English Dub Review: Akudama Drive: “War Games”

Overview: Swindler (Macy Anne Johnson) and Courier (Jonah Scott) meet back up with Hacker (Y. Chang) as they attempt to free Brother (Daisy Guevara) and Sister (Laura Stahl) from Kanto’s grasp and give the children the freedom they so rightfully deserve. 

Our Take: The title of “War Games” may have tipped you off to who returns this time around, but if it could talk it would’ve said something else as well. It would have subtly whispered to you like a school girl telling her best friend her secret crush, “psst…psst…it’s also The Matrix.” Like a hipster rocking a Pulp Fiction  t-shirt with his favorite artisan sandwich, from that one local deli, that’s completely organic and all-natural, this episode wears it’s passions on its sleeve. I surely didn’t expect the wacky, outlandish and very sci-fi concept of a collective mind construct to be “Kanto.” This is just one of the many unexpected twists and turns Akudama Drive has thrown my way that I couldn’t have foreseen nor did it telegraph that the series has gained a knack for. The show is a jack of all trades the only difference being it actually is a master of all, with how it can shift tonally, thematically and not to mention plot wise and seemingly never waver in doing so. 

Brother and Sister being shackled to an unfair fate (literally) is a conventional idea utilized in anime, what makes it shine are the strong vocal performances and closing of arcs this time around. For one, Macy Anne Johnson finally loses it as Swindler, giving into her anger and delivering the much needed heart of this episode, and the series as a whole, as she fights for the children. Finally, as previously stated, our little David Lightman returns in that of Hacker. To repay Swindler and rescue Brother and Sister, he does battle with the mindscape of Kanto, Hacker-style. It’s simplified through that of a battle of the keyboard for two reasons. One being that it’s just a sensible decision considering it’d be real boring if he just started aggressively spouting tech jargon. And another being of that other influence I spoke of earlier in that of War Games. We’re treated to a kaleidoscope of colors and, simply, a very cool, stylized, and retro way of portraying “hacking” and art too, no doubt inspired by the 1983 Matthew Broderick film of the same name. And with those gorgeous scenes the same goes for Hacker’s final ones too. Beautifully and poetically wrapped up his story by giving him the real excitement and fun he so craved from the shitty world of Kansai he was forced into and the idea of the fabled, utopian Kanto. Y. Chang really tugged on my ol’ heart strings as he began to finally fade, reassuring Swindler he’d be fine. This also just reiterates my past point about how subtly smart Akudama Drive is written by Courier alluding to Hacker’s arc with that of a simple but signifying enough line. Also with all of Brother and Sister’s sibling spirits pushing him towards the finish line, it too acts a proper closing through the always noble act of their self-sacrifice. Another aspect I forgot to mention was the quick but very quality scene between Pupil and Junior. Junior further personifies that of the common person in Kansai and maybe even the audience in some respects with him now questioning the very company he respected and thought was just. I didn’t expect that from him in particular but that just further goes into who he represents as someone on the outside finally looking in. I also expect he’ll be the tipping point for Pupil that’ll most assuredly make or break her. 

Courier, Swindler and the kids ride to their unknown paradise aboard the Shinkansen only to be blasted to kingdom come from the Executioners. As they’re seemingly cornered, the last episode sets up for an intensive and despairing finale.  It’s a damn shame folks. I had hoped for a nice calming happy ending to the anime. This episode even choose to forgo the traditional ending and just played the song at the end simultaneously with the show! That’s always a good sign, right? Right?!! But, alas, that just wouldn’t be Akudama Drive huh? So even if Swindler and Courier don’t get the picket fence and backyard jungle gym with Brother and Sister, there is little doubt in my mind that the titular twelfth episode, “Akudama Drive” will be one for the ages.