Akame ga Kill! – 04
This is secretly a show about food.
Tonight’s forecast: partly cloudy with a chance of BLOOD.
Imperial Relics
It’s pretty amazing that Tatsumi survived at all.
After a couple episodes of character development and world building, Akame ga Kill picks up the pace with some more character development and world building. I know, it’s crazy. Repeating the formula aside, the most important thing to note this episode is obviously the explanation of the Imperial Relics. My first impression, from what I’d heard around, is that the relics are what make Night Raid such a formidable force. But as it turns out, that isn’t the case. While the relics certainly augment the abilities of their users in fantastic ways, it is made clear that the weapon in no way makes the soldier. Night Raid is apparently well-trained in combat and do not rely on their relics to win their fights, something that Akame herself mentions to Tatsumi when they discuss her sword. And there’s also the observation she makes during her face off with Zank that his ability to see what’s coming does not guarantee he can counter it. So there is definitely a strong emphasis on the importance of the base capabilities of the user versus the added abilities the relics grant them, which I quite like.
Every mind power possible condensed into an eye.
There is no doubt in my mind that even without the relics, Night Raid and any other wielders would be just as dangerous. However, it’s not as if the relics are completely pointless. Instead, they seem to serve as a sort of extra boost to tip the scales slightly in a close match. Tatsumi was able to hold his own pretty well against Zank here despite his lack of a relic, but in the end he was simply routed by Zank’s mind-reading and foresight. That said, he was still able to strike back mentally with some taunting near the end, which was pretty awesome. And that brings me to my next point. I don’t know if this was the effect the show was going for, but I wonder if Tatsumi’s taunting actually distracted Zank enough to decrease the efficacy of his relic. It is made known that certain relics have certain requirements for their use, such as Bulat’s Incursio. If the same is true for Zank’s Spected, such as requiring some degree of concentration, I wonder if this knowledge could be extended to combat other relic users in general.
Tatsumi’s last stand.
As it stands, the show implies that not all relics have a weakness that can be exploited. But this could simply be misinformation as it is entirely possible that Night Raid do not know all there is to know about relics. To me, it makes sense that relics might be countered in some other way besides physically overpowering their users. It would be near impossible for a non-wielder to go against a wielder otherwise, and I would like to see Tatsumi go through the course of the show without ever receiving a relic of his own while not appearing outclassed. That would bring him to a whole new level of badass, and Akame ga Kill should totally do it if it knows what’s good for it. While we’re on the topic, I would like to mention that I am very pleased with the show’s portrayal of Tatsumi. He’s believably capable for someone who has trained in sword-fighting his entire life. Yet, he’s not unreasonably superior to literally every one else, unlike certain other characters from certain other shows that shall not be named.
Tough Love
How Akame shows her love.
Moving on, we get to see a little more complex side to Akame during her bout with Zank. The show so far seemed intent on pegging her as the emotionally detached kuudere type from her previous depictions both in and out of battle; the only emotion she’s ever expressed is relief from seeing her comrades safe. But this episode takes this and turns it on its head both subtly and extremely by pulling the cliche “killing your most loved one without any hesitation” card, complete with the “I killed her because I love her” line. If you’re a sucker for this kind of stuff, go watch yourself some Ga-Rei: Zero. It’s a gold mine for deliciously painful break down of a beautiful relationship. Anyway, obviously Akame ga Kill isn’t pulling the most original development here, which diminishes the impact of it a bit. But it’s not completely trite thanks to Akame’s eerily deadpan delivery of the line. No angst or outrage; just simply stating the facts. I think this sets things up perfectly for Kurome’s eventual introduction and any dramatics that might come along with that.
Extras
Extra Extras
I’ve neglected to mention this since the premiere, but in my first impressions I voiced my disappointment in the use of Sayo and Ieyasu as flat, sacrificial characters to kick-start Tatsumi’s journey down the dark path of revolutionary assassin. But I definitely have to take back this statement as Akame ga Kill has gone above and beyond my expectations by continuing to invoke those two characters as the source of Tatsumi’s resolve. Even being killed off almost immediately, those two still have a place in the show in driving Tatsumi ever forward rather than being forgotten. Heck, if I remember correctly they’ve even appeared in one form or another every single episode so far. So kudos to the show for this. Next week’s episode looks to feature the meganekko with scissors, so perhaps it might be an appropriate time for Kara to step in again.
Cleaning with Sheele next week~
About Sumairii
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Guy on the sitting on the left side of the table looks like he has a pregnant belly. My 2 cents.
*melds back into the darkness*
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
You could say… he got stuffed. =D
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
For Akame to have such an appetite and still maintain that hourglass figure, she must have one hell of a high metabolism. So she killed the one she held most dearly. I can only imagine it was a situation where the circumstance called for it due to something that was beyond help.
Zank was annoyingly vain. Yap, yap, yap. So far, this is going in a scumbag of the week routine. What I’m wondering is if there’ll actually be a target that’ll thwart Night Raid’s efforts at the assigned time and initiate a retaliation. It seems a bit too easy for them to be slain relatively quick not long after they’ve been marked.
Yeah, I can see Kara blogging that episode with the megane girl. Your mentioned aspects of her screams Danganronpa’s Touko Fukawa.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
Akame’s sister is still alive. She hasn’t killed her yet. She said she wanted to kill her as fast as possible because she loved her the most.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
In one episode we had Pumpkin..in another Scissors…
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
Sounds like you’re thinking of another anime =D
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
But…rather similar in some respects…
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 44 comments
I love akame ga kill, it has funny moments, happy moments and sad moments. It’s really riveting.