So after the rather cliff-hanger ending of the previous episode, Ryouko's Case Files picks up right where it left off: a face-off between Ruriko, Ryouko and Minamo-chan.
doll and doll-maker
Minamo-chan is just as shocked as Ryouko to find that the real Ruriko is standing behind the glass. But unlike Minamo-chan, Ryouko does not lose her composure that easily.
Izumida arrives in the nick of time. However, he unknowingly brings along a friend. This friend turns out to be the one-eyed monster that he encountered earlier. The monster sends Izumida flying off with just a swing of its arms as it lunges forward. But it quickly backs off into the shadows.
Ruriko tells Monami-chan that the monster is one of her failed experiments. Apparently, the first Ryouko she tried to make developed psychological problems, which caused it to commit suicide. In their second attempt, the DNA failed to splice, resulting in the monster. Third time proves to be the charm as Monami-chan came to be.
After hearing this, Monami-chan is understandably confused. The monster just then approaches her and even looks like it's smiling. But this only serves to frighten Monami-chan, who flees the place.
they're down
Ryouko accuses Ruriko of being despicable. But Ruriko just ignores the comment as she follows Monami-chan out, leaving Ryouko and Izumida alone with the monster. In order to protect her, Izumida stands between Ryouko and the monster. But again, the monster makes short work of him. While he's on the ground, recovering from the blow, he notices the bombs all over the place. He quickly stands up and runs towards Ryouko, shielding her with his body just as the bombs explode.
what you see can hurt you
Outside, Ruriko shows Monami-chan how Izumida really feels for Ryouko by pointing out to her that Izumida used his own body to shield Ryouko. Both Ryouko and Izumida are badly hurt but Izumida is worse off than her. Even so, Izumida's first question once he's regained his consciousness is if Ryouko is alright. Ryouko just tells him to shut his trap as she helps him up.
Ruriko then hands Monami-chan a gun, telling her to shoot Ryouko so that she may become her and lead JACES. Monami-chan reluctantly takes the gun and aims. However, before she can squeeze the trigger, Ryouko's other subordinates arrive.
Much later, Ryouko ends up bringing Izumida to her sister Okinu's house. Her reason is that since they are up against Ruriko, she does not want to leave Izumida is just some random hospital. She and Okinu discuss Ruriko a bit as Izumida recuperates from his wounds.
sisters, eh
We find out from Okinu that Ryouko was a tomboy as a kid.
conference
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, Ruriko and cronies meet up with the politician.
Apparently, the anti-terrorist practice is part of their plan to take down JACES and Yakushiji Rouko. JACES' headquarters is within the area targeted for the anti-terrorist practice and they are planning to take advantage of this. Afterwards, Ruriko plans to give Monami-chan some more growth hormones and replace Ryouko as head of JACES.
We also find out that Nonagase's motive for joining Ruriko's conspiracy is so he can get his hands on Ryouko's powers. It appears that in order to get his cooperation, Ruriko has promised Monami-chan to Nonagase as his wife. Having already observed that Monami-chan has the same power to summon otherworldly creatures as Ryouko seems to have, Nonagase believes that he can get this power through Monami-chan.
Sick and helpless. No better opportunity to molest him, Ryouko ~
Back in Okinu's household, Ryouko watches over a sleeping Izumida. She tells him that she is heading off to a war where she will risk her life. But with Izumida wounded, she will have to go through it alone. She then accuses Izumida of failing as a subordinate. That said, she "punishes" him by attempting to steal a kiss.
On second thought, Ryouko says that she'll do it later.
the plan is...
...to scram
Much, much later, Ryouko gathers her subordinate around to give them a heads-up about Ruriko and the NPP. She supposes that the Special Defense Force will probably work with NPP and as such, they are up against one formidable enemy. She also warns her three subordinates and Yukiko that Ruriko is going to come after them. Akira is apparently not a target but since he is there with them, he might become one.
