Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 13

5 Things I Disliked About ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

This is probably, hopefully, and tearfully going to turn into a ‘5 Things I Disliked about that popular book’ series. Where as a reader, I will express how I was lured by high ratings, glowing reviews, snazzy social media pictures, bookstagram community buzz… into reading a novel that simply turned out to be a colossal waste of time and energy. “Why don’t you just DNF* it,” a dear fellow reader-friend advised me, maybe for the second time, and I had to remind her about my ‘self-destructive’ need to finish a book I started, no matter how much I despise it. ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’ by Coco Mellors is one such book.

*DNF is a popular term in the book community which is short for ‘Did Not Finish’, but is used like a verb by readers.

You can read my spoiler-free review of Cleopatra and Frankenstein by clicking here, but this is going to be a quick spoiler-laden listicle about the 5 things that irked me about the novel.

1. Cleo the protagonist starts out as a young, fun, even clever character in the first few pages of the book, but quickly becomes the most unlikable thing about the novel. She is largely defined by her beauty. Everybody only keeps harping about how ‘she is so beautiful, oh she is so magnetic’. She is supposed to be an artist, but rarely ever creates any art through the book.

2. ‘Is it a time-traveling fantasy?’ a friend asked me when were discussing the books we were reading and I told her about ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’. I laughed and told her it’s a straightforward contemporary romance. And that’s another complaint I have about this novel: the title is so freaking misleading. It’s simply about a young Artist Cleo, who comes to America to study art, and when her visa is about to expire, she marries Frank, a much older advertising executive she has been dating for a minute. While there’s a lot of physical attraction between the leads, once they’re married, they start to fall out of love quickly.

3. For a contemporary romance novel, ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’ is really thin on love. There’s is only a surface level attraction and they never seem to be genuinely in love with each other. Again, except for the first few pages where their connection sounds flirtatiously fun, their relationship begins to feel gratingly superficial. Which makes the novel very annoying to read. Frank at times feels like an older guardian looking out for Cleo, which is sad, considering their relationship lasts less than two years. Imagine passion flying out the window so quickly, you begin to seem more like a parent than romantic partner in a relationship. That’s why it is sad.

4. Not only are the lead characters not very likable, but even some of the crucial supporting characters in ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’ seem to exist merely for token representation. For instance, Frank is a white man, but his step-sister Zoey, a stunning aspiring actor who is half-Black, appears to be included solely for the sake of Black-American representation. She is an extremely privileged brat, her biggest struggle is not being able to get drunk at an upscale pub with her “trust fund” friends. Zoey harbors plenty of rage against the system, even though she herself never faces prejudice or racism.

5. The chapter on Cleo’s close friend Quentin was completely unnecessary. It feels like he exists in the novel only for token queer representation. His character is gay and stereotypical: a rich selfish, self-centered European dude living on his family’s money, blowing all of his allowance on drugs and sex parties. His whole story-line was completely pointless, un-interesting, and does very little to drive the overall plot forward.

There were a few more things that I didn’t like about ‘Cleopatra and Frankenstein’, but I am going to wrap up this article here.

You can find me on Twitter, Instagram & GoodReads.

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グラスハート Glass Heart Series Review: Reliable Music, Flimsy Romance

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

There are so many things to love about the Japanese series ‘Glass Heart’, which follows a rookie drummer’s rise to stardom after she is invited to join a band of genius musicians. But it’s the familiarly bland romance that holds this series back from being binge-worthy.

Based on the novel “Glass Heart” (グラスハート) by Wakagi Mio, the Netflix series spans ten episodes, and is directed by Kakimoto Kensaku, and Goto Kotaro. The plot follows the adventures of ‘TenBlank‘, a four-member band formed by musical prodigy Fujitani Naoki (Satoh Takeru), alongside renowned session guitarist Takaoka Sho (Machida Keita), genius pianist Sakamoto Kazushi (Shison Jun), and little-known drummer Saijo Akane (Miyazaki Yu). However, the band’s rise to stardom is fraught with multiple problems, including sabotage by rivals and naysayers.

