リリスパ – Anime QandA

From Kawaii With Love – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 12 (Finale) Review

From Kawaii With Love – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 12 (Finale)

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 12 (Finale).

So how’s this episode? As an episode of Release The Spyce, its fine, it’s good, it’s sometimes even great, it’s everything I expect from this show up to this point. But that’s also a problem, allow me to explain.

Please do. So last episode we had the reveal that Yuki was still alive after the previous episode showed her getting a decisive chop across the chest by the villain. And as you recall I was pretty much okay with it for an admittedly flimsy reason that being I liked Momo and didn’t want her to be sad. This episode we get the reveal that ~everyone else~ who was presumed dead from Episode 10 is also alive and no worse for wear as it was all part of an elaborate plot. Also Mei isn’t actually a traitor and was just playing a double agent.

Ah… so no one is actually harmed or dead or traitorous and everything is all fine then? Pretty much.

And I take it you’re not okay with that turn of events? As I said up top, it’s fine, it is what it is, I can be happy about it, but I’m also disappointed at what I see as squandered potential. This series could have positioned itself at having real stakes, but as of the final episode I think the only person confirmed dead is Yuki’s mentor and that happened in a flashback. I’m not saying I wanted this to be a gritty and depressing spy thriller but even in the most light-hearted and ridiculous James Bond films people die, on both the good and the bad side.

Also a true spy occasionally gets killed because their job is dangerous as heck!

I see you invoking the James Bond comparison again… And it’s apt, not only did this plot to turn the population into mindless, controllable puppets through mass release of a gas feel like it was ripped straight from a Bond film but they even reference one of the most famous James Bond moments from ‘Goldfinger’ when the countdown timer is stopped with ‘0:07’ seconds remaining.

But you talk about potential like you think you know better than the creators of the show? What if their intention was to make a light-hearted James Bond inspired romp with cute anime girls and not a lot of consequences? Then mission accomplished, I suppose. I just think taking the safe route out was the less satisfying choice from a narrative perspective and for engendering any longevity on the show’s behalf. Had it committed to at least one character death or betrayal, I’d be applauding its bravery. Heck, even if they had the balls to go through with the scene that took up the most time in this episode I might be complaining less but they even backed down on that one too!

What scene are you talking about? Towards the end of the episode there’s a lengthy and heartfelt exchange between Momo and Yuki where Yuki has chosen to ‘end’ her life as a spy (as she has the option to do) by erasing her memories of her time in Tsukikage. Momo is understandably distraught at the thought of losing her mentor and best friend, but Yuki thinks it’s time for her to move on and for Momo to get an apprentice of her own. It’s all very emotional and ends with the two spending the night in each other’s arms on the beach until Momo is ‘ready’ to pull the trigger on her mentor with the memory erase bullets. This was a great and powerful scene except flashforward to 9 months later, Momo is training her own apprentice and happens to pass by Yuki on their morning run. Momo is caught off-guard by the sudden appearance but nonetheless goes about her business and then Yuki gives a wry smile as if to suggest that the memory erasure didn’t work (or was faked) all along.

And? And don’t you think that’s frustrating?! It meant all that emotional build-up was a lie on Yuki’s end because she never intended to actually lose her memories and she made Momo cry her eyes out for nothing! Yes, of course Momo had to move on and become a mentor herself but it’s just another example of this show building up high drama with a ~supposedly~ impactful moment, only for it to negated by a later reveal where everything is more or less the same as it was before.

I feel like I’ve seen this shot before in a movie.

Fair enough. So anything else you wanted to add? I always tend to complain more and louder when it’s a show that has potential and has great characters and chooses to take the ‘easy route’ instead of doing something more deep and complex. And I don’t want to see anyone say “oh it’s because its a cute girls show first and a spy show second that it didn’t take any risks” because there have been CGDCT shows that took a risk and stepped outside the comfort zone of their genre to great effect. As it stands this will just be an entertaining diversion that did little to push the envelope of either genre spy or CGDCT and ended up poorer for it. I still love the characters though…

You go Momo, you go find a better narrative to be in!

