Author: Roderick J "Jay" Friz

Nanahoshi Needs Help. NOW!

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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 15 Review

You know what I love about Mushoku Tensei? How it’s never afraid to shy away from serious topics. Conflict between parents and children, depression, lingering trauma, and the importance of bonds to keep us going in bleak times. Rudeus has experienced all these before, and he will again, so he knows how serious it can be when someone they know is going through the same thing. When Nanahoshi’s attempts to go home hit another roadblock and pushed her to the breaking point, Rudeus knew he had to step in and do something. No one should go through life alone, after all.

Nanahoshi Almost Loses it

Life is going well for Rudeus right now. He’s got a giant house, plenty of friends at school, is married to his best friend, and plenty of money to spend. To top it off, he gets a letter from Paul saying they’re going to find Zenith, so they’re sending his sisters to live with him. Life is going well for him. But while he’s happy as a clam, Nanahoshi is falling further and further into despair.

Nanahoshi has been working for years now to find a way to return home to Japan, wanting nothing to do with this other world. She’s poured everything into learning how magic circles work to get home. She’s worked so hard trying to get it to work, only to keep coming up short. And…she snaps from this.

Like I said, this show doesn’t pull its punches on serious issues, and it does a great job of portraying Nanahoshi’s breakdown in a realistic manner. Her destroying part of her lab was disturbing enough. Seeing her pass out from exhaustion is concerning, as is her disheveled state after waking up. What makes things straight-up nightmare fuel is when Sylphie finds a dagger on Nanahoshi’s person. 

The look on Rudeus’ face says it all. He knows what Nanahoshi might do with that dagger if left alone. It’s a haunting reminder of how bad things got for him after Eris left and Sara dumped him. 

Intervention time. Now!

No One Has to Do Everything Alone

Knowing how suicidal Nanahoshi is right now, Rudeus has her stay at his place while he works with his friends to figure out a solution to this roadblock. And while they don’t entirely understand what she’s trying to do beyond getting home, sometimes one doesn’t need to fully understand the finer details to come up with good ideas. Taking inspiration from their research on the doll they found, Cliff and Zanoba manage to come up with a few ideas on what to do. After that, they show them to Nanahoshi, and it seems to do the trick. She gets that fire back in her eyes. Not long afterwards, her second attempt manages to pull something over from Earth! 

As exciting as this small victory is, what matters more is the message the story is trying to convey: trying to do things alone, no matter how good you are, can eventually end in failure. In addition, one shouldn’t shut themselves away from everyone, especially when they’re in pain like Nanahoshi. It’s only thanks to Rudeus going through similar experiences that he realized how bad things had gotten. If he hadn’t intervened, Nanahoshi might have killed herself. 

One Crisis Averted…Another One Shows Up

Real talk, though: Nanahoshi’s breakdown can hit very close to home for some people watching this. Maybe they’ve gone through something similar, like what they do won’t amount to anything or keep failing at something. Or maybe they know someone who’s been through something like that. They’re not alone, nor should they think that they are. There are people who care about them and will help them, if they’re brave enough to reach out. 

Ultimately, it looks like the lesson sticks with Nanahoshi. She still may hate the world she got pulled into, but at least she knows that she’s not alone there anymore. Crisis averted, Rudeus! And just in time for another one to pop up.

Remember the letter from Paul about Rudy’s sisters coming to live with him? The episode ends with them finally arriving, and while Aisha is overjoyed to see him…Norn still doesn’t like him. So, he’s going to have to deal with that soon. The one silver lining is that the person who escorted them there is an old friend: Ruijerd!

As great as it is to see Ruijerd again, it will also make things awkward when he notices Eris is absent. This will happen sooner or later, though. Good luck ripping that bandaid off, Rudy!

I Give “Afar” a 4/5

Yamaji is Out to Conquer the World!

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Ninja Kamui Episode 12 Review

There comes a time in every nation or big organization where the way things work stops working. When they need to chart a new course, evolve, or else they die. In the worst cases, a disillusioned member of that group could decide to burn the whole thing to the ground and start fresh. And, as the penultimate episode of Ninja Kamui indicates, the Ninja have reached that point under Yamaji. And the only one who can bring him down for good is Higan. Otherwise, the whole world will be swallowed by the shadows of the Ninja.

