anime dominion

For the opening act, Rinka took Ayumu one on one in a training match. Well in the first encounter, Ayumu was like a totally jerk ass who act a bit like misogynist. What surprised me was how he managed to beat Rinka using a simple maneuver although later on it was explained that he used his Esper Magic to read Rinka's mind. His power was a bit similar to Murasaki while his was more on the future probability. To make it simple, he could predict what will happen in the near future that way he could read Rinka's next movement. Even if she was more skilled in combat, he could use the move that deflected the attack and used the opening to counter.

After finding out about Ayumu power, Rinka devised the plan to win against him. She knew that while he could read the near future, his reaction time was slower than her plus he did not have a strong physical body either. So, Rinka trained rigorously with his father to increase her speed and reaction time. In the other place, Murasaki practiced her clairvoyant using a card until she found the weapons that Rinka used when fighting the Yakuza. Out of sudden her power activated and she could imagine how Rinka used the Tonfa and she ended up replicating her movement, which unfortunately took a victim :P

We got a bit of glance of Ayumu's mother who worked as a politician. What ironic was she hate espers very much and considered them as a monster. It made Ayumu quite sad because she did not know that her own son was an esper and with the election date got closer, she already planned an agenda to get rid of esp user in the Tokyo. I think this slightly portrayed the idea that even in the Tokyo Esp world, being different will be treated unjustly and discriminated. Even if the cause of the Esper Magic was from the third party influence (the professor), normal civilian like Ayumu's mother judged esper as a pest that need to get rid off.

In the next training match, Rinka used a passive stance. This time around, Ayumu was at total disadvantages as every movement that he used only end in his lose. When he took the initiative to attack, his future reading only made his movement slower. In fact, Rinka used Ayumu's aggressive attack to counter every move and beat him up. Not only that Rinka's training made her faster than Ayumu but also his future reading failed to see any winning chance, which secured Rinka's victory. Not enough with the embarrassment from Rinka, Murasaki beat him using her clairvoyant magic. She could imitate the moves of the previous owner of any material that she grabbed and what interest me was she grabbed a nunchaku and performed its previous owner's moves to him. 

The last part of the episode was what made this episode a bit more interesting. When Murasaki and Ayumu walked from training, they came across Ayumu's mother who introduced her agenda for the passerby. Suddenly, a staunch built man with a rough and long medium hair struck the podium with lighting. He was an esp Magic user specialist at inducing electricity and he intend to kill Ayumu's mother. This was the difficult part came in as Kobushi and Rinka was not in the scene and Ayumu and Murasaki lack real combat experience. The tension came when Ayumu's magic showed an image of the bulky man electrocuted his mother and he had to think faster to save themselves from the man. The clock kept tickling until he realized to break the water pipe and let the pouring water to create distraction and in the nick of time, Murasaki performed a spinning kick to the man.

The problem was solved but now Ayumu mother knew that her son was also an Esp. Will it create tension between them? As cliché as it is sound, we were nearing the end of Tokyo Esp for the first season and I was still not finished writing most of the newest episode. I think it will be a very late update for the series while the fall season was already started. I think I need to find a new series and start from the scratch

The episode of Tokyo Esp started to get closer to the first episode of the series. It means sooner or later the last character that introduced during the first episode, Ozora Ayumu, will make an appearance to complete the series main cast. Following last week event, Ryotaro jumped and caught the passed out Rinka, and they made it to the ground. The falling tanker dropped near the Tokyo tower creating catastrophe to its surrounding area. When Rinka woke up, he realized the wounded Kyotaro and Kobushi lying in the floor. Kyotaro asked her to save Kobushi first before he passed out due to the amount of blood loss that he suffered. I knew Rinka would listen to Kyotaro and sent Kobushi to the medic right away but to my surprise, Minami appeared suddenly with an intention of taking Kyotaro. Henceforth, Minami threatened Rinka whether she would choose to take Kyotaro by force or to save a buried victims of the debris caused by the Tanker fall, Rinka had no other choice but save the civilians and left Minami who took Kyotaro away.

Rinka and his father tried their best to save the civilians who got stuck in the debris, and things became a rather gloomy as not all of them were safe. The episode tried to give more feel to the audience by displaying the victims of the terrorist attacks like when Rinka decided to enter the debris to find survivors. Her vision of an elderly couple corpse from the debris made her cried and felt helplessness because she was not strong enough to prevent the calamity. Well, If I have to be honest, the impact of the feels trip inside this episode was not strong enough to make me sad.