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

The Spies Who Kawaii’d Me – Episode 1 Review
License To Kawaii – Episode 2 Review
Kawaii Another Day – Episode 3 Review
Live And Let Kawaii – Episode 4 Review
For Your Kawaii’s Only – Episode 5 Review
Kawaii Friends Are Forever – Episode 6 Review
GoldenKawaii – Episode 7 Review
Tomorrow Never Kawaii’s – Episode 8 Review
On Her Kawaii Secret Service – Episode 9 Review
Kawaiifall – Episode 10 Review
You Only Kawaii Twice – Episode 11 Review

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You Only Kawaii Twice – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 11 Review

You Only Kawaii Twice – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 11

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 11.

So how’s this episode? I thought I’d be disappointed with this episode’s reveal. I mean I kinda guessed it was coming so maybe I was prepared for it but even so the whole “oh no she’s dead/no wait she’s fine” reveal didn’t feel as obnoxious as it could have. But yeah, Yuki isn’t dead, she was just faking it in order to survive the ambush. Maybe I’m okay with this reveal because Momo is my favourite character and i didn’t want to see her sad at the death of her mentor.

Uh-huh… what?

“I thought you were dead”, “Nope!” #simpsonsreference

Well it kind of negates any potential drama, doesn’t it? The previous episode was and is still a satisfying, action packed and tense episode of anime. Besides, Yuki is a more than capable spy so it’s not like it comes out of nowhere that she managed to find a way to survive the attack.

Fair enough. So what about the other one who “died” in the previous episode? That’d be Hatsume and she’s still missing in action as of this episode. As too are Katrina, the owner of the curry shop that’s used as Tsukikage’s front and aggressive ex-Moryo member Byakko.

Yeah… seems less and less likely that Mei is legit traitor at this point.

And what do you think of their fate? I honestly couldn’t say, like as much as this show has a dark streak from time to time I don’t know that they’d go as far as to kill off all 3 of these other characters but at the same time if all of them managed to make it out of this alive that’d probably be a harder pill to swallow.

So what exactly happens in this episode? Well after Momo, Fu and Goe escape from Moryo’s evil clutches, they emotionally regroup and decide to stop Moryo from initiating their plan to use brainwashing gas to enslave the city. And the infiltration sequence is action packed and filled with character, I especially liked Goe facing off against Theresia, Goe resolutely defeats her but still offers an olive branch of friendship like her mentor would. Only Tendo has other ideas about her ~switching sides~ and slices her Theresia’s wrist open as she’s lying defeated on the floor. Seems like we will be adding Theresia to the list of the “not sure if dead” too!

As stubborn as she is I do hope she’s okay… I mean, no! We have to kill off *someone*.

And does Tsukikage (or what’s left of ‘em) stop Moryo’s plan? In classic James Bond style there’s a countdown to the gas being dispersed, except it’s not being dispersed from Kyuten Science’s headquarters like they assumed but rather a massive lotus flower shaped dispersal device that emerges from a warehouse near the docks. Yuki’s who’s been coordinating their efforts from a support role (due to recovering from her injuries) tells them to withdraw from Kyuten Science just as the countdown’s about to hit zero. End credits!

Ah, another cliffhanger, huh? Yep, but it’s well earned. That is to say I don’t think they could have wrapped this up sooner, this is a definite two-parter and it’s made me eager to see the finale, not just for how they’re going to stop this crazy plan from unfolding but also who’s actually live and who’s dead!

So overall thoughts on the episode? Given that this episode played with our expectations towards the fate of Yuki you could be forgiven for being annoyed. I wasn’t though, for reasons mentioned above but also because it was another solid, action-packed and generally exciting adventure that left me wanting more (in a good way), and that’s about all I could have asked for. Let’s just hope the finale next week doesn’t disappoint!

Mei as a bunny girl, also did not disappoint.

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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Kawaiifall – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 10 Review

Kawaiifall – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 10

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 10.

So how’s this episode? Well spoiler warning, but EVERYONE’S DEAD!

What?! Okay not really, but man this episode dials up the intensity towards the end, with no less than 3 of Tsukikage’s girls presumed dead and a fourth revealed as a traitor! I mean, I knew things would pick up eventually but I didn’t expect this. One death ~maybe~ but not three!

Uh-huh, but are they actually dead or is the show just trying to make you think that for the sake of a dramatic cliffhanger and reveal them to be a-ok next week? It’s entirely possible, nay probable that some if not all the girls survived. But aren’t you going to ask me, who and how first? I jumped right to the most dramatic part of the episode, you usually scold me for it.

Enjoy the happy moments together while you can.