Time to Burn it All Down

As Higan continues to rest from his fight with Zai, he’s visited by the same old doctor who treated his wounds in Episode 2. Except it’s revealed that he isn’t just any elder. His true identity is that of the former Chief of the Ninja before Yamaji seized power. And much like Higan, Aska, Mari, and many others, he thinks its time for the Ninja to either end or be born anew.

This episode delves deeper into the backstory of the Ninja as an organization, and how they defended their native Japan for centuries from the shadows. However, as Japan prospered, they stopped relying on the Ninja to aid them in favor of other groups. The Chief saw the writing on the wall: if they didn’t adapt, they would die out, but he couldn’t see another path beyond the cold, rigid code the Ninja followed. Until he saw Higan, Mari, and Zai embrace their emotions to make them stronger. And he thought that, maybe, that was the future the Ninja could take.

Yamaji is a Stubborn Fool

Yamaji, though, thought the opposite. Instead of embracing change, Yamaji led a coup, nearly killed the Chief, and decided to double-down on their strict code, which led them to work for AUZA. But as the series has demonstrated, that way of thinking won’t help them survive, but hasten their doom. 

Case in point, Dilly, the Ninja protecting Joseph, grew to admire his crazy plans to change the world, and chose him over Yamaji. Ultimately, the conflict of Ninja Kamui could be boiled down to a conflict of tradition vs. change. And in this case, the traditionalists like Yamaji are in the wrong.

It might be too late to save the Ninja from themselves, though.

Joseph, AUZA, and the Ninja Just got Busted

Joseph may have gotten away with his life thanks to Dilly’s sacrifice, but AUZA just got backed into a corner. While he was busy running, James managed to blow the whistle on AUZA by uploading all the dirt Emma/Aska had on them. Illegal activities, the Ninja, the names of high-ranking government officials, everything. And Morris is able to use that to turn the FBI on AUZA. 

Then, Joseph ups the ante by threatening to rig his companies’ reactors to blow sky-high unless the government calls off the hunt for him. And to add even further to the chaos, Yamaji makes his move. Using an army clad in Gusoku Gear, the Ninja drop all forms of stealth and openly attack the US Government. And that’s only the start. Once they’re done in America, they’ll move onto the rest of the world, and with their Gusoku Gear, the world will fall.

The Final Battle is at Hand!

Bravo, E&H Production, Sola Entertainment, and Sungwoo Park. This is the kind of stakes that I have been wanting to see. An army of evil Ninja out for world domination? Using mech suits? That is all kinds of awesome! It’s actually a pity that next week marks the finale to Ninja Kamui, because it just got really, really good. I’m looking forward to seeing the finale, though!

I Give “Episode 12” a 4.5/5

Whoa! Yamaji Just Played Everyone!

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Ninja Kamui Ep 11 Review

The story of Ninja Kamui is coming down to the wire, and things are getting desperate for all sides. Higan and Zai are settling their grudge match, the FBI is hunting Morris, and James is working on getting access to the intel that Emma/Aska stole from AUZA. On the other side, the tension between AUZA’s Joseph and Yamaji ends in the only way it could: with both turning on each other. And by the time the episode ends, the only one in control of anything is Yamaji himself.

A Meeting of Fists and Ideals

There can be more to fighting than an exchange of fists and weapons. Fighting can be about the ideals, the motivations behind the people who are doing it. And much like Naruto and Sasuke’s numerous clashes, the fight between Higan and Zai is less about winning and more about whose side is right. Was Higan right to abandon the Ninja? Was Zai right to remain loyal to Yamaji despite him taking them away from their original ways? Their fight is as much a battle of ideals as it is their fists, and it is epic.

Higan and Zai both put everything on the line as they fight for their ninja ways, with Zai making it known how betrayed he felt by Higan and Mari leaving him. In return, Higan says that they wanted to one day see there could be a life outside the Ninjas, but he was too blinded by anger to listen to them. Mari even hoped that seeing their son would make him realize this. 

Ultimately, the battle itself ends in a draw with neither dead. Given how Zai walks away and starts pounding his fist into ground and crying, though, it’s safe to say that Higan won the argument. Zai has spent his whole life blinded his anger and pain, and pushed away the two people who cared about him as more than just a weapon. Yamaji and the other Ninjas, in contrast, not only berated Zai for not stopping them, but scarred his face as punishment. That’s messed up!

