It has been two whole weeks since the first episode, and after what we've seen, it was hard to wait.
But now it is here. The second episode of Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, or Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: Never-Ending Darkness. After Ikoma was bitten, we are now treated with action, all the way. Prepare for spoilers, intentional or otherwise; and also some blood.
Finally their opening was released. Actually, I've seen it last week, but it is time to break it down.
Many, many new scenes to see. the most important ones include the spoiler right at the front, where Mumei is shown as... different from other humans. There were many scenes of Mumei and Ikoma that followed suit, with him laying in the rails and Mumei touching his gem... perhaps that could symbolize something big.
And oh, the action. Not as good as the nonstop leaping in Attack on Titan's Guren no Yumiya, but gives us what our main characters are able to do.
A little unexpected, I opened with some laughter. The way Ikoma kept a straight face when telling his friend he was bitten was priceless. However, considering the level of shading done for the past episode, this was... unexpectedly flat. Well, much better than devolving into comic-style, anyway.
And here, we learn that Takumi won't fear his friend that was bitten by a Kabaneri... for now.
And then, when the people were trapped above the wall. One thing to ask was, how come did the people follow Ayame, a woman, quite willingly? That was strange for the time, but I've little expertise in old Japanese politics. Oh well.
Straight to the action. Mumei appearing out of nowhere and leaping and killing kabane like nothing at all was a sight to behold. Action: perfect. No complaints there. Or perhaps, there were some scenes that looked a little 'skippy,' without proper transition, and some shots which deserve a better angle.
However, I shall complain Mumei's guns: they do look like the 3D maneuver gear, don't they?
Some whimsical personality Mumei has. One moment, she was beating up a guy's underside and the next she was asking about Ikoma's new look. Interesting.
Once more, Kurusu, ever the by-the-book Samurai, held Ikoma at gunpoint. Once more, the human nature to be suspicious.
Let me pause here, though this wasn't a big point in the story: during the time Ayame pulled out her key, the scene was very smooth. Perhaps it was that she only made slight movements; however, that went pretty well with the CGI key and lever. Though smooth and matched with the , it seemed a little out of place compared to the others.
Then, Mumei quite rudely fell asleep in the locomotive.
When I thought that when she went ten seconds past her deadline was peculiar, this just confirms the spoiler in the opening.
Here we are, talking about humanity and trust issues. Ikoma's heart showed the moltenlike glow after killing a kabane, and Kurusu immediately disposed of him.
Damn tense moment as he flopped, seemingly lifelessly, on the ground. And quite sad when Takumi grieved over the friend he had, though he stepped one step when he learned that the virus hasn't been stopped.
Anyway, once more, this seems like Attack on Titan all over again, doesn't it? The main character--spoiler--dies and gets "resurrected."
Now, Kurusu went up front and held Ayame back. When she took a peek, there it was in front of them, the shogun, zombified and dead.
True enough, Kurusu is a cold man, but here, I could have sworn his face wavered before yelling stubbornly that they were only kabane. There could be some nice characters here, after all.
Sadly, the scene where the Koutetsujou ran over the Ayame's dad, a better angle could have been made. That death was just too quick and sad.
The train was stuck on the bridge, where the system to remotely lower it was jammed by a kabane hand. Miraculously--and in Attack on Titan style-- Ikoma forged ahead, still alive and badly wounded, piercing kabane hearts with steam. All I could say here, for lack of words: what badassery. No complains.
And one more thing, this gets philosophical: when Ikoma, the abandoned one, ideologically tried to help the humans. Nice move.
It got quite dramatic and emotional when he sat there, crying, rejecting the line tossed by Takumi. Thankfully, Mumei came in to the rescue.
Oh the backgrounds. Dang.
Then the big reveal: they showed us what Kabaneri really are: a cross between the humans and kabane; interesting twist on zombies, and the meaning behind the title and opening song (the verse: "Koutetsu no Kabane yo, saa, tachiagare!", Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, stand up!). This could potentially be a source of mistrust by the humans, though, such far I've seen.
Let us just wait for the next episode to let this epic action continue. Could there be more to be said?
Oh.
The ending song.
I am indeed guilty of replaying that over and over since it was released last week. No complaints. ninelie: Beautiful duet, the perfect match between Aimer and EGOIST, both soft voices were... ah, I am lost for words. The song is immediately burned in the brain.
Oh and the song was written by Sawano Hiroyuki. I'm done commenting here.
Plus, beautiful art. Really, Enough said. So far only the second ending song that could peak my favorites.
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