Oh right, umm… “slow down, tell us how they get to that point first, will ya?” How’s that? Perfect. So Tsukikage intends to take down ‘Sparrow Woman’ the head of evil organisation Moryo. But before that we get a few sweet little scenes with each of the apprentice and master duos, padding for time til the big showdown? Maybe. But they were still pleasant and entertaining moments.Then the day comes, they ambush ‘Sparrow Woman’ (real name Kuara Tendo) and begin the interrogation–only for all their well laid plans to literally blow up in their face as the front to the headquarters explodes in a fiery explosion and with former spy Katrina presumably still inside! Enemy vehicles descend and so they try and escape to the docks only to be surrounded by more of the enemy.

And then! And then we get the reveal we’ve been waiting for, the identity of the Tsukikage double agent! Turns out the traitor is laid back Mei who sold secrets to the enemy because they were paying and because it was “more fun” and as far as ~traitor reveals~ go it was pretty effective. I mean say what you will about traitor subplots but I buy Mei’s reasoning for turning on them. I’m glad they didn’t bother with some elaborately contrived “oh I had to be a traitor because they’ve kidnapped my family” stuff or have an unnecessary long flashback to explain it all.

Fair enough, so how do the other two Tsukikage members “die”? Well Hatsume goes after traitor Mei and ends up stabbed before being pushed into the sea and–as if to add insult to potentially fatal injury–is finished off with an explosion courtesy of one of her own inventions. Meanwhile Yuki is battling Kuara Tendo but is struck down with the same sword that killed her own master (as we saw in the previous episode) and Yuki bleeds out on the ground as Momo looks on helplessly. The remaining (alive) girls are taken back to Moryo’s headquarters for the very foreboding reason of “experiments” and that’s where things end.

So I made presumptions about whether the dead are actually dead, but what do you think? The more I think about it the more it could be true. The episode did heavily emphasise the fact that the current batch of apprentices will one day have to take on apprentices of their own and they’ve literally gotten rid of all the current masters. But only time will tell if they are all dead or not!

And your overall thoughts on the episode? Probably my favourite since episode 1, while I do think a lot happened at the end (arguably too much) it also kinda worked with just how much of a colossal stuff-up it was and how much impact having a traitor in the ranks had for Tsukikage’s unravelling. If nothing else, I’m really excited to see the next episode to see not only the true fate of our presumed dead members but also what lies in store for Momo, Fu and Goe.

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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On Her Kawaii Secret Service – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 9 Review

On Her Kawaii Secret Service – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 9

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 9.

So how’s this episode? They do something that I liked a fair bit more in this episode than previous ones, that is that they have character development but it’s tied to action (albeit in a flashback) and even though it’s a flashback its not only relevant to the personal story between Momo and Yuki but it ~also~ fleshes out ‘Sparrow Woman’ a bit more–or at least give us a compelling personal vendetta between here and Yuki.

You’re speaking very ~generally~ care to elaborate? Basically we learn about when Yuki first joined Tsukikage and her mentor at the time xx. We learn about how close they were, the fun times they had and then we learn how she died (at the sword of the ‘Sparrow Mission’ during a mission) and in-turn how Yuki lost her eye (same).

You sound a bit flippant about it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad we got this backstory and I’m glad it was interesting and fun and occasionally dramatic and that it all tied together neatly. But this episode did one thing I wasn’t too keen on too.

Oh? Go on then… I never like the whole ‘let’s get to know someone through flashbacks and then kill them off’ way of telling a story, here it’s less egregious than in some anime I’ve seen but it’s still not something I’m too fond of though. That said I can’t really think of a better way of doing it so this complaint amounts down more to personal preference rather than something the show could have done better.

So complaining for the sake of complaining? Pretty much.

Right, well anything else you wanted to add? There was a great reference to one of my favourite James Bond movies (Goldfinger) during the flashback infiltration scene where Yuki and her mentor swim into the base with fake ducks attached to their heads–things like that make me know all the more that this is made with a lot of admiration for those films and that makes me appreciate the show more as a result. Plus the whole Momo and Yuki doing girly things montage was absolutely adorable. This review is probably a bit on the short side, but make no mistake I enjoyed this episode a lot–it was good at being a spy show, it was good at being a cute girl show–though it still could be better at both.

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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Tomorrow Never Kawaii’s – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 8 Review

Tomorrow Never Kawaii’s – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 8

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 8.

