Drifters – 11 – 12 [END]
A very merry Christmas and happy New Year greeting from Toyohisa
Can’t believe I spent New Year Eve waiting for episode 13 of this series, haha.
The last two episodes are predictable endings with a little twist on its side. Well, it’s not really a twist since it’s only about Toyo fainting from losing too much blood, but it was nice to see a side of Toyo that wasn’t seen in the previous 11 episodes before. Based on Toyo’s behavior and speech pattern, I used to think that Toyo is just a rash young man who only thinks about heads. Episode 12 made me realize that Toyo does care about one thing, but it’s not heads; what he cares is victory. However, he does realize that he cannot achieve victory by himself due to his nature, so he lets others to do the work while he does his role for victory. It’s been a while since I have seen a character that is so aware of his own character (is that a pun I just made?). He knows his good sides, he knows his bad sides, and he push both parts of his to the fullest to bring the victory he needs. He doesn’t know how he will get it, he doesn’t know who will help him, and he doesn’t care whether he dies or not as long as there is victory. I didn’t expect Toyo’s character to be fleshed out like that.
Many different faces of Toyohisa
Aside Toyohisa’s self-centered finale, there is not much that can be discussed with the exception of, again, Ends and how Nobunaga literally pawned every strategy they had. Although Nobunaga is on Drifters’ side and there is no way for him to go to Ends’ (since there is Akechi now there), sometimes I can’t help but think that his behavior is much more of an End than a Drifter. He thirsts for blood as much as Toyohisa, and he does not care for mankind. I wonder whether this part of his will become a downfall for their group or not. Heck, he is way more evil than Rasputin and Hijikata. Speaking of Hijikata and other Ends, I just realized that all of them have magical powers. Meanwhile, the Drifters are stuck in their primitive non-magical ways. It’s kind of unfair since the Ends have something better, but I guess this is done intentionally. Maybe this is to prove us that magic will never win against hard work, haha. Ehm, but I’m sure that those magical powers are given to someone… But who? The goth girl? The Black King? If it is the Black King, why does he have such great power? Is he a friend of Saint Germi? Too bad none of these question can be answered since season one ends, but there is hope for season two.
anaaga is a sucker for detailed close-up shots of evil ikemen
Such a short review for episode 11 – 12? Yes it’s short because there is actually nothing that can be talked about. The last two episodes, just like the other episodes, are simple and straightforward. There is no need for detailed and thorough observation since the episodes speak for themselves. Overall, Drifters is an entertaining anime. It stands out in a way that it is different from its anime rivals. It has a beautiful art that is full of details and stands out from the rest. The expressions drawn on the characters are on point with the current mood of the scenes. The plot itself is simple and straightforward with easy explanations for the strategies, making n00bs like me understand their war jargons. The same can be said about the characters. Toyohisa, Yoichi, and Nobunaga are likeable in a sense that they are strong characters with straightforward personalities (except Nobunaga). The simplicity of the characters is the downside of the series though. There is no depth within the characters, and most of the episodes are spent on the battlefield leaving little room for the characters to develop. Have they actually develop? I don’t think so, since they’ve been doing the same thing from episode 1 to 12 (except Yoichi).
However, that’s doesn’t stop this series from being an entertaining ride for last season. The simplicity of this series is probably what makes it stand out from the rest. Nobody is going to get confused when they watch Drifters because everything is literally spelled out in every episode. There is no way we will get bored because we are always presented with the characters’ quirky behaviors and intense battles. There are mysteries, but they are not so relevant that they prevent the audience from understanding the story. It has a mindless plot and simple characters, but that’s probably the reason why we enjoy Drifters so much. Of course, there are other things that helped it to rise among other anime, such as the art, the music, and the lame gag. Besides, this is just the beginning. As Black King has said, it was a “test” only. We have yet to see the greatness of Drifters.
Preview: Akechi is waiting for you in season 2!
Oji-san is always welcomed in Drifters
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Manga readers say there isn’t enough content for a S2, since creator Hirano Kouta cranks out chapters irregularly. Last I heard, the anime supposedly covered up to Vols 3-4, and there are currently only 5 vols.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Can’t say I’m surprised with that news. Hellsing Ultimate had a total of 10 OVA episodes that started 2006 and stretched out to end in 2012. 6 years to finish an adaptation? Then we might be in for a long wait to see how Drifters continues.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
I think I mostly agree with your assessment of Drifters Anaaga 😀
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I think 90% of the audience watching would agree. Because you know there’d always be oppositions who’d think differently.
POWUH: 500-599 with 540 comments
Haha sometimes more people are divided over a show though. Drifters is very clean cut out for me. It is what it is.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Believe me, I know what that’s like.
True. the show was as straightforward as they come.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
One of the more “looked forward to” shows of Fall 2016. Going into the series mainly because it was made by the author behind Hellsing Ultimate, Drifters has done better than expected. Though sharing similarities with Hellsing (Excessive violence, gore and character designs), Drifters stood out on its own with more variety in its cast of characters and shown great plausibility in strategic warfare through Nobunaga while Toyohisa and Yoichi show how deadly they are in their own way.
A shame hearing the author has an irregular work ethic because the open ended finale just makes anxious to see how the Drifters plan to deal with an apparently overpowered antagonist like the Black King. No telling when the previewed 13th episode will be released.
That aside and though I’ve said it before, I find it strange no one in the show condemned our main trio for antagonizing their own species in the pursuit of aiding beings of another species, regardless of their motives, even if they’re from another realm. One would have expected to have words like “traitors” and such flying about long ago.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Okay, Spammy really seems to be holding on to a comment of mine. It’s been like that for more than 1 day.