English Dub Review: BACK ARROW “Is This a Head-to-Head Fight?”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

War begins as Rekka advances while Lutoh and Granedger form an alliance. Demyne and Shu work on artificial Bind Warpers as the girls talk about their insecurities. At the war meeting, Shu discusses Emperor Zetsu’s plan to attack not from a weak location like Siboe but a stronger location like Viola to show Rekka’s strength as the one to rule all. The war begins with Prax and her division facing off against Rekka’s general. However, Emperor Zetsu launches a sneak attack with a message to Princess Fine on fighting him.

Meanwhile, at Siboe, Arrow battles Ren who’s obtained a Bind Warper as Kai charges to the ship. Then Arrow flies to Kai and Shu takes care of Kai by hitting him in the air with Granedger’s cannons. Kai gets angry at Shu for not fighting him, but Arrow comments that Shu’s fighting by using his brain rather than physical strength. After stopping Ren from committing suicide by taking Arrow with her with bombs. Arrow transforms into his sword and Atlee cleans up the rest of the Lutoh soldiers. Shu asks why Arrow didn’t kill Kai, and Arrow explains that he’s just thinking ahead and that he didn’t want to kill Shu’s friend. Kai wakes in a first aid tent and shouts in frustration.

Our Take:

The war with Rekka starts and everyone goes into it with worries and determination. BACK ARROW does make the fights exciting between Brigheights from both locations. It’s hard to tell which nation will come out as the victor. Emperor Zetsu soundly defeats Prax with a sneak attack that sends her flying to the castle. If that isn’t a power play then I don’t know what is. Meanwhile, Kai gets defeated by Shu who uses his brains, and with the assistance of Arrow who carries Kai to the sky.

Shu and Demyne’s work on the artificial Bind Warpers was interesting and it extends the worldbuilding of BACK ARROW with conviction particles. Bind warpers amplifying a person’s conviction would make sense. We’ve seen how a Bind Warper can be used differently like with Princess Fine sealing her other personality. I’ll admit I wonder who Shu is going to give those two Bind Warpers or if he’s going to use it on himself. The ladies talking in the bath were good at covering their thoughts and feelings on the war. Then there’s Werner’s position with the villagers and Prax, both of which appear to reject him at the moment. Hopefully, the doctor gets back on his feet and helps out in the war.

Shu and Arrow’s discussion was interesting. Shu advising Arrow to become King as a means to his goal of going beyond the wall brings in a direct political path for Arrow to take. I’m surprised he’s even considering it with his goal and personality. However, what really matters in this episode for Shu Bi is his friendship with Kai. His actions broke his friendship with Kai and while he was willing to end Kai since he’s a huge variable in his calculations Arrow doesn’t kill the general. His face on Arrow’s explanation was priceless since we don’t see him so relieved.

Overall it was a good start for the war arc. Both nations are fighting neck to neck despite Rekka’s larger army and the episode shows that there are more ways to fight than using Briheights.