So how’s this episode? I don’t know if you noticed but all my review titles are James Bond movies but with the word kawaii in place of one of the words.

Yes, I’d noticed, but thanks for letting me know!–seriously though, I assume there’s a point you’re about to make since you brought that up? I like to compare things to other things, I find it useful in articulating a point when I can’t find the words to properly define something. It doesn’t always work for everyone though because not everybody has seen the things I’m referencing–so forgive me if you’re reading this and it makes no sense but this episode was like one of the ‘so bad it’s good’ James Bond movies. It was reminiscent of ‘Live And Let Die’ what with the tropical setting and the traps and the snakes and even substitute that movie’s “voodoo” for this episode’s “vikings” and it’s even more similar! (Shame I used the episode title “Live and Let Kawaii” for the Episode 4 review, d’oh!)

You say “so bad, it’s good”–that doesn’t really sound like a good thing? It depends how you go about looking at this show, if you go in expecting seriousness then you’re going to be disappointed. And yes, this show has dark subject matter sometimes and has impressive action scenes but it can do that and be silly with ridiculous villains and cliche traps and shenanigans because guess what that’s exactly what James Bond has been doing for over 50 years!

Uh-huh, I mean good thing she’s cute because she’s boring as heck!

Okay fair enough, you’ve made your point. So how is this episode? Taken alone; it’s a lot of harmless dumb fun and that’s probably the best way to go into this episode. But compared to (some of the) other episodes and seen as a part of a more longer running narrative, it’s kind of mediocre. I mean it’s all well and good having a diversion to Okinawa (for swimsuit service, no-less) but nothing’s really gained from this episode, I mean sure they rescue some viking girl’s grandfather from some bad guys and kill a bunch of snakes but aside from that it felt like the show was just treading water until it was ready to advance the main plot some more.

Fu looks like she’s been eating her spinach.

But the question is, would you prefer this type of ‘not advancing the main plot’ episode over the character driven episode they’ve previously given us? Probably this, if only because this is more what I expected this show to be when I started watching it. I mean seeing Yuki beat up a group of henchman with a selfie stick was both silly and surprisingly satisfying! Though I don’t think they needed to introduce us to viking girl or snake villain man–this show already ~has~ villains that they could be utilising instead of introducing and then writing out new ones on a week-to-week basis. But maybe I just don’t understand what this show is going for…

Overall thoughts on the episode then? It’s fun as long as you don’t think too hard about it–which, you know, is kind of my job so I guess more fool me!

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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GoldenKawaii – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 7 Review

GoldenKawaii – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 7

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 7.

So how’s this episode? Not too dissimilar to other episodes–that is to say a ‘sometimes works/sometimes doesn’t’ blend of light espionage action and cute girls doing cute things.

Does that mean you’re not going to have a lot to say about it? Who knows! Let’s see where this review takes us.

Uh-huh, so what happens in the episode? Moryo’s leader ‘Sparrow Woman’ disguised as a businessman releases a mind-altering gas in a crowded public area which causes some of the citizens to riot, meanwhile Hatsume is having lunch with Theresia–Moryo’s undercover agent tasked with uncovering the member identities and headquarters location of Tsukikiage. And credit to the show for not dragging out this plot-line, Hatsume straight up tells Theresia that she’s in Moryo which allows them to be more honest with each other. But the unfolding riots and word that Goe, Hatsume’s apprentice, has been affected by the mind-altering gas cuts short their “meeting” as Hatsume hurries to Momo and Yuki who have been fighting (and losing) against the frenzied and over-powered Goe.

‘Terrorist attacks’, ‘reveals of identities’ and ‘an ally gone berserk’ sounds pretty high-stakes?! On paper it is–the execution however leads a little to be desired. Obviously this show probably doesn’t want to go full-dark on the content, so the riots are a casualty-free disturbance. What did impress however was Goe’s rampage through a gang hideout–affected by the gas she is a one-woman wrecking ball carving her way through dozens of armed enemies while a kick-ass tune plays in the background. It’s probably one of my favourite scenes this show has done so far and kind of makes me wish the show focused on this aspect as opposed to the relationships.

The whole sequence goes for like 2 minutes and is so cool!

But you’re usually all about the relationships in these shows? Don’t get me wrong, I liked that Hatsume was willing to calm Goe down and bring her back to her senses through just talking about their ~relationship~ it’s just I don’t think it jells tonally with the espionage stuff. At first I thought the show might be able to pull off the balance, and sometimes it does–but most of the time it just feels out of place.