“Glass Heart” is heavily focused on Saijo Akane, since she is the only non-famous musician in the band, and has the toughest time fitting in. Even the band’s manager Kai Miyako (Karata Erika) has little faith in Akane’s skills, cruelly claiming she will pull ‘TenBlank’ down. Yes, the manager is over-dramatic in the show, and pretty unprofessional. However, the first episode establishes an instant musical chemistry between Fujitani Naoki and Saijo Akane, the two performing an impromptu jam at a rain-soaked venue, which serves as a magical ‘meet cute’.

Within the first few episodes of ‘Glass Heart’, the imbalance between the band members becomes disappointingly apparent. The spotlight is almost always on Naoki and Akane, while Sakamoto Kazushi and Takaoka Sho are sidelined, despite being interesting characters I would have liked to see more of. Satoh Takeru dazzles as the “tormented genius” Fujitani Naoki, even if the character borders on cliché: he is obsessed with music, constantly composing, and “eats, drinks, and sleeps” music.

Satoh Takeru’s Naoki shares an easy chemistry with all his bandmates, as well as with Sakurai Yukino (Takaishi Akari), a singer he frequently collaborates with. But that’s the thing, it’s musical chemistry. Forcing romance onto his character didn’t quite mesh with his personality. It made sense for the young, impressionable Akane to be swept away by his talent and fall hopelessly in love with him, but there seemed little reason for Naoki to reciprocate. He looks at her the same way he looks at Yukino, Kazushi, and Sho.

Miyazaki Yu is adorable as drummer Akane, she infuses the character with a youthful, endearing energy. But also, she is the least interesting character among the four band members in ‘Glass Heart’, but gets the most screen-time. Machida Keita looks every bit the rock-star guitarist Takaoka Sho, but is criminally underused. Shison Jun gets slightly more space as Sakamoto Kazushi, who is basically the younger, saner version of Fujitani Naoki. Suda Masaki plays rival musician Shinzaki Toya, who has an unexplained beef with Naoki, and is fun to watch as an over-the-top arrogant rockstar. Takaishi Akari steals scenes as Sakurai Yukino, a pop star with a crush on Naoki, who gets some of the best songs in the series.

Except for a few dizzying shots where the camera-work spins to give viewer vertigo, the cinematography for “Glass Heart” is excellent, especially the concert scenes, that capture the pulsating energy of live rock shows. The soundtrack is the heart of the series, it ranges from generic sounds of J-pop hits, to some very memorable, catchy tracks. The one song that stood out best to me is titled ‘A Song for Us to Sing’, which Naoki and Yukino jam to in episode 4. But the track deservedly gets featured again in the climactic episode.

“Glass Heart” reminded me a little of Prime Series “Daisy Jones and the Six”, which had a better soundtrack by the way, and again, not a very strong plot. which, by the way, had a much stronger soundtrack, though not exactly a solid plot either. But this Japanese drama is even more vanilla and starts to feel unrealistic and sluggish from episode six onward. For instance, episode six features a ridiculous twist: a character gets stabbed, and an eyewitness chooses to attend a concert instead, while in the real world they would’ve been at the police station to record their statement.

Then in episode seven, we get the predictable “terminal illness” twist, you know, someone is dying of something but chooses to hide it from everyone else. “Glass Heart” clearly aims to be a tearjerker in its final stretch, but the storytelling doesn’t deliver an emotional payoff. With key characters sidelined, their grief barely registers and a very bland love triangle only makes things worse. I cried buckets watching the Japanese film “Drawing Closer”, but this show’s climactic episodes only managed to draw sighs of boredom.

But well, beautiful cinematography, foot-tapping music, and strong performances by the lead cast make this show worth a one-time watch.

Watch ‘Glass Heart’ on Netflix.

