English Dub Review: Tokyo Revengers: “Rerise”

Overview: As Draken’s (Sean Chiplock) life hangs in the balance, Takamichi (AJ Beckles) struggles to save his life as he tries to carry him to safety. However, things soon take a turn for the worst when Kiyomasa and his merry band of misfits find them along with Hinata (Lizzie Freeman) and Emma intending to finish what they started. 

Our Take: “Rerise” feels the unnecessary need to recap a decent chunk of the last episode in the beginning scenes. Thankfully, though the rest of the tenth entry more than makes up for that. 

Well it happened ladies and gentlemen. The day we have all been waiting and hoping for but were unsure would happen finally did. Takamichi finally grew a pair and gained the courage he sought after for so long and that only seemed to appear sparingly. In all seriousness though, all of Takamichi’s trials and tribulations, including his momentary wavering beforehand, that he has faced since the first episode up to this point made this one of the character’s most gratifying moments yet as he stood up to Kiyomasa yet again. Better yet and what feels much more earned than it would have been had it happened during his initial fight with Kiyomasa, is how Hanagkai finally managed to beat him and score a victory. Similarly to his courage against Kiyomasa’s gang, this particular win was a satisfying resolution based on all the embarrassingly bloody losses he had suffered. 

Lastly, Takamichi and Draken’s staring down death in the form of Kiyomasa’s possy, making one last stand was a scene that radiated the immense respect and friendship that the two have cultivated over the course of the season.  It is then catapulted even further when Akkun, Takuya, Makoto, and Kazushi arrive in the nick of time to stand by Takamichi. While this is powerful in and of itself, what makes it truly special is how they too gain the bravery they so desire and that it is a direct result of Takamichi’s strong will, calling back to his first defining courageous moment. Hanagaki’s friends continue to show that they are more than just characters acting as a go-between for relaying exposition to Hanagaki. That they build upon the moments most important in the series and show that both them and those interactions are not without meaning or consequence. 

Tokyo Revengers finally gives the defining moment for Takamichi that every fan had been hoping for that results in breathtaking moments of inspiration along with exceptional character moments that will long be remembered as one of the series best to date.