[ Episode 5: Guidepost to Tomorrow ]

No more breast groping? Noooooooooooo!

Well, well. Kouichi has finally started towards becoming a true hero of a justice! Though I admit it started sooner than I had expected. Then again that time could be spent developing all of the characters more, especially Kouichi and Emi. Their relationship is one of the more interesting dynamics of the series and it isn’t hard to see the potential for romance there. Though, if that’s the case, then it looks like Risako will have to step up her game after all of the mourning for Yajima is done. Speaking of which, their reactions were as I had expected (after all, it a childhood friend died in the one of the worst ways possible).

I didn’t get a chance to think about it in the last episode, but exactly where did Linebarrel come from (along with the others)? Some other world? There has been reference to another world since the last episode and apparently Emi is from this other world as well. I’m guessing it’s an Earth-like planet that’s pretty far away. The enemy may have some roots there as well if what was discussed in this episode was any indication.

Anyway, now it’s time to see how well Kouichi can get along with the other members of JUDA. It probably won’t be easy at first but I have no doubts that they’ll all be friends soon enough.

[ Episode 4: The Price of Justice ]

Awakened Kouichi + Linebarrel = Awesome.

Well now, doesn’t that suck hardcore. Right after Kouichi reconciled with Yajima, he’s killed by some out-of-control Machina. Man, I don’t know how Risako and Yajima’s sister are going to take his death but it won’t be well. Kouichi went totally insane after Yajima was blown to pieces. Hell, he even summoned Linebarrel without Emi! That right there shocked me. He even managed to fully awaken as a Factor due to his rage but I’m guessing we won’t be seeing that kind of power again for a while.

Now, what’s next for Kouichi? After Yajima’s death, there’s really only so many options left for him. He’s going to eventually have to get over his “I’m stronger than anyone else” complex, especially since he has already reconciled with Yajima about that. JUDA will be approaching him about piloting Linebarrel as well since he is the only Factor for it (and they can’t exactly kill him either to replace him). Everything is up in the air at this point but hopefully Kouichi has learned a ton from what occurred in this episode.

[ Episode 3: Blue Terror ]

“You’re the worst” must really be a hurtful sentence to hear.

You know, without realizing it, I’ve come to like Kouichi a little more than I did in the first episode. I don’t know the exact reason why but I suppose that it is because I can understand his feelings on a certain level. What that means exactly…even I don’t know but I did feel for the guy near the end of the episode. I can imagine that it’s not easy being protected all of the time, but even worse that you can’t protect the girl that you love (who is being protected by the same person). Still, his behavior is pretty erratic though I imagine it must be all the frustration that’s been building up within him over the years.

I found it interesting how Emi was able to stop Linebarrel from moving. How is that possible exactly? Her existence and relation to Linebarrel are still a mystery and the only guess that I have at this point is that she is, somehow, a part of Linebarrel. It’s probably something else though. I can’t say I saw her “You’re the worst” line coming though. She seemed pretty reserved up till now but it looks like she can be deadly serious when she needs to. I can only wonder what is next for Kouichi though. At this point he doesn’t have access to Linebarrel without Emi which leaves him with his superhuman abilities only. What about his friends? I guess only time will tell how they will react to him and on how soon he’ll be able to reconcile with Emi.

[ Episode 2: Runaway Justice ]

Is it wrong that I’m enjoying this show?

This episode was much better than the first! Now that the awkward power gain has passed by, Kouichi and the others are now trying to settle into the aftermath of the previous battle. Before that though, we’re shown more of JUDA and of the antagonists. As far as the antagonists go, their goals are still a mystery but it is clear that they need LINEBARREL to achieve them. JUDA is an organization that employs Factors just like Kouichi. From my count (which might be off), there are five of them so far. One guy who jumped out of a helicopter, two girls whoapparently control one MACHINA, and the two girls who fought along with and against Kouichi. I’m interesting in seeing more of them soon so I hope Kouichi joins JUDA soon (as indicated in the OP sequence).

As for Kouichi, the dude is really on a serious power trip. I can understand the feeling of having the kind of power he has and might get carried away just a little (who wouldn’t want to kick the asses of bullies?) but I don’t think I’d go around declaring everyone my enemy because my justice is above all. I was surprised when he started attacking the two girls who were basically his allies but I figure he can’t really help but be controlled by the adrenaline running through him. Still, I think it’s only a matter of time before he’s given a wake-up call by fighting against someone who will totally school him regardless of the abilities of LINEBARREL. Emi’s identity is still up in the air at this point as well and while I felt as if she should try to somehow talk to Kouichi about his actions, her loss of memory probably won’t help her much in that regard. Kouichi’s friends are obviously concerned about him and I can only wonder what their role in the story will be as it progresses. After all, they appear to have been his only friends since they were children.

Anyway, Kurogane no Linebarrels has charmed me into anticipating yet another episode. Is it the best show I’m watching right now? Nah, but I do enjoy watching it quite a bit and Hirai Hisashi’s designs have quickly brought my mind to rest in comparison to the manga (in short I like both). Not to mention the performances of the seiyuu are topnotch, especially Kouichi.

Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Genres: Action, Science Fiction, Mecha
OP: [Kitei no Tsurugi] by ALI PROJECT
ED: [Ame ga furu] by Maaya Sakamoto
LINEBARRELS OF IRON Official Web Site

[ Episode 1: Boy and Iron ]

GONZO’s latest effort is their adaptation of Kurogane no Linebarrels, a manga penned by . I was originally attracted by this simply because it was mecha. Then, as time passed by, I happened upon the manga and really well-put-together trailer featuring one of my favorite artists, ALI PROJECT. After watching the first episode, I must say that I enjoyed it…with some slight confusion. The characters introduced so far are interesting but didn’t really get much time to shine when compared to those in other first episodes so far this season. The production values appear to be GONZO’s standard fare as of late (aka NOT Dragonaut). The animation isn’t particularly eye-popping but it’s decent nonetheless. Oh, and you know that since GONZO is involved that there is CG. It’s better than normal though. The character designs are what to be expected of Hirai Hisashi but I would’ve preferred to see the designs seen in the manga despite liking the use of his work in series such as Gundam SEED and Heroic Age.

There is one thing that I must question though since it was pretty hard to overlook. Why didn’t Kouichi notice that he had a massive blood stain on his clothing? Something like that is pretty hard to miss…isn’t it? Some parts also felt rushed, especially when you compare Kouchi at the beginning of the episode and at the end. That was a pretty sudden switch in personality if you ask me. Also, questioning how Kouichi could pilot LINEBARREL is pretty pointless given that there is always some kind of explanation given later on. I am curious as to what Emi meant by Kouichi being dead. He obviously isn’t by normal standards since he is walking around and busting up walls and leaping tens of feet into the air. More than likely it has something to do with why he now has those abilities. Emi’s origin is also a matter of curiosity for me. She obviously isn’t a normal human given the current circumstances. Also…why did Kouichi have to touch Emi’s breast to summon LINEBARREL? Oh, I did laugh a bit and I’m not complaining but it just seemed to be kind of WTF at that moment.

Anyway, I’m glad to see that Noto Mamiko is lending her talents to Emi’s character and look forward to hearing Hirano Aya and the ever-awesome Fukuyama Jun. Overall, Kurogane no Linebarrels wasn’t exactly the strongest first episode of the shows I’ve seen so far for the fall season but it shows that it has potential which is more than enough to keep me watching.