Let them fight.
What They Say:
Episode #5: “VS Imaginator 5”
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
The tension in Boogiepop has been ramping up in the episodes leading up to this one, which is filled with confrontation, both physical and mental.
It begins with Suema approaching Jin, this is after witnessing his ‘pruning and grafting’ work. She tries to ask him what caused Kotoe’s change in behavior and the conversation becomes increasingly tense before Jin backs off and diffuses. Suema is both brave and incredibly stupid for approaching him directly. I’m still not sure what she thought she was going to get out of that moment, but it does result in Jin deciding to take care of his cousin.
Kotoe, at roughly the same time, is getting ready to remove Misaki from the situation. She, under the control of Spooky E, corners Misaki in what looks like underground storage units. Badly outnumbered she tells Misaki that Aya is basically a slut in order to bait him out. He doesn’t fall for the ploy.
The action picks up in this episode and we get a nicely animated confrontation with plenty of hand-to-hand combat. This show is pretty light on combat, so it’s nice to see an effort being put into it when it does happen. Misaki has some solid moves, and Nagi is no slouch as she rushes in to provide backup to her brother at a clutch moment.
However, the one playing cleanup in this situation is Jin. He arrives in the aftermath to start confronting Spooky E after the trouble he’s been causing for those around him. Jin has learned about the Towa Organisation, presumably from the Imaginator, and finally decides it’s time to act. He starts by addressing his cousin Kotoe, still possessed by Spooky E, and manages to break her free of the mind control. He then confronts Spooky E head on.
While this all sounds very heroic, it comes off as incredibly dangerous. Jin is being manipulated by the Imaginator, using his powers to twist people and manipulate their hearts. Suema’s confrontation with him could have gone very badly, but he decided at the last moment to stay on the down-low and walks back from letting her know just how supernatural his abilities are. It’s easy to cheer as he finally takes down Spooky E, but when he approaches Aya there’s nothing but dread in his calm voice.
In Summary:
The Imaginator arc has been increasing in quality, and it’s a shame there was no real way to start the series with this part of the story. The situation has grown tense for the people caught up in the tangled war between Spooky E, the Imaginator, and Boogiepop. Yet Boogiepop is taking a surprisingly hands-off approach to the situation, letting Jin confront Spooky E. Aya remains the one person in the most danger, as an asset which has outlived her usefulness. Jin may seem like a hero, but the paradise for humanity he envisions is one of content sheep. Suema and Misaki are playing a dangerous game, and Aya needs her hero now.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Crunchyroll & Funimation
