© TriF/“Mecha-Ude” Production Committee
Well, this was definitely a busy episode, with barely a moment to breathe between scenes. We go from intense mecha battles to tasteless high school comedy, to creepy mind-control machines to suddenly deep lore and THEY JUST KILL PEOPLE? Mecha-Ude Volume 4 has a lot, but I think it's going to be breakneck-paced because the whole thing is so interesting. (Apart from the murder part. That's sad.)
I'm not sure if the writers were completely inclined to have a longer script written for a show twice as long as this series' twelve-episode run, but there were Hikaru and Mecha-Ude Alma parodied. His taunts are on duty as even up until the final episode, other Mecha-Ude users were disparaging Hikaru as a “spare part”. I feel like we've missed some connective tissue here. Perhaps Hikaru's recent dramatic fiery-eyed transformation has garnered some respect? What's up?
We were introduced to a new Mecha-Ude, the frog-like Kerex, and he seemed very cheerful. Hopefully he'll stay-oh. The murderer I mentioned earlier is our new frog friend, and he will be sorely missed after about a minute on screen. Even though Mecha-Ude is a bright, fun, exciting action show, it seems like it was all a joke. front. Perhaps beneath the shiny, sparkling surface beats a dark heart of mechanical evil? We've met villains who are no more than capable of enslaving sentient beings, plus now we learn about Aki's tragic backstory using the interesting dual Mecha-Ude with ease. It seems she lost both of her parents to the mysterious Mecha-Ude worm, which explains her obsession with its bearer over the past few episodes. Watching the after-credits scene, Aki was not prepared for the truth…
I wonder if this early reveal of the gill worm is a sign that we'll continue racing through the plot? it's a fake. At this point, I'm not sure what Mecha-Ude wants to do or say, but it seems like it has an intricately crafted plot, especially considering the dense lore that comprises the final third of the episode. Mecha-Ude (Transformers) are mechanical life forms from another dimension (Cybertron) who are desperate to restore the life source “Ordela” (Allspark), and amnesiac Alma (Optimus Prime) is the key . Hmmmm…
Despite all the overstuffed plot twists, I still really enjoyed this episode, especially the super silly truancy games with Meru going crazy with love and pulling a nearly incoherent Hikaru to become into a “romantic” prize in the love battle (Meru's illusion) between Aki and the blue-haired guy returning to Jun. (Jun was the villain of the previous episode, now… classmate and reluctant ally?) Alma pulled Hikaru out of bed and partially undressed him, only for Aki to smash the bedroom window as well. funny.
Rating:
Mechanical thoughts:
Currently, we have seen several different partnerships between humans and Mecha-Ude: Equal partnerships where both parties retain their partnership. autonomy; unequal partnerships where humans dominate and enslave their Mecha-Ude; and a disturbing new version in which Mecha-Ude is forced to enslave humans and enslave their minds. I wonder what other variations might emerge.
→ What happens to the human side of their partnership when their Mecha-Ude dies? Do they need to pair with the new Mecha-Ude? Will they continue to leak Arbitrium? Are discarded couples bonded for life or is it reversible? How exactly are Hikaru and Alma different considering Alma is looked down upon for her hoodie? (Does this also mean that Hikaru's hoodie is now basically his superhero costume?)
^ Aki is now Foghorn Leghorn. Or Pepe le Pew. Or any of the other Looney Tunes characters who can't escape because they keep appearing in new locations every time someone tries to run away from them. Poor Hikaru.
Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms is now streaming on Crunchyroll.