English Dub Review: Mars Red “Dark Wings”

Overview:

Maeda makes his long-awaited return and attempts to kill Defrott. He also thinks Aoi is Misaki and while attacking Defrott he stabs her in the back when she protects him. Tenmaya is revealed to be human but is sympathetic to vampires because one saved him when he was younger. Kurusu receives a message from Defrott that Aoi needs his help. Kurusu attempts to save her using the kite wings they were building.

Our Take:

This was without a doubt the best episode and I can’t wait to see how this show wraps up next time. We finally get to see what’s going on with Maeda and he does not seem all there mentally. He thinks Aoi is Misaki and wants to just kill all vampires regardless of who they are. He attacks Defrott immediately which I thought odd because I am pretty sure Defrott is the one who turned him.

Aoi attempts to protect Defrott and gets stabbed in the back for her trouble. It’s a little stressful not knowing anything from the source material because I have no clue if Aoi is going to die. If I had to make a prediction it would be that at least one of them will die because it seems that most plays are tragedies. Plus, when Kurusu comes in to rescue Aoi he gets called “Romeo” by Defrott. Could have just been tongue in cheek type joke but also felt a bit like foreshadowing.

I am actually hoping this has thirteen episodes instead of the normal twelve. It just feels like there are too many plot points that need to be resolved for one episode to be all that’s left. Rufus has killed the generals and taken over well… the army it seems like but definitely the vampire units at least. They could pull it off theoretically but I think it would feel a bit rushed.

I am really pleased with how this show is shaping up and hope it eventually gets the recognition it deserves. I haven’t seen too much discussion on this one and the fact that Funimation is essentially simuldubbing it means they saw potential in it. It has a unique art style that I really like and the theater nerd in me really enjoys all the references to different plays. I just hope it sticks the ending.