English Dub Review: Ya Boy Kongming!” FOR THE POPULACE”

Overview

Eiko and Nanami have struck an alliance, but opposing forces conspire to break them apart. Can they endure the enemy salvo, or will their truce collapse under the onslaught?

Our Take

This time around we now get a bit of a “flashback” episode of sorts with Nanami as what I and many fans predicted, has sort of the same goal as Eiko, though her methods of how she’s doing it are the complete opposite. While Eiko has a loving support system thanks to the people in her circle (Including Kongming who makes a few comical appearances) that isn’t exactly the case with Nanami and that’s putting it mildly…

In a way, it also kinda highlights how certain music/entertainment industries or record labels can be harsh assholes to up-and-coming talent who think their vision is superior at the expense of turning Nanami’s band into a soulless commercial product that not only deny’s the band any sort of creative control, but also to never allow them to perform music at their shows. You can make the argument that it could bring desired results on a monetary level, but It won’t be mentally or emotionally healthy for the singer or her bandmates in the long run. Just look at Vanilla Ice, for example, he’s gone on record multiple times that he has nothing but seething contempt for his old image & past music. And has zero problems making jokes about it in Adam Sandler movies. On the other hand, Kabe and his freestyle rap friends boys are innocently rapping under the bridge in their quaint old town beside the waterside. It’s a charming wholesome experience, but priceless for Kabe who seeks to find inspiration for his battle.

Overall this was a surprisingly emotional episode. The backstory of Nanami and the band she’s part of felt so realistic, and I loved the general message of the episode, and all of this must be difficult for Nanami and the girls. With 3 episodes left, let’s hope that both Eiko and Kabe have improved themselves musically under Kongming’s help.