Yamaji Played AUZA Like a Fiddle

Meanwhile, even as AUZA needs its plans to control the world from the shadows, schisms have already formed between them and the Ninjas. Having become aware of Yamaji planning to manufacture the Gusoku Gear on their own, Joseph tries to put them in their place by killing them all. 

Yamaji, in return, makes it painfully clear who the Devil is in their deal, and it’s not Joseph. 

If the previous episode didn’t make it clear, this episode does: Yamaji was just using Joseph and AUZA to make the Ninja more powerful. They only wanted the resources to make the Gusoku gear for themselves, and now that they have it, they’re leaving. And they come close to killing Joseph as they do so. As big of a jerk as he is, a part of you can’t help but feel a little bad seeing him panicking when his bodyguard, Dilly, seemingly throws him out a window. He survives, but still. 

They Have to Leak the Documents!

In the c-plot of the episode, we also have James and Morris finally unlocking the intel that Emma left for them. And it was all thanks to the drawing that Moriss’ daughter made for him having her fingerprints. However, to buy time, Moriss gets caught by the police. If they can’t expose AUZA now, then Moriss can look forward to spending his retirement in prison. 

There are two episodes left after this, and things are coming down to the wire. Will any of the characters make it past the finish line? Will Higan avenge his wife and son? The tension is building, and I don’t know if it can be resolved in the short time the show has left.

On a side note, Toonami took the time from this episode to promote the upcoming prequel game, Ninja Kamui: Shinobi Origins. The game looks to be an action side-scroller, and for $24.99, it looks decent. The game releases May 30th, so the anime will still be fresh in people’s minds. Maybe I’ll give it a try.

I Give Ep 11 a 4.5/5

How Zai Joined the Ninjas is So SAD!!

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Ninja Kamui Ep 10 Review

You remember watching Naruto and remembering how angsty and rage-driven Sasuke was? That led him to abandon the Hidden Leaf Village and study under a criminal for years, and it only escalated from there. Now imagine if it was the reverse that happened. Instead of Sasuke leaving, it was Naruto and Sakura who left instead? That is a basic explanation of what Zai went through when Mari and Higan left, and why he’s so determined to bring Higan down. And with AUZA and Yamaji’s plans getting closer to fruition, the time to settle this grudge draws near. 

Everyone is Sadder than Ever

In the aftermath of Emma’s death, her friends are left reeling and trying to figure out what to do next. Ideally, they want to expose AUZA using everything that Emma/Aska got from their servers. However, there are two big problems facing them. Firstly, Emma left everything encrypted and only she knew how to decrypt it. Secondly, AUZA managed to be one step ahead of them. They already revealed that their reactors were “attacked by terrorists.” Now any attempts to whistleblow on them could get passed off as fake news or covered up altogether. The worst part is that Morris’ best plan to take them down, using what few people in the FBI he thinks aren’t on their payroll, doesn’t work. His former partner tries to turn him in.

Whether AUZA can even be brought down remains to be seen. However, the more immediate issue is Yamaji and Zai. 

Zai’s Life is SO SAD!!

I said before that Zai took Higan and Mari’s defection personally due to the bond they forged. However, I underestimated just how personal it was for him, as this episode’s flashbacks reveal. Unlike Higan and Mari, he wasn’t born into the Ninja, but was recruited.

He was an unwanted orphan held prisoner by a group that Yamaji brought down. Seeing how angry at the world the boy was, Yamaji took him in with the obvious intent of using him as a deadly tool. And for the most part, he succeeded. Zai was a ruthless killer who didn’t care about anyone else. Until their first mission together when Higan saved his life. It was likely the first act of kindness Zai ever got towards him. 

That’s why Zai hates Higan so much. He and Mari were the first people he was ever able to open up to and be vulnerable with. He trusted them, and when they saw how corrupt Yamaji was making the Ninja and left, he took it as a personal betrayal. That led him to double down on his previous beliefs that no one else mattered, and it’s why he needed to kill Higan with his own hands. 

It’s like Naruto and Sasuke, but with the roles reversed. And they’re about to have their final showdown.

One More Duel

In the closing moments of the episode, Higan receives a challenge via crow from Zai. While Morris tries to find someone to take the leaked intel and James stays safe, Higan dons the Kamui, travels to a hidden Ninja hideout, and faces Zai for what will likely be the final time. 

