English Dub Review: Revenger: “Gold Opens Any Door”

Overview: Kurima (Aaron Campbell) contemplates how to move forward following the death of his fiancé as the Revengers are tasked with dispatching a vile man deserving of retribution for wrongdoings against his wife. 

Our Take: Terminally ill and betrayed wife, Mana, who’s swindled out of everything she has, fosters sympathy, serving as a representation for the unfortunate victims the Revengers help. It’s a trope that’s been done before, but it’s executed exceedingly well in presenting their admirable cause. The downtrodden coupled with Yui’s wishes for Raizo, is a decently efficient and compelling motivation for him, but the breakneck pace hurts it. 

This is due to the episode’s main crux being for him to accept his place on a revenge seeking team in a timely manner. Could more time in the oven better refine Raizo? Without question. His depression is a plot point that doesn’t mature as much as it should have, especially in realizing his blind justice is to blame for his fiancé’s demise and his biggest weakness, overall. It comes and goes in no time flat, without any development dedicated to it, making it an afterthought of a story element. It also gives rise to generic aspects, like his grief distorting his mindset of how Yui viewed him, up until her death. 

For a one and done set-up, it works well enough as his on-boarding to the team and solution to his moral quandary. Although, there is plenty of room for improvement. Hopefully, we will get to dig deeper into his shortcomings and guilt later down the line to rectify those issues and build upon him in a meaningful way. 

The God worshiping group Yuen and the Revengers belong to make a powerful introduction. This has to do with the smartly written dialogue in their superior’s threatening and warped sense of justice. 

The Revengers’ doctor and fellow member, Teppa Murakami, also debuts. He’s very impressionable in his compassion and understanding towards his patients, like Mana’s declining health and rightful vengeance in being horribly mistreated by her husband. 

When all is said and done, the assassination comes at a swift pace. Doctor’s combative debut as a huge, brawny archer is amazing in how he uses that strength to launch arrows like missiles with stunning wind and muscle pumping visuals. Raizo gets to shine with his signature fast and focused cuts submerged in stellar animation. It is also engaging to see how Nio and Yeun work in unison with clever plans of attack, with the little boy merely being a decoy. With the Revenger setting things right for the wronged lady, it ends on a bittersweet note in her getting her recompense, but unfortunately succumbing to her illness, passing away.