What I found interesting from this episode was the new character called Mr Roshi. If you watched Dragonball, you must at least known Goku famous lecherous teacher Kameshenin or some whould say master Roshi (Even the name was same maybe for the Dbz reference). The master Roshi that we saw in Tokyo Esp was more or less similar to the Dragonball's Roshi or at least in his perverted nature for beautiful woman. He did not show his face because he wore a panda suit but from his voice, it was clear that he was an older man. In addition, he was extremely lecherous to the point that he touched Rinka's boob not only once but twice. I thought, the purpose for adding Mr Roshi was more or less to introduce Ayumu as the last of the main characters as well as to add additional training part to fill the time slot before the main battle with the terrorist Esper started.

The episode did not entertain me as much as the last episode as it deal mainly with Rinka and his father trainings as well as to show us about Rinka's decision to stand againsts the terrorist attack. I am partly bored with this episode just after a very tense and interesting last episode not to mention that I felt as if the episode act more like a filler episode. Yet, you might disagree as the premise for the following episode will be good and I will cross my finger to see what Kadokawa Shoten have in store for us.

This writing piece will give plenty information to you regarding to Tokyo Esp episode 5. So, if you want to really enjoyed watching the episode without spoiler, I recommend you turn your back now and watch the episode. If you already watch it and want to hear my opinion regarding the episode, please continue. 

Tokyo Esp once again told us directly about any mysteries that we have from the previous episode. I honestly thanked the director for not giving us so many headaches to discover the nature of the esp power as well as the identity of the professor. Tokyo Esp, while having supra natural theme, keeps the story as simple as possible and mysteries related to the events in Tokyo Esp got explained as fast as possible made the actions have adequate time within the limited air time.

In the last episode, the professor appeared in front of Rinka and Murasaki. Without spending too much time for introductions he  explained that the glowing fish was actually the aura that comes out from a legendary stone tablet that he found during his previous research. In human eyes, the aura from the stone tablet looked like glowing fishes and any person who absorbed them would get their innate power born. In addition,  the professor told them that he was the person responsible for releasing the Esp power in the Tokyo during the last three months. After the professor left, Kyotaro Azuma told them directly that he was Hokusai Azuma, the person who raised him and Minami . So he was Kyotaro step father and honestly I already felt it before so it did not surprise me. From now on, I will call Azuma as Kyotaro to avoid confusion with Hokusai due to their similarity in their last name.

We got another Kyotaro's back story again with his first meeting with Minami and how she acted cold when they met for the first time. Then the event explained that Kyotaro started to earn her trust with his bravado to stand against his seniors, whose intended to do perverted thing to her. Kyotaro started to get closer with his step sister and this event marked the complicated relationship within the main characters as Rinka also started to develop some feeling to him. 

The episode got another serious development with the Hokusai summoned a giant tanker ship above Tokyo. He announced that they demanded a special Esp zone in the Tokyo and they would not hesitate to use force if necessary. Another revelation happened as he showed his true appearance. Beneath his gentle and bishounen look, lies another face that looks completely like the Titan from SnK. It was quite shocking since his real face did not appear at all during the first episode and the origin of his face became another mystery to the title.

The fighting part of the episode was a cool one. Kobushi and Kyotaro boarded the flying ship tanker and met directly with the Hokusai, Minami, Kozuki (Kobushi's little sister) and two mysterious Espers. As Kobushi tried to disappear and attack Hokusai, Kozuki deflect her punch. She even trapped Kobushi in a box cage using her Esp Magic. They were in the pinch with Kozuki wounded Kobushi and Hokusai rewrite Kyotaro mind so that whenever he and Kobushi transport, he always ended up in front of Hokusai. 

Rinka who appeared later performed a kick to Minami who used her katana to retaliate. How surprised Minami to find out that Rinka could go through her Katana and gave her the first strike. Although getting the first strike, the more experienced Minami continuously beat Rinka. She dissapeared, Kicked her in the back, performed a fast shoulder throw and completely overwhelmed her. In the end, she even performed a heavy drop kick on the back of Rinka's head leaving her completely passed out. In the last part of the episode, one of the mysterious Espers change the ship's angle making Rinka fell and Kyotaro without considering his left hand still stabbed to Hokusai's sword tore his left hand and threw himself from the ship to catch Rinka

The episode ended in a big cliffhanger and with how the story went, I have little to no complain to Tokyo Esp's direction. Sure it might not be the most original or unique anime that ever aired. Nevertheless, it's simplicity and plenty of actions made the anime easy to watch and still manages to entertain me.

