After a week break, VRAINS resumes with a relatively ‘uneventful’ (plot-wise) episode, mostly involving Akira freaking out over Aoi. We learned that the reason why the doctors can’t diagnose the problem with Aoi was being affected and controlled within LINK VRAINS by Hanoi’s Virus. As it turns out, it was the Hanoi Knights’ plan all long to use her as a hostage gaining the possession of Ignis.
Akira who was frantic about his sister’s state became desperate to capture Playmaker due to being told by his superiors he should anticipate his demotion due to Aoi’s possessing an Hanoi Card. Of course Aoi being the fault of that is completely irrelevant because her being okay is more important than his job, which is honestly relieving to see, but I digress. He hires Ema once again (who is on nobody’s side, she works for anyone, and is the one who tipped off his superiors about his relationship with Aoi), and she develops a way to trap Playmaker. Yuusaku knew exactly what he was walking into, and regardless of Kusanagi’s warning, he went because he intended to take responsibility by either obtaining the Hanoi Knight’s program that Ignis spoke of, or at least inform SOL Technologies what had happened.
That being said, while Yuusaku knew it was a trap, he certainly didn’t anticipate being tortured (poor guy). When it comes down to Aoi’s safety, Akira becomes this fierce big brother who is ready to destroy anyone who harms his sister – except he goes REALLY CRAZY. Even though Playmaker had told him the truth and everything he needed to know, he was really just taking out his anger of helplessness on him. But you know what, it wouldn’t be Yu-Gi-Oh! if the protagonist wasn’t put through torture at some point or another, right? The only reason Akira had stopped hurting Playmaker was because Revolver just waltz in. An unlikely hero, but he’s certainly not there to help, but rather finish the job, haha. And yeah, Revolver is no joke. The guy can freaking summon and control Data Storms! He claims he can single-handily destroy LINK VRAINS – and I have no doubt in my mind that he could.
So Revolver shows up and reveals they had deliberately chosen Blue Angel/Aoi to serve as their hostage knowing her connection with Akira/Sol Technologies. However this is where it kind of confuses me and I don’t know if the subs messed up here. Earlier in the episode, Revolver went on how using Blue Angel as a hostage would force Playmaker to comply to their demands, but when he arrived at the scene, he said this to Akira, if he wishes to save his sister.
So what does this mean? Did Revolver specifically put Playmaker in the position to serve as “Akira’s Stand-In” so that he could kill two birds with one stone? (Take out Playmaker for good, and obtain Ignis). It also implies (as usual for any antagonist) has the confidence he had succeed in his plans. But what then what happens if Revolver loses? Would he really keep his word, or would he play dirty and refuse to provide the program/free Blue Angel unless Playmaker hands over Ignis? Or… Regardless of the outcome of the duel, Revolver also intends to try and persuade Playmaker to join the Hanoi Knights’ cause. I would imagine this would happen throughout the duel though.
Now what it all boils down to is whether or not Yuusaku will be able to defeat Revolver at this time. It is quite important for Yuusaku to win this duel, because one: Should he lose, he is more or less likely to be a dead man (since the last thing the Hanoi Knights need is him coming after them again) and lose Ignis, two: If Aoi is ever going to get back into the story, they need the god damn program to free her from the coma, and three: Akira needs to keep his job as the head of security.
And speaking of the devil! What happens if Akira is really fired? What becomes of him?I have a hard time imagining how this would play out because of the role he has been playing up to this point. But at the same time, if Akira manages to retain his position, what becomes of his relationship with Playmaker then? I imagine it could turn out to be like the “Phantom Thief VS the Detective”. The detective knows the thief is doing good, but since they are still breaking the law, they vow to capture them. In this case, Akira knows Playmaker has Ignis that Sol Technologies want to take back, but he might (discreetly) intentionally let him slip out of situations because he knows is able to work with Ignis, and how the Hanoi Knights are also his enemy – and he is their best shot at taking them down.
But still, I don’t trust SOL Technologies, but it’s clear as day the current threat is the Hanoi Knights, and for whatever reason, they need to eliminate both Ignis and Cyverse… And honestly I’m starting to wonder if it’s going to end up circling back to SOL Technologies.
It was nice to see yet another layer of Yuusaku today. He did catch Blue Angel to ensure she did not have a fatal landing, and when he logged out, he took it a step further that involved potentially revealing his identity as Playmaker. He immediately went to seek out Aoi, and once he found her, he was able to call a medic. But let’s be honest, we all knew he’d do it. He is a soft guy at heart. It was pretty funny to to see how Akira reacted to him at the hospital. I laughed when he couldn’t figure out how what kind of relationship Aoi and Yuusaku had, but I’m sure he had a sense of relief when Yuusaku straight up told him, “Classmate.”
