Yoru No Yatterman Episode 2

Ok, it’s official. I’m a fan of this show. Last episode I was hoping against hope that it wasn’t a fluke and the rest was going to suck, but my worries seem to be unfounded as after seeing episode 2, it continues to be amazing. And thank god, because I was actually worried as the other shows this week fell more than a little flat. But what happened that was cool this week? Let’s begin.

So last we left our ragtag band they declared that they were going to punish the Yattermen for basically letting Leopard’s mother die. and being the dorks they are….their first priority is to practice their evil laugh. God I love these guys.

Afterwards they realize they need to find a way in to the city. Last time they tried by sea they got literally blown out of the water. Lucky for them, the pig finds an old book which reveals a subway system that leads right to the city.

After going through the subway tunnel they end up in Yatterman city where they confront what they believe to be the Yattermen.

Now… here’s the funny thing. In episode 1 the mother told Leopard (who is now Doronjo) that good guys punished bad guys by pinging them. Aka flicking them on the forehead. So the weasely guy who’s good with machines literally MADE A HEAD FLICKING MECH.

The Yattermen show up, and get righteously flicked by the Doronjo. Unfortunately, we find out, that it wasn’t the real Yattermen, it was robot duplicates of them. And even worse, there’s an army of them.

The group has basically no choice but to run away, until they’re cornered on a dam and have no choice but to JUMP OFF THE DAM.

Completely soaked and worn out they find what looks like an abandoned house to dry off. However a few hours later a girl comes home, which, i’m pretty certain is blind, declaring that she’s been waiting for them, and that’s where the episode ends.

Once again, this show. This show knows how to balance things. There were times that I was laughing my butt off, like when the weasely guy tries to act more like his ancestor by talking pervertedly and even calling attention to it.

Then there were times when I felt their hopelessness like when they were surrounded by the robots that they didn’t even know existed until a few moments ago. This girl’s whole world came crashing down because of the yattermen’s selfishness and she can’t even have the retribution she wishes she could as its taken away from her.

These three they just…they just work. They really are just a family. They never question each other, they just do it. They believe that the weasely guy can make a mech, so he does it. They believe in Leopard’s plan to be the Doronjo, so they do it. There are no second guesses, no questions, they just believe in each other. and that is just so refreshing.

At the end of the episode they even end up naked as they have to dry their clothes so they don’t catch cold and there’s no awkwardness, no weirdness, it’s just like they’re a family and nobody even really cares. It’s a rare bond that these three have and it’s not only refreshing, it leaves me very hopeful for humanity in general.

I know that’s a big statement to make, but even though there’s darkness in this show, it makes me happy.

As this was episode 2 I knew they weren’t going to be able to face down the main villains but it was interesting to see that even though they learn that their goal is nigh impossible, they will not give up. The thought doesn’t even cross their mind this episode. And I couldn’t be happier at that determination.

This show has kept me happy two weeks in a row, and unlike the other shows I’ve seen in the past, I (knock on wood) don’t see this going in a bad direction. I HOPE it will stay this good for the rest of the series. Because as of right now, I’m like a little kid waiting every sunday morning for this show. Thank you Yoru No Yatterman. Keep it going, I can’t wait for the next one.

Episode 8.5/10

-Hideki