Fair enough? Anything else you wanted to add? I wonder why these girls aren’t being paid to be spies–like they mention again about the need for a part-time job “for the money”, but shouldn’t literally risking their lives to fight the bad guys earn them at least a bit of coin? Or is this just considered volunteer work for these girls? Small thing to mention I know, but it just seemed odd.

Overall thoughts on the episode? With the exception of Goe’s rampage being incredibly cool there wasn’t much different to previous episodes. And I guess that’s a complaint? I don’t know, obviously my expectations of this show in general have been out of pace with what the show actually intends to deliver which is as much as fault with me as it is the show. I still enjoy the weekly espionage escapades and I like these characters–I just feel like they could be doing a lot more with the show. Oh and while I remember, Momo tried on a bikini this episode and next episode is set in Okinawa… you know what that means? Beach episode!

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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Kawaii Friends Are Forever – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 6 Review

Kawaii Friends Are Forever – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 6

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode

So how’s this episode? After weeks of me complaining about it we ~finally~ get to spend some time with the villains on this show!

Oh good, so you’re happy then? Well~…

Oh dear. What’s wrong with it now? No nothing, well I mean… I think it’s almost too much, like I think there’s moments that could have been spread across earlier episodes to make it a little more balanced, but hey, what do I know!

I’m sure it sounded better in Japanese… maybe.

Care to elaborate? So Moryo the villains organisation has acquired from their traitor in Tsukikage the real life identity of one of their members–Hatsume Aoba (not that Hatsume was the traitor as I erroneously stated in the previous review). With this information they send Theresia Ray to infiltrate Hatsume’s school in order to learn more information about Tsukikage (the other members, the location of their secret headquarters, etc.) But as it turns out Theresia and Hatsume have a history together–back when they were kids, Hatsume temporarily lived in ~generic foreign country~ that Theresia grew up in–she a wealthy daughter of businessman and her a street urchin. Long story short, Hatsume befriended Theresia but then the two of them got kidnapped by child traffickers. They held Hatsume to ransom until her parents paid it but sadly for Theresia she was sold as a child soldier to Moryo and began training under their ruthless tutelage.

I mean, I guess it beats living on the streets and getting beat up.

Child trafficking, huh? Yikes! This show doesn’t shy away from harsh realities or violence towards children, Theresia was shown to have a horrible life, being regularly beaten and that was even before she was kidnapped by child traffickers who treated her even worse.

So is this any good, I mean you seemingly had some gripes before. It’s interesting and even occasionally compelling, and it was nice to tie a villains backstory into that of one of our protagonists, but then they also have a bit of backstory for Byakko–the Moryo henchwoman who’s been held at Tsukikage’s facility and while that’s nice too it did seem like they were trying too hard to tie all these characters to Hatsume through “the power of friendship”.

I mean I’m glad they Stockholm Syndrome’d this vicious attack loli with cakes and deserts, better on the side of the good guys after all.

Anything else to add? And if that wasn’t enough villainous content we also got an ending scene involving the head of Moryo ‘Sparrow Woman’ straight up executing a bunch of dudes in suits (I’m not sure if I was supposed to remember who they were but I didn’t) in a cool and bloody massacre with her samurai sword.

So you liked the episode then? Yes.

Then why make it sound like this episode had problems? I just think either the scene with Byakko or ‘Sparrow Woman’ would have felt more ~natural~ earlier on, but I get what they were going for. I don’t know, my thoughts are probably a bit scattered here. Let’s just say the episode was very good and leave it at that!

Meanwhile Momo just licking fools left and right.

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

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For Your Kawaii’s Only – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 5 Review

For Your Kawaii’s Only – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 5

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 5.

So how’s this episode? I kinda had a little bit of whine about last week’s episode, didn’t I?

That you did. Are you regretting it now? No, not really.

Huh? Well then why even bring it up? Because this episode made it all the more evident why last week didn’t work within the context of the show… I’ve softened on my complaints about the previous episode but only because of how much better this episode was but at the same time that only seeks to amplify what was wrong with last week.

I loved the start of the episode when they were getting ready to infiltrate.

