I wish I knew just what that girl at the beginning was parodying as she’s clearly been overdrawn in a completely different style. My closest guess would be the poster girls of creature features in the 60s and 70s as she wouldn’t look out of place if pasted into a movie poster. I don’t think I will ever get tired of seeing Geno’s act like a housewife, just seeing him dry plates with his hand jets makes me smile. This week put quite a lot of spotlight on a hero previously shown, Licenceless rider.(Yes the Subtitles call him Mumen rider but frankly his English name is better.) A guy who looked to be a one note joke actually might end up being one of the more upstanding heroes in the show seeing as when all other C class heroes are just giving up, he’s rushing ahead to fight the Sea King and protect the citizens in the shelter. It’s just such a pity that he doesn’t stand even the slightest of a chance against the Sea King but well Saitama’s close by so at least he will be avenged. This episode has something I like to call “the Alucard effect”. Put simply when the main character of a series is so ridiculously powerful that nothing poses a challenge then that main character will be removed from the fight as long as possible in order to build up the villain as a credible threat. For we all know that the minute Saitama shows up this Sea King is doomed.
As a result of this the episode was mainly about other heroes dealing with the threat and minimizing damage. The standout was the fights of Sonic and Piri Piri Prisoner. I could go and say Prisoner is an offensive stereotype but quite frankly he’s such a ridiculously purposefully over the top stereotype that it’s hilarious. So I think we can put down the pitchforks and agree that in no way shape or form would anyone use Piri Piri Prisoner as a representation of homosexuals or prisoners in general. That would be akin to using Mario as a representation of the Italian. Best of all was Sonic’s reaction to Prisoners “Angel Mode” which without a doubt mirrored the thoughts of every person watching. Despite being a one sided slaughter fest, the fights were pretty well animated with a lot of force behind the blows. Props to Rikiya Koyama, another big name attached to one time villains, for putting in a perfect performance as the Sea King. The soundtrack is also great with electric guitars and drums coming in just at the right moment to elevate what’s on screen. If it’s one thing I could complain about it’s that this episode ended on a cliffhanger and seeing as what happens next is one of my favorite moments in the series that was a real let down. Granted it’s coming next episode and Madhouse is certain to do it justice but the wait is so long.
“That would be akin to using Mario as a representation of the Italian.”
As an Italian, I’d say that a proud, down-to-earth working class man with the physique of an average Joe who still braves lands alien and perilous in order to rescue a loved one from the clutches of a tyrant would actually be a pretty flattering representation.
You know, that’s a pretty good point. Guess it’s just a matter of perspective.
Huh? The girl at the beginning looks different just because the animators had trouble while drawing her (you will see many background characters being drawn in different styles at ep9).
I don’t agree on that. Just looking at the screenshot above comparing her to the others in the shot she has much more detail and effort put in for a simple background character. Nobody in episode 9 has this artstyle and the camera put special focus on her.
But most of all that’s a rather boring reason for it.
It’s not even about agreeing or not, she appears in the manga with the same style Murata uses for most of his females. The animator in charge just couldn’t replicate the original design, that’s all.
Well I would say Murata could have intended it as a reference…but it does seem like you are right. That’s rather disappointing.