Sadly, we will have to wait another week to see the fight in full, if it lasts that long. However, while this fight might be the most personal one that Higan faces, his ultimate enemy remains Yamaji. Even though he’s letting AUZA and that smarmy executive give him orders, the episode makes it clear that hes making plans to double-cross him. Hes been working on getting the schematics for the Gusoku gear so the Ninjas can make them themselves, so he’s likely been playing them this whole time. As much as AUZA needs to go down, the idea of a corrupt group of Ninjas having that kind of suit is just as bad, if not worse. And, as it turns out, I misread the number of episodes. Three episodes actually remain, and I’m hoping the series reaches a good conclusion before all is said and done. 

I Give Ep 10 a 4/5

Spy x Family: Code White-One Crazy Vacation

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Spy x Family: Code White Review

For a series that’s only been around for five years, it’s impressive how fast Spy x Family has earned its spot in pop culture. Set in a fictional world locked in a Cold War of West and East, the hit anime and manga follow the Forgers, a seemingly ordinary family on the surface; they’re a cover. The Dad, Loid, is a western spy trying to stop a potential war. His fake wife, Yor, is an office worker by day and a deadly government assassin by night, and neither knows the truth. And the only one who does, their adopted daughter, the meme-worthy Anya, is a five-year-old who can read minds but barely understands what’s happening. Oh, and their dog can see the future. 

You can see how easily anime can become so popular. Between Yor and Loid being top-tier waifu and husbando, respectively, and almost everything Anya does being a meme, the series is meant to make people laugh and know how to do it. And while I am only interested in it, I appreciate Spy x Family’s comedy enough to see its first foray in theaters, Code White. And after seeing it, I can confirm what one review I read said: you’ll either like only one half of the film or enjoy all of it. That is the beauty of the duality of Spy x Family.

One Part Comedy/Slice-of-Life

Despite being written as a single film, Spy x Family: Code White is 

two shorter films fused into one. For the first half of the film, the Forgers go on a weekend trip north to learn how to make the favorite dessert of the person judging a cooking contest at Anya’s school, with the winner getting one of the Stella Stars needed to become an elite scholar. AKA, the most essential part of Lois’s mission to meet the man the West suspects might be planning…something. They really don’t know, hence why they’re doing this. And with the higher-ups looking to take him off the mission for not moving fast enough, Loid needs this win. Hilarity ensues as the Forgers struggle to get everything they need.

To make matters worse (I.E. funnier), due to a misunderstanding, Yor thinks that Loid might be cheating on her with another woman. This is in spite of the fact that both of them know their marriage isn’t real, and they’re only pretending to keep Anya in that school. But Yor is so socially awkward and prone to worrying about standing out that she gets gaslit by her gossipy co-workers into thinking that’s what happening. Again, they’re not really married!

This is what makes Spy x Family so funny, though. Even though they both know what they have is fake (for now. I ship them,) Loid and Yor do care about each other and they care about Anya. Loid can claim he’s doing this for the mission and Yor to protect her identity all they want, but everyone knows they care about their found family. And even though not all of them are aware of what’s going on, they’ll all go to great lengths to protect this.

That is the first half. The second half is where the action ramps up. 

…One Part Spy Thriller

By sheer coincidence or rule of plot, a group of soldiers are in the area carrying a microfilm that could start a war between East and West. And Anya manages to accidentally eat the chocolate that it’s hidden in, making her a target. Now both her adoptive parents have to race to save her life and the world. And they have to do it without letting the other on about what’s happening. 

In any other setting, trying to keep each other in the dark about the truth about everything would be played for drama. Instead, Code White plays it up for laughs, especially when it should defy common sense! At one point when Loid has to land the airship they’re on, he passes it off as something he learned as a student. And Anya gives her this deadpan look that screams “Really, papa?” It’s pretty funny. And there’s also a running joke about Anya having to avoid going to the bathroom to get rid of the microfilm. Because if she does, she’ll die. (She never even ate it, though.)

A Really Fun Film, and Great Way to Kill Time

All jokes aside, once the film does focus on the action, it does a good job at it. There’s a reason why Loid and Yor are so popular with fans beyond their looks, and it’s because when they get serious, they get stuff done. The entire second half of the film is one big action sequence that would make John Wick, James Bond, and Eggsy Unwin proud. It’s not as intense as some fights in the Shonen genre, but it’s still fun.

As far as going to see it in theaters, you can either take it or leave it. If you love Spy x Family for its action, espionage and comedy mix, go see it. If not, then you could afford to wait until it’s on one of the many streaming services out there. At the very least, it helped me to kill time on Friday night, and I’m happy with that.

