English Dub Review: Battle Game in 5 Seconds: “Mediator”

Overview: Akira (Robbie Daymond) reveals what his powers truly entail to Yuri (Laura Stahl). Later, the pair, along with Yuto (Jason Marnocha) and the rest of the green team, take on a new trail from Mion (Lisa Ortiz). 

Our Take: Like many had probably suspected, myself included, Akira and the leader of the green team, Yuto, are merely feeling each other out about what each of their true motivations are. Even with them joining forces, there is a fun cat-and-mouse battle of wits between them in the beginning of the episode that establishes an exciting dynamic to what eventually leads Akira to revealing the true nature of his ability to Yuri. Oftentimes when leap of faith moments like this occur with a main character, the feeling of trust and weight being lifted off oneself are the only emotions reflected. And this case, while that works so well because of Akira and Yuri’s sincerity with each other and their growing bond, it is also the anxiety that comes with being vulnerable because of that, which was an unexpected and real development. 

During a challenge event set forth by Mion, with the red team watching from their perch above, the green team takes on some more of those Mr. X’s we’ve seen previously. Only this time with their design being a massive downgrade, with them being converted to unassuming skinny CG mummies rather than the imposing hulking hand drawn berserkers that had so much intensity. And the animation certainly isn’t helping matters with the battle moving incredibly flat throughout. With Yuto’s back against the wall and now having revealed the nature of his ability to his teammates as well as the red team, the end result could act as a smart and possibly brutal influence on how Akira will choose to proceed in regards to revealing the function of his power to others.