What a way to end season 2! The long-awaited kaiju vs. robot battle begins in earnest. Kinta demonstrates why he’s the master of robots. Yet when the dust settles, an unexpected discovery catches everyone off guard and literally blows Momo’s mind.
Spoiler Warning for Episode 12
Rated 16+ for Sexual Violence, Smoking, Suggestive Dialogue, Suicide, Violence
Kinta’s Counterattack
This fight scene had everything! Cinematic camera angles, special attack names, a real sense of weight and power, and more than a few creative liberties. It’d be one thing if those liberties were made with little to no reason, but everything from the kaiju’s slightly different horn shape to the cutaway to Kinta’s bullying had a clear purpose. I especially liked the sequence when Okraun was ejected and we saw the fight from his perspective. Both the kaiju and the robot struck a great balance between heavy movements and dynamic fighting. The kaiju’s jump back kick and Kinta’s “Ultra Magnetic Wave Spin” were some personal highlights.
It’s a Kaiju, it’s a Suit, No, it’s…a Girl?
With the robot smashed to pieces, Momo and Aira use their powers to deliver one of the sickest power bombs ever put in anime. The kaiju deflates, which is funny in its own right, and the world returns to normal. Unfortunately, that means a whole crowd of people gawking and filming. Our heroes return to Momo’s plot of land, the house a comical jumble of mismatched parts. Okarun and Jiji bring the kaiju back with them, hounded by onlookers. In a shocking twist, Okarun discovers the kaiju was actually some kind of suit and inside was an alien girl. In yet another shocking twist, everyone watches as she kisses Okarun, and Momo’s heart and house burst.
Final Thoughts
I was dying of laughter during that last moment. You’d think Okarun would be the one getting the most significant romantic developments. Still, no, this is the second time Momo’s feelings have been actualized as an explosion in the background (see season 1 episode 1). The imagery, the timing, the expression, everything was comedy gold. Bravo to the animation team for that wonderful gift.
The fight was also spectacular, a fitting send-off for the season. The sense of scale and power was exactly what I was hoping for. There were times when the line art and animation quality looked unfinished, but they didn’t last long. Kinta also pulled his weight as the resident robot expert and a compelling character. Seeing him turn his insecurity into a strength was very cathartic, once again showing that he’s not that different from the rest of the cast.
The aftermath of the fight was delightfully energetic, with the boys establishing some fun back and forth. Again, that final moment, when the alien girl is revealed and Momo sees the kiss, was perfection itself. Season 3 has been confirmed, so stay tuned for more coverage!
Scorecard
Art and Animation: 4/5
- Great balance of weight and flashy attacks
- The line art got a little messy at times
- Excellent moments that make for great still shots
Story and Characters: 3/5
- Kinta got the most attention, as well he should
- New character means new story possibilities
- Keep the faith, Momo, OTP FTW
Sound and Presentation: 4/5
- Embraced the absurdity and hype of kaiju vs. robot fights
- Kaiju theme and William Hell’s Ouverture
- The last half was very entertaining
Occult Corner: Buddha
The story goes that the Buddha, also called Siddartha Gautama, was a wandering ascetic in South Asia who achieved nirvana, a state of mind that transcended material passions and blurred the line between dualities. Through various teachings and traditions, he created the Buddhist faith. Over time, its esoteric nature created this mystical perception that mass media latched onto. The Buddha’s likeness has been used in everything from film and television to mascots and tourist trinkets. The Buddha robot in this episode is likely a reference to the film The Great Buddha Arrival, a lost 1934 movie remade in 2018. It depicts the giant Buddha statue in Tokai City coming to life and sightseeing. It’s often credited as the precursor to modern kaiju movies.
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