Early Access: Herald Anime Club: Ikebukuro West Gate Park Episode 9

Meeting Date:  12/5/2020

Disclaimer:  The Herald Anime Club discusses shows in a generally unmoderated format. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!

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Samantha Ferreira: Hi everyone, and welcome to the Herald Anime Club! I'm Samantha, and I'm here with Anthony this week.

Anthony Simpson: Evening.

Samantha Ferreira: This week we're hitting the mean streets of Ikebukuro for IWGP episode 9: "So that's where all those characters went!" or "The one with the racists."

Anthony Simpson: So, we got to see Makoto's sister again this episode.

Samantha Ferreira: Right? Also the guy from the Chinese government and Shadow. It was good that they didn't totally forget them, to be honest. Like... it was super weird that they've been MIA since their debut.

Anthony Simpson: I was hoping we would have seen some of them again since episode 5. But seeing Makoto's sister again was good. Also, bringing a bit of closure to her story with her dad

Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. It was also great to have her tie into the story at hand, given its nature. Because holy shit that was some mask-off racism on display.

Anthony Simpson: Yea the racism wasn't too subtle here.

Samantha Ferreira: As subtle as a brick through a plate-glass window

Anthony Simpson: The group on display this episode reminded me of a not named group here with some of what they were saying.

Samantha Ferreira: Yeeeah. And the other group reminded me of a group here, with how goddamn feckless and "we have to go high when they go low" they were. It was kind of disheartening, really.

But anyway... back to the story at hand. I really liked how they worked that couple who owned the restaurant in - they were a great anchor to the whole situation as a human casualty.

Anthony Simpson: I don't think this would have been as impactful if it just talked about the businesses and never showed who the anti-immigration group was targeting.

Samantha Ferreira: Agreed. It needed the human element, especially as it became clear that the land sharks, who backed the hate group, were being backed by a Chinese firm in themselves.

Anthony Simpson: These kinds of stories need the human element or they just don't have that kind of impact they need to have.

Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. It'd just feel hollow otherwise. On a random note: did you notice that Takeshi carries these flashy, over-produced G-Boyz business cards to official meetings?

Anthony Simpson: Yes, I did notice that.

Samantha Ferreira: It's like... so random.

Anthony Simpson: So, it looks like we are starting to seeing all these different plots all starting to come together now.

Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. And who would've thought, the reefer madness was the freaking linchpin?

Anthony Simpson: I certainly wasn't expecting a group from Osaka to be the one pulling some of the strings here. Who would have guessed that a less than great 1st episode led to us to this point?

Samantha Ferreira: Right? I could almost forget how bad that episode was if they manage to turn this into a compelling ending.

Almost

Because it feels like, after that, it's just been a completely different show.

Anthony Simpson: Yeah, it's been more or less up since then.

Samantha Ferreira: The YouTuber episode was a weird blip, but it was at least interesting. But generally, I'm kind of glad I stuck with this.

Anthony Simpson: Same, it’s not my favorite show of the season but I have been enjoying what I have watched and its one of my highlights every Saturday.

Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. It's not my favorite (that still goes to Sleepy Princess or Love Live!), but it's a fun way to spend a half an hour each weekend.

Anthony Simpson: Sleepy Princess I would say is my overall favorite. Love Live! is a close second.

Samantha Ferreira: Agreed. Sleepy Princess is just hilarious

Anthony Simpson: It is the Princess is just a shitass and she is the best.

Samantha Ferreira: Right? She's a total gremlin shitlord and that's why I love her.

Aniwho, any final thoughts this week?

Anthony Simpson: Looking forward to the next episode.

Samantha Ferreira: Same. I want to see how this builds up.

Anyway, that's all the time we have. Til next time, remember: hate is a virus that devours you from the inside.

Have a great night!

Anthony Simpson: Good night