Impression

I guess it wasn’t so much “Kill the Newcomers” as it was “Embarrass the Newcomers”, although in the end they didn’t manage to succeed with that either. Mine, you silly goose!

Akame 12 Img027

Akame 12 Img005We essentially had a transition episode this week, which seemed to have two main objectives – levelling up the current members of Night Raid over a month, and introducing the newcomers. I’m glad that both Susanoo and Chelsea turned out to be likeable additions to the cast, the latter even more so to everyone who hates Mine – here’s to hoping they stick around long enough to have a meaningful impact on things. Beyond cooking and household chores, that is! Strangely enough, I’m getting the feeling that Susanoo is valued more as a support-type Teigu than as a combatant, even though he could easily fit the bill for both – on the other hand, Gaea Foundation is definitely cosmetic first and foremost, although I can easily think of some assassination uses for it too. While Mine and Lubbock might not have been too receptive to the newcomers, I think it’s important to note that there wasn’t any real, significant discord beyond the purposes of comic relief – Chelsea’s laid-back yet honest attitude may piss off Mine, but she’s got good intentions in the end. I don’t think the same can be said of all the members of the Jaegers.

Akame 12 Img048At least, I certainly didn’t predict that Run would have some sort of secret agenda. For now, I won’t go as far to say that he looks rebellious, but he seems rather malicious nonetheless – whatever he’s planning, he’s acting cautiously in the knowledge that Esdeath is far stronger than he is. I’m also unsure whether he’s doing it for himself, as opposed to the greater interests of the Jaegers and the capital – he looks like someone who doesn’t approve of Esdeath’s obsession with Tatsumi. Either way, the concrete fact is that he’s up to something, and I doubt the others have any thoughts of mutiny. Or rather, Wave, Bols and Seryuu probably don’t. Who knows what Kurome is thinking?

Akame 12 Img017Were we supposed to feel sorry for Seryuu? Because I didn’t feel sorry for her at all. Maybe it’s true that everyone she cares about is getting killed one by one, but what about all the people she’s killed in turn, in the name of “justice”? Like Sheele. I still haven’t forgiven her for that. Instead, I came away from that scene thinking some rather positive things about Esdeath and her surprising compassion towards her subordinates – actually, this episode as a whole improved my position on her. For all her sadism, she comes off as such a romantic sometimes. Looking for Tatsumi in crowds is one thing, but I admit I softened a little when she said, “There is only one Tatsumi in the world. I shall accept no substitute.” I must say, I’m looking forward to their eventual reunion – there’s not much romance between Tatsumi and anyone else, so I guess I ship them by default? It sounds like a fun ship!

Akame 12 Img050Looking ahead, I suspect we’re progressing towards several different plot threads – the first of them is Run and whatever he’s up to. The second might have something to do with Danger Beasts, given their increasing appearances at various points – we haven’t heard much about them at all, other than that they’re strong and are used as Teigu ingredients. And of course, there’s also that new guy that’s appeared, who looks like an escaped convict for some reason. Is he with the revolutionaries, the capital or a third party? Esdeath’s also foreshadowed the final battle between Night Raid and the Jaegers – I wonder when that’ll be? It could very well be soon, and even though they’re strong they don’t exactly seem like “last boss” material. The way things are set up in Akame ga Kill implies that enemies like these aren’t exhaustive by any means – after the Jaegers, a new group of opponents could just be conjured up for Night Raid to fight. Najenda keeps talking about a revolution, but I think it’s going to be a long time coming.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Morlphing

    Prepare yourself, you about to have the first look at this series most hate character( the one in the hood).
    I laugh so much when i read how Esdeath and tatsumi reunion happen, so i hope they don’t mess that part up.
    Chelsea teigu is perfect for assasin but suck at combat, so you won’t be see her in any battle of this series, but mostly stealth kill.

    1. Vantage

      The hood guy already looks like a bastard, although I bet he has his own little fanbase of people who like him exactly because he’s a bastard.

      Stealth kills may be all well and good, but for the current set of villains (i.e. the Jaegers) I doubt any of them would get killed off by that. At any rate, combat + assassination pretty much go hand in hand with the other Night Raid members (apart from Najenda, who’s implied to have lost a lot of her power with her arm) so it’s a nice change at least.

  2. vergiltfs

    I really like this series, but it’s like watchong Game of Thrones, just a little miscalculation and you end up f***ing dead.

    [spoiler]Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!! Have you read the new chapter of manga? Kind of depressing.[/spoiler]

    1. Vantage

      Just like in real life! No plot armour for anyone!

      I couldn’t take it and clicked the spoiler even though I’m an anime-watcher 😀 Sounds like you just described Tokyo Ghoul.

  3. Shiki

    There is ONE thing i definitely learned from Akame ga Kill: NEVER love any characters that are likeable.. it will only call upon the god of feels (why sheele and bulat.. why?)

    1. Vantage

      The hard part is that the cast is full of likeable characters, on both sides of the conflict!

      Somehow I get the feeling that something big happened in the latest manga chapter. Shame the anime isn’t likely to get that far – it’s on 52, and we should be on 23.

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