Lycoris Recoil Episode 10 showed us how a setup episode should be executed to its fullest extent. The emotions were constantly running rampant from beginning to end. The stakes were high the entire episode with a bone-chilling soundtrack, along with proper placement of said soundtrack. The high moments left me filled with adrenaline and the low moments left me with tears in my eyes. This is exactly what the rising action in a story is supposed to feel like just before that epic climax hits.
It’s no surprise at this point that Mika and Chisato were like father and daughter. But to finally have a conversation like a real father and daughter would, made the final moments in the LycoReco cafe all the more special. When Chisato hugged Mika while being on the verge of tears because he got her a kimono for her coming-of-age celebration, it’s almost like it was Mika’s way of telling Chisato to just be a normal teenage girl for once in her life. And the moment, from the artwork to the composition to the voice acting, was truly a beautiful moment that can’t be forgotten.
But possibly my favorite part of the entire scene with them together is how, in the end, Mika basically tells Chisato to get ready and stop Majima from everything he’s doing. And the shot at the end of them about to leave the cafe in a “one last ride” attitude sent shivers down my spine. The number of times I said “let’s go!” in excitement can’t be counted. It’s almost as if Mika told the viewers that’s enough of the tears, let’s get to the action.
The episode never made it once unclear why Majima is doing what he’s doing. The philosophical dynamic between him and the DA and how they both view their own sense of the word “justice” simply made the external conflict that much more appealing. When an antagonist has me questioning the work of the protagonist, usually that’s a sign of a well-written character. But it wasn’t just the dynamic between the two itself, it was also well-written dialogue and the metaphoric visuals that were used as well.
Both the old radio tower and the Enkuboku tower both having their own symbolic meaning, old and new, broken and rebuilt, one idea against another. The crazy part is that while both parties have their own agreeable points, it’s how these points and ideas are carried out that separates them. Almost as if Majima is a chaotic evil while the DA can tend to be a chaotic good/neutral evil in its own way. These moments made the rising action of the story that much more intense. Almost as if it’s a bubble about to burst.
This is the most we’ve ever heard Kusonoki actually speak in an episode of this entire series. But even though she comes across as cold-hearted, having to keep Chisato away from impending danger shows she actually does have a sense of motherhood toward the Lycoris agents and it’s a nice contrast to her strict attitude we’re so used to.
We didn’t see much of Takina much this episode outside of her carrying out the DA’s mission to take down Majima. Although, it was pretty cool to see Takina make a threat of going back to her old ways just to obtain information no other Lycoris agent knows about. That was definitely another highlight of the episode that deserves some attention.
All in all, this is a chart-topping episode from all angles. It was beautiful visually, the voice acting was arguably at its best the series has offered so far, and the wonderful direction and scriptwriting are some of the best of the entire year. Lycoris Recoil is arguably the most popular anime this summer and episode 10 is a stellar example of why.
Episode 11 of Lycoris Recoil will air on Saturday, September 10, on Crunchyroll.
Screenshots: Crunchyroll
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