REVIEW: ‘Tokyo Revengers’ Episode 26 — “Gotta Go”

In the last episode, Takemichi discovered that the future has been impacted for the better and for the worse. While Drakken is alive, he is now a member of Toman and one of Kisaki’s lackeys responsible for Hina’s death. In this timeline, Hina is still dead, Mikey is evil, and Toman has lost its honorable path for one influenced by Black Dragon and money specifically. Now in Tokyo Revengers Episode 26, which serves as Season 2’s second episode, “Gotta Go,” Takemichi is back in the past and set on stopping Kisaki’s influence.

At the bowling alley in the past, Takemichi meets Hakkai Shiba and his sister Yuzuha. While Takemichi knows them, or at least Hakkai as a member of Black Dragon, the duo aren’t the mean gangsters who thrive on violence. As a friendship begins to form, Takemichi is more relaxed. That is until they meet Black Dragon in the street. Violent, angry, and everything bad you can think of, Black Dragon isn’t like Toman. While Hakkai and Yuzuha are able to take care of themselves, it’s clear that the two of them aren’t the bad people that Takemichi expected them to be. While the Hakkai may not be a bad person, his brother most certainly is a bad guy. The leader of Black Dragon, Taiju Shiba is violent, scary, and just may be the larger obstacle in changing the future if Takemichi allows Hikkai to bend to his brother’s will.

Tokyo Revengers Episode 26 is a slow follow-up to the premiere episode of the series. While I don’t think this is a bad thing, the events of this episode feel slightly empty. After an emotional first episode, this follow-up is a step toward an important narrative element instead of being one in and of itself. While the fight between Taiju and Takemichi is entertaining, I wanted to see more development. By splitting it between two episodes, I can’t help but wonder if Tokyo Revengers would be better watched all in one go, at least with how the episodes have been paced.

That said, the best part of Tokyo Revengers Episode 26 manages to give my new favorite character: Yuzuha. For the bulk of the series, we’ve only seen female characters like Hina. While Hina is endearing, she needs protection. Now, with Yuzuha we see a character who understands the gang world works and is able to handle herself. Beyond that, she is also able to protect her younger brother Hakkai or try to. I’m excited to see where the Shiba siblings’ story goes next, and I hope that Yuzuha gets time to shine in the series.

Tokyo Revengers Episode 26 offers some excitement in its last half and the Shiba siblings are set to bring complex storytelling in the future. That said, the episode is just fine. It leaves me wishing that I had waited to watch episodes two and three of the second season together instead of one week apart.

Tokyo Revengers Episode 26 is streaming now on Hulu, with new episodes every Saturday.