REVIEW ‘Platinum End,’ Episode 6 – “Two Painful Options”

Content Warning: Platinum End Episode 6 includes a sequence involving the sexual molestation of a minor. 

Platinum End is a dark fantasy shonen anime produced by Signal.MD. Having agreed to team up with their fellow God candidate Nanato Mukaido, Marai and Saki continue to struggle with how they will prevent Metropoliman from becoming God. Unfortunately for them, their opponent has already set his next plan in motion in Platinum End Episode 6.

In the closing moments of the last episode, we were introduced to a new threat. A young woman with a penchant for killing. Having been empowered with wings and a red arrow by Metropoliman, this young serial killer has taken to preying on young girls around Tokyo. By utilizing the red arrow to make them bend to her will, she has increased the level of violence she is indulging in.

Platinum End Episode 6 delivers its most uncomfortable scene yet as it shows this young killer having her way with one of her soon-to-be victims. The killer is getting a sexual charge out of her toying with the victim, and there is plenty of partial boob shots and panties seen here. To the point that, especially given that the victim is identified as a middle schooler, it exceeds the boundaries of good taste.

Beyond the moments where the viewer is subjected to these twisted revelries, the rest of the episode is dominated by our trio of protagonists debating what is to be done to stop this killer. Having ascertained that she has been empowered by Metropoliman, the group quickly concludes that the killer is bait to lure out God candidates. But even with that knowledge, the group is torn on how to act.

While I like the angle that Platinum End Episode 6 takes with its approach to topics like “when is it ok to kill”, this episode stalls far too much. Mirai’s resistance to killing continues to be handled uniquely. I appreciate that the show refuses to outrightly praise or chastise the character’s feelings, preferring to leave judgment up to the viewer.  However, the exploration of these ideals passes from interesting to filler much too fast. Too many points are gone over repeatedly with seemingly no purpose but to fill the time required so the episode can end on the cliffhanger it does.

As far as the visuals of the episode are concerned, they deliver everything the show puts forth in its story well. For better or worse. The episode’s most brutal moments are delivered in the most shocking way the show was likely to get away with. This is problematic to me, as some actions are too sick to be reduced to mere shock material.

When all is said and done, Platinum End Episode 6 delivers another step into the narrative’s ever-darkening abyss. Whether or not this is a good step or a bad one will depend entirely on the viewer. With the events of this episode setting a new standard for the series, anyone who does opt to continue has to be aware that there can’t be many subjects the show will be unwilling to throw at them.

Platinum End Episode 6 is streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll.