Overview: Alto (Mike Haimoto) and Vermeil (Monica Rial) fight it out against Iolite (Scott Gibbs), launching one all-out attack to take him down for good.
Our Take: Iolite vilifying Vermeil, wanting to use her powers for the mustache twirly, maniacal world destruction is less than interesting or original, suffice to say. With how much the events leading up to the finale are charting familiar territory, I went in expecting Alto’s defense of her to be a cheesefest.
Thankfully, I was proven wrong in using heartwarming experiences rather than melodramatic declarations of righteousness. With that said, it still relies on the old power of love shtick for an inspired final bout, also extending to the aftermath. Also, it is nice how there is no finality with Iolite not being reduced to a simple villain to be dispatched within a throwaway fight, saving their true battle for another time.
Alto training himself physically, receiving brutal training from Chris and Jessica, is a welcome changeup and development from his magic dominant style. On a side note, it is cute to see how charmed Jessica is in his goals being so honest and kind.
What is also adorable and a good evolution is how Vermeil has changed as a result of falling in love in, ham-fisted dialogue aside, how timid she can be in understanding those feelings. But most of all, it is how much more justified her feelings are as a result of loving someone who is dedicated to her, warts and all.
However, what bogs these tender scenes down is the hero tick Alto has in constantly ranting about protecting Vermeil with it becoming really tiresome real fast. It can also get so ridiculously corny that audible begrudging moans were not uncommon, with that also going for Vermeil too in how sickeningly doting she is written at times. The mind-numbingly over-dramatic dialogue and plodding aspects will no doubt be grating, but there is just enough decent resolution and progression for Alto and Vermeil that it is passable as far as finales go.