Episode 23
Sorry for the super late post, but I got pretty sick and suffered from severe lack of energy and brain fog. So it was gonna be a while for me to get this up, but here we are. Not gonna lie, but how this episode went, especially the ending, it honestly felt like this was the conclusion of the first season. However we still have one more episode and I have no idea what they’ll do since we FINALLY got downtime for these guys because they REALLY needed it. Especially Rudo who just went on a nonstop emotional rollercoaster going from Amo to Zodyl. Also I just want to bring attention to the really stupid scene (said affectionately) with them in the car with sunglasses bopping their heads. That was so random and out of pocket I just lost it lol. Even Rudo didn’t understand why they were doing that lol.
But man, they really did my guy Zanka DIRTY. The poor dude is just cursed to take one L after another. At this point, it just feels targeted. Not only was he given poison that even their healer couldn’t fully heal, but finding out that freaking Remlin gave him a completely useless ability instead of the resisting one fatal damage like everyone else felt like such a slap in the face. Zanka showed a lot more maturity and restraint I would have in that moment. I would have gotten so mad that I ended up with the incorrect spell because the spellcastor thought it was funny. But I appreciate how mature Zanka was at handling the situation. A lot more than me, that’s for sure lol. Though it remains a very consistent character quality of his where he shoulders the blame of not being strong enough and doesn’t blame anyone else for that fault. It’s still a little sad of how little he views himself, but I gotta commend him for continuously trying despite being at a severe disadvantage.
I also have a lot of appreciation for Rudo and Zanka’s relationship. While it’s not the most civil 90% of the time, I like that it’s different from the typical rivals trope. They have a mutual respect for the other to an extent but I feel like it’s just miscommunication that end up having them butt heads most of the time. I do hope they can eventually just talk things out like they did when Rudo apologized that first time. Though it is adorable how the first time that we actually see Rudo smile genuinely was with Zanka. Even if it was only for a second before it morphed into his gross smile lol. And while Zanka claims he doesn’t really care what Rudo does, he does seem to want to see him reach his goals and will give him genuine advice. Which we’ll see more of in the next ep. But I think it’s especially sweet that Rudo went out of his way to get Zanka flowers as a “get better” type of gesture or at the very least wanted to lift his spirits just a little bit. And while Zanka didn’t say anything, he most likely appreciated the sentiment to a degree considering he kept glancing at them.
However I think the most interesting part of this episode had to be what the Raiders are planning on doing. Not only has Bundus officially joined the Raiders, to which is pretty big because the guy is a PROBLEM to fight against but also the fact they’re going after the person who made the chokers. To which, didn’t even cross my mind that they were most likely made by a Giver, but it makes a lot of sense. For some reason I thought it was just a piece of technology that someone in the underground created, but considering so many things are made with Giver powers, it should have been obvious to me. Though I am curious as what about them not working inside the Trashbeast gave away the fact that a Giver made them. He claims they work when on the Ground, but I believe Semiu was able to get a hold of them while they were already in the sky if I’m not mistaken. Not to mention that even when they were still on the Ground, communications weren’t going through. So I feel like I’m not fully understanding what the tip off was. Aside from that, the theory is that the creation of the chokers involved an item from the Watchman series. Which also makes a lot of sense considering how integral these things seem to be for everyone and widespread they’re used.
Though it does make me really worried for the creator of the chokers considering how ruthless the Raiders are. Not to mention it feels SUPER foreboding how the leader claims that if they know that the Cleaners have some of the Watchman series, they can always just pick them up whenever they want. Man, I really just want this guy to eat a large portion of humble pie because I cannot stand him. Screw you and your “all according to kekaku.” Though it does make me excited to see how all of this plays out with how many things are set into motion. With a bunch of new characters being introduced and some old faces making their return. Don’t think I didn’t notice the girl from Zanka’s past standing over the ex-raider girl who’s name I can never remember.
Episode 24
This episode definitely felt less like a season finale compared to the previous episode, but they sure dropped some bombs at the last second. I wouldn’t say this episode was bad, but it definitely felt like filler in some areas. But I feel like this series likes to mix what you’d consider “filler” with really important details. I’ve also rewatched this episode a few times to really try and understand it and what it’s trying to convey. And yes, while there are quite a few very simple and silly things that happen, there are some very important things shown.