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Dan Da Dan Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Okarun Faces Ghostly Maestros in Bizarre Chapter

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This episode of ‘Dan Da Dan’ was so bizarrely random, I don’t even know where to begin! All right, fine, let’s start with a quick recap of the last episode.

Dan Da Dan Season 2 Episode 7 in a nutshell: Half the episode is lighthearted fun, with Okarun dragged by Miko and Kei to the maid café where Momo is working as a new part-timer. Meanwhile, Jiji is training hard to keep the “Evil Eye” yokai under control. Unfortunately, it breaks free again and attacks Momo, who manages to splash hot water on him, forcing the Evil Eye to revert back into Jiji. The incident leaves Okarun shaken, ashamed that he isn’t strong enough to protect Momo or the others, and he resolves to train harder. The episode ends with Turbo Granny Kitty taking Okarun to his school for training, with Aira secretly following them.

Titled “You Can Do It, Okarun!”, episode 8 of ‘Dan Da Dan’ kicks off with creepy new ghosts awakening in the school’s music room, just as Turbo Granny is teaching Okarun to find his “rhythm” to improve his attack speed. These ghosts resemble classical music maestros, and the animation’s color palette shifts comically to dominant black-and-grey tones, complementing both the eerie mood and the bizarre twist. Both Okarun and Aira shift to their Yokai forms to take on the malevolent supernatural entities, who are pissed off at being woken up.

You’ve got to love how the creators keep playing with the animation format, colors, and tones. However, this edition of ‘Dan Da Dan’ is perhaps the weakest of Season 2, even if the idea itself is intriguingly original: musical ghosts born from student anxieties, lingering in the music room to torment late-night intruders. The face-off isn’t as wild as the other battles featured in the show, however, there are some ‘laugh out moments’ during the fight.

The most entertaining parts of Dan Da Dan episode 8? Definitely the scenes where Turbo Granny and Aira trade insults, whether at others or each other. “Don’t give me orders, you crap-vomit furball,” Aira snaps at the talking kitty at one point, and I was in stitches.

Most of the episode focuses on Okarun battling the new ghosts and trying to level up, while the climactic moments shift back to Jiji’s Evil Eye predicament. The Bootuber priest advises Granny Seiko to summon the Hayashi musicians again to perform an exorcism on Jiji, though the others remain divided on the idea. The chapter wraps up with a killer cliffhanger, setting up a super exciting next episode!

Stream Dan Da Dan on Netflix or Crunchyroll.

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My Girlfriend Is The Man! Episodes 9-10 Review: Catfights and Vacays

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Yoon San-Ha is absolutely adorable as protagonist Yun Jae in K-drama ‘My Girlfriend Is The Man!’, but damn, the character has no spine! It’s sweet that he doesn’t just break up with girlfriend Ji-Eun (Arin) after she inexplicably transforms into a handsome man and takes the name Ji-Hoon (Yoo Jung-hoo). But gosh, why is it so hard for him to keep away from the flirtatious Min-Ju (Chuu)? She literally spends all her time trying to seduce him despite knowing he’s in a relationship, and our guy Yun Jae just puts up with her clingy, irritating behavior. It’s supposed to be comedic, but it’s really not that funny.

Recap of My Girlfriend Is The Man! Episodes 7-8

Min-Ju comically moves into the same building as Ji-Hoon, sparking plenty of jealousy and petty bickering, some of which is genuinely funny. But once again, Yun Jae’s failure to firmly reject Min-Ju’s advances is just plain irritating. On top of dealing with his romantic rival as a neighbor, Ji-Hoon uncovers a shocking truth: his grandfather is actually his grandmother, who suffered from the same generational curse but never turned back into a woman. Since Ji-Hoon’s mother had reversed the curse, he’d always hoped the same would happen for him. However, with this revelation, he decides to come clean to Yun Jae about his grandmother, and end their relationship for good.

Episodes 9-10 of ‘My Girlfriend is The Man’

The new episodes continue to focus on the comedic rivalry between Min-Ju and Ji-Hoon. Episode 9 starting off with a cat-fight: they literally pull each other’s hair! Yun Jae has to intervene and calm them down.

