Chained Soldier episode 8 aired on Thursday, giving fans a feast of fanservice that ultimately took away from what was the best part of writing in the episode — Yuuki’s time with Nei. If viewers have reached this point in the series then the fanservice should come as no surprise. It’s primarily what the series is marketed around. But as I’ve said before, some more credit needs to be given to the series past the inevitable harem development.
Tenka Makes Her Move
I can’t sit there and say there was too much fanservice when the show is predicated on delivering such every chance it can possibly get. It adds a little bit of spice to the story and, even in this episode’s instance, humor. That’s just how it is and now Tenka adds herself into the growing harem that is becoming Yuuki’s personal Demon Defense Corps.
Tenka doesn’t really do much for me as a character other than having what is the most overpowered ability out of anyone we’ve been introduced to so far. However, not all the girls in Chained Soldier have the same noble goals as Kyouka in wanting to be Supreme Commander or Yuuki wanting to be a hero. Some of the girls are going to want something more personal — like Tenka wanting Yuuki romantically all to herself.
Besides the questionable and forceful play Tenka got into with Yuuki that would’ve severely been questioned had it been the other way around, she still played a role in this episode that was needed for Kyouka’s development. I wouldn’t say Tenka’s constant teasing of Yuuki was detrimental to Kyouka’s character development, but it gave it a little push from behind.
Kyouka’s Jealousy
Kyouka showed us for the first time that she is territorial over Yuuki and that he’s at his best when she’s with him. It is a little reassuring that Yuuki seems to be more reluctant to work with Kyouka than anyone else. After all, she was the first one to save him. So it was good to see those two back in action together showcasing to everyone, including Tenka, who Yuuki really “belongs to.”
At this point, Kyouka has shown more character depth than anyone else in the series (with Himari as a close second). She’s shown that despite being a stoic leader, she can lose her cool. When she’s wrong, she admits her faults. Her backstory is already one that drives the plot more than anyone else’s, but even she realizes that to achieve her goal of being a Supreme Commander and exacting revenge on the ones who wiped out her village and family, it’s a collective effort from everyone in the 7th Squad.
The Fanservice Continued
In the heat of seeing Kyouka pass on her abilities to the other members of the 7th Squad, we come to know a little more about the girls as well. Shushu is as devious as Tenka is. Himari is still, for lack of a better phrase, getting used to Yuuki seeing her. And even though Kyouka didn’t react to what Yuuki was able to see, she still blushed at the thought.
I think what I’ve come to respect more about Kyouka is that she tries to shield Nei from everything that’s going on, which also rubs me the wrong way with Tenka because she’s the complete opposite. Even at one point, Nei said to herself she wasn’t sure if what she should be seeing between Tenka and Yuuki was appropriate for her. That’s one thing Chained Soldier, despite its target towards degeneracy as a whole, has done very well at doing — keeping the youngest character of the series away from it all.
I do think the fan service during the scene where the entire 7th Squad is trying different forms of Yuuki catered to them was unfortunately overshadowed by the fan service. Yuuki’s transformations weren’t necessarily eccentric but it was cool to see how his forms fit who was holding his chains rather well. Plus, we got to witness a couple of developments. The first one is Yuuki’s transformation drastically catering to whoever is holding his chains and even helping amplify their abilities, especially in Nei’s case. The second is that Kyouka’s energy is drained a significant amount while letting the others take control of Yuuki.
The Best Part of Episode 8
The best part of Chained Soldier episode 8 was undoubtedly, by far and large, the time Yuuki spent with Nei and learning more about her. It showed Yuuki has a natural caring side to him. He didn’t have to go with Nei to her school, he asked for permission. He didn’t have to learn more about Nei’s past and why she was there, but he wanted to.
Up until this point, everyone in the 7th Squad has received their own spotlight at some point. And while Nei’s came at a time when the fanservice was really dialed to an 11, which in of itself was awkward timing, it was still enjoyable to have some wholesome moments between her and Yuuki, more specifically learning about her backstory regarding her parents.
Her detecting ability also falls in line with Sahara’s theory, how everyone’s respective powers stem from who they truly are or what they might desire. Nei being on the search for her parents at such a young age and being granted the ability of detection like she is was perfectly fitting. It’s a perfectly conjured-up ability by the emotions of a lost kid.
Chained Soldier Episode 8 Wrap-Up
There was minimal story development in this episode compared to previous ones. We just had slight development on the 7th Squad’s end of things for the characters themselves with nothing standing out to me much in terms of production. Some of the shots of Nei towards the end of the episode looked great and were framed as such as well. But other than that, it was definitely an episode focused on the fan service.
Episode 8 rating: 6.5/10
If you loved Chained Soldier episode 8 then be sure to vote for it in our weekly poll! Episode 9 of Chained Soldier will be released on Thursday, February 29. HIDIVE is streaming the uncensored version of the anime.
Images via HIDIVE
© Takahiro / Yohei Takemura / Shueisha / Magic Defense Corps Public Relations Department
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