Like the bullet train the Kotetsujo can be sometimes, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is plowing through at a breakneck pace. I get that is has to do this given how short of a series it is. And while I fear it’s moving a little too quickly, there’s no denying that Kabaneri isn’t boring. It’s a lot of fun and still has a little bit of heart to spare while ramping things up for an inevitable showdown in Friday’s finale.
Just when you thought this series couldn’t try to be more like Attack on Titan beyond look and atmosphere, the Kotetsujo faced what Mumei called a “Hybrid Colony”, a massive Kabane made up of thousands of Kabane’s linked together. After I was done shaking my head at this, I definitely got excited to see the Iron Fortress take this thing on and it was pretty damn epic for sure. Kind of helped that the bickering between the normal defense forces and the Kabaneri had died down considerably and everyone was pitching in to kick some ass…some more than others. Seeing Ikoma and Kurusu put aside their animosities for an epic sword and run and gun race down the Kotetsujo, clearing it of Kabane was excellent and a Kabane slaying sword is just as cool as it sounds. And this opening salvo was only the first of two amazing action sequences, we’ll get to the latter in a second.
Mumei’s troubled history jumped to the forefront of both the events at Yashiro and Shiritori Stations. The girl had a peaceful life before it turned violent from a Kabane attack and the hyper paranoia that kind of terror brings to the people. While we still don’t know exactly how she became a Kabaneri (but we’re getting close given a key player has been brought in), we do know that being around Biba has instilled a very twisted “Survival of the Fittest” mindset in Mumei, so much so she even talks bad about her mother who died to protect her. Given how indoctrinated Mumei is towards these beliefs, it’s amazing she hasn’t written off the crew of the Kotetsujo way before now. And yet, her growing bond with Ikoma is testing those beliefs and I cant wait to see how she inevitably chooses the more optimistic and hopeful route and strikes back against the psycho who turned her into a living weapon.
Speaking of, we got Biba everyone. Yeah, it’s a silly name but the man makes up for it by being a charmingly ruthless “hero” of the people. He comes complete with a mini squad of Kabaneri, Mumei’s old unit (who also ride Motorcycles in Feudal Japan…ok), and a sword similar to the one Ikoma made for Kurusu that can cut Kabane to ribbons. But, Biba’s legend, status and charm cant mask his own sinister intentions. Ikoma was onto him immediately after learning some of Mumei’s backstory and it’s hard not to be suspicious. First off, Biba’s a stereotypical cute guy turns out to be an evil mastermind just waiting to be revealed. Secondly, his cold slaying of a former spy in the middle of a battle screams “RED FLAG”. Oh and he wants Mumei to just turn on the Kotetsujo crew…and she does without a second thought. Screw “the weak die and the strong survive”. In Biba’s mind, he is the strong and his will is absolute, something that poor Mumei still stand by even when she’s asked to do a very shady act on her brothers orders. This is a short series but I’m imagining Biba will be the big bad to defeat before it ends. Right now, the Kabane might just be Priority Number 2 on the list of concerns right now
With all the action and new baddies being introduced, you’d be surprised that the Kotetsujo Crew actually got time to chill out. Turns out, Shiritori Station offered a respite and gave the gang a chance to stock on supplies, having some nice character moments and actually lend a helping hand to the people living in the station. It’s also where I feel like the series is moving a bit too quickly for its own good. The way the main cast has buddy buddied together after such a short period of time, especially how close Ikoma and Mumei are becoming, it feels like we’ve skipped several episodes ahead to save on screetime. Why wasn’t Kabaneri extended into a more traditional 24-26 episode series rather than 12? This show is good, don’t get me wrong. But it would have been better had we seen things more spaced out over more episodes to see the growth and bonds forming between the cast feel more earned.
That said, I’m excited to see Ikoma and Mumei face off against Biba and his Kabaneri posse. Will everyone make it to the Shogun and find a way to stop the Kabane once and for all? Or will we get an unresolved “To Be Continued” in the same vein as High School of the Dead? Friday brings all the answers (or lack thereof) with the Series Finale of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress. See ya then.
No comments:
Post a Comment