I Give Spy x Family: Code White a 4/5

There’s a Party Here in Ranoa!

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Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 14 Review

There’s a party here in Ranoa, there’s excitement in the air! People pouring in from near and far, ’cause Sylphie and Rudy, they’re gonna have a wedding! Well, they’re skipping the wedding and just going straight to the reception. However, that’s beside the point. After reuniting with each other at Ranoa University (and healing him of his depression), Rudy and Sylphie are getting married. Sadly, like the source material, it’s never shown if they had a ceremony or filled out some forms. That doesn’t detract from the fact that Rudy is happy for the first time in years. In addition, this episode also reveals that Sylphie still has blood relatives left in the world. 

Before anything, though, lets discuss the new OP for Mushoku Tensei. I have some mixed feelings regarding it. On the one hand, the song is good, as is the animation. On the other hand, though, I dont know how to feel about how action-oriented it is, as well as all the spoilers. Mushoku Tensei didn’t even bother with an OP in its first season, using that time to focus on the story. When we did get an OP in season two, it was slower & more emotional. This feels like the anime is trying to emulate a contemporary like Sword Art Online. It feels a little jarring when you look at it like that. But what do you guys think?

Sylphie Still Has Family Left

Given its title, the majority of the episode revolves around Rudy and Sylphie’s wedding reception. Everyone they know and care about is there ready to celebrate and bless their marriage. However, the two most notable interactions are with Nanahoshi and Elinalise. Nanahoshi covers for Rudy about his past life, but it’s the moment when Elinalise tries to bless the couple that things take a turn. When Elinalise breaks down crying, Sylphie tells everyone what she’s already suspected: Elinalise is her grandmother.

For the record, I knew about this already from reading the light novel and manga. The anime had also dropped a hint when Elinalise recognized the pendant that Sylphie made for Rudy, so the clues were there. In addition, given how long Elves live as well as her curse and lifestyle choices, Elinalise having kids makes sense. Conversely, because of that same life, she’s never gotten the chance to enjoy having a family. It can be hard to imagine. 

I’ve seen and heard of a lot of people who have had to cut ties with their family because of their choices and things out of their control. Heck, with the rise of some content creator sites, I’ve seen people who have either had to resort to doing things they might consider embarrassing years from now, especially if they have kids. However, few things are more powerful than the bond between family, and Sylphie doesn’t reject Elinalise regardless of her choices and curse. 

As for Cliff, knowing his girlfriend has grandkids or had to sleep with a lot of men doesn’t change his feelings for her at all. If anything, he loves her even more for being so kind despite everything. Respect, Cliff!

Rudy Promises to Keep Sylphie Happy

The one thing that did surprise me about this episode, though, was how it moved a key moment from the story to the reception: Luke and Rudeus’ duel. In the source, that duel happens shortly after Rudy declares his intentions to marry Sylphie. The outcome remains the same, as is Luke and Ariel’s motivations behind it. For a moment, it felt like they weren’t going to do it at all. But the show surprised me. 

This was a quiet episode, no doubt about it. But that’s the beauty of Mushoku Tensei. It’s the kind of isekai that doesn’t rely on non-stop action, comedy or drama. Its not afraid to stop and look at the slow moments that make life worth living in the end. Also, Rudy is happily married now, and after all the hard work he’s put into being a better person, he’s earned this. 

I Give “The Wedding Reception” a 4/5

Our Boy Rudeus is Getting Married!

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Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 13 Review

After going on hiatus for the fall and winter seasons, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is back with the second half of its sophomore season. And the above song can accurately describe the current emotional state of Rudeus Greyrat. He’s reunited with his best friend/love, Sylphie, and thanks to her, he’s cured of the last two years of depression and impotence! Not wanting to lose her like he thinks he lost Eris, he straight-up asks her to marry him. Regardless of his faults, there’s little denying that Rudy has earned this chance to be happy.

One problem, though. He has no idea how marriage works in his new world and no home to live in. What he does have is friends who have his back.

Rudy Got his Game Back

Now Rudy has his confidence as a man back, it shows. All his friends at Ranoa University notice it. He’s smiling more, carries himself with greater confidence, and even gives Lilna and Pursena that trademark, lecherous grin of his, though nothing comes of it. His heart belongs to Sylphie. And while he still doesn’t explain what he was suffering from in the anime, it makes up a little for this. The comments from people like Cliff and the Beast Girl duo imply that they put two and two together. 

