Bokurano 16 – “Wow, what a bloody plot twist!”

I do apologize for the lack of updates but the bloody backlog is so huge that it’s almost impossible to cover without making an extremely concerted effort to do it. If you are not in the know, I went for an overseas trip, then back to army and now I am starting my Master’s work/study. Hence, I took some time to settle and move a little away from the blog to deal with it. Anyway, I decided that it is way too much of a backlog that it becomes more of a chore rather than enjoyment to do a blog entry on the previous episodes. If you do want a little update on what has happened between 14 and 15, please check Star Crossed Anime Blog, a blog written by Psgels who writes a little about each episode.

I will be trying my best to keep up with the series now that I finally have some decent free time in the weekends. Nevertheless, this episode twisted my brain so much at the sudden revelation of a certain fact that should have alerted me somewhat, but I did not catch it until now. Wow, now Bokurano is definitely playing on my senses. A quick recap, in the last episode, Kirie is now selected as the next pilot but had to fight another battle since his opponent suicided.

A very deadly and unexpected revelation awaits at the end of this episode.

Updated list of kids after Episode 16: Click here

Episode summary

In the parliament, Komada’s father was inquiring about how the government was dealing with the threat of Zearth, with the prime minister stating that the government knew little of it and did not make a mistake in sending too little troops. Komoda then asked about the Zearth’s report, questioning whether the prime minister knew anything of it. He then challenged the prime minister’s denial as it had revealing details about Zearth during the satellite recording of Zearth in the first battle at the bridge, the children who were binded by the contract, as well as the research done on Zearth.

Eventually, when questioned on what the government was intending to do, the prime minister simply said that he was going to find a solution to reduce losses. In a TV series, Aiko’s father was discussing about the matter of children getting tied to the contract, as Aiko was assured by her mother that her father would do something. Kirie’s mother and Kirie were watching a TV show about Zearth, as they turned it off. Kirie’s father appeared smiling, saying that he was just busy with work and unable to see her. He left smiling and telling them that he was returning home after his “work”.

Kirie told his father not to be so kind to them when Kirie went to get a drink for her mother, and his father was trying to explain matters. Kirie’s mother mentioned how men would always be kids. Back at Jun’s house, Kirie later mentioned to Jun how he did not understand adults. It seemed that her father had an affair with someone, but they probably separated since his father returned home everyday. Kirie was also worried for his mother, where she was always thinking about things since she had no work to do. With that, Tamuzu mentioned that he had a friend in jail who was the owner of a restaurant, and told Kirie that he would talk to his friend.

Komoda’s father was discussing on how the prime minister panicked, but the way he panicked with so little information made him suspect that there was more than meets the eye. Yoshika, the female professor, found a lot of information on the mark on Kirie’s face but nothing to save the children from their fate. She also asked for Komoda and Aiko’s parents to insert a chip into their child’s body to examine any differences, with some rejection from the parents as it might leave a scar (HUH?). Aiko’s father also asked for an interview for the children, asking them about their emotions, the contract and the feelings that they have when they see their compatriots die.

Komoda rejected the idea, saying that putting life-death topics on the children were too taxing and even if it might not encourage further analysis, it would not cause trouble with the general public. Kirie and the other children were on their way to the restaurant where his mother was working. She was in a better mood now, even wearing light make up. As they reached the restaurant, Tamuzu talked to his friend, while his mother served his friends. Tamuzu laughed how Kirie’s mother was pretty and it might worry her husband too. The friend also added how Kirie’s mother was more friendly, and helped to bring the business of the restaurant up.

As they left, Kirie told everyone about his decision to fight. He said he did not know whether he cared about his world, but since his mother was happy now, he wanted to win this battle. He also asked Tamuzu to take care of his mother, and added that he knew his capabilities to be rather weak. Tamuzu applauded Kirie for being courageous to fight and that Kirie’s personality was considered to be the most dangerous in the gangster world. In the battle, Kanji joked whether this next opponent was going to suicide, but there was no luck.

During the fight, Kirie showed excellent agility and control over Zearth, shocking everyone with his ability to make full use of Zearth’s powers. Tanaka was shocked at how Kirie maneuvered Zearth without any extra movements and defeated the enemy easily. Kirie said he simply met with a weak enemy but there were only two lights left against his enemy. Back at the cockpit, he thanked everyone but said that Machi was the girl that was not under contract. Kirie found it strange that she knew that Kirie had to fight another enemy if the enemy suicided by itself, and it was knowledge that only someone with the game knew. Machi was also the girl who told everyone to visit the cave.

Dung Beetle then affirmed the suspicions when it said that Machi and Kokopelli were not humans from this planet, and she was placed to get people to sign up for this game. Aiko rushed to Machi, slapping her continously for bringing them to this evil predicament. While Aiko screamed, Kirie died and his body disappeared, as the next pilot selection was coming. It was Aiko. Dung Beetle also confessed that Machi was his younger sister. News also came to Aiko’s father over a press conference, where the writer who wrote the story of Zearth was simply working on a fictional team and apologized for causing panic. The government faction to hide the truth was acting behind this move…

Thoughts

Oh My Gosh. I just left this anime due to a massive backlog and it jumps and slaps me right in the face after I finally caught up with the latest episode (less Episode 17 which I will watch on Tuesday or Wednesday when I have time). The first thing is how Machi is in fact not from this planet, and it’s perhaps one of the most shocking truths that came out in this episode. I mean, who will have expected someone inside the game being not in the game at all as she is the same as Kokopelli.

Nevertheless, I have a belief that she also has to fight. The words of Dung Beetle is definitely true as it does not seem to be trying to lie about Machi being its sister, but I somehow have this strange thing that part of the deal that Machi will bring people in for this battle will be to fight herself. Kokopelli is also the one fighting in this battle, and I have this strange feeling that Machi is way too obvious for the person that has not signed the contract. Since Bokurano has proved that it cares on fine details of the words, there are no words by any chance that Machi is the pilot that did not sign up. The only mention of acceptance by Dung Beetle is that she led them there to the game.

On Kirie itself, he is giving me a really pleasant surprise. He is perhaps the last person I will expect to have the highest battle technique among the children currently and he literally trashed the enemy with some crazy skills. I do wonder what is the reason behind his ability since he is no gamer by any luck, and he does not look like the type that is good at fighting. However, he did win the fight very easily, despite the decent fighting abilities of his opponent.

Another thing that surprises me is that despite all the possible bullying that he has to endure, his character is not a coward. He simply is non-confrontational in nature, and he is rather intelligent as well with very good observation skills to catch the words of Machi that I missed completely. I will love to say that I got it before hand, but alas, I just do not have those brains of power. I am also happy that he finally resolved his thoughts on fighting after seeing his mother stand back on track. I just felt a little sad that his father’s affair was not given a stronger impact, which could have provided a more emotional standing for this episode. It’s still good though, do not get it wrong.

Lastly, the next episode seems to be on Aiko, and a little about Kanji hugging her as well. They can’t be having a secret romance that I do not even detect at all, no? I also worry somewhat for Aiko, who is not exactly the most emotionally stable person around. I just hope everything will go fine.