This week episode brings many surprises and WTF moment with a tender closing for the ending part. The episode answered the question that I have from the last episode for example; the reason why Azuma always said Rinka as his heroine. The episode even added more background story involving Azuma past and his relation to Minami; the chick with the double Katanas in the first episode. I considered Tokyo Esp as as simple as its get. It does not portray its characters as mysterious and complicated like other series do. The characters' background was explained one by one with each passing episode and this episode was no exception.

Following the kidnapping scene involving Murasaki last week, Rinka and Azuma ended up fighting mafia henchmen. While Rinka's wound still not healed due to her fighting with the Phantom thief in the last week episode, she still proved a better fighter for the Mafia. I don't know if using esper magic was considered cheating or not but every time the mafia attack, their weapons always went through her body so she could easily pound them one by one. When they finally reach Murasaki; the Mafia Kingpin broke the wall completely nude (vomit). He was stronger to both Azuma and Rinka since no weapon had any effect to his body until Pengy, the penguin, became angry,  absorbed and ate the glowing fish that entered his body. When Rinka realized that the mafia boss felt pain from her bitting, she asked Azuma to teleport Murasaki away and gave the boss a double skull cracking kick down to the ground.

Talking about the WTF moment was the Phantom thief decision to join Rinka's gang. It turn out that she had a crush to Rinka's father. I mean after all the pain she had given to Rinka and the fight they had gone through, they turned into friend that simple. She even live together along with Rinka's family in the bartender house because their home was completely burned by Merayama.

Okay if you don't like spoiler; I thought you could stop here. Azuma Kyotaro had a foster sister and she was Minami; the katana wielding chick that teleport all the time during the first episode. In Azuma past, a man; after killed his last friend, almost killed Azuma until Minami shot him down. Minami's father, whose identity remained a mystery, took him as a son. In regard to Azuma's role, I don't know about what happen to him during the first episode because he was not seen or appear in person. However, I know that he will play a major rule in making the connection between the character especially for Rinka and Minami.

The episode even explained the reason for Azuma calling Rinka as his heroine. Few months before they obtained  the Esp magic, Rinka saved Azuma from bullies. Even knowing that Azuma was a complete stranger to her, she step in and saved him from them. That event left a deep impression for him and then turned him into a person who wanted to save other.  Ironically, both Azuma and Rinka influenced each other although in different cases. Azuma wanted to help other because of his past and Rinka saved him as a complete stranger while Rinka wanted to help other because Azuma kept pestering her to do so.

Murasaki's esper ability was more like a clairvoyant with her seeing a vision of the object that she touched in the past. The first time it activated was when she tried to ate a bacon. She could see the image of a pig being split into two and she was completely frightened with her first experience of Esp magic. Then, after deciding about leaving the house that raised her, her father gave her a ring that belong to her deceased mother. Afterward, we could see the sweet moments of her infant times when her mother was still alive.

There are so many thing worth noting from this episode. The fight between Rinka and the mafia, the revelation of Minami and her relation to Azuma, the bonding between the characters, and even Murasaki's sweet moment with her deceased mother. Thats a lot to say for only one episode and once again I felt very satisfied with Tokyo Esp no nonsensical behavior in treating its audiences
In short, the episode gave a good closure, decent characters background stories, an honest and simple characters' development, and off course the last part of the anime which introduced the villain Esp leader as the professor made me eager to see the next episode.

The first thing you saw from the third episode of Tokyo Esp was the Phantom thief escaped from the hospital after punching the good for nothing cops. With revenge on her mind, she intended to beat Rinka to a pulp when some mysterious mafia in suit asked her to lend them her power. The scene then switched to Rinka house with her having breakfast with her father. One thing to note was how her father could control his magic power now so Rinka could get to the school without tying his father now ;). The scene then turn to Rinka's schoolroom where Azuma asked her to have a lunch. It turned out that Azuma wanted Rinka to help him playing hero but the later instantly rejected the invitation.