There’s one problem, though: now that Rudeus has asked Sylphie to marry him, he’s realized he has no clue what to do next. He’s not lacking money, but he’s been homeless since he was ten. Thus, the first thing he does is find a home. Though, given its size in the anime, it’s less a house, and more like a small mansion!

Who You Gonna Call?

No, seriously. It’s bigger than the home he grew up in. Big enough for at least a dozen or more people to live comfortably in. It’s the perfect place to spend the rest of his life with Sylphie. There’s one problem, though: it’s haunted by something that kills anyone who sets foot after sunset.

The majority of the episode centers around the trio of Rudy, Cliff, and Zanoba trying to clear the house a la Ghostbusters. Sadly, while it does its best to build up tension due to their unseen foe, it doesn’t stick due to who the group is. One is a guy who can cast spells without incantations, another is an elite healer in his own right and the final member has super strength and can tank anything thrown at him. Zanoba pretty much manages to handle the monster all on his own. However, the big surprise is saved for when they catch it. As Rudeus and Zanoba discover for themselves, it’s not a monster. It’s a magically-powered doll capable of moving on its own. In other words, it’s the magical equivalent of an automaton, robot, droid, etc.

It’s never explained in any version of Mushoku Tensei who made the doll, so the anime didn’t skimp on that. In the end, it doesn’t matter. After finding it, Zanoba and Rudy realize if they can reverse-engineer it, they can make their own line of doll bots to do anything (including robot maids.) And since he can’t really help with anything else, Zanoba begs Rudy to let him handle the research himself. It’s touching to see how dedicated the man is to dolls as an art, even if others find it weird. It makes you want to root for him.

The New Greyrat Household

As for Rudy, he gets a small mansion for himself and Sylphie. And, having read the light novels and manga ahead of time, I can say that it’s not too big for the two of them. When the time comes, it’s going to be home to a large family and pets. And despite Sylphie worrying that she’s being selfish by continuing to protect Ariel, Rudy reassures her that she’s anything but. If she wanted it, Rudy would give her the moon and the stars for what she did for him. 

This was another slow episode, but I can’t complain. Not every Isekai is all about the action. It’s the slower moments that people tend to remember, and it’s in this area that Mushoku Tensei has always excelled. It goes out of its way to build its cast in a believable manner, hence why it’s one of the best Isekai out there. The sole complaint I would have is that, unlike in the source material, their new home is set up in a more remote area outside Ranoa. That’s just a nitpick, though. 

Next episode, we’re going to have a wedding reception!

I Give “My New Home” a 4/5

Someone Dies at the End

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Ninja Kamui Ep 9 Review

As if we didn’t need another reason to hate AUZA, they managed to sink our expectations even lower than they already were. With Higan, Aska, Morris, and Jason poised to hit AUZA where it hurts, Joseph, the guy running the shots at AUZA starts to grow more unhinged. And what he does this episode puts him straight at the top of everyone’s hit list. While the teaser for this episode implied someone would die, it also proved to be a red herring. Someone does die, but it’s not the person everyone was expecting.

Joseph Has no Respect

With Higan and Aska having escaped AUZA not once, but twice, last episode, Joseph is starting to lose it. AUZA is close to finishing their plans to control the world from the shadows, and Higan threatens to undo everything. As a result, he starts coming down hard on Yamaji to do something about Higan. He also chews out Big D for not killing them when he had the chance (he doesn’t care), and tries to coax Zai into going after Higan the first chance he gets. The majority of the episode is him yelling at everyone at how they’re going to ruin everything.

From the outset, the anime made it clear that Joseph is a horrible person. He’s arrogant, rude, and condescending to everyone around him, and it’s clear that Yamaji doesn’t respect him. The fact that Joseph threatens to make the former commit seppuku for his failures only highlights how ignorant and uncaring the man is towards the ways of the ninja. Yamaji even lampshades that ignorance by pointing out seppuku was never a ninja thing. That was the Samurai! 

In contrast to this, though, Big D proves that even though he’s on AUZA’s side, he has more respect for the ninja way. He refused to kill Higan when he wasn’t at his full strength, and he pointedly ignores Joseph’s grilling while he gets his haircut. More to the point, when he and Higan do face off in their Gusoku suits this episode, he doesn’t want anyone to interfere. So when AUZA troops show up to try and kill everyone, he objects. Moreover, when Higan does win, he takes the defeat with grace and is willing to die at his hands. He’s got more respect for ninjas than Joseph ever does. A fact that’s made clear by Joseph rigging Big D’s suit to self-destruct in a last-ditch attempt to kill Higan!

