And now, the end is near…
What They Say:
Aritomi reveals his motivations for STUDY’s project to Misaka. She also learns about Nunotaba’s plight, and some of the details concerning what STUDY has planned at the Reach Assembly the next day. Will she be able to escape and put a stop them?
The Review:
Aritomi doesn’t put much stock in the idea that all are equal – especially in Academy City. Everyone’s worth is determined by their level of esper powers, and that’s something that’s entirely up to chance. Unless there were a way of creating an unlimited supply of espers, of equal strength – which is where his group’s Project Chemicaloid comes in.
In a way, they’ve been competition for the Level 6 Shift project – the youthful idea versus that project’s older backers – and Febri is an example of how their work is succeeding. Like all high-grade villains, Aritomi’s keen to tell Misaka about his plans – and the grand next stage of his project, to be launched the next day at the Assembly. But with her body still paralysed, Misaka’s not in any state to stop them…
…and so she spend a chunk of the episode lying on a table and getting an infodump from Nunotaba, who’s as keen to put her own wrongs right as Misaka is to save Febri. The key here is something that neither Misaka or Nunotaba ahve been very good at – relying on others – but it’s not long before that ‘ability’ comes into play. And so the gang get down to the serious business of planning their next move.
I know that over the past few episodes I’ve been getting over more impatient with this arc’s inability to get to the point and kick up a gear. There are a few scenes this episode where you think it’s about to do that, but no, it keeps the same sedate pace while Misaka pulls her allies together and makes her plans – but this time around, I really didn’t mind at all, as finally you can see where things are going; you can understand what the girls are doing to put things right. Yes, there’s a bit of infodump going on, but what it reveals is necessary background information, and it doesn’t feel as contrived in the way that it’s done as many infodumps I’ve seen. On all those counts, this time around I’m more than happy to forgive the episode its failings.
In Summary:
About time, too. The scene is now set for what should be an epic conclusion, if this arc stays true to the format of the arcs that have gone before it. There’s a little niggle in the back of my mind that wonders if it will – of the two seasons of Railgun, this arc has most definitely been the weakest, and it could so easily end on a damp squib – but at least we won’t have long to wait to find out.
Content Grade: A-
Streamed By: FUNimation
Review Equipment: 27” Apple iMac, 2.9GHz Core i5, 32GB RAM, Mac OS X 10.8.4
