English Dub Review: Chained Soldier “Death Match, Aoba, Excite”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

With Yuuki tied up and unable to fight, it’s up to the girls to harness the power of the peaches in a non-stop battle.  Suddenly, those who control the demons appear…

Our Take:

Well, Yuuki had the right idea of handling the situation.  Unfortunately, the girls’ stubbornness got the better of them, leaving him helpless to do anything.  Women…can’t live with them, can’t live without them.  But, even with their misunderstandings, it does provide a thrilling showdown that showcases how formidable Aoba and her Shuuki clan are.  Fortunately, with the Squadrons’ teamwork, the Demon Defense Force managed to overpower the humanoid Shuuki, with the only member in critical condition being Tenka due to her hesitation in killing her “sister-in-law”.  I also admire how well Himari and Yachiho can work together when they’re not belittling each other, as Yachiho’s time powers came in handy in defeating Naon.

However, since we’re nearing the end of the show’s first season, there’s bound to be a big bad eager to spoil the party.  Of course, I’m referring to Shikoku and her Shuuki crew as they arrive to interrupt the battle between Aoba and the Demon Defense Force.  With Aoba’s Shuuki companion under Shikoku’s control, the two groups will have to put aside their differences to defeat a common foe.  This is another episode that strays from the show’s lewd content in favor of the usual action-packed confrontation that elevated other action-fantasy anime, which I admire.  While I didn’t mind the naughty stuff, it’s nice that it doesn’t serve as the primary basis of Chained Soldier.  Besides the rough CGI effects for Aoba’s Shuuki, “Death Match, Aoba, Excite” is a constantly thrilling penultimate episode that sets the stage for the Demon Defense Force’s greatest challenge of the season.