「イケスカの決闘」 (Ikesuka no kettou)
“Duel in Ikesuka”

Passion. Impulsiveness. Charisma.

Given recent developments, there couldn’t be a better encapsulation of Isao’s character than the Red Oni of folklore. Everything he does appears to be based on a selfish whim, up to and including saving Reona’s life. Personally, I was hoping for a little more depth from him than a power-hungry manchild, and for a moment, I even dared to believe that all the faith I’d placed in him had been rewarded. Like Reona, I was thrilled when he agreed to allow the Hagoromo and their allies to retreat. Even if it were just another whim on his part, it would have vindicated Reona’s trust and supported Kirie’s doubts about whether or not a war with Ikesuka was necessary.

The Kotobuki Corp wasn’t created to fight wars. It was created to help people, so Kirie’s hesitance in this episode was understandable. Unfortunately, even before learning that Isao had struck a little too close to home for her to forgive, the sequences of destruction undercutting his words of peace at the very beginning of the episode already made it clear that he was not only a hypocrite, but fully cognizant of the damage his quest for the Yufang portals is leaving in its wake. In addition, unprovoked acts of aggression tend to be seen as justifiable cause for declarations of war, so I can’t exactly fault Madame Loulou for getting involved in what should have been a decisive strike on Ikesuka, had Isao not been anticipating it.

Putting matters of right and wrong aside, Isao was undeniably the linchpin of this episode, and perhaps even of the whole series. Not only are his exaggerated facial expressions and ridiculous, over-the-top antics a joy to watch, it turns out that he’s inextricably tied to the lives of a good chunk of the Kotobuki girls, and with any luck, next episode will see Kate taking his Royal Smugness down a few pegs. I’m still not convinced that Isao didn’t come through a portal, especially since he seems to know so much about Ol’ Sab and the Yufang, but since he’s taking so much pleasure in playing the villain, it’ll be satisfying to see him get some comeuppance.

 

Preview

13 Comments

    1. Also, right now (and in all Animes with Machines let it be Panzer, Ships or Planes) she is the Head Doctor that fix the Airplanes somehow. Perhaps giving her a bit screentime in how she and her team fix these Planes somehow back being flyable again

      You know Haifuri? Something like that

      Worldwidedepp
    2. It’s clear that he’s telling his supporters what they want to hear. Ultimately, what matters to him most is his ambition. However, I’m hesitant to say he’s after power. If he is, then he certainly has it, but he seems like someone who would quickly grow bored with ruling. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he abandoned Ikesuka at some point, since what he’s really after is access to the portals.

      Stars
  1. since he’s taking so much pleasure in playing the villain, it’ll be satisfying to see him get some comeuppance.

    Indeed. Shooting down Reona right after promising safe passage was an extreme dick move. I want to see him crash and burn.

    With three planes shot down, I don’t know how the Kotobuki Corps can fly a full flight next week.

    Isao’s plane appears to be a J7W Shinden, a prototype interceptor that first flew in early August 1945, not long before the war ended.

    Magnus Tancred
  2. I don’t know about you…i feel like this show is became more cringe now cuz of too much…
    Comic Reliefs…UGH! Really? Man, The Staff know better than this, But i Agress!

    Now let’s see now

    https://randomc.net/image/Kouya%20no%20Kotobuki%20Hikoutai/Kouya%20no%20Kotobuki%20Hikoutai%20-%2011%20-%20Large%2004.jpg
    He may think that he had everything on his sleaves…but the real question for him is this…
    What’s he afraid of?…
    https://randomc.net/image/Kouya%20no%20Kotobuki%20Hikoutai/Kouya%20no%20Kotobuki%20Hikoutai%20-%2011%20-%20Large%2024.jpg
    The Magnificent Shinden…NUFF SAID!!

    Namaewoinai
    1. Also, here they used the typical Flight Maneuver. Rise your Nose into the Sky, climb high, till the Sun… your enemy behind you will stall and begin uncontrollable falling to back to earth. This is then your change, you still in control. Turn back your Nose and shot him down from above.. easy kill

      That was mostly teaching at the war schools.. but then the enemy’s go better Planes and this tactics did not work.. but do you think they changed the way of teachings? no..

      Worldwidedepp

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