「祭ノ準備」 (Matsuri no Junbi)
“Festival Preparations”

I can’t quite make head or tails of Izumi’s true intentions given how he manipulated Uzume yet gave Minato the 72GB memory card containing all the data on Chiho’s condition, but I’m still leaning towards the idea that he’s up to no good. If I were to give him the benefit of the doubt for his recent sign of compassion, I would say he was simply thrilled to learn that another Ashikabi dares challenge him when Matsu hacked his companies’ computer systems. However, it’s probably safe to say that isn’t the case, even if he claims he was only respecting Uzume’s resolve to do anything for Chiho and never planned to have her terminated. Based on what happened this episode, giving Minato the data and blaming everything on Minaka seem to be part of an elaborate plan to infiltrate M.B.I. headquarters, a.k.a. Teito Tower, and steal something from them. Of all people, Seo turns out to be the one he’s hired for the task, while Minato is unknowingly acting as a diversion alongside his Sekirei, after learning there’s no cure for Chiho’s condition with current medicine but one might exist with M.B.I.’s advanced technology. The real problem is that Minaka’s caught wind of Minato’s intentions by tapping his phone call to Takami and has made a game of it.

On paper it’s as simple as getting to the top of Teito Tower, except Minaka’s invited all the Ashikabi without any kills to try and stop him if they want to save their own Sekirei. What’s more, the promise of a prize to the group that actually stops Minato has piqued Hayato‘s interest enough to participate, which compounds problems with the Disciplinary Force waiting inside. Now I know I’ve said Minato is one of the powerhouse Ashikabi, but him against the world is a bit of a stretch even with the recent addition of Kazehana and Homura. Matsu looks like she came up with a clever plan by targeting the computer system and taking down the security systems, but sneaking around in broad daylight is pretty difficult when M.B.I. invoked martial law and ordered all civilians to stay indoors. Incidentally, there wasn’t a whole lot of fighting on Minato’s front thanks to Nishi coming in and stirring things up, leaving most of the action on Matsu, Homura, and Kusano’s end. I actually thought they left off on a pretty good cliffhanger with Homura succumbing to the combination attack between Akitsu and Hayato’s fog Sekirei, No.65 Taki (Takahashi Ao), but the preview quickly killed the suspense by showing him no worse for wear.

It almost seemed too convenient that Minato, Musubi, Tsukiumi, and Kazehana slipped into the tower with ease afterward, but most of the episode did play out as a setup one like the title suggests. The real fun looks like it’s going to start next time once Karasuba joins the “festivities”. From the sound of the preview, all hell’s going to break loose free-for-all style as a result, which I believe marks the first time there’s been a battle of this scale. Unlike the first season, episode twelve isn’t the end, so it looks like we’ll have a couple more to go to resolve this arc on Chiho. From the look of things, this will likely be what Pure Engagement concludes around.

 

Preview

23 Comments

    1. ¿Va en serio? No sabía que también era de México señor Pachikun.

      Well… at least I can enjoy some original non-fodder character designs, look at those twin-tailed sekirei! and those, and those! Ah! that’s no. 65 Taki!

      Mutsu fighting Karasuba? no… Mutsu actually doing something? I can look forward to that!

      Lectro Volpi
      1. they hopefully will make a third season since they pulled the same thing in season 1.

        They’ll probably use the excuse that uzume was fixed and all but got a memory wipe while everything she remembers is hidden there or locked away. Or at least, that would be the most convenient excuse/reason to make a third season. Making her lose her memory, gaining it back somewhere in the season and then following the manga again.

        damrod
  1. We don’t know if the anime coordinated this with the manga artist and the way its playing out might still be the way it plays out in the manga (mostly). If the next manga episode or 2 has Uzume being defeated to save Minato then we know thats the case.

    Karmafan
  2. Well, Minato has been reverted to his initial and stupid self, as he blindly plays as a pawn for Higa (“why dirty my hands when another can do it for me?”) After seeing Uzume taken down, anyone would’ve expected him to at least question Higa’s way of doing things, but here Minato is blindingly following a curse of action that will only benefit Higa. Why, oh why, are we presented with this BS? That is something that I don’t understand.

    The anime is clearly aiming to end the story right here, regardless that the manga is clearly owning and that it has way too more story and character development to follow than this Naruto/Bleach-filler-to-end-season. By the way, for the manga viewers, even if Uzume is defeated and taken out off the story, Minato’s offensive strike is already successful, so she’ll not be defeated in vain like in the anime.

    SeedStriker
  3. Well the anime is going somewhere else into the unknown (aka anime original ending). Like I said in the shout box: how can this face be killed! Things are looking good for Chiho and I have big hopes that Uzume will make it or at least become the first “shared” sekirei and become half owned by Minato. Enough manga.
    I think there is still more material coming up in the manga for a third season. All the Jinki battles are still pending and the “whole” sekirei project needs to reach its conclusion. So here’s hoping for a third season next year. As for the anime they are trying to end with a bang giving us many battles and action. Can’t wait to see “petan-chan” in action again, as well and Mutsu vs Karasuba action; samurai type blade action.
    Finally did I mention Uzume is still alive and kicking, boo anime boo, baka decision … Fix it and bring her back. I still have hope in Minato’s mother to fix Uzume somehow. That “killing” or wining blow didn’t look like a level 4 or 5 hit; so give us our happy ending!!!! <3 Uzume <3 So much whining and she is second favorite character. Wonder what will happen (to them and me) if they dare lay a finger on Kazehana 😀 Lol

    Island Esper
  4. About half sekirei down, and more are going the same way in the big battle that initiated with the wannabe bounty hunters…
    Karasuba vs Mutsu should be suitably epic.
    Also, can I mis-quote Admiral Ackbar? “It’s a trap, baka!” The doors open and unguarded, really who could have guessed it may be a trap?
    And Minaka shouldnt catch the wall of his building, but plunge to well deserved doom.
    Whatever Higa is up to, Seo being Seo I expect him to “inadverently” help Minato. His biribiri Sekirei should have no trouble with disabling MBI Towers electric power…

    ewok40k
  5. “Herp de derp, lets all go to the bad guys home base and”…ah i can’t even finish the insult. Minato must have been hit the the ‘stupid’ stick again. Or else otherwise, why else would he think it’s a good idea to do such a bone headed move.

    Snicket
  6. I might have a perverse tactics sense, but I would sent a distraction force for show of pirotechnics/waterworks in the front of the gate, while capturing MBI helicopter and flying to the roof safe from any Sekirei on the ground. Matsu should be enough for the helicopter grab and piloting, leaving main force of the rest of Sekirei strong enough to keep opponents “entertained”.

    ewok40k
  7. Frankly, the way I would have finished this season is by ending it where…
    Show Spoiler ▼

    If Ikkitousen can get (at least) four runs at a series, why can’t Sekirei? Ikkitousen somehow manages to keep getting worse with each installment, but still lives. Thankfully I still have the manga to look forward to.

    Jaysus

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