Platinum End episode 15 sends the show’s story in a completely new direction, with new problems arising for Mirai and the others. Now that Metropoliman is gone, what is there to do? Well, as it turns out, there’s a whole new slew of issues that the characters have to deal with. Let’s look at what went down this week in a spoiler-filled discussion!
Only half left
Platinum End episode 15 addresses the fact that only half of the God candidates remain alive in a meeting among the angels. This apparently is a custom that the angels do once the God candidate count is halved, and the question is asked regarding whether or not there will be a prevailing candidate. Metropoliman was the only one who was really taking initiative, and with him out of the picture, that poses the threat that there may not be a God at the end of all this.
However, one angel reveals that his candidate is still very much one to take initiative. This angel is Penema, the angel of games. He insists that his partner has a plan and that it will lead to one of the candidates becoming God.
This little meeting among the angels introduces viewers to new, enigmatic characters. Their designs are interesting enough, and it certainly makes it feel like there are more layers to the world the show inhabits. Furthermore, it also hints at other players that could come into the fray later on. All of this combined leads to the show displaying the direction it will take moving forward, which was so key given that its initial main story has been all but wrapped up.
Just a child?
What Platinum End episode 15 also does is introduce viewers to another seemingly antagonistic force in the show. Susumu Yuito, who had made appearances in the episode prior to this one, gets a formal introduction here. In front of a viewing audience, he tells all of the public about God candidates and arrows, displaying proof by flying a few feet above the ground as he does so. Through this act, the secrets of Mirai and his friends are revealed to the world.
Viewers also get some insight into who Susumu is. Apparently, he’d been playing Metropoliman all this time, controlling him thanks to being able to shoot him with a red arrow. He then reveals that he would like for the identities of all the God candidates to be revealed to the public in order for them to choose who must be God. As Susumu does this, he also slyly says that he personally wants “red” to become God.
This is incredibly dangerous for Mirai and threatens to turn everything on his head. So far, the secrets of the angels have managed to stay hidden, bar Metropoliman’s ridiculous antics. But now, everything threatens to be revealed, as the hunt for the God candidates begins.
A new source of tension was also introduced here, as the threat of Susumu becomes palpable. Whether he is friend or foe is yet to be clear. On one hand, he’s expressed interest in Mirai, touting him for the position of God. On the other hand, he’d been behind Metropoliman’s actions for most of the show. He’s a real wild card that keeps things spicy and interesting moving forward.
Writing issues arise yet again
While this episode was a decent one overall, the writing issues that have plagued Platinum End so far are present once again. The moments of poor writing here aren’t as egregious as it has been in previous episodes, but the flow from moment to moment feels so jarring. It’s as though there’s a checklist of things the episode has to do, and the story just goes to each point on the list without care for flow and pacing.
It’s a minor issue, but it epitomizes the problems the show has had throughout its whole run and exemplifies what is truly holding it back. There are stories out there with less interesting premises that thrive thanks to competent writing.
That aside, the future of the show looks promising. What lies in store for the rest of the candidates? We’ll just have to keep watching to find out.
Platinum End is streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation. Episode 16 will air on January 28th, 2022.
© Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata/Shueisha, Platinum End Production Committee
