English Dub Review: BACK ARROW “Is Today Yesterday’s Tomorrow?”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Kai goes after Shu Bi to demand answers from the eccentric man. Back Arrow tries to fight him but Kai defeats him and the others easily, so Shu Bi talks with Kai. Kai asks Shu Bi about his promise to him at the North Wall about changing Rekka. However Shu Bi says that he wants to change the world and will rely on Back Arrow for that.

Angered by Shu Bi’s actions, Kai declares him his enemy now. When Kai goes to strike him, Back Arrow protects Shu Bi. Shu Bi then has the doctor use the cannons or fire at Rekka. His strategy pays off as Kai retreats to not involve innocent people in their quarrel. Shu Bi suggests they leave before Rekka finds out about his bluff with the cannons. Meanwhile, Rekka’s emperor is unhappy with Kai and punishes him by banning him from any missions as Kai and Ren work together.

Our Take:

This week’s episode was mainly dealing with Kai and his anger towards Shu Bi over his decision to abandon Rekka and their promise. The episode gives context with a flashback to their early years as slaves to find a Rakuho. After a scuffle with the soldiers and gaining the attention of Rekka’s emperor the two start making their way up. It starts their beginning to rise to the top with the hope to change Rekka’s corruption.

Then in the present, there’s the showcase of Kai being the strongest with his experience in using his Briheight against the squad even defeating Back Arrow. It was a good thing that this happened otherwise Back Arrow could just breeze any fight. At least the animation for the fight was good with Kai’s flaming weapon. We got to see a new skill of Elsha’s Briheight aside from being the only Briheight to move the Granedger. I hope we get to see more of them in action and actually winning. Their reliance on Back Arrow defeating the enemy all the time is getting boring.

Shu Bi is a man with a plan and this episode showcases the lengths he’s willing to go for his goals even by tricking his friend. He ropes assistance from the doctor with his bluff on the ship’s weapons and it pays off as Kai retreats. Shu Bi figuring out how the Granedger operates and being useful to the journey beyond the Wall is great cause I don’t think I could watch another one of Bit’s plans.

Overall it was an average episode to cement Shu Bi’s role as the strategist of the group and to start the ongoing conflict between him and Kai. The journey to the Wall continues, and I just hope we’ll get to see more of the world inside the Wall.