Inuyashiki Last Hero

Episode 3

The first episode focused entirely on Ichiro, while the second episode focused primarily on Hiro. After their brief initial encounter in this episode disappointingly ends with Hiro flying off rather than fighting (of course, it's too early in the series for a grand confrontation), the rest of the episode splits its time evenly between the two. The result is a more expanded study in comparison and contrast between how these two react to their powerful new robotic bodies.

As it turns out, these two only share three things in common: both resort to violence in taking on a group of bullies, both prefer to remain anonymous in their actions, and both use their medical powers on others, although Ichiro uses them on a far greater scale. Otherwise, they are as diametrically opposed as a superhero and a supervillain can be. Ichiro seems to get great personal satisfaction from saving lives, because he actually feels like he's doing something meaningful for the first time in his life. Hiro starts out by claiming that he gets a strong sense of feeling alive from killing, but by the time the episode is over, he's descended to simply killing anyone who annoys him or his friend Naoya. He even shoots a dog that's barking at him and then, after hearing the call of its owner, goes on to kill her, the crying baby, and anyone else in the house; it's an utterly chilling sequence even though we don't witness the killings happen like last time. As the camera focuses on the outside of the house, we just hear him whispering "bang, bang" as each voice get silenced. While Ichiro is saving a mother cat or rescuing a father and grandmother from a house fire, Hiro is going overboard in killing all of Naoya's bullies.

As with episode one, some of the scenes can evoke some palpable emotional reactions. Ichiro's relieved joy over his life-saving efforts is extremely effectively portrayed, but the gnawing sense of horror that grows in Naoya over Hiro's actions also comes through cleanly even without the need for musical embellishment. Given how crass and negative a view of humanity the rest of the series seems to have, it's a relief to see Naoya be thoroughly disturbed by Naoya's casual comments about how he could launch an American nuke at China if he wanted or take whatever amount of money he wants from an ATM. By having Naoya refuse to be party to Hiro's thefts and murders, the story acknowledges that the moral decay of youth culture that it's been so focused on isn't absolute. Hopefully we haven't seen the last of Naoya, since for as morose a character as he is, the series needs him around.

On Ichiro's side of things, he spends most of his time learning what he can do with his body. Hiro is clearly farther ahead on this process, so only after seeing Hiro sprout engines from his back and fly off does Ichiro think to try it too, all while singing the Astro Boy theme song to motivate himself. Seeing him struggle to figure this out can be endearing, although this sequence may also play out a little too long. The fight sequence against the thugs is also interesting, as it shows that his robotic body only gives him superior strength, not fighting prowess; he only lands chance blows while flailing around, knocking out more experienced street brawlers through sheer force alone. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the musical score. Though used sparsely and lightly, it brings great impact to both the heartwarming and heart-chilling scenes, as a great complement to the strong visuals so far.

The abilities of Ichiro and Hiro raise questions about whether the irresponsibility of introducing unbalanced technology into the world outweighs the responsibility of the aliens to restore these two after accidentally killing them. Whether the series decides to explore that angle or not, the story it is deciding to tell is plenty impressive enough.

Rating: A-

Inuyashiki Last Hero is currently streaming on Amazon's Anime Strike.