For all it’s worth, episode 1 might as well be a prologue to the series. Episode 2 spends a lot of time

peaceful and without any spies

establishing that the things that seem to be the case in episode 1 are either true or being turned on their head. ACCA remains interesting by fleshing out a cast of characters that are engaging. . .and by introducing new ones that confuse me immensely. The first thing we see is that the person talking to Grossular, the General with long white hair, is Mauve. It turns out she is not planning the Coup herself but informing Grossular and the Generals that she has uncovered rumors of a Coup to overtake this ‘entirely peaceful land’. Grossular responds by telling her the land is peaceful.

Afterwards we see Jean on the street viewing what is to the viewer really just an informative bit on the world. We learn that the districts that make up ACCA almost executed a coup years before until they were all granted autonomy and created ACCA to oversee them all. Afterwards the episode takes some interesting turns: the police officer who hates Jean learns he isn’t rich and then gets a crush on his sister. This effectively neutralizes the threat he posed to him. Afterwards we meet Nino and see he interacts a lot with Jean’s sister who tells him a lot about them.

Then we learn Nino is totally a spy who has been watching Jean for years. Last episode we learned Nino was his closest compatriot and his friend, now we know he’s been spying on him for around 30 years? The episode inititally hides it but it’s fairly obvious other than a red herring thrown at us. So why is Nino spying on him? Well for now Nino, whose real name is Crow, is apparently doing it because Grossular hired him. Grossular says that Jean is the one behind the coup attempts and all the Generals essentially go for the idea of Crow continuing to spy on him for them.

So here’s an intriguing path for the show: they could very well be right. We certainly don’t know everything about Jean and what he wants. He hates his job but won’t quit, which is a main cause for concern. On the other hand I know more about Jean than Grossular or any of the Generals, so I’m also inclined to suspect them far more. If it turns out the culprit is Jean then we are being kept from an important narrative, but if it’s Grossular I am intrigued as to why. What makes Jean an interesting target to spy on for 30 years? Why does Grossular, who initially just wanted to fire or transfer Jean, seem to just change his mind so suddenly and then accuse him?

ACCA is still interesting because honestly I have no idea what is going on yet. I could be seeing Jean for exactly what he is but it feels like there is far more to the story. That being said, this coupld be interesting no matter who the true threat is. And really, who can stop watching this anime when they can keep watching Mauve’s hair be so fabulous? (Plus, giant bread!)

 

Oki