Monday, May 15, 2017

Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Part 3-Episodes 9-12


As Boomer attacks begin to increase in frequency, the battle begin to take their toll on the Knight Sabers.  Nene screws up in a big way, jeopardizing her spot on the team.  Linna begins to feel the burden of a duel life, pushing her to return home and think about her own future.  Only Priss is left to fight the good fight alone.  But she might not be as alone as she thinks.  ADP officers Leon and Wong are slowly gravitating towards the side of the Sabers.  Meanwhile, the Genom Corporations investigations attract Syllia’s attention.  The question is, who will catch who first in the race for the truth about the Boomer epidemic?

We’ve reached the half way mark of the series.  And yet what transpires during this weeks set of episodes feels like it could be the series finale.  Characters got a lot of growth and time to shine.  The action went to the next level of epic.  And all around, it was a huge amount of fun…even if it’s kind of difficult to pinpoint who the endgame villains are.

I haven’t said much about the dynamic ADP duo that is Leon and Daley.  They’ve had small roles but have grown steadily in importance as the series has gone on.  Leon clearly has the hots for Priss that’s certain but he and Daley have always seem to be on the frenemies end of the Knight Sabers.  They’re supposed to arrest them, and have attempted to.  More often than not, they end up having to help them because the Boomers are the common enemy.  This week, they really got to take the lead a couple of times, and against two ginormous threats.  And against each, neither of these guys backed down: not from the colossal giants or from each other.  Leon and Daley aren’t the bumbling stooges there for comic relief (though they’ve provided plenty) but theyre equally heroes in this show alongside our cyber powered heroines.

Speaking of the Sabers themselves, Linna and Nene both got some nice arcs this week.  Nene got chewed out a bit harshly by Syllia for wanting to hook Priss up with Leon…which is a bad idea cause Leon is a cop unknowingly trying to arrest Priss, the Knight Saber.  I did feel bad for Syllia’s scolding (cause does she really have a right to do so with her state of mind?).  But later it consumed Nene, who began to feel inferior compared to Priss and Linna.  I’m surprised it took Priss this long to suggest Nene be taken off of the team.  But Nene bounced back against the giant monster in the sewers and provided the intel that helped the Sabers win the day.  Which I thought was ironic because even high and mighty Syllia got taken down by the monster who could drain the Hard Suits and Boomers of their energy.  So Nene is safe and she’s growing a bit, becoming more confident in what she is best at, intel gathering.  Oh and the cute little crushing she and Mackey are doing on each other is nice too.  They do play well off of each other, but then again Mackey is good in any scene.

Linna, meanwhile, suffered the dilemma most rookie superheroines usually do: the dangers of a double life.  While the trip home was ok, I was more into her going to Priss for advice. I’ve been a strong advocate of the bond between these two.  Priss can give Linna easy, if not a bit hard, truths (just get out of your crappy day job, she tells her) and Linna gives Priss the friendship she sorely needs.  The fact that Linna rushed home to fight the giant military Boomer to save Priss is proof of how much she values her.  Even if Priss wont say thanks, I know she feels the same way.  Still haven’t thought of a ship name for these two, even though I know it probably wont happen.  Still a guy can dream. 

All of these developments culminated in battle with two foes who were the size of buildings, the biggest threats the Knight Sabers have faced.  Kudos to Priss for being the bad ass to take on the military Boomer alone.  But it was the combined teamwork of Priss, Linna, Nene and even Mackey backing them up that pulled out the victories both times.  As I said, the action felt above and beyond epic and it’s the kind of scope that you might reserve for battles towards the end of the series.  I hope this isn’t a sign of BGC blowing all of it’s awesomeness only half way through the race. 

Once again, my biggest issue with the show is the mystery of the villains.  But who is the main villain: Mason or Rosenkroitz?  Mason has the more malice between the two and even kills Syllia’s spy after having him set a potential trap for her.  His character design also screams “scum bag”.  But Rosenkroitz, hooked up to a chair he can never leave and with a creepy voice, gives off more of the Emperor Palpatine, final boss kind of vibe.  We still don’t know what Mason is looking for but it’s clear it has to do with Syllia’s fathers Boomer research.  Things are a bit more in motion, with Mason apparently getting something out of Nigel, something so bad Nigel is drinking himself to death.  Guess we might see some developments emerge on this end next week.

Also how is Syllia’s place not filled with broken glass?  Cause everytime her father, or his research on Boomers gets brought up, she drops a bottle or a cup.  Her butler should really “Syllia Proof” this place.

We ended on a pretty big cliffhanger.  Nene discovered Mackey isn’t quite who he thinks he is.  Nigel may have just betrayed Syllia.  And it looks like Syllia’s past is about to catch up with the team.  Half way through and we’re on a pretty good track in terms of character moments, action, animation and lots of cute girls kicking ass their way.  Here’s hoping the second half is just as good as the first has been.

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