It doesn’t work. But it does take someone else’s life besides Big D.

F in the Chat…for Aska.

Based on the previews for this episode, it looked like Agent Morris was going to die. The fact that he’s about to retire, his daughter is dead and his wife has left him all seemed like death flags to me. However, he manages to survive the episode. Tragically, there is someone else who dies thanks to the explosion: Aska. She isn’t able to get out of the blast in time, and spends her final moments being comforted by Higan, Morris, and James. 

This was such a massive shocker to see. Considering how close she came to dying a few episodes ago, this caught me off-guard. And as the three are cremating her remains, you can tell how done they are with AUZA. Aska was the reason that Higan managed to survive the attempt on his life, even if his family didn’t. James respected her as a hacker. And Morris admits that he thought of her as a second daughter. Imagine getting a second chance to be a parent only to have that ripped away from you? 

At this point, there are three episodes left, and the trio are ready to burn AUZA to the ground. This anime hasn’t been the most action-filled you could find, but it’s still been a good show to watch. And I’m hoping that before it’s done, Joseph is lying on the ground wetting himself while they make him pay. 

I Give “Episode 9” a 4/5

Arise, HIM-Woo! Shadow Monarch of the Dead!

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Solo Leveling Ep 12 Review

This is the moment that I’ve been waiting for since I read the Solo Leveling manwha. Sung Jin-Woo has stepped into his own with his black air forces, but he’s getting stronger. And as his battle with Igris last episode showed, he needs to keep getting stronger. However, there’s only so much one person can do alone. That’s why Jin-Woo is going to need an army to back him up. And the army he gets makes the White Walkers and the Night King from Game of Thrones look like nothing!

Jin-Woo Shouldn’t Rely on Luck Anymore. He Needs his Black Air Forces

At the end of the last episode, Jin-Woo was in dire straits. Exhausted from fighting Igris, outnumbered by elite-level mooks, and missing the teleportation stone to leave, Jin-Woo is near his limit. To make matters worse, a vision of his past self appears as he starts remembering how weak he was. All of his fears, insecurities, and trauma come flooding back, almost making him falter. However, he gets a lucky break: having neglected to finish his daily goals, he gets teleported to the penalty zone. Unlike the dungeon, though, that place lets him use potions and items, so he abuses it to its limit.

There’s no sugarcoating this: Jim-Woo only survived because he got lucky. Luck is useful, no doubt, but relying on it to get by in life can be disastrous. Luck can fail you when you need it most. Jin-Woo knows this all too well. Had things gone differently in the Double Dungeon, he would be dead. That’s why the vision of his past self galvanizes him to never leave things up to chance again. Thus, by the time he gets back, he’s more than prepared for the fight.

And the reward he gets is nothing short of awesome. 

A King of Shadows is Crowned

To Jin-Woo’s dismay, he learns that he can’t choose his new class. The System chooses it based on his performance in the quest. And the Systems choice is that of Necromancer. AKA a mage, AKA a job that requires high intellect, which Jin-Woo has not focused on. Jin-Woo does get mad at first, but then he realizes how this could benefit him. Since he can fight in the front, he will be just as strong as the undead he raises. It’s a positive feedback loop: he gets stronger and an army of minions to do his bidding. Thus, Jin-Woo gets a new Class: Shadow Monarch. 

While the manwha’s art style makes the formation of Jin-Woo’s initial shadow army look cooler, there’s no denying the anime retains the sentiment. And if you’ve read the manwha, then you know that the small group that Jin-Woo starts with is only the beginning. When I say he’s going to build an army, he’s going to build an army. An army of undead shadows that makes other Necromancers jealous. When the show continues, it’s only going to get even cooler. 

And he will need it for what’s coming.

What is Jeju Island, Anyway?

For a good part of the season, the anime’s been bringing up location over and over again: Jeju Island. There’s a good reason for it, too, and while I can’t remember when it’s explained in the manwha, the fact that they’re bringing it up now means it might be coming sooner than the source material. So I’m just going to rip the band-aid off now and save everyone the trouble.

