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Rating: 9.2/10 & 9.2/10

Impressions:

I am honestly quite shocked at how good this show has become. I guess I am a shounen fanboy at heart, and such shows naturally get better in the latter half of the series when things start getting serious, and all the fights are increased in intensity and importance. I am also very surprised that the subs are coming out faster than ever! The only fall show so far subbed on episode 18 is Kanon (though other series took breaks…)! It looks like everything starts turning as the show gets better. I suggest if you dropped the show, pick it up again. Busou Renkin has entered the climax; the true good part has just begun!

But what makes this latter half of shounen series good? It’s the rank of the characters in terms of power that is the key. As things get more complicated as shows progress, there are bound to be more fights. Usually, the first introductory battles are between weak hero and weak monster-type enemy. However, during the course of the show, we get ranks of power that emerge. And of course, everyone wants to see those of the same rank fight each other, to see who is stronger. For example, would you rather see Ichigo from Bleach fight his dad, or fight a mob of Hollows with the same combined strength as a captain? His dad of course!

At the moment, there are a couple of fights going on or are about to begin. Gouta is about to take on the support dude from the Regiment sent to kill Kazuki, and it seems Kazuki and Tokiko will take on the current main enemy (sigh, it’s been like, one or two episodes only…I can’t remember names that fast!) Chouno is also taking on the regenerating guy, though that fight really gets on my nerves. The one thing I hate most is people treating massive wounds like nothing, for example, Shirou from F/SN getting up after getting slashed and stabbed multiple times, and managing to fight again. But this is ridiculous; completely regenerating even after his whole body is vaporised?

Diplomacy is an important and effective factor is making things interesting. Currently, it seems like Chouno has allied himself with Kazuki momentarily to preserve him for himself to kill. Also, Ouka (the senpai/girl twin) starts co-operating with Chouno, effectively on Kazuki’s side as well. She also receives a new kakugane. On the other hand, the Regiment have just thrown Bravo back in with some other characters, as well as Shuusui, and are most likely going to give him a kakugane as well. And so, perhaps in future episodes, we will see the ‘inseparable-twins-until-recently’ pitted against each other.

The flame wielding guy and Bravo seem to be an interesting match up as well. Are they of the same rank in the Regiment? They really need to fight; perhaps if Bravo realises some extra profound meaning to his life and changes his ideals in order to defend Kazuki or something. And of course, the new guys from the Regiment, such as Chitose, need some action quick! It’s about time the real heads behind the alchemical warriors show themselves. Maybe the top guy (or is he really the boss of everything?) will get some ass-kicking time of his own! In any case, the next few episodes should all be good. The quality is staying high as well! Let’s hope for the very best!

Preview:

Next episode – #19
The end is near…

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