Kill la Kill
Episode 10: I Want to Know More About You

Last week we witnessed the defeat of that stalwart defender of Satsuki, the large, but no longer in charge, Ira Gamagoori. But that’s in the recent past now, no time for dwelling because now Round Two is upon us. Next in line and stepping up for his title defence is that data loving tactician from parts unknown, the hacker won’t back down…often, the mysterious and masterful Houka Inumuta. (This is the part where the crowd is supposed to cheer)

Bam! Flashback straight off the bat. Way back when in the land of five years ago, a younger Inumuta though it would be a good idea to hack into a company owned by the Kiryuin Conglomerate and “alter” some stock information. Short story shorter, it was not a good idea. However, rather than have her legion of gun wielding guards teach Inumuta a lesson or hundred, she instead offered him a place in Hannouji Academy. Somewhat impressed by his ability to alter the virtual system, she finds it limited of him that he stops there. If you’re going that far online, why not just change the whole world?

Transforming into the Probe Regalia, Inumuta begins his fight against Ryuko by scanning her body, noting that her heart rate is still elevated from her fight with Gamagoori. As Ryuko attack, we see that the Probe Regalia allows Inumuta to predict how an opponent will move, allowing him to dodge Ryuko’s first strike…but not her second. This surprises Inumuta, already taken aback at how strong Ryuko is, surpassing his initial estimations. Ryuko, is actually rather anime savvy throughout the battle, noting how when fighting someone who analyses tactics, it’s best to be reckless and unpredictable. As Ryuko speeds around the arena to strike from an unexpected angle, Inumuta reveals his Regalia’s other ability: Optical Camouflage. Whilst concealed from site, he notes how simply dodging is often the best strategy and counter attacks can deal a very powerful psychological impact onto an opponent, a fact he wishes to demonstrate to Ryuko. Unfortunately for him, Ryuko doesn’t like that idea and decides to bump up her recklessness, inducing a new change in Senketsu. Deciding that if she can’t see Inumuta in the arena, she’ll just attack everywhere at once. Senketsu’s eye grows to gigantic proportions and simply crushes the entirety of the ring and Inumuta along with it. Rattled by the counter attack, as he previously noted would happen, his camouflage fails and his Regalia is left literally unable to compute Ryuko’s power. However, just as Sen-i-Soshitsu is about to land, Inumuta forfeits the match, valuing the data stored in his uniform above victory.

Number three! Entering to the tune of “Under the Double Eagle” is the small girl from the big band: Nonon Jakuzure. Promising to defeat Ryuko in a one sided battle, Jakuzure activates her “uniform” Symphony Regalia Grave, a titanic tank/sound system capable of concussive sonic blast, literal piercing notes and overall musical obliteration. With “Light Cavalry Overture” as her opening theme, Jakuzure launches her barrage of sounds upon Ryuko and, after Ryuko manages to survive, takes flight with Symphony Regalia Presto. For the first time we learn that Jakazure longs to stand beside Satsuki, rather than behind or under like many of the other students. This stands both metaphorically and literally as it is only her Regalia that allows her to ascend to the same height as Satsuki’s tower, whilst everyone else stands below.

It is revealed that back when they were just cute little kindergarteners, Jakuzure and Satsuki were friends. With a number of boys following her every whim, Jakuzure believed that she was powerful…you know, in the world of kindergarten. However, wise well beyond her years, Satsuki refutes this. Though Jakuzure is proud of the large sandcastle the boys built for her, Satsuki reveals a handful of sand, the remnants of the materials used to build her skyscraper. Though all physical materials eventually age and even skyscrapers crumble, Satsuki notes that one built within your mind will never fall. Similar to each of her interactions with the other future Elite Four, Satsuki relays her ideals from up on high, expressing her authority. However, unlike the others, Jakazure does not stay down. Rather she climbs up to Satsuki and knocks the sand from her grasp, vowing to forever hold her hand. So basically the cute little band girl is the first person to truly stand up to Satsuki and not simply bow to her magnificence. Pretty damn brave.

As the end draws near and the “William Tell Overture Finale” blares from up on high, the ground is starting to fall from beneath Ryuko feet…literally. Plummeting towards loss, Ryuko implores Senkestsu to try something incredibly reckless. When the dust clears, Ryuko emerges in yet another form, one designed to take the battle to the sky and bring down Jakuzure: Senketsu Shippu. Lets just say that Jakuzure is not too happy with this development. With the cutesy facade beginning to slip, Ryuko is in for quite a fight from the enraged band girl.

So this week in Kill la Kill we saw the rather quick fall of Inumuta along with a quick snippet of his past as a rogue hacker. We saw that even in kindergarten Satsuki was a stoic, driven person and that Jakazure has known her far longer than anyone else. Towards the end of the episode, Mikisugi makes it known that he is worried by just how fast Senketsu is evolving, calling up Tsumugu who prepares for the worst case scenario. Things are starting to look dangerous for Ryuko and Senketsu, with opponents and now the danger of their own power looming over them, how will our duo fare? Guess we’ll just have to keep watching. But regardless of how dangerous times get, Mako Mankanshoku will always be there to cheer on her friend…and sometimes herself.