Episode 9 of ‘My Girlfriend is the Man’ focuses on Ji-Hoon’s struggle to tell Yun Jae that he might never turn back into a woman. And unknown to Ji-Hoon, Yun Jae is offered a prestigious scholarship to go study at a prestigious American university. So, suspense lingers over what all of this means for their relationship, but in the meantime, the group, including Yu-Ri (Park Joo-won) and Min Hyeon (Hur Hyun-jun), sets off on a short trip together to visit Ji-Hoon’s grandfather.

Yoo Jung-hoo’s portrayal of Ji-Hoon is subtle yet spot-on, he never lets you forget the character is a woman in a man’s body, but he also resists reducing Ji-Hoon to a mere comedic gag. Episode 10 delivers a twist as Ji-Hoon transforms back into Ji-Eun, who wastes no time staking her claim as Yun Jae’s girlfriend and bluntly telling Min-Ju to back off. Arin and San-Ha’s onscreen chemistry is quite adorable, and the two get some fluffy romantic moments in this edition.

But of course, Min Ju’s character continues to be shamelessly annoying, showing no signs of giving up her non-existent claim on Yun Jae, just because she ‘liked him first’. It’s only because Chuu is super-cute that Min Ju is sort of bearable, otherwise, the character is quite cringe-inducing. With Ji-Eun back to her original form, the nosy Min Ju keeps asking about what happened to Ji-Hoon, leading to some fresh funny moments.

‘My Girlfriend Is The Man!’ also shifts focus to a new love triangle: Kim Ji-Hye (Choi Yoon-ra) and the wealthy, cool Jeong Ha (Jeon Soo-jin) both vie for the nerdy Hong Yeong-seok (Kim Jong-hoon), though he’s far too busy preparing for exams to care about romance. Both Ji-Hye and Jeong Ha are starkly different, but very likable characters, and it’s simply silly that they’re in love with the boring Yeong-seok. The writers really needed to do something better with this side sub-plot, which seems almost pointless at this juncture.

Overall, these two episodes of ‘My Girlfriend is the Man!’ aren’t as comedic as they could’ve been, but do serve some entertaining plot-twists and drama.

Watch ‘My Girlfriend Is The Man’ on Viki.

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Drop Movie Review: Worst Date Night Ever

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Meghann Fahy stars in tech-thriller ‘Drop’ which follows her character Violet, a widowed mom nervous about her first date in a while, but terror replaces her excitement when someone starts bombarding her with threatening messages on her phone. Is she being harassed by her date? Or someone else with a sinister agenda?

Created by Christopher Landon (director), Jillian Jacobs (writer), and Chris Roach (writer), ‘Drop’ is a tense thriller, that also plays out like watching the “worst date ever” unravel before your eyes. Violet (Meghann Fahy) is dressed to the nines for her dinner date with handsome photographer Henry (Brandon Sklenar), who she is meeting for the first time. But the evening quickly derails as Violet grows distracted, constantly checking her phone or stepping away from the table, while an anonymous sender AirDrops her threatening messages, demanding she either kill Henry or risk finding her son dead. It’s a miracle Henry doesn’t walk off, which of course makes you wonder if he is a psycho blackmailing his own date.

Violet soon learns the whole restaurant is bugged and under total surveillance, making it extremely hard for her to seek help. Of-course, there are a bunch of other potential suspects who could be texting Violet, it could be anybody at the restaurant: their annoying server Matt (Jeffery Self), flirty pianist Phil (Ed Weeks), sharp eyed bartender Cara (Gabrielle Ryan), or fellow diners Richard (Reed Diamond), and Connor (Travis Nelson). Although the crazy “1984 on steroids” style surveillance is a bit far-fetched. But then again, the big motive reveal doesn’t really add up, considering the power the villain wields, their mission could have been accomplished in countless simpler ways. Anyway…

The fact that everybody is glued to their phones these days makes it doubly hard for Violet to figure out who is sending her the drops. So the film maintains the tight suspense over the antagonist’s identity until the end, but the awkward ‘first date’ banter between Violet and Henry gets increasingly painful to watch. Meghann Fahy delivers an entertainingly dramatic performance as the helpless mom forced to choose between murder and unimaginable loss. It’s an easy ‘lose-lose’ for her.

