Aoharu x Kikanjuu Episode 8: What Controls Your Mind Now - Bobble Reviews

In this episode, Aoharu goes to the Oscars.

Not for that!

Much better.

But before I get to that, I have to give you a brief recap/clearing-up. Switch won his match with Big Breat Girl and, to the surprise of many, Hotaru won her match with White-Hair Gross Doctor. So when this episode opens, it seems it's just down to Midori "Marimo Head" Lastname versus Matsuoka "Either Sexist Or Just Plain Stupid" Jones for the title of Strongest M-F'ers in Japan (and much more importantly a cash prize).

For those who are new to this series, we're rooting for the one who isn't an almost-literal laughing, prancing Nazi.

Zoro and Sanji here used to be friends. But now they're foes. So the latter had a sad childhood. How sad?

THIS sad.

Before Aoharu goes Oscar, it's gotta go JoJo. Come on! Switch those colors!

How could I not?!

But if you're just anticipating that real Emmy moment*, don't despair, 'cause it's coming your way. The rain just started. Midori is kneeling over Mattsun. Hand. Clasped. Over. His. Mouf. And then he takes their childhood fun gun and shoots...bang...bang...bang. Culmination. Of the incredibly deep story which we have before us today. I'm tellin' ya, both of them are really gonna have to pull out their acting chops for this one.

* Sorry if my award terminology is mixed up. I make a point of not watching award shows to protest the lack of awarded bears. It's a way to promote awareness.

NOTE: the blue stuff over there is the aura of flaming energy that naturally erupts from BBs.

But then his friend arrives to save him! Looks like we got our Best Supporting Actor John Egbert!

kick

Most Tragic Mid-Production Death: John Egbert

Then we get a little Shawshank Redemption* with our cinematography.

* I don't know what this movie is about. But it's certainly not hiring any bears.

*prolonged audience gasping and wailing through tears*

But then his other friend arrives to save him! But first, Rose Lalonde flashes back (freaking useless).

Need I remind you that she's jumping into the fight for this dumb dumb stupid dumb reason.

Uhh that's just the award-winning cinematography shooting them in poorly-done day-for-night you're talking about

Best Ham-Handed Symbolism: Aoharu x Kikanjuu (2015)

And when she gets to Midori and the pals in the clearing, and sees the rest of her Toy Gun Gun team on the ground...she knows it's like a WARZONE out here, man...

i dunno he looks pretty happy to me

Looks like these four kids three people of varying ages jumped into a game that turned out to be more than they bargained for exactly what the contracts they signed said it would be because if they didn't sign anything the gun competition holders would be hella sued by now, HOW DID HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AGREE TO THIS.

Before Midori fights Hotaru "I Fight So Brutal I Sent Your Store Manager Into Shell Shock" Tachibana (see? I remember SOME names!), another ally will come to our aid. Can you guess who? It's a character you've met before. It's the bird from a few minutes ago.

And he brought friends.

(pics from Wikipedia, LOTR Wikia, and this blog)

I'm so, so sorry, readers. If the crows actually swooped in and plucked him apart, like what happened at the end of We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, then this would instantly be Anime of the Year. Alas, it is merely Anime of the Award Year for the Academy Awards Of The Year (for Anime) (that Don't Exist). This means that the crows are merely symbolic. For now. Watch out for an expanded role in episode twelve!

We still get some crazy mad vengeance! Hotaru gets her shounen red-eye power-up; I think she plays some kind of Yu-Gi-Oh equip card.

Or activates Third Stage Cursed Form (after releasing seal on Sharingan, of course)

And then she goes in for the kill. She

• lunges,
• tumbles forward in mid-air (yes, just like a preschooler in gymnastics),
• brings her gun down like Guts would a broadsword,
• gets blocked by Midori's excessively-tough gun,
• bounces off,
• flies meters away,
• runs forward with Ryu's spinning kick,
• parries,
• jumps up a tree and shoots as she falls down really fast,
• poses dramatically,
• and pauses to let Midori have a flashback to one minute ago.

Even the Oscar people were like "okay don't get too proud of yourself"

And then, just as the sniper announces she's coming into the fray...

#%*!

Well, that's okay, I guess. Back to the battle.

Best Moving Leaves in an Animated Series: Aoharu x Kikanjuu (2015)
(seriously, these leaves look great, it's like they perfected some kind of new stretch-squash technique for this part)

We get into our SECOND award-winning scene! Midori be spittin' some profound truths all over Hotaru's bug-eyed face.

Just imagine what this says about war re-enactments.

Doc Midori Scratch wins and Rose, dejected and reminded that this "nice guy" fondled his way into learning that she is a bona-fide girl, returns to tourney grounds.

ha ha just kidding he hugs her and gives her support NEW BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR DIRK STRIDER

Alright, great! We got all the sad harsh feelings out of the way. Clear that drippy emotion weather! Cooomedy tiiiiiiiiime!

Doink b-boink boink! That's Matsuoka's tormentor up there.

Best Lines: Aoharu x Kikanjuu (2015)
...sorry, I misread that, that's a Worst Lines Razzie.

Hotaru. Commander and the leader. Mattsun. He brings the joy and the laughter. Other guy. He is the toughest fighter. Nazis won the tournament (dun dun dun)

If you thought this episode was already award-winning enough, you are WRONG and you have clearly not witnessed the credits. This episode pulls not only what could arguably be dubbed a JoJo (you finish Stardust Crusaders and tell me I'm not wrong), but also...a Madoka. Aoharu x Kikanjuu, I see money in your future.

Well, no, mostly I just see eldritch abominations and crap.

Speaking of hardcore drama!

Did you know? Somebody once found this site by searching for "aoharu x kikanjuu pink hair." I guess this previously-one-episode-wonder has SOME fans. Or...one.