The contrast with the previous episode couldn’t be bigger here. Where that one was mostly focused on building up and dialogue, this was was nearly entirely focused on the action part. The first half of the episode showed different skirmishes between all of the different fractions that happened to come together. The second half. Oh boy. Talk about nightmare fuel.
There are still two episodes left, so the combat in the first half was only just the tip of the iceberg of the things that are about to happen. They were quite well written, though: every fraction had its own way of combat and the different skirmishes were quite varied throughout the episode. At the same time, there were also a few great dialogues, like the one between Rock and Chang, and Revy and Fabiola.
In the second half meanwhile, Garcia runs into Roberta. This scene takes up around ten minutes in total, and it was relentless in the incredibly slow way in which it unfolded itself and where Roberta’s demented acts completely destroyed the image Garcia had of her. It was really disturbing, and just shows how completely drugged up Roberta must be at this point. That cliff-hanger especially is a really nasty one to have to wait for another two months.
On a side-note: this episode also featured foreign languages, but instead of voicing them over in that very confusing way like they did in the second season, this episode instead simply subtitles them. Works much better.
Also, I’m not sure if I’ve said this before, but I quite like the OP and ED of Roberta’s Blood Trail. Especially the ED: there is something wonderfully ironic to have such a semi-upbeat tune after all the depressing stuff and for once it doesn’t feel out of place unlike a ton of other dark shows that have bright EDs (I’m looking at you, Uragiri…). I just wonder why they showed so much of Balalaika, because she doesn’t really have that big of a part in this arc of the story.
OVA Episode Rating: 8,5/10
Unreal. Totally unreal. The second half was the most messed up thing I’ve seen in anime.
On another note, I find it extremely difficult to drum up any sympathy for the FARC terrorist that Revy executed with a triple tap, knowing what that organization has been responsible for. I cheered on Revy as she shot that man dead.
And on yet another note, this episode showed us that while Roberta is absurdly strong, she’s not invincible, and a smart opponent can still take her down. I wonder if this is going to lead up to something.
Also: I was very impressed by the sound of the silenced submachine guns. That’s what it really sounds like.
No one subbing this?
umee subbed the first two. Expect them to do it again.
Given the history of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (famous American Civil War song about returning home from war), I figured it was picked for symbolic reasons. But yeah, I really like the OP/ED too.
Also, they didn’t really end with a big cliffhanger…?
yeah, at the end the soldier said they secured a boy so we know Garcia is alive and he’s even in the preview for the next episode.
The gore level was just ridiculous in a bad way. It is unbelievable how strong Roberta is, smashing the guys head with bare hands and swinging his body like a dummy was stupid.
Smashing the head with a metal….I have no problem with this type of gore…I guess that is messed up too.
She was insane and hopped up on drugs so its not totally implausible. Also those guys she was crushing are in rpg terms mooks so for all intents and purposes, they’re canon fodder whereas Roberta is a named character and if anyone has been paying to fiction, we all know what happens when named characters face off against non-named characters.
So its understandable.
I just finishied watching the 24 ep. series…then I get my hands on these…just wonderful.
there really should be more anime like B.L. [which remembers me a little of trigun and cowboy bebop, but with more gore and more criminals than bounty hunters, not to say the darker scenario]
Could Rei Hiroe(he’s the creator of Black Lagoon)explain us what exactly happened to Rock’s parents? Are they alive,or something horrible has happened to them?Their absence gives me the odd feeling that Kageyama might have orderd their murder,and that should look as “accident” just for a cover-up.Whatever happened we have to know,if the latter did will Rock find the truth?Will Revy stay on his side cementing and admitting her love for him?I want nice developments between Revy and Rock.
Revy and Rock!I love them.
Questions we ought to think,and Hiroe has to answer for:Were the Okajima’s told their son “was dead”?If so what was their reaction?Did they demand explanations about Rock’s “death”,and compensations as well?About how much far would the unscrupulous (and maybe trickster!)Kageyama go just to ensure the dirty deals and cover ups of Asahi industries?!Even ordering a murder that would seem as “accident”?!
I still think Rock should see his parents,to have their blessings for his future.You see,in the last episode of “Black Lagoon :RBT” he states that somewhere on this planet someone outdid him and that he can’t save anyone.That’s why he needs to see to them,for a “You have our blessings ,we love you son”.
But if turns out they were killed in a tragic “accident” arranged by Kageyama?Guys like him say it so callously:“The cause justifies the means,and we have to save our company!”,” because he is estranged from his parents and whole of Japan is our advantage for the final cover up.We ‘Ill get rid of the pests Okajima’s.Rock will never know what happened ,and even if after years he will.. this won’t help him to gather evidence against us!”
Hm,will the Iranians enter Roanapur?I don’t think Balalaika would be pleased to encounter Qassem Suleimani.He’s so Tough,so tricky!