I’ve already gone on about why I love the Rudo and Zanka relationship in the previous episode, but they threw me yet another bone in this one that I need to talk about. While short, their moment in this episode also felt super important, especially in regards to Rudo’s development. Rudo wanted to go cheer up Remlin, but didn’t believe he was the right person to do it. And I am so glad that Zanka basically debunked that mindset and just do it since he’s already been exposed to so many examples already in the Cleaners. Not only that, but he doesn’t demean or look down on Rudo’s desire to look for Amo and in his own harsh sounding way actually encouraged him learn how to hold his hand out to others. If he doesn’t quite know how to do it yet, best place to start is with experience. Trial and error. And while he doesn’t particularly care for Amo, I really appreciate that Zanka reassures Rudo that he’ll come with him to find her. The dude legit cares for him and seems to genuinely want to help point him in the right direction even if he’s being a bit tsundere about it. It’s honestly really sweet to witness considering how rough Zanka typically talks and Rudo takes his advice to heart. But the biggest thing that really hit me was how Zanka believes if Rudo was only focused on revenge, it’d be a waste. To which, YES. YES ZANKA. I FULLHEARTEDLY AGREE. He sees the good in Rudo and how much he cares for others. Even when the two don’t fully get along, the fact that Rudo went out of his way to do a nice gesture for Zanka must have resonated with him to an extent. And I agree that there is so much more Rudo has to offer than his revenge. Man I love their dumb bond lol.
It was also extremely sweet the way Rudo tried to cheer Remlin up after the latter felt guilty for partially being responsible with how bad Zanka ended up. While Rudo was super awkward about it, clearly, Remlin both understood the sentiment and was amused at the execution. Their friendship also seems to be shaping up to be adorable. To which seeing all the kids just being kids and drawing at the table was also just really adorable and allowed just a sigh of relief. Because of how prejudice the other kids were towards him up on the Sphere, Rudo probably had never experienced something like this before. While the moment was small, it honestly just hit me in the heart because we finally get to see Rudo just be a kid with other kids. And when the kids are all tasked with going on a field trip, the fact that Rudo had such a strong dedication to protecting all of them because he was the oldest out of the bunch was also really adorable. Even though two out of the three younger ones are perfectly capable of defending themselves lol. It’s the thought that counts~ Thankfully they had Enjin and Bro tail them in secret since yeah, it would be dangerous to let them off fully on their own when the Raiders are still targeting Rudo.
However, the reason the kiddos were sent out on a field trip ended up being a slight setup as Corvus wanted Rudo out of the building when the foreseen visitors arrived. To which end up being so intimidating that even the Giver that shields the building is thrown into panic. Thus we meet the Hellguard and Zanka’s sister. While it isn’t explicitly stated what their relation is, the girl literally looks like the female version of Zanka but with red hair while also sharing the same last name. And Zanka did mention having an older sister back in his flashback. Clearly, she came gunning to retrieve Rudo claiming to want “information” which somehow Corvus foresaw and sent him away ahead of time. While I do understand wanting to get information out of him since he’s the only Sphereite to live after crossing the border, I feel like Rudo would barely have any useful information about the Sphere for them. The only possibly important information he could give would be the social structure of the Sphere. But even with that, it probably wouldn’t be that much. Though I love how Corvus calls her out on it being inappropriate for them to take Rudo considering he hasn’t broken any laws that would warrant being taken in by them. But I can’t help but give Corvus a little bit of a side-eye to how he knew the Hellguard was coming in the first place.
With the kids, chaos ensues. We learn a little bit on the tradition of the Spellcasters making a mural that is special to each one in Canvas Town and how Remlin is preparing to leave their mark on it. Now tasked with getting the necessary equipment and materials to do the mural, the kids inevitably get distracted. In kids I mean specifically Rudo. This guy has an insatiable appetite for sweets so of course he’d get sidetracked by it. He truly is an addict lol. And while it seems so crazy and out of pocket, it’s yet another example of allowing Rudo to be a kid with others. We then have Fu tailing them, seemingly wanting to join the Cleaners since he most likely can’t return back to the Raiders after contributing nothing to their mission. We get a closer look at who Fu was talking to back on the Trash Beast and it’s definitely pretty eerie that it’s a doll who he refers to as Master Hii. And just like everything else in this God-forsaken series, we have absolutely no clue how he survived getting off the Trash Beast, what his powers are and what in the world is Hii and why can it talk. But man, this kid is literally the embodiment of a jellyfish as he has no spine. Clearly he wasn’t cut out to be a Raider and it would make a lot of sense for him to switch over to the Cleaners. Poor dude probably just wants a place to belong, but too bad Rudo and Remlin essentially scared him off unintentionally by being feral menaces lol. That whole scene was just outrageously hilarious with how over the top it was. From Rudo kicking the kidnapper in SEVEN different frames (10 if you count the split screens lolololol) to him projecting his rage into the sky and blasting a hole in the clouds. That shot of Fu being blasted by the aftershocks with the shining music had me ROLLING. Better luck next time Fu.