Yukiko is not convinced that Ruriko knows about her secret investigation. But Ryouko quickly reminds her of Nonagase, who heard Yukiko's conversation with Ryouko about Shiba. When asked why she did not tell Yukiko about Nonagase's being a spy, Ryouko just tells her that it's because she wants to drag her (Yukiko) into the matter. This naturally pisses Yukiko off.
woman to woman
Later, however, Ryouko explains that she needs Yukiko to take care of the others while she goes off to face Ruriko alone.
sneaking out is not an option
That same evening, Ryouko tries to sneak into Shiba under cover of night. However, her newfound popularity among the press makes it difficult. No sooner than she steps out of the building, the press are all over her.
ready for action
On the day of the anti-terrorist practice, the NPP captain brings Monami-chan to the observation room where Ruriko tells her to commit Ryouko's end to memory.
Meanwhile, Ryouko is already making her move. She quickly takes down two armed guards, steals their guns and dashes away. The NPP sends some back-up but Ryouko manages to elude them. Next, she takes down another guard, from whom she collected a communication device that's covered by some sort of plant. She looks up then to find that the Tokyo Tower is entirely taken over by a mangrove.
they're shooting at us!
In another meanwhile, Ryouko's subordinates are under attack. While the others take cover, Yukiko is busy looking for a way out. She finally discovers a window hidden behind some packages.
Back to Ryouko, she's not doing too well. The NPP is not taking any chances and has actually sent out a tank after her. Ryouko barely escapes from the explosion and ends up falling into the bottom of a dried up river. Even there, she is pursued by a helicopter. Fortunately, she is able to take cover under a tunnel, where the NPP finally lose track of her.
Izumida's ok!
In the tunnel, Ryouko finds herself inside a shopping mall. While she rests for a bit, she gets a call from Izumida asking to meet her. Meanwhile, the NPP has detected Izumida's car entering the anti-terrorist practice perimeter. Monami-chan seems to know at once that the person is Izumida.
Good for thing for Ryouko that it's a botique she finds herself in. She showers first, then helps herself to a smashing red dress and matching stilletos. And to top off the entire look, she grabs a fur coat off the hanger. She pays for all this too with her JACES credit card.
the meet
Izumida is waiting by the car at the pier. At the sight of Ryouko, looking gorgeous as usual, he breathes a sigh of relief, knowing somehow that she's fine.
she deserves it
Ryouko puts up the face of always being in control. But she can't fake the toll that fighting all day has taken on her body. She sways a little and ends up resting against Izumida's chest. He doesn't mind.
Just then, an NPP helicopter arrives and sights the two of them. Ryouko turns and stares directly into the camera, with her trademark smirk. Monami-chan remarks that she knows why Ryouko is so strong.
she's strong because...
At the pier, Izumida wonders how Ryouko is so strong. He adds that even though she's been fighting by herself all this time, she still manages to look like that. Ryouko just mutters that he should notice her some time.
Just then, they both find themselves up against a tank. But Izumida is not worried though, saying that somehow, when he is with Ryouko, he feels like nothing is too great for them to overcome. Ryouko remarks the same thing, adding that she can take out a tank with just a wink.
COMMENTS:
Okay, ridiculous much? But I don't really care.
The monster was actually pretty okay. Not scary but still, its story was remarkably contrived. The more unbelieavable parts comes in the latter half of the episode.
Izumida's wounds are at his back, but the bandages are around his head. Like, huh? And Ryouko takes out an entire anti-terrorist army? I mean, yeah, I know she's good...but that was ridiculous. Helicopters and tanks, too. And for some reason, the soldiers can't even hit her with their high-powered guns. To top it all off, she has time to shower and change clothes. OMG!
But like I said, I don't really mind. Those kind of stuff are pretty much a given in this kind of series. I wasn't expecting reality TV, after all.
I love how Ryouko and Izumida's relationship looks like it's going somewhere. Well, Izumida is still pretty much a tool, but he's a dependable tool, at least.
The next one is going to be the final episode. I think perhaps there's going to be a second season.
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