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Edens Zero Chapter 214 Review/Recap

Dang it, Hiro Mashima. It’s like you’re not even trying at this point. I thought he was starting to throw us for a loop with his end to the Aoi War arc when he killed Witch for real. Then he went and had Ziggy kill Pino to make Shiki pull a Super Saiyan 2. However, I’ve read Mashima’s work to recognize when he’s following a pattern, which he was. At least he gave Grandpa Ziggy a proper send-off this time, while also burying the truth about his evil half for the future. 

Recap

In a series of flashbacks, Shiki remembers how he was raised by his Grandpa Ziggy on Granbell. As he does so, he realizes his Grandpa Ziggy’s faking being evil, just like the residents of Granbell faked it all those years ago. Despite this (and Ziggy admitting it), Shiki has no intention of holding back. With his final, decisive attack, Shiki unleashes his full power on his Grandpa Ziggy, seemingly bringing an end to Demon King Ziggy once and for all. 

With Ziggy’s death, Pino’s revealed to be alive and fine, as she was teleported through Ziggy’s wormhole. She returns as Shiki looks over the spot where his Grandpa died once more. Now knowing that his Grandpa Ziggy was also an alternate version of himself, and his quest to reach Universe Zero, Shiki vows to see his alternate self’s mission through to the end, and save the Universe from extinction.

Review

Once again, Mashima manages to both impress and disappoint me in the span of a single breath. On the one hand, I feel satisfied knowing that I called it about Ziggy faking it, even though it was obvious. On the other hand, that means that, once again, Mashima’s found a way to avoid a potentially devastating character death. I guess I should just be grateful that cute little Pino’s still alright.

As for Grandpa Ziggy, I’ve got mixed feelings about his apparent death. Firstly, I will not be surprised if he shows up at a later date, hence why I remain skeptical that he’s gone for good. Secondly, with Ziggy, Aconella, and Deadend Crow dead, the war for Lendard’s over, meaning Rebecca doesn’t need to summon a Chronophage. So, why am I still concerned?

We still don’t know who the true enemy behind all of this is, and that means something worse than Grandpa Ziggy’s going to show up. And the manga’s built Ziggy up as the big bad for so long, how will Mashima top him? Also, Ziggy’s death reminds me of how the hero from Mashima’s previous manga, Fairy Tail, lost his foster father figure. Mashima needs to stop borrowing from his previous works. It’s not a sign of good writing if he keeps doing that. Fingers crossed the reveal will be good.

I Give “As One…” a 3/5

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My Hero Academia S6, Ep 5 Review

Remember at the tail end of season 5 of My Hero Academia and how Shigaraki showed just how dangerous his Quirk can be? Annihilating an entire city simply by touching it with his hands is a terrifying prospect. Now imagine what it would be like if that power for destruction got amped up by mad science. If you did that, then you’d have an inkling as to just how bad the heroes have messed up by failing to stop Shigaraki from waking up. Because now that he’s awake, all that awaits the heroes is nothing but destruction. Pure, simple, destruction.

The Power of Destruction!

From the outset of this season, the Paranormal Liberation Front’s been on the backfoot. Twice died, their members are falling like flies, and it looked like the heroes would handily win. But then, Shigaraki wakes up at the worst possible time, when he’s only being watched by a single hero. With his newfound power, though, he’s pretty much not being watched by any heroes, since he kills the one and steals his cape to cosplay as Tetsuo from Akira. And just like Tetsuo, his awakening brings an apocalypse to the city.

What follows may look cool from a viewer’s perspective, but from those who live through it, it’s like walking into a nightmare. A wave of destruction so powerful that it destroys anyone and anything it touches rushes out, leveling much of the city of Jaku. Worse, we’re forced to watch as several heroes fall victim to Shigaraki’s power, either trying to flee or giving their lives to save their comrades. It’s horrifying! And in the middle of all of this, we have poor Deku, knowing full well what’s happening and in no position whatsoever to stop it. 

As all of this is happening, we see Hawks’ hit his lowest point. Dabi mutilates his wings like there’s no tomorrow, then calls him out for killing twice right in front of Tokoyami. It’s only thanks to the student’s quick actions and Dabi’s ego that the two make it out of there with their lives. And knowing the manga, the trauma conga line’s only going to get worse as the season progresses. Because, at the end of it all, this whole season’s going to drive home how badly the heroes screw up. 

I know I should’ve gotten this review out sooner, but my Halloween plans meant that I had to put it off. That said, I did enjoy this episode, seeing it as one of the best so far this season. It’s a massive wham moment that’s going to define how things go from here on out. GO BEYOND, PLUS ULTRA!!

I Give “The Thrill of Destruction” a 4/5

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