Check out more Kill la Kill Impressions HERE.

Kill la Kill
Episode 8: I Will Wipe My Own Tears

At the end of the last episode, after the Mankanshoku’s return trip through riches, President Satsuki pondered the skill of her student army. What with Ryuko tearing through them like they were paper and all. When the old system starts to fail there’s only one sensible thing to do: hold an all out seven day brawl to see who stands worthy amidst the masses. Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Naturals Election.

Whilst the nameless students of Hannouji immediately begin the chaotic proceedings, the Elite Four decides that they are confident enough in their own abilities to avoid any combat until the final day when only the strongest remain, better known as the Sudden Death Runoff Election. With a week to themselves Gamagoori leaves, car key in hand, deciding to practice his driving so that he may personally chauffeur his illustrious Lady Satsuki. Even the other three Elites note how impressive his loyalty is.

Ryuko also decides to skip the schoolwide rumble, opting instead to travel to the ruins of her family house in search of clues. Naturally Mako joins her after once again proving she isn’t just a ditz, noting that as a No Star student she has nothing to lose, so why bother fighting. Don’t worry she’s back to her regular self in about a minute, noting how Ryuko must be poor, having grown up in burnt out ruins…not always the sharpest girl, but that’s why we love her. After clearing up her home’s previous lack of fire damage, Ryuko reveals some of her past to Mako. With a distant father who only had time for his work (and looked like a mad scientist straight out of an 80’s anime) and a mother who passed away when she was born, Ryuko grew up fairly troubled. She lashed out and fought everybody, becoming a full blown juvenile delinquent. However, once her father asked to speak to her one day, her path changed. When she found her father half dead he gave her a choice, walk away and live a peaceful life or take up the Scissor and search for its other half, wielded by the one who murdered him. Unfortunately in her immediate pursuit of the killer, Ryuko never got to hear what else her father wanted to tell her, as the house erupted in flame and he was lost to her forever. Another regret and more answers she longs for. This backstory expresses how Ryuko’s openly abrasive attitude conceals her more fragile side that is seen occasionally. It also depicts more clearly just how different the Mankanshoku family dynamic is and why she desperately wants to hold onto it despite her uncertainty.

With the bunker beneath her house empty, for which Senketsu suspects Mikisugi to be responsible, the Mankanshoku’s pilfered scooter runs out of gas, leaving Ryuko and Mako stranded on the side of the road. Deciding to hitchhike, they are met by Gamagoori who is out for a drive in his stylish pink convertible. However, rather than fighting Ryuko, he decides to assist them as they are students of Hannouji who have found themselves in trouble off campus. Not everybody is so kind though, as not too soon after their drive begins, the Automotive Airsoft Club decides to wipe out Gamagoori and steal his Three Star Uniform. Not the smartest idea but at least they learned from Maiko’s foolish idea to steal Senketsu. After his driving skills end him up in a concrete wall, Gamagoori unleashes his Three Star transformation: Shackle Regalia. Whilst taking an ineffectual pummelling from the Airsoft lackeys, and liking it just a little too much, he details the day he met Satsuki and his life changed. (Cue flashback music)

Apparently Gamagoori was his own high school’s President and sported a much more luscious ‘do to boot. A purveyor of justice, he was appalled by some students who used their family’s status to terrorise others, even forcing one student to jump off a roof for something as trivial as spilling milk on someone. Not that there’s a good reason to make someone jump off of a roof…that’s just bad. When Satsuki arrives, she immediately claims Gamagoori’s school as her own, neutralising the threat of outside retribution by buying out the company of one student’s parents and firing another’s. Gamagoori notes how she is no different from the others, utilising her parents power to impose her rule. Satsuki immediately begins one of her explanations, noting that she does note abuse their power, she takes it for her own. Semantics. But it does give him something to think about.

Back in the present, Gamagoori changes gears from masochism to sadism as he transforms once again into the Scourge Regalia, lashing out and whipping the Automotive Airsoft club to shreds. With their common enemy defeated, Gamagoori and Ryuko part ways until their showdown in…the Sudden Death Runoff Election. With the herd thinned out by constant combat, Satsuki reveals the final challenge: climbing. Those who stand atop the pillars in the courtyard will be the front runners for the privilege of a Three Star uniform. With five pillars there is just enough places for the Elite Four and Ryuko, shocking I know. As each Elite desires the chance to best Ryuko, a King of the Hill match is set up. With passion burning in each contender, who will come out on top when titans clash?

This week in Kill la Kill we learnt a little more about the titanic Gamagoori and his pre Hannouji life. We learnt that his loyalty is powerful enough for him to re-enroll in highschool at the age of twenty, that he cares deeply about justice, that he’s willing to help out an enemy should his duty call for it and that he once had beautiful hair. What a loss. With that and Ryuko’s own troubled past, it seems like nobody has it easy in the origins department. Oh well, there’s no time like the present and, in said present, these two students stand ready to fight. Let the battle begin!

Check out more Kill la Kill Impressions HERE.