So why’s this episode better than? It’s a James Bond movie with cute girls–that’s all I ever wanted and this episode delivered it! Here, I’ll elaborate on that thought. An overly muscular, borderline monstrous henchwoman attacking our protagonist on a train? Check! Exciting, well execute action scenes in tight confines? Check! Villain returning at the last minute to get the jump on our protagonist only to be rescued in an unlikely fashion? Check! This episode ticked off all the ‘Bond’ checkboxes and managed to mix in all the slice of life, CGDCT shenanigans too! Neither “part” of the episode felt shortchanged or rushed because of the other, they complimented each other perfectly ~just~ like in the first episode!

Well… that’s good then! Glad the show has sought itself out. So what about these “slice of life, CGDCT shenanigans” you speak of? It’s all about Momo this week, which in itself is a large reason why this episode works better as she is the best character, and that’s not something I say lightly as its exceedingly rare for my best girl in any given show to be the main character. She’s doubting her abilities after one two many flubs in the field and is training ~hard~ to make up for it, too hard as she’s even losing sleep just to try and bring herself up to Yuki’s level. But all work and no play makes Momo mo’ mad so she decides to take her colleagues advice and celebrate her upcoming birthday with her school friends. All of this is interspersed between various heists and infiltrations and action sequences and yes, it’s busy and sometimes confusing and convoluted but it’s still entertaining, damn it!

Fair enough. Anything else to add? ~~Also they reveal the identity of the traitor within Tsukikage’s who’s been selling information to the bad guys, but whatever.~~

Wait, what do you mean “whatever”? Isn’t that a big deal?! Who is it?! It’s apparently the bubbly blonde haired inventor Hatsume and I don’t know, I don’t see this show committing to a true traitor subplot. Either Hatsume’s going to be a triple agent selling Moryo’s secrets to Tsukikage ~or~ they’ll just admonish and then forgive her because that’s what good girls do. I’ve never thought much of this traitor subplot and I still don’t because I don’t think it’ll amount to much. But I’ll happily eat my words if they end up imprisoning or executing her for her crimes. (Note: I was informed by a commenter that the show did not in-fact reveal the identity of the traitor but rather Hatsume’s private information was leaked to Moryo by the traitor. This is what happens when you watch too much anime and aren’t paying attention.)

Overall thoughts on the episode? It’s great, I hope the rest of the series can maintain this level of balance and quality!

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

The Spies Who Kawaii’d Me – Episode 1 Review
License To Kawaii – Episode 2 Review
Kawaii Another Day – Episode 3 Review
Live And Let Kawaii – Episode 4 Review

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Live And Let Kawaii – ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 4 Review

Live And Let Kawaii – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Release The Spyce’ Episode 4

What’s the show? Release The Spyce, Episode 4.

So how’s this episode? I think this show is like allergic to it’s own villains.

What do you mean? Sorry I’m being sassy. It’s just this show is again prioritizing its protagonists development over its antagonists—which don’t get me wrong it’s important—I just kinda would like some more stuff with the female villains now! Sure we had a ~bit~ last week, but it’s not enough!

Is it enough of a problem that it’s holding the show back from being enjoyable? No, I don’t think so, it’s a small gripe about an otherwise fun and entertaining show! However I can absolutely understand why other viewers might be frustrated about the show’s inability to focus on its overarching plot and devote so much time to character development.

Only person who can do that is you! (Well the writers, but you know what I mean!)

‘Kay, so what’s this episode about? It’s about Mei and Fu’s relationship, they have some arguments, there’s a mission in between, then by the end of the episode they make up and all is well. If it sounds like not a lot of consequence happens that’d be correct—which would be fine if this was ~just~ a club based cute girl show—in fact this episode felt more like an episode of Yuru Yuri than any of the previous ones. And it’s not a bad thing, it’s just not what a show that’s (presumably) trying to differentiate itself from the pack should be doing.

Like ‘friends with benefits’ “friendly”?

So you think the episode—and by extension the series—should be more spy and action oriented? It just needs to have more balance, I think while this episode was still fine and I ended up liking Fu a lot more than I had previously, it just feels like the show is too laid back for its own good. Binge watching this series would probably help too, as waiting a week for a minuscule amount of plot progression probably ~adds~ to the frustration. Nevertheless I’m still enjoying this show and I’m eager to see more! They just really need to get their plot priorities in order!

Previous Release The Spyce Reviews:

The Spies Who Kawaii’d Me – Episode 1 Review
License To Kawaii – Episode 2 Review
Kawaii Another Day – Episode 3 Review

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!