Right after the swimsuit episodes in Arpeggio of Blue Steel, is the Michael Bay-esque one — with lots of lasers, explosions and overly dramatic dialogue…
Kongou and Maya have begun their attack on Iwo Jima island, and Hyuga volunteers to remain behind to man the defences — earning Iona’s thanks.
Hyuga is perhaps a little too excited about Iona…
Gunzou announces that he plans to escape Iwo Jima by breaking through Kongo’s blockade and head to the United States. When he asks Takao about her future intentions, she (in a tsundere manner, of course) indicates her willingness to join Blue Steel on a trial basis.
Takao joins Blue Steel
Gunzou, being the psuedo-harem lead, integrates Takao into his plan to break Kongo’s blockade.
Meanwhile, Kongo fires her supergravity cannon onto Iwo Jima, but Hyuga just barely manages to maintain her defences. Kongo then orders Maya to finish off Hyuga. However, Takao arrives just in time to help, blocking Maya’s supergravity cannon with her own. Takao then serves as a “distraction”, helping the I-401 in their escape. Kongo decides to focus her efforts on finding and eliminating the Gunzou and the I-401.
Kongo, posing like a boss…
Iona and Gunzou decide to travel through a minefield previously prepared by Hyuga, hoping to slow down Kongo as Iona prepares her “full burst” (the Arpeggio of Blue Steel equivalent of a warp drive for naval ships). This doesn’t deter Kongo though, as she pushes her way through the minefield and submerges to engage the I-401.
An underwater chase…
Iona and Kongo speak briefly at the virtual tea table, with Kongo declaring that she despises Iona. However just as Kongo prepares to fire her supergravity cannon, Hyuga hacks Kongo, making her miss her shot and allowing the I-401 to make its escape.
Hyuga hacks Kongo
“Set course for the deep sea… initiate Warp 10!”
It is at this point that Takao reveals that the real distraction was the I-401 — the I-401′s crew (sans Gunzou and Iona), as well as Haruna, Kirishima, Makie and the Vibration Torpedo were on board Takao all along.
Takao’s interior is surprisingly girly…
In a post-credit scene, just as Iona and Gunzou think that they’ve escaped the Fog, the I-400 and I-402 seemingly appear out of nowhere and attack them — sinking the I-401 with its captain…
The I-401 is sunk by I-400 and I-402.
The first fully-original episode of Arpeggio of Blue Steel and we were treated to a rather magnificent light show. Lots of action obviously but clearly it can’t last. Therefore, I am a little curious to see where the writers will bring this show too. That said, I am pretty confident that the rest of Blue Steel will arrive in time to help rescue the I-401 and Gunzou. Pretty nice too to see the I-400 and I-402 again.
If possible, I would love to see a second season to Arpeggio of Blue Steel, hopefully introducing some of the “missing” characters as well. I would say that it is still possible to write them into season two if the lead script writer so desires. Let’s hope for the best!