is watching from his lair, and comes up with a plan to extricate the Gatchaman from this situation. He notifies some of his Hundred to guide her out of the mall. It’s an impressive feat of social coordination, though a few GALAX members contribute by wearing masks and threatening members of the media with bats. It’s a bit of dark foreshadowing of where an unchecked GALAX might end up in less “noble” hands than Rui’s. Regardless of where GALAX might end up, Rui’s demonstration proves that GALAX has members in almost every level of Japanese society, giving it an inside man for almost every major institution in the city, and perhaps even the nation.
The escape ends at a restaurant at the top of a luxurious hotel, where Rui introduces himself as LOAD GALAX, the creator of GALAX. Hajime is impressed, even more so when LOAD GALAX refers to her by name, instead of merely as “newbie.” Sugane is far less trusting than Hajime, and though he receives an invitation, he infiltrates the hotel using his Amnesia Effect. LOAD GALAX offers Hajime to bury all of the information about her Gatchaman identity using his connections, but Hajime seems not to care about it, much to Rui’s surprise. Rui describes the goal of GALAX, a world without heroes where all people work together for a common goal. Because of this, Rui insists that heroes no longer have a place, and asks Hajime to stop being a Gatchaman. Sugane rejects Rui’s request angrily. Hajime’s request is less actively hostile, but just as devastating. She pulls out her Gatchaman notebook to see Rui’s reaction, and notes his surprise. She refuses to stop being a Gatchaman, and notes the CROWDS she saw at the scene, hinting that she knows that Rui has Gatchaman powers as well. When he denies knowing about any such thing, she responds that he is very pretty, but that he would be much prettier without the makeup. In Hajime-speak, it almost seems like she’s accusing Rui of being a liar.
Sugane, being the more straightforward shounen hero, decides to go back and confront Rui further about his deceptions, but Hajime seems satisfied with the information she collected. Likewise, Rui seems satisfied with his first encounter with Gatchaman Hajime Ichinose.
The story continues at its slow-burn pace, building up to a massive conflict between ideological opponents, but boy howdy was this episode ugly. Many have criticized Gatchaman Crowds’ animation before this episode, but it never much bothered me. Here, it’s impossible to ignore. Characters are off model more than they are on model. Movement is awkward and jerky. It takes away from the thrill of the escape when you see just how poorly the action is rendered. Hopefully this will be fixed for BD/DVD release, but animation this bad takes you out of the episode, and is thus reflected in the review score.
In Summary
The animation is awful and the plot is remarkably less dense in this episode, but we’re finally given the meeting between Rui and Hajime that we’ve long expected. Rui appears honest and straightforward while keeping many of his cards hidden, and Hajime aims for the jugular while seeming clueless and naive. It’s the kind of subtle character development that makes Gatchaman Crowds such a treat to see, and now that we know Rui and Hajime do not see eye to eye, their rivalry is only likely to increase. Especially if Berg Katze imposes himself into their relationship.
Grade: B+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment: Sony VAIO 17″ HD screen
