Planet With Episode 4 Review: Avenger 2

Planet With is keeping its episodic format of one animal-mecha defeated at a time, while at the same time, it throws off a few twists and turns that are not mind-blowing but are keeping the pace steady.

Japanese Title: 復讐者・2

Plot

Soya’s friendship with Nezuya brings a much-needed personal conflict into the game. One, however, that was not yet realized. I guess we need to wait for a few episodes to see Soya in odds with himself when he finds himself pitted against his new friend. At least, we got to see why he was thrown out of the Nebula thingy without his armor. As we know, to defeat these huge monstrosities, the Paladins need to break through the illusion and confront their own weaknesses. As it seems, Nezuya’s weakness comes straight out of ecchi stories. A sister with big tits, an MC role in a school anime, being adored by his own harem… Nezuya has this thing for being famous with the ladies and this little fantasy was a bit too much to resist. At least, Ginko reassured Soya that all attacks on the Paladins are not lethal. Now that I think about it, no one has been injured so far, let alone died. This is one of the most candy-coated mecha shows I have ever seen. I mean, defeating enemies and dislodging mecha parts makes them turn into cotton or cotton candy or whatever that fluffy thing is.

Kumashiro, on the other hand, takes her bear-shaped mecha (kuma means bear in Japanese) and heads for a one-one fight with Soya and sensei in order to avenge Miu-chan. There is something sinister behind the Photon armor though because as soon as things turn in Soya’s favor, Haru takes a boost of evil energy and turns into a dragon. Going back to the story of how Soya’s planet was destroyed, it may very well have been one of those Paladins (who might not be the same team) going berserk, just as Haru went. Maybe their psychic power is not as easy to handle as they thought it could be.

In one of the most amazing scenes of the series so far (I am a sucker for henshin moments) sensei and Soya take a carbonated energy drink, with a very peculiar but familiar side-effect, in order to gain wings and follow the dragon. The new Samurai Cat (the mecha reminded me a bit of that 90s cartoon) has Wolverine-like claws and wings and wears something like a samurai armor. The new powers are not enough to defeat the dragon, but we all guess what would take for this kind of monster to be defeated. THE POWER OF LOVE. For a moment, I thought I was watching a Magical Girl anime.

By the end of the episode, we had the first defect, as one of the Paladins confronts Director Ryuuzouji about his plans to dominate the planet. Benika leaves her power and the team as she doesn’t want to be any part of his plans. The director didn’t even try to hide his goals, but judging from how the anime is going, this is not going to be the biggest (or the only) twist we’ll come across.

Episode Highlights

Hungover: The series has its share of surreal moments, and this was one of the best. Having an alien cat turning into a mecha is one thing, but powering-up by drinking a carbonated drink is another. Maybe they are too thirsty for power if you know what I mean. Cat Doping? Really?

Themes & Trivia

Sneezing: There are various cultural superstitions when it comes to sneezing. In Japan, it means that someone is talking about you; in India and Iran, they believe that a sneeze taking place before the start of any work was a sign of impending bad interruption; in Poland a popular belief persists that sneezes may be an inauspicious sign that one’s mother-in-law speaks ill of their son-in-law at that moment.

Does it mean anything in your country? Let me know in the comments!

Onomatopoeia for Sneezing: Many languages have onomatopoeic words for sneezing! In English, we usually say ahchoo or achoo but in French, it is usually atchoum. In German, it is hatschi and in Greek it is apsu.

Do you have a special word for the sound of sneezing?

Comments

A cat who doesn’t talk. A maid with manga cat mouth. A main character who can’t eat meat for some peculiar reason that I’m dying to find out. This is a fun series. Not the mecha resurrection I might have been secretly hoping for, but it is relaxing and somewhat funny and it’s not a burden to my eyes and ears. The fights are a bit dull, but at least the transformation sequence in this episode was cool.

Cat Doping

Yes, my biggest concern right now is learning why Soya can’t eat meat and who destroyed his homeworld. Ah, and how many carbonated drinks they will drink till the end. The side-effects will be hilarious, I am sure.

Did you like Episode 4 of Planet With? Don’t forget to check the rest of our Summer 2018 reviews.

Paladin Break 1 (パラディンブレイク・1)