Punch Line

Episode 9

Episode 9 shows that even though we already have a general idea of what's supposed to be happening, there are still plenty of surprises to be had. And the twist at the end is more than a bit of a doozy. With only (presumably) two episodes left, how this one plays out in the end is now anyone's guess.

The process of backfilling the storyline continues as Yuta helps out Mikatan when she collapses (as seen at the end of last episode). In the process he reveals the truth to her about being Pine in her original body and learns some of what her time with Ishigata was like after the plummet from the bridge, though she still remains reticent about Ishigata's actual intent. He later also talks with Meiko, where we learn why she was in her lingerie when Yuta's spirit form saw them together a few episodes back: she claims her cooling element is malfunctioning since being hit during the fight. Despite Chiranosuke's warnings, he cannot help but try to change history by confronting Gleise about who he really is (since all his research suggests that a few dozen nuclear missiles wouldn't be enough to divert an asteroid), and that's where he learns various startling truths: Gleise is not only actually one of Qmay's leaders, but he also knows that a nuclear missile strike is what could suddenly nudge the asteroid towards Earth (where it would safely miss otherwise, just like most scientists believe), and getting Meiko to hack into the American defense computers is what will open the door for them to do it. And that's not really Gleise, either, but someone else in a disguise who can also Uberfy, someone who Yuta knows very well – or used to, as nine years can really change a person. Unfortunately for Yuta, that person also came prepared with an anesthetic strong enough to eventually put down even an Ubermensh individual.

Although a big twist, this is definitely not one which came out of left field, as everyone expected that Guriko was going to show up in Pine's body. What is a surprise is how warped Guriko's attitude has become, although several years of (presumably) additional brainwashing and indoctrinating can do that to a person; the writing does not explicitly state that Guriko-in-Pine was found by the Qmay people, when Yuta ended up with her adoptive family and Chiyoko-Mikatan ened up with Ishigata, but that is the most reasonable assumption. Finding out how the asteroid came to suddenly divert towards Earth is another twist, but a satisfying one, too, since it also makes sense. And Chiranosuke reinforcing the fact that he is a bit of an ass is a little amusing, too.

The one downside to the episode is that, early on, some of the frames where characters are seen from the side looked a bit rough. Otherwise, though, watching the cleverness of the series gradually play out is a joy. While I still hesitate to give the series a top grade, a finish at least on a level with the quality we are seeing right now will mean that I will have to up my overall evaluation of the series.

Rating: B+

Punch Line is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.