When youโre a little boy, you dream about becoming the coolest thing when you grow up. Things like it being realistic, or even physically possible, arenโt that big a concern. Whether itโs being an astronaut, a Jedi, a race car driver, or a superhero, if itโs cool, most little boys are going to want to be one. And thatโs what Akira now wants to do for his bucket list: heโs become the superhero Akiraiger.
This is gonna be fun!
The Superhero Akiraiger Appears
So after remembering this time from his childhood where he dressed like a superhero and beat up some bullies, Akira decides nows the perfect time to become one for real. Despite the fact that heโs got no powers, no brilliant mind, or a ton of money. Yet he wants to be one anyway, and heโs got a lead.
At the Shinagawa Aquarium, they this special suit made from titianum mesh and steel fibers built to withstand bites from crocodiles and sharks. In other words, if he wears it, Akira will be zombie bite-proof. Thus, Akiraiger and his partner, the Blonde Nudist (Kencho dyed his hair and strips to attract zombies) are born.ย
Sadly, thereโs a flaw with Akiraโs plan: his new super suit doesnโt stop things from biting into him. Thus, he still gets bit, and it hurts. The upside, though, is that his first outing leads him to save a group of people that includes a familiar face.
Shizuka is Like an Ice Princessโฆat First
Shizuka, the girl that Akira ran into on his beer run, makes her return amidst a group of survivors running that he saves. And even though sheโs grateful for the rescue, she remains a veritable ice princess. She starts psycho-analyzing Akira and tearing down all his rationale. For example, she pegs him as this insecure guy whose doing this to boost his self-esteem. And that heโs risking his life and Kenchoโs life for something stupid! Itโs brutal to watch!
This episode does a good job of highlighting the contrasts between Akira and Shizukaโs mindsets. Theyโre like Kirk and Spock; Akira is the one with the crazy plans and letโs his gut and emotions guide his actions, while Shizuka is the one who relies on logic and rationale. She sees no point in working with Akira because she thinks heโll get them killed. Ironically, itโs Alriaโs willingness to act on emotions that saves her life when theyโre cornered by a zombie shark.ย
No, Iโm not joking. Thereโs a great white shark turned into zombie that ate divers that are also turned into zombies. And now the diversโ legs are sticking out of the shark and using it to hunt for fresh meat. Itโs the kind of thing thatโs both hilarious and terrifying. It works!!
Shizuka and Akiraiger Will Return
So, in the end, Akira, Kencho, and Shizuka take down the zombie shark with a plan that would make Captain Kirk proud. Akira wears her down enough to get her contact info, and they all head their separate ways. Shizuka says that she doubts that sheโll ever see them again, but sheโs in the opening and credits. Sheโs going to come back. However, it seems that Akira and Kencho canโt do much more in Tokyo, and the plagueโs getting worse. Thus, they decide to say Sayonara Tokyo and head into the country for Akiraโs hometown.
This was another funny episode from one of the best anime of the year. The only problem is that it got delayed a week due to some sort ofย athletics competiton, which cost it some momentum. The good news, though, is that the dub is now out for all to enjoy. Given how it has Zeno Robinson voicing Akira and Xander Mobus as Kencho, I’d say its in good hands. As for Akira, he’s doing a great job of living his life to the fullest, and I salute him. Also, I ship Akira and Shizuka. The sparks are there!
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