Now that we’re nearing the climax, the dialogue in this series moves even faster than ever. But really: I don’t mind. In fact, I actually encourage this series to continue with this style, and where you really have to put in effort to follow everything. This is a great way to involve your audience, and it’s been a long while since I watched a series that did it so well. The best way to illustrate this effect is to mention Boogiepop Phantom: if you thought that this series moves fast, you haven’t seen anything yet: that series is a complete puzzle to figure out. Your mileage may of course vary very much, but I really enjoyed having to puzzle to get everything out of the story.
Bettenou’s powers proved to be a terrific end boss here. What the hell here is real? In this episode the creators also suddenly came with small details like this handkerchief that had been tampered with. On top of that, the creators keep throwing us for a loop with multiple attacks on Kaishou. It’s indeed a very plausible theory for him to fake his own death, but who was this shady figure who stood behind Bettenou in that one shot? And why would Bettenou ask Inga to expose some of Kaishou’s deep secrets if she was working together with Kaishou? And what about that taxi driver who happened to be familiar with that female investigator?
With one episode left, I’m pretty confident to say that Noitamina did it again: Un-Go so far stood head and shoulders above all other Autumn Season Series, and the other shows are going to have to try really hard next year if they want to be able to top it. I mean, if the ending actually delivers like I hope to, then this pretty much is the example of how to do a fast paced Noitamina right. Instead of just rushing through its storyline, it actually made optimal use of its time. Compared to No.6 or C, which ended up skipping details, this show actually managed to focus on them.
Rating: *** (Awesome)
I loved this episode! A lot of things happened in just 20 minutes. Just when you think you have figured it out, another plot twist!
“Compared to No.6 or C, which ended up skipping details, this show actually managed to focus on them”
By focussing less on characters. When compared to No.6 and C, characters of Ungo don’t have that much charm. Though I guess Ungo’s way works better since the other two had to rush the plot.
I personally think that Un-go’s crucial characters have enough charm to carry the story while still standing out as a characters instead of a mere plot devices.
Like, the characters are fleshed out through the morals they exhibit in each case as well as their little quirks. The only time there was a huge character change was with the statue of the three men case, since Yuuki realized his flaw and fixed it.
I liked both No. 6 and C despite their rushed endings. And I agree that I feel a bit closer to the characters from those two series. But I think Un-go understood that its goal wasn’t characters; it’s plot. Which is something the other two couldn’t decide on. So I appreciate Un-go for giving enough character development while understanding it’s main purpose.
I also think, UN-GO managed to get a right balance. It is moving VERY fast (maybe faster than it should?) but it works. The characters get development and characterization from how they react to what is happening with the plot and that kind of makes up for the lack of slice-of-life-ish scenes that develop the characters.
Also, I don’t think C is a good counter example, because I found the characters lacking there as well.
No.6 did a great job with its characters though, but they screwed up the plot, so it made me not care in the end.
Everything is going so fast!! It’s still super enjoyable though. I wonder which Kaishou is real, is he really dead (I don’t think so)? Will we actually learn about the meeting between Shinjuro and Inga (or will there be some kind of OVA explaining this…or maybe we will just never know) and what are Bennetou’s intentions :o!
There’s actually going to be a 45 minute special supposedly revealing the “biggest mystery [of the story] in theater,” that is Shinjuro and Inga’s first encounter.
If the one controlling Bettenou doesn’t turn out to be a random new character, and instead is someone we are aware of – I think it will be either the female Diet member (Mine), or the male cop assistant (Hayami). Unless of course, a-la-Deathnote, it’s actually Shinjurou!
I don’t know but there is obviously something very fish-y about that diet member…