Lastly, while this episode was not the worst, there were some highs and some lows, the high was actually this little tidbit from a worker of Hanoi Knight. We don’t know his name, but he told us how he considers eliminating Ignis the same killing off your own child. This makes me suspect he could be someone who used to work for SOL Technologies and was one of the guys who created Ignis. But what would he leave SOL Technologies and switch the Hanoi Knights? Again, this is why I don’t trust SOL Technologies. After all we are way too early in the series to know anything yet.
As for the lows of the episodes, I did find some bits of script to be quite laughable. It didn’t help how it felt as though Akira’s character was all over the place, (the mood-swings were real). Some of the scenes and lines felt a bit over-exaggerated, and as result I really couldn’t take that scene seriously. Anyhow, I’m curious to seeing how this duel will play out, especially when there is so much on the line.
Random Note of the Week: YUSEI’S CIRCUIT?! WHAT. WAS IT REALLY CALLED YUSEI’S CIRCUIT?!
Great, so Ema is still doing NOTHING worthy in this show so far apart from helping Akira trapping Playmaker due to some sort of misunderstanding which was all cleared up as Revolver revealed himself. So far VRAINS seems to hook me in more when there’re NO duels…
And with the Playmaker vs Revolver duel set to commence so soon, here comes the test for Yusaku being able to maintain unbeaten for the first 10 episodes in his series or not. His five predecessors didn’t manage that; even in Yusei’s case he lost to Jack in an episode 2 flashback.
like you heard she said her self she not working for any side. she working only for those who give her more money. so in outher words she like hired assassin or something like this
Prediction: Akira will lose his job. He and Aoi spends the rest of the series living in cardboard boxes, eating cup ramen. Aoi will be secretly happy that she can spend more time with Onii-chan.
Supposedly
Spoiler
the next 3 or 4 episodes will be about Playmarker vs Revolver.s
well just from that i can say this dual will decide the fate and role of aoi in this show. but there is a bit of problem here. if yusako will win here it will be too early for the defeat of main rival if he loses put aside aoi he will lose ignis and draw result is too far fechet
I knew Ema would disguise herself as Blue Angel. She’s certainly quite vain, isn’t she? Not to mention bad at acting. I knew by the way she talked, that wasn’t Blue Angel. That’s really reinforcing that she is like Rouge the Bat in many ways. I also got flirtatious vibes from her as well, especially when she threw the rose at Playmaker’s feet. Overall, I think the episode was pretty good. Some pretty good character development. I’m really beginning to sympathize more with Akira now after this episode, although torturing Playmaker was going too far.
LOL I don’t think Ema even put any effort of mimicking Blue Angel! XD But when she threw the rose I kinda laughed because I thought , Tuxedo Mask. It’s good that Akira did not turn out to be some heartless brother who doesn’t give a shit about his sister and stuff, but he certainly neglected spending time with her because she was quite lonely. Regardless if he is fired or not, I hope he at least makes the effort to do so. It doesn’t help Aoi or make her feel better to only be by her side when she’s in trouble unfortunately.
I think this is the most altruistic I’ve ever seen Yusaku. What a nice surprise. And glad to see Akira has his priorities more or less straight, though I still find it somewhat cringe-worthy that he apparently found it so hard to believe that the Knights could’ve infected his sister against her will. Also, just what kind of history do Akira and Ghost Girl have (she called him by his first name)?
I think Revolver was telling Akira about his plan (use Blue Angel as a hostage to get to Playmaker) so that Akira would extract Ignis out of Playmaker’s Duel Disk after he won. So I guess the Knights couldn’t just get Ignis back even if they beat Playmaker in a duel.
P.S. Was Akira really that afraid of the idea of Yusaku and Aoi dating?
It really makes me happy to see Yuusaku have so many layers. It enables him to have good depth to his character.
Good to know I wasn’t the only one who cringed at that.
Also I have to admit, I am quite tempted to ship Akira x Ema, I don’t know why, but there’s this appeal about them… BWAHAHAHA! If would be funny though if it turns out they had dated in the past LOL!
//I think Revolver was telling Akira about his plan (use Blue Angel as a hostage to get to Playmaker) so that Akira would extract Ignis out of Playmaker’s Duel Disk after he won. //
Hm that would make sense, but I would be surprised if Revolver didn’t know how to do it himself – considering the guy claims he can single-handily destroy LINK VRAINS and control Data Storms lol…
Though I do find it ironic that Yuusaku is holding Ignis hostage as well LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!
//P.S. Was Akira really that afraid of the idea of Yusaku and Aoi dating?//
LMAO. The best part is that the fans can speculate all they want about what was going through his head! XD
eva in my opinion this long upcoming dual will decide the direction the show will take and aoi fate. also the results unpredictible if you think about it. if yusako lose if you put aoi aside he will lose ignis which can be bad if he win it too early to defeat the main rival and draw is too far feched
There’s a lot riding on the line of this duel, that’s for sure.