English Dub Review: Engage Kiss: “Fleeting Scars”

Overview: Shu (Howard Wang) joined forces with detective Mikami as they track down the psycho girlfriend on the hunt for Ayano (Suzie Yeung) and the demonic agent creating demons. 

Our Take: With Ayano under protection after an attempted murder by a crazy demonic ex-girlfriend, Shu gets a new ally in Detective Mikami. The whole story behind the coverup of Shu’s family’s demise and how his father was framed just further builds upon the sick nature of the city’s higher-ups. However, Mikami’s honesty in addressing the true tragedy behind the attack, especially in being an elected official, along with showing that he believes Shu makes for a sweet scene in proving his trustworthiness for his partnership and a wholesome moment overall. 

With the demon agent, who Shu and Ayano saw, that made demons now murdered, it allows Ayano to understand the true extent of Shu’s difficult situation from her mother. When Shu goes to visit Ayano, he reveals his dreams about his sister and the potential that she could be alive and reaching out to him and it makes for an interesting development. The hope that she could be alive somewhere, not to mention waiting to clear his dad’s name, makes his motivation all the more compelling in communicating how driven he is. This goes especially for Ayano in her understanding of Shu’s pain and suffering being refreshing and empathetic. Shu’s love and concern for Ayano’s safety being the catalyst behind his decision to be independent is heartwarming. All of this comes coupled with her willing to do anything for him solidifies how perfect they are together as they gradually closer before a tender and loving sex scene.

The demon strikes at long last but the true fury is in that of Kisara because she is pissed off beyond belief at what occurred between Shu and Ayano and that’s pretty scary in and of itself. So much so she takes the memory to combat the kill the demon in yet again stunning fashion from A-1 Pictures. However, the important part is how Ayano counted on that and doesn’t have to keep her promise to stay out of Shu’s way, in an endearing commitment to him that with any luck doesn’t veer into illogical in her withholding information from him again. Also hopefully, Shu and Ayano’s intimate moment, despite being erased from his memory, has consequences in the future and not merely swept away so swiftly and easily. Ayano and Kisara’s heated rivalry continues to be an intense grudge match you can not look away from in their scornful attitudes toward one another and their competitive nature in trying to one up each other. The love triangle never ceases to be an exhilarating aspect, one that does not look like it will stop any time soon.