Pop Team Epic is slowly becoming my favorite anime of the season. I laugh the entire way through the episode. With it taking memes, obscure references, jokes, shitposting, and more to the very extreme, the anime has become very polarizing in the anime community. All over the net you can see how fast it is becoming either a favorite or a most hated. I can see how those who know very little about anime, watch limited genres, or think that Shounen anime are the best, would be put off by a series that is just back to back random scenes. However, what these people who hate the anime fail to realize is that this is a massive hit among otaku in Japan and the fact that this series was literally created for their viewing pleasure, not yours, mine, or anyone else’s.

A lot of the time, people get wrapped up in anime as if it is some golden standard made for them and the international audience. That is not what anime is at all, because it is made for Japanese audiences primarily. When fans are reminded of that, with a series like Pop Team Epic which challenges fans’ perceptions on tropes, genres, seiyuu, and even the most very basic of jokes, there are those who get mad and downvote the series or leave nasty reviews about it. Anime is made for Japan and we are on the outside looking in (or inside if you live here) and that fact is never going to change. That is what PTE represents and that is either what those angry fans fail to realize or accept.

PTE is great. It reminds me of FLCL without the story since it jumps around so much. It’s chaos in an everyday setting and that is what makes it so great. No formulas, just insanity.

This week’s episode of Koi wa Ameagari no You ni was super cute what with Akira confessing her feelings and actually being quite assertive about it, while Kondo freaks out like a little school girl. I don’t know why, but I find the anime quite cute, regardless of their age differences. While I’m not a huge fan of how Akira’s story with Kondo starts (with him serving her coffee at the family restaurant), I hope that it just gets better and better.
Anyway, my hot moment of the week has to do with Tachibana Akira and her scary scowl! At the beginning of the series, Akira is constantly scaring Kondo because her scowl makes him feel as if she hates him, which is funny because it’s the opposite. And if you catch Akira on a bad day, you could definitely be in for it with that scowl.

I think it’s really relatable for me, though, because I have often times been described as “scary” just because I don’t smile and people will take what I say the wrong way just because I’m not jovial about everything. I’m rather sarcastic and to be sarcastic with a scowl or a frown doesn’t really come off as sarcastic, if you know what I mean. So yes, I chose this moment to reflect upon because I relate to it the most. I can only hope that Akira can find a way to use her scowl to her advantage!

So here’s the news: Toppo is now a soon-to-be god of destruction, turning the tables with only 5 minutes remaining. Yes, this comes as a surprise since Jiren was the strongest character so far, but this Pride Trooper with a big mustache and even bigger hands has now demonstrated why he is the leader of his team. All that being said… I hate Toppo, and I don’t know why. In the 125th episode of Dragon Ball Super he was almost defeated by Frieza, only to come back stronger than ever, with a mark on his chest and surrounded by a destructive aura. Yet this only feels gimmicky… do you imagine Frieza becoming a god of destruction candidate too? That would be cool as hell!, maybe because we are more invested in him. So far, Android 17 has been able to run away and Frieza barely survived de Hakai attack he thought he could block. Now we know what our main heroes are up to: Goku will go head to head with Jiren, while Vegeta will do his part against Toppo. Came on, guys… you only need to contain them for 5 minutes while somebody else just survives! If I was Goku, I would just hug them both and teleport next to Beerus, winning the tournament with an impressive but intelligent sacrifice. Yeah, that won’t happen… so please, can someone beat Toppo nice and easy? I just hate this pretentious character, and I think I’m not the only one.

In this week’s episode, Hiro keeps sulking over not being allowed to partner up with Zero Two, and Ichigo is still frazzled over her failed attempt at linking up with Hiro by kissing him in their previous mock battle.

The teams are sent out to battle what is supposed to be a small-ish Kyouryuu, but Strelizia is not a part of the plan. Ikuno and Mitsuru can’t get Clorophytum up and running, so they have to stay behind. All the while Mitsuru’s being dismissive of Ikuno and making her feel bad about her inability to link up, claiming compatibility issues.
Down where the Kyouryuu are, Delphinium is in charge of the mission and just when they thought they’d beat their enemy, a multitude of Kyouryuu show up and overwhelm them.

Zero Two and Hiro ask to be sent in Strelizia, but, as Hiro isn’t a Stamen yet, he can’t officially be sent out in a Franxx. Mitsuru suggests he should pair up with Zero Two; after all, “if Hiro could do it”, there’s no way he couldn’t. Hiro feels dejected and tells Zero Two to ride with Mitsuru, so she reluctantly agrees. Mitsuru arrogantly tells Hiro he’ll probably regret that later and Strelizia is sent out to help.

As the other teams are battling a horde of monsters, they are notified that Strelizia is on its way and Ichigo loses her composure asking “who’s piloting it!?”, which causes Delphinum to lose control and have to run away with the rest of the Franxx. They all end up surrounded and Ichigo knows it’s her fault for losing focus over Hiro, but just as they’re about to be beaten, Strelizia shows up and saves the day.
They all evacuate and let Strelizia take charge. Mitsuru is drunk with power and excitement and continues to compare himself to Hiro and scream at him that he is in perfect harmony with Zero Two, he believes and sings his own praises for being able to pilot Strelizia without passing out. He offers to be Zero Two’s official partner, which visibly hurts Hiro as he listens in.

Of course, Zero Two is not one to put up with this kind of egoistic attitude and so, she gives Mitsuru what he wants and goes all out. The commanders tell her to stop, but she ignores them, clearly wanting to shut the conceited Stamen up. After Strelizia is done with the enemy and comes back out, Zero Two exits her Franxx and the “mighty” Mitsuru is unconscious and bleeding, as expected.
It was immensely satisfying to see that arrogant little jerk get his just deserts!! Hopefully he stops treating poor Ikuno like trash from now on! If he can even pilot again... Hehe.