English Dub Review: Date A Live IV: “An Opened Heart”

Overview: Kotori (Brynn Apprill) takes on Ellen Mathers (Trina Nishimura) while Shido and Tohka (Michelle Rojas) battle against Mukuro (Kristen McGuire) to unlock her heart. 

Our Take: Isaac vs Woodman unseen showdown is an interesting one on various levels. It makes Isaac’s intentions clear in that he needs to take him alive, seemingly, and their brief banter highlights their once close friendship as they stand on opposite sides now. The nature of Elliot’s powers are an intriguing and surprising inquiry. Also, Woodman’s reasoning for confining himself to a wheelchair when he can stand and what that has to do with his abilities are interesting ones as well. 

Kotori and the other spirits deal with DEM forces, led by Ellen Mathers. The seed of doubt Kotori tries to plant in her, in Isaac keeping his invasion of Ratatoskr a secret, nicely transitions into the start of a deeper relationship she had with Woodman. The new version of Fraxinus is purring with new spirit powered enhancements that are cool in seeing how Kotori and Fraxinus learn from their past defeats, and in a badass sci-fi way no less, with them annihilating DEM’s ship. 

Origami goes head-to-head with a DEM agent, Artemisia Ashcroft. Her role has been an intriguing one in her relationship with Origami before she, seemingly, had her memories wiped, not remembering her in their battle. How Ashcroft got in DEM’s clutches is also an interesting question with her being an enemy of them, according to Origami. With Tohka’s help and the use of the other spirits’ powers, it makes for a fun battle in the clever ways Shido utilizes them to, eventually, forcibly open her heart and unlock her whole range of emotions. Shido valiantly shields her as they plummet back into the atmosphere. Shido’s the classic sweetheart, so of course this would win Mukuro over and make her smitten with him. 

In the final few moments, we learn that Isaac gets his ass handed to him. Honestly, this episode does a great job of making me wonder what the hell Woodman’s power is with the mystery behind their fight making his abilities even more tantalizing. Also, Isaac keeping the truth from Ellen makes her own motivations in wanting to kill Elliot interesting in what he did that set her down that vengeful path. But that must be put on the back burner for now, because it is time for Mukuro and Shido’s date! This looks to be a good time with how much Mukuro is trying fun activities on earth, with Shido, that she has never tried before, similar to Shido’s first date with Tohka.