On the other side, the third episode introduced Murasaki, the girl who wore glasses from the first episode, to the character roster. She was the person who actually fed the mysterious flying penguin in odaiba. At that moment, there were three men who intended to capture Peggy, the pinguin, and because of Murasaki's interruption, it managed to fly away only for the men captured it later using a net. After the three men kidnapped both Murasaki and Peggy in their car, Azuma with the help of Rinka saved Murasaki and the penguin from the kidnapper. Rinka went through the car and her sudden intrusion made the car fall from the upper part of highway. Fortunately, Azuma managed to transport the car to the sea just when the car was about to hit three old granny who just happen to stand below the highway. After Rinka helped Azuma escaped from the sea, Azuma commented that Rinka was his hero and once again, we were given a mystery about what was Rinka done in the past

Murasaki took Rinka and Azuma to her place and the moment they entered her place, bunch of mafias welcomed Murasaki. I laughed when knowing that she might be the younger version of Yankumi from Gokusen. Ehem, back to the main topic, the mafia in the beginning of the episode along with the Phantom thief came to Murasaki place and they wanted to negotiate with her Grandfather. Once again, Rinka met with the Phantom thief and their battle continues. This time around, the phantom thief wound Rinka completely using her boxing skills and Rinka's ability to went through matter ended up worthless against another human being. Meanwhile, The Negotiation turned into a shooting carnage because the other mafia intended to take all of Murasaki's grandfather territory and the mafia leader later on revealed that he also possessed unique magic to repel bullets. Just as the mafias fight, one of the mafia leader henchmen teleported Murasaki and Azuma out from the house which lead to the kidnapping of Murasaki.

The episode explained to us how Murasaki achieved her magical power with one of the flying fish entered her body while she was being held captive. In addition, the episode told us about the reason why Azuma become a person who obsessed in helping other in need. The small flashback told us that the place where he grown up was full with war and violence and one of his best buddies died as a war victim. He swore himself that he would not let another innocent experience the feeling of loosing life. The episode was closed with Rinka and Azuma prepared themselves to entered the Mafia's headquarter in order to rescue Murasaki. My impression for this episode was a bit mixed. I knew it doesn't make me impressed like the first episode yet as it manages to give us some detail for the first episode character (Murasaki) as well as explaining Rinka's motivation to help people (through her interaction to Azuma).

Tokyo Esp started the episode with the continuation of last week battle as the real heroine, Rinka Uroboshi, psy kicked one one of the terrorist espers. The battle aftermath was a really good one with her dealing one after another espers using her acrobatic movement, she looked extremely experienced dealing with esper but the origin of her Physic ability and her main motivations to help other were actually the main points of this episode.

The story flashback to the day Rinka fell from her apartment room to the room bellow, completely naked nonetheless. This was the first event when Rinka experienced her esp condition as her hair turned completely white and sometimes her feet kept going through the floor. Suddenly a young man entered her room and introduced himself as Azuma Kyotaro. He told her about the events that made her magical powers born. He was also the person who told Rinka how she should consider the power as a gift not as a curse and how she could use the power for the benefit of humanity.

It revealed that every Esper in Tokyo Esp experience the same event viewing a group of shining fishes swimming in the air and  after the fish get through the person body, their supernatural powers born. While the origin of the flying fish remained a mystery, at least we knew the source of the espers' magic. In addition, we still did not know about why it could fly in the sky or how could it effect the person's magical power who see them.

In another case, her father also gained psy-power though for him, his magic only cause more trouble than convenience. Seriously, he turned into a human magnet for god sake. Whenever he moved, every matters made from steel chase him. And the funny thing is it was not his body that the magnetic field but his hairs so hard steel matters like steel ironing or television kept hitting his head. Not to mention that Rinka had to psy kick him in the head in order to pass him out when his power went out of control. It had some of it funny moments too  like when she Rinka had to tied her father to the bed before going to work because she afraid if he went outside, he would cause similar problem with the first time his magic unleashed.

The last part of the second episode was more about the thief that broke the museum in the night and a man wearing a crow mask was the culprit. It turned out that Kazuma was the man behind the mask. It was very funny watching Rinka totally kicked him because she was still believing that he was innocent. Later on, Kazuma revealed the real culprit and the event continued with the fight between Rinka against the thief, black fist. She was the person with the glowing giant fist from the last episode so she would certainly become her friend later on. Since this was the first time Rinka used her power to fight, the black fist easily cornered her but with the help of Azuma, she could finally psy-kick her and turn the black fist thief to the police.

Well comparing to the last episode that full with actions, maybe I felt rather difficult to find which event truly stunned my watching experience. Yet, don't get discouraged as this episode was still very interesting to see as it gave us lot of information regarding the characters' background story. We finally got the character introduction of Rinka and Kazuma, it told us that the flying glowing fishes that appeared in the last episode was the reason of the spiritual powers. In regard to last episode, this also tell us the beginning of the entire Tokyo Esp saga like how Rinka first got her psychic power, what motivated her to help others using his abilities, and how she encountered her ex-rival turn friend the black fist. Tokyo Esp still manage to give many interesting scene for the second episode and I am actually wanted to see how the series concluded.