Located south of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island became the sight of an S-Rank Dungeon several years prior to the start of the story. The Hunters failed to close it in time, and the end result was a dungeon break. That’s when the monsters in a dungeon spill over and invade the human world. In this, giant, killer ants! Thus, South Korea had to evacuate the island, put it under quarantine, and send expeditions in every now and then to see how bad it’s gotten. And the ending shot to the first season has a group of S-Rank Hunters return with disturbing intel: the Ants are learning to fly and swim.

For reference, look up the Chimera Ant Arc from Hunter x Hunter, then imagine something worse. It’s that bad. However, if the anime makes it to that point, the fights will be legendary. 

The first season of Solo Leveling is over, and while I wish it had put more into the final scenes with Jin-Woo and touched on Jin-Ho, the season wrapped itself up on a pretty solid note. Sung Jin-Woo is no longer the weakest Hunter, but is on the path to becoming the strongest. And with his Shadow Army behind him, he’s going to become HIM. This was one of the best anime of the Winter 2024 season, and I hope that it comes back soon. I want to see more fights and more intrigue as Jin-Woo continues his Solo Leveling journey.

I Give “Arise” a 5/5

Jin-Woo, Time for a Class Change! The Hunter’s Strongest Test Yet!

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Solo Leveling Ep 11 Review

In many RPGs, there comes a time when a player’s character’s base class no longer cuts it. They need to advance to the next class and unlock new strengths and abilities. In some cases, that involves the player undergoing some quest to change their class. If Jin-Woo wants to survive any of the threats coming his way, he’s got to class up himself and his Black Air Forces. 

Jin-Ho’s Older Brother and Jeju Island’s Threat

While Jin-Woo remains the episode’s main focus, the anime continues building its overall cast with original scenes. While some might take issue with anime-original content, these scenes enhance the story by giving insight into the supporting cast. This week, the two main draws are Jin-Ho and Jeju Island.

From the outset, Jin-Ho’s goal has been to prove himself to his dad that he can lead the guild the latter plans to create. However, while the manwha mentions him having other siblings vying for the same thing, they’re never seen. The anime fixes this by showing Jin-Ho’s older brother and his attempts to recruit S-Ranked Hunters. Despite failing, the older brother makes his plans to try recruiting abroad known at a family dinner. That, and he threatens Jin-Ho to stay out of his way. It won’t stop him but shows how serious this competition is. 

As for Jeju Island, the anime again needs to be more specific on the details. However, it only adds to the overall dread surrounding the place. If there’s a place that makes the guild master of one of the strongest guilds in Korea scared, then everyone should be scared. And, having binge-read the manwha, I can say this: they’re right to be scared. It is legitimately terrifying. 

The Third Big Moment I’ve Waited For

Onto the main event, the episode’s focus remains, as always, on Jin-Woo. To undergo his job/class change, he starts a particular quest. He has to fight through a dungeon of powerful, elite-level enemies that will test his versatility. Knights for his speed, assassins for perception, and mages for intellect. And he can’t use healing potions or full recovery. In other words, it’s a war of attrition and conservation. 

While Jin-Woo handles the normal enemies fine, all that changes when he faces the boss, Igris the Red Knight. Jin-Woo is fighting at a disadvantage for the first time since fighting the giant snake monster. Every time he tries to fight Igris, the silent knight manages to steamroll him! It’s like watching an under-level player take on a boss they’re not ready to face! The knight starts ruining his black air force energy! 

This is what legendary boss fights are like.

This was painful to watch as someone who’s gotten curb-stomped by bosses in video games countless times before. It also shows why advancing your character’s class can mean life or death in an RPG. This was the third big fight I’ve been waiting for the anime to adapt, and it didn’t dissappoint. It shows that he needs to keep leveling up his black air force energy for how strong Jin-Woo is. It’s only thanks to dumb luck that he manages to win.

The job/class change isn’t over yet, though. There’s a bonus round. Jin-Woo has to fight a mob of elite mooks at once and survive. If he does, he can win even more resources and abilities. But even though they’re weaker than Igris, their numbers, and his fatigue, leave him on the ropes! Things don’t look good! Worse, there’s only one episode left in the season.

I already know how this is going to end, but getting to see this in animated form is going to be awesome. And trust me when I say this: if Jin-Woo wasn’t HIM before, then by the end of the next episode, he will be HIM! His job/class change is going to make him a monster!

I Give “A Knight Who Defends an Empty Throne” a 4.5/5