This episode gave us some interesting info about the cyborgs like age. It also teased info about 001 and also named all of Mythos. Even that random Hippo. So I guess this episode had a little value as an info dump.
So instead, I will say ridiculous/common things about each cyborg teammate.
001's power of teleportation worked on 009 while he was awake during his fight with scar. Doesn't that go against continuity? And why did Black Ghost make all the other cyborgs weaker than the very first? Why not put Psi powers in a grown man?
002 is the same age as 001. They are both orphans I assume. So why would they say 002 is the immature one? Why not just say he is cocky to hide his past? That would be a much better character premise. Growing up on the streets instead of being coddled as an orphan would not make you less mature. Also, why can he run out of jet fuel? He shouldn't need fuel to fly. The less said about his acceleration mode, the better.
003 is just an idealistic damsel in distress. A sensor who gives out info but rarely dirties her hands. A glorified walker for 001. That's not respectful to her as a character. She should be saving the day sometimes too. Or at least blowing shit up sometimes. Her flashback episode showed she can take care of her self. So let her put in work sometimes too.
004 needs an explanation on how he is restocked with weapons. How much weaponry can he actually hold? Enough for the current chapter's plot points? Also, he is the defacto leader a lot, but he doesn't have military experience or mental age authority if we go by japanese age worship standards. Its strange. And apparently he always had weird eyes, cyborg or not.
005 is just a another stereotype. He's fantastically voiced by Akio Ohtsuka, but he doesn't get a chance to do much. Except create giant rocks and place them just so, so he can pick them up and throw them. Seriously, how does he find so many rocks that size around him? That's his REAL mystical power.
006 is just a mockery of Chinese people. I guess he picked up the ugly, racist, stereotypes that 008 dropped after that one movie. If 009 is how great japanese/asian people can be, 006 is how pathetic and weak Asian people can also be. For a country that historically doesn't respect parody, Japanese creators sure are quick to "parody" other cultures and races. The weird part is that 006's other incarnations are drawn normal. Why do him so dirty this time? Lastly, what is the deal with his power of fire? He has lots of chances to make use of it and he doesn't. Why make him so weak? Also, does the team really need three "heart" characters? Between 009, 003, and 006, too much time is wasted on kindness and forgiveness.
007 is a gag character. The oldest guy in the group mentally, but the one with the least respect. Humor is subjective, so I will say most of his jokes are unfunny to me personally. He is hilarious in the Ayers rock episode tho. Is 007 an inversion of the invincible master trope? There doesn't seem to be a size limit on what he can turn into. And he has a lot of imagination. Why not turn into a t-rex or an airplane? I guess they don't want his powers to break the story.
008 is actually represented fairly well. As a african kid growing up, I thought it was pretty cool watching another black guy kick butt onscreen. It's probably for the better that my younger self didn't see his original blackface designs. Which are only slightly better than his OG backstory. I just wish 008 could get more chances to shine in the story. But I guess he shares that issue with most of the other cyborgs. Also, his power is effectively useless. He would be super useful in One Piece, but here swimming rarely makes or breaks a battle.
009 is the star. He gets the ladies. He steals the show even when its not his episode. He also has plot armor to save him when he punches above his weight class. I guess the point of his character is don't mess with Nippon. FWIW, at least he loses fights. And the show, for the most part, avoids giving him zenkai boosts to defeat his foes. Unfortunately, they also mostly decide against giving him high battle IQ. Except when he gets to pilot something and suddenly becomes an ace among aces. His bleeding heart keeps bailing him out of trouble. But it also makes me root for his defeat. The real question for 009 is, will his love for falling off cliffs into the water ever be consumated? Or will they just continue to flirt for the rest of the show.
We are finally past all the American aired episodes. I hope these new stories can touch my heart at least a little bit, the way the first 26 episodes lit my younger self on fire with their coolness. |