‘Drop’ taps into people’s uneasy relationship with technology, showing how a simple Air-Drop can become a weapon of terror. Overall, this is a stylish, over-the-top thriller, that begins to test viewer patience in the second-half, but makes for a decent one-time-watch.

Rating: 6 on 10. Watch ‘Drop’ on Hotstar/Zee5 or rent it on Prime Video.

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‘Our Bed Is Green’ Short Film Review

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Written and directed by Maggie Brennan, short animated film ‘Our Bed Is Green’ follows a lonely young woman called Cecily, seeking solace in virtual reality, even if the comfort it brings is far too fleeting.

The film opens with pulsing music and neon lights, as a girl dances with carefree energy. But it’s quickly revealed to be the protagonist Cecily scrolling through someone else’s social media video, captioned with the all-too-familiar line: “felt cute, might delete.” From there, Cecily visits a virtual reality facility where users can spend time with digitally crafted companions, avatars tailored to look like anyone they desire.

Cecily seems exhausted, lonely, and lays down with her digital companion for romantic comfort, it’s the same young woman from the video. The service allows her to live out her dreams, and the temporarily gratification she draws from it seems worth lying to her friends and delaying her real-life-plans.

The artwork in ‘Our Bed Is Green’ is colorful, it’s got a playful, retro touch to it, and reminded me of graphic novelist Daniel Clowes’ work, the creator of ‘Ghost World’, ‘Monica’, and ‘Patience’.

In the final moments, it’s revealed that Cecily personally knows the woman from the video, yet the film leaves it to the audience to speculate why she can’t pursue a relationship in real life. Is she closeted, was she rejected, or is the woman simply unavailable? The ambiguity is deliberate, and the answers remain anyone’s guess.

I am guessing the title ‘Our Bed Is Green’ is supposed to convey the idea that virtual reality can make ‘grass seem greener’ on our side too, since it allows users to achieve their desires. In under seven minutes, the short explores loneliness, queer longing, and fleeting escape found in virtual reality.

Watch ‘Our Bed Is Green’ on YouTube.

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The Red Envelope Review: As Hilarious As The Original

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Down on his luck, police informant Menn (Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul) picks up a red envelope from the ground, hoping it contains cash. Instead, he’s swarmed by a horde of grannies insisting he marry their dead grandson, Titi (PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn)! Menn refuses at first, but when more misfortune strikes, he reluctantly agrees to the ghost marriage, only to be haunted by Titi’s spirit. Together, the unlikely duo set out to discover what will finally let the flamboyant Titi rest in peace.

Directed by Moo Chayanop Boonprakob, ‘The Red Envelope’ (ซองแดงแต่งผี) is a remake of Taiwanese comedy ‘Marry My Dead Body’. The Thai version is 2-hour long and stays quite loyal to the original version, especially in terms of primary plot, comedy and themes.

‘The Red Envelope’ opens with a silly–steamy sequence of Menn attempting to seduce a suspected drug peddler at the gym, while police officers Goi (Arachaporn Pokinpakorn) and Matoom (Ballchon Tanawat Cheawaram) oversee the operation. The mission collapses in comic fashion, dashing Menn’s hopes of impressing his crush Goi and earning points toward becoming a cop. Instead, he ends up with a ghost husband, and a new case to crack, since Titi may have been murdered.

Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn first won fans over with their undeniable chemistry in ‘I Told Sunset About You’, the coming-of-age romance. In ‘The Red Envelope’, the duo returns in a completely different register: hilarious as the “straight macho cop” paired with the “glam gay ghost,” bickering nonstop as they attempt to crack a case together. Make no mistake: this is a buddy comedy, not a RomCom, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

From competing with drag queens in a queer bar to squaring off against professional boxers in the ring, Menn embarks on a wild ride with Titi through the runtime. And in a (convenient) twist, the protagonists realize Titi’s murder is tied to the same drug ring Menn has been trying to expose.

While largely comedic in tone, ‘The Red Envelope’ also serves an emotional sub-plot about Titi’s fraught relationship with his father. The two have an ugly argument before Titi dies, stemming from a misunderstanding, so it’s only in death that he is able to understand his father’s ‘tough’ love.

‘The Red Envelope’ is pure fun, mixing ghostly shenanigans, clumsy cops, and scene-stealing grannies with a murder mystery and a sting of betrayal. As funny as the Taiwanese original, maybe even funnier, it thrives on the crackling comedic energy between Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn. Billkin, in-fact, steals the show whenever Menn gets possessed by Titi, flipping into “Queen mode” with razor-sharp sass that will leave audiences in stitches.

Watch ‘The Red Envelope’ on Netflix.

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Pop Monsters Review: 4 Mean Girls and a Pool Day Gone Wrong

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Short horror film ‘Pop Monsters’ opens with a bright, summery scene: a young woman lounging by the pool with a Popsicle while a friend paints her nails. At first glance, it feels like the beginning of a breezy teen spring-break movie, but the tone quickly shifts. The story instead follows a spoiled rich girl who shamelessly pits her best friends against each other for a coveted VIP ticket to a major pop concert. What starts as petty rivalry soon escalates into disturbingly intense power games.

Written and directed by Megan Brooks, ‘Pop Monsters’ runs just over 13 minutes, with Yasmin Fletcher playing Charlotte, the manipulative “queen bee” orchestrating the cruel contest. Her friends, portrayed by Avantika, Ally Ioannides, and Laurel Marsden, are drawn into the game, though one walks out early, unwilling to stoop to Charlotte’s schemes. The other two, however, dive headfirst into the competition, determined to win regardless of how twisted their friend’s challenges become. It’s a little like ‘Mean Girls’ for the horror genre, without the high school frills or ‘boy problems’.

The cinematography is visually engaging, capturing the glossy poolside world with bright colors, though the final act veers into a bit of chaotic frenzy. Some of Charlotte’s tests, like an old-school dance-off, feel lighthearted, but others spiral into darker territory. The gradual shift from sunny daylight to shadowy night mirrors the escalation perfectly, with the narrative sliding from playful to sinister before erupting into violence.

What begins as a story of pretty girls enjoying a carefree afternoon, marveling over butterflies and sipping Popsicles, slowly mutates, as the title suggests, into the rise of ‘Pop Monsters‘. Consumed by greed and desire, the friends are willing to go to absurd lengths for the chance to get closer to their favorite pop idol (a VIP ticket usually includes ‘meet and greet’). Greed, after all, has always been one of the oldest and ugliest villains.

The climactic moments throw in a larger-than-life, almost fantastical twist. While not strictly necessary, this flourish injects an extra jolt of spectacle, leaving the short film with a strangely heightened finale, one that might divide viewers, but undeniably adds zing to the tale.

You can watch ‘Pop Monsters’ on YouTube.

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Sakamoto Days Episode 17 Review: Delivers In-Flight Food, Carnage

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Ah, after that ‘Slice, Slice, Dance’ episode, ‘Sakamoto Days’ delivers yet another blood-laden edition, even though the bodies and gore is not at the same scale at Slur’s brutal massacre of the JAA HQ in Tokyo with Gaku by his side.

Titled ‘Have a Nice Flight’, episode 17 episode 17 shifts focus to Sakamoto’s plan to infiltrate his alma mater and gather intel on his foes, dragging Shin along for the undercover mission. The two board a flight to the assassin school, with the journey quickly turning into a deadly test for the students. The airplane, hilariously enough, is labeled “Kill Airlines.”