After all the chaos, this series drops one of the biggest bombs. Not only is the mural done on the ceiling of the entry tunnel, but the fact that the Watchman Series symbol was also there. Apparently the one who left that mark on the mural was called “The Undertaker.” Which not only were they close friends to the first Spellcaster, but Rudo shares the same last name as them, Surebrec. Which came as a really big shock since I did not see that coming at all. This can go a lot of different ways. Canis Surebrek could possibly be Rudo’s dad, but considering the timeline, that one is a bit more unlikely especially since Rudo would probably remember his dad’s name. And from how he acted, it seems like Rudo isn’t familiar with the name aside from the surname. So it’s probably safe to say that the “Undertaker” is most likely Rudo’s ancestor. Though that also begs the question of whether or not Rudo is ACTUALLY a Sphereite and that his bloodline actually originally came from the Ground. And because he technically had Ground blood, him passing through the border and surviving because he “came back home” could be a theory. However, that also opens it up to MORE questions about how did his lineage even get to the Sphere in the first place. There are so many questions being opened up from this information and we’re probably not gonna get the answer any time soon I figure. Also after a rewatch, I realized that the name on the little statue that Zodyle gave to Bundus had the same name as this supposed “Undertaker.” Which just adds another layer of “who is this guy????”
And that wasn’t even the biggest bomb they set off. The AUDACITY of showing us Amo after being missing for half the season and freaking Tamsy as her kidnapper at the very end before ending the season BAFFLED me. When they showed us that reveal, my kneejerk reaction was: THIS IS HOW YOU’RE REVEALING THAT?! I was already spoiled who kidnapped Amo, so that part didn’t surprise me but it was how they presented it. In the manga, there was a build up to the shocking reveal, so I was a bit disappointed that this was how they decided to do the reveal. They literally threw a grenade at us last minute and RAN. They literally could not help themselves but leave us on a cliffhanger like 90% OF THIS FREAKING SERIES’ EPISODES. But this one felt so much worse because now we gotta wait for whenever season 2 will come out to get ANY follow up to this. And just like everything else, this opens up so many more questions that I won’t even go into because I am EXHAUSTED by this series’ terrible habit. I already have questions, I DON’T NEED MORE LAST MINUTE.
Final Impressions:
THIS. SERIES. WAS. GREAT. I absolutely loved Gachiakuta and while it did have its slow moments, it still was a fantastic ride. It hooked me in from the start and kept me engaged all the way through with its story, mysteries, characters and overall presentation. The power system is also so interesting and every ability feels so unique and fun to watch. It dug into topics that typically aren’t treated with the amount of seriousness and respect as they should in most series and really just showed a great message of community. I also just really liked the art style of this series and it doesn’t feel like the typical “anime” style. It’s unique and all of the characters have such interesting designs where you can’t get them mixed up with anyone else.
While I can’t say he’s my favorite, I really do appreciate Rudo as a character. Especially with how much they touch upon his anger and desire for revenge and how it isn’t a positive or quirky thing about his character. They treat is seriously and are showing signs of changing the direction of those emotions with the help of the people who have accepted and care for him. I think this is legit the first time in a series where I’ve seen them address a character’s anger and talk them through it. That I remember at least. But still I appreciate how much it seems to want to help this angry kid and maneuver him through his emotions and steer him into the right direction. At his core, Rudo cares A LOT for objects and people. He sees the value in everything and just like Zanka said in the last episode, it’d be a waste for him to only think of revenge. Rudo is a great main character and I’m here to see where his development goes.
While we’re on the topic of favorite characters, I’d have to say that Zanka ended up being mine. I was honestly surprised by how endeared I slowly became towards him the longer the series went. I feel like I didn’t really care that much when he first appeared considering I typically don’t like the loud, hair-trigger tempered characters. However, on his normal days, he’s more or less just a very stoic and laid-back kind of guy who is wanting to prove his worth to others while also pushing himself to get better and better so that one day he could prove someone without natural talent can beat a genius. And I am here rooting for him to get the win he deserves because he went through so much disrespect. Especially in his fight against Jabber.
Gachiakuta had to be one of my favorite anime that came out this year and I’m sad to see it go. Hopefully season 2 doesn’t make us wait too long because that cliffhanger was CRIMINAL. Bones did a banger of a job adapting this series and I’m glad it pretty much got the VIP treatment in terms of animation and presentation. Definitely a series I’d rewatch with friends because I need more people to join me in talking about this series. I didn’t expect to like this series as much as I do. Especially since I waved it off as an edgy show being edgy for the sake of it. Boy did I eat my words. Sorry this post took so long to come out but after getting sick and a bunch of things piled up afterwards, I just did not have the time or mindset to really sit down and list out all my thoughts and feelings. In any case, I hope you enjoyed this coverage, I sure had a blast with this series and I look forward to when I get to cover season 2 because I am NOT missing out on that. Giving this series a solid 8/10. Until next time, Gachiakuta~
