English Dub Review: Akudama Drive: “The Shining”

Overview: Swindler (Macy Anne Johnson), Courier (Jonah Scott) and Sister (Laura Stahl) race to Brother’s (Daisy Guevara) rescue. Doctor (Brittany Lauda) reveals what she has been scheming to Hoodlum (Kellen Goff) while Cutthroat (Matt Shipman) seeks a reunion with Courier. 

Our Take: Hoodlum, you lucky guy. You must be a better smooth talker than I gave you credit for. Well done. After some time between the sheets, at long last, the good doctor’s true intentions are finally revealed. Her dream of controlling “freedom” is much more maniacal than I thought it would be but at the same time very much in line with what I expected from her in regards to being a potentially major threat for the remainder of this season. I half expected it to be something more than just immortality and find this much more interesting due to the overarching huge implications it could have on powers that be in Kansai, Kanto and perhaps other new territories the series has yet to shine a flickering neon light on. This also could be an indication for if the series has plans for future installments down the line perhaps or if this plot line just gets swept under the rug as quickly as it came. I’m hesitant it can be adequately resolved with just an hour of runtime remaining on the show but it still remains to be seen. “The Shining” also gives an intriguing tease for more on Doctor’s backstory as the question of how long she’s been alive is brought up undoubtedly thanks to her advanced medical expertise. The amount of times she’s been on death’s door, the even crazier wounds she has gained and seemingly just rubbed some dirt on and walked away from has got to have an equally as nuts story behind it right? 

This episode also proves what we have all secretly known deep down in our hearts. Courier is just an absolute gentleman through and through. One with lots and lots of guns. But can whip up a gourmet meal from nothing but canned foods for ladies in need. He sounds like a great catch if there’s ever been one. Scenes for the planning stages for saving Brother and even some during the operation offer a nice contrast of levity and warmth for not only Courier but his chemistry with the girls as well. He’s often been the strong and silent type which while badass can only go so far. There’s more to him than meets the eye which has been the case for many of the Akudama and thankfully Courier’s character follows suit.  

As for Swindler. It’s finally time for her to start swindling. And what better target than the city of Kansai itself. The hilarious absurdity of how she “swindled” the Akudama kind of coming full circle to her actually trying to swindle and getting an even more outrageous response than she intended can never not be funny. However, the civilian’s response feels too drastic and dramatized even though the show tries to convince otherwise. It’s one of those classic cases, that extends to any tv series and/or movie, which is to show, not tell. And that bites in the butt just a tad unfortunately. 

Cutthroat finally goes off the deep end. Can’t say I’m shocked considering how much of a loose cannon he is. Or a loose knife in this case. But that’s not a bad thing in the slightest. I waited with baited breath to see him explode and Matt Shipman was more than up to the task as he brought a terrifyingly good performance as the murderous psychopath as he chases Swindler around Jack Torrence-style. The homage to the titular movie is also a shining example (see what I did there) of how to do so. From the familiar one point perspective shot of the long hallways to the iconic shot of breaking through the door that even if you haven’t watched the movie everyone and their mother has seen and can enjoy (like me). 

With Sister, Swindler and Courier arriving just a bit too late to save Brother, Akudama Drive proceeds to ramp up as the series has but a few episodes remaining.