The episode, however, opens with Osaragi and Shishiba, members of the ORDER, surveying the damage at JAA HQ. It’s a brief scene that establishes the havoc Slur and Gaku unleashed on the organization, even though they failed to seize full control. Meanwhile, Slur regroups with his team to plot their next move, shocked that old man Takamura managed to foil what was supposed to be an easy mission to annihilate the JAA.

It’s amusing that Takamura, despite his frail appearance, stands out as the most mysterious and powerful figure in ‘Sakamoto Days’. Even the deviously cocky Slur instantly backed off upon seeing him, dubbing him the “ghost of JAA.” Though viewers get only fleeting glimpses into his character, the intrigue around Takamura leaves one excited to see how he fits into the bigger picture.

The second half of “Have a Nice Flight” introduces a slew of new characters aboard the Kill Airline. While most passengers are tense about the assassin exam, Sakamoto and Shin are hilariously preoccupied with devouring the in-flight food. While many of the new faces are likely just cameos, two young assassins seem poised to become recurring characters in ‘Sakamoto Days’, one of them a blue-haired girl who feels like a comical blend of Shin and Lu.

This chapter sees Shin sharpening his skills in battle, while the closing minutes descend into pure, no-holds-barred mayhem in the skies. Overall, this is a entertaining edition, which mixed comedy with carnage.

Watch Sakamoto Days on Netflix.

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Gachiakuta Episodes 5-6 Review: Cleaners vs. Raiders

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Based on the manga series written and illustrated by Kei Urana, ‘Gachiakuta’ (ガチアクタ) follows young protagonist Rudo’s (voiced by Aoi Ichikawa) quest for revenge, after he is falsely implicated for the murder of his beloved adoptive father Regto, and thrown to his death in ‘the pit’, a massive dumpsite below the city. However, Rudo survives the fall, finding himself in a ghastly world laden with trash heaps, monsters, and strange groups of people.

Also Read: Gachiakuta Episodes 3-4 Review: The Cleaners Want Rudo

Now that Rudo has gained his first on-the-job experience as a trainee with the Cleaners, fighting trash monsters alongside Riyo and her support crew, it’s time to party!

Titled Raiders, Episode 5 of Gachiakuta opens with a raucous party thrown in Rudo’s honor for joining the Cleaners, though as Enjin puts it, it’s really just an excuse for everyone to get drunk. Everyone is having a good time except Rudo himself, who sulks in the corner, frustrated that he wasn’t able to fully channel his powers during the battle. But there’s little time to mope, he’s quickly dispatched on another mission when the Cleaners are called to fight monsters and rescue a Sphereite.

The spotlight in Chapter 5 shifts to Zanka, the flamboyant, blue-eyed Cleaner who also happens to be Rudo’s assigned trainer. Still irritated by their disastrous first meeting, Zanka has no interest in mentoring the rookie, but as the title suggests, their mission is soon complicated by a run-in with a band of devious Raiders, making things far more dangerous than expected.

Episode 6, ‘One Good Strike‘, continues the clash between the Cleaners and the Raiders while formally introducing a new antagonist with his sights set on Rudo. He’s after him not only because Rudo is a rare Sphereite but also because he’s a Giver. The episode includes a poignant flashback of young Rudo and his foster father, Regto, highlighting Rudo’s deep sentimental attachment to discarded objects, explaining why he can wield more than one item as a “vital instrument.”

Together, Episodes 5 and 6 of ‘Gachiakuta’ deliver both violent face-offs and emotional depth. The introduction of new Raiders injects fresh conflict, while the exploration of Rudo’s past adds heart to the chaos. The climax of Episode 6 features a darkly amusing, violent showdown between Rudo and a powerful Raider. Admittedly, the battle leans a little too heavy on dialogue, more words and fewer punches, but it’s still entertaining, thanks to fantastical powers, flashy visuals, and an excellent soundtrack.

Watch Gachiakuta on Crunchyroll.

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