English Dub Review: Engage Kiss: “A Loser and a Demon and a Man and a Woman”

Overview: Shu (Howard Wang), along with his ex-girlfriend, Ayano (Suzie Yeung), an elite private military soldier, and Kisara (Kayli Mills), a powerful demon and unhinged companion, combat various demons to protect Veyron City. 

Our Take: Poor Shu just can not seem to catch a break. And, ironically enough, being a loser is what he has going for him. His code in taking the jobs that he wants, breaking away from a major corporate job in the private military group, AAA Defender Co, that offers financial stability, is a compelling way of showing his independence. What truly signifies how down on his luck he is are the handouts he must take from his ex-girlfriend and elite agent of AAA, Ayano. Their past romance is nicely shined upon in their still being raw feelings towards each other about him leaving the company to make his own way. However, they also just make a cute couple with how concerned and stern she is of him and how, although down on his luck and apologetic he may be, he maintains optimism. Howard Yang is a likable lead as Shu and Suzie Yeung is a sweet and caring co-lead in Ayano. With that said, hopefully there is more to them and their relationship that is deeper and more complex than some outwardly positive qualities.  

The helpful women in Shu’s life does not end with Ayano, though. His friendship and possibly romantic relationship with the pink haired beauty, Kisara. She helps with cooking and footing his electric bills, which further reiterates how sad his situation is. She is sweet as she is sadistic with him being hilariously fearful of her. Kayli Mills absolutely nails Kisara’s darker side whether it is triggered by him being around Ayano, or his major debt on account of him being judicious about jobs, she makes for great comedic effect. However, at the core and similar to Ayano, there seems to be an unconditional love and care for him that cements their relationship in compassion. 

With demons having infested the technologically advanced floating city, Veyron, Shu is one of many contracted bidders that compete to take jobs to dispatch them and it sets up an intriguing network of private agencies in the world. With Shu winning with a notably low bid, a comment made by a rival contractor sets up his father’s prominence within private militaristic forces. Shu worked out a deal with his ex-boss and Ayano’s mother, to pay her to provide support with him making a mere fraction of the money he was promised. Shu struggling to make ends meet further makes you feel for him in how much he puts forth and how little reward he gets out of it. 

What was very evident, however, was how much effort was put forth on the animation side of things. There are great actions in Ayano slaying demon dogs while Shu contends with the main baddie. However, it truly amazes when Kisara enters the scene and is revealed to be a powerful demon herself. Her onslaught against the dogs while simultaneously fighting Ayano is intensely and beautifully designed in the violent breakneck motions along with dynamic of the setting in utilizing poker chips or whipping around gambling tables in the casino. 

Again, Kisara is the crazy character type we have all seen before. But that is part of what makes her chemistry with Shu so entertaining is her unpredictability and wildness, especially in her raging out violently against him all because she wanted a spare key to his apartment. There is also definitely fan service in Kisara having to kiss Shu to gain added power and A-1 Pictures definitely wants you to know, because they animate the hell out of their lip wiggling and tongue swishing. Truthfully, you can not help but respect it, because damn did it look hot. However, with him dazed and confused coming out of them making out, he looks to be giving up more than just his saliva, interestingly enough.
Kisara really cements her strength as an A-rank demon in her cutting any collateral debris to shreds and powder. This is much to Ayano’s dissatisfaction in admitting so as the mission ends but an interesting new love triangle and series begins.