REVIEW: ‘Ayaka,’ Episode 3 — “Those Two Have A Lot Of Issues”

Ayaka Episode 3 introduces a new layer of lore with the introduction of the character Aka. Another once student of Yukito’s father, he’s developed his own methods of dealing with Ara-Mitama to divisive effect amongst their community. While it may ruffle the feathers of other characters, it at the very least also allows for the world to move and grow in a way that opens up this universe. While it still is far from triumphant in creating a series that is a week-to-week must-watch, it creates greater intrigue in Episode 3 by allowing the cast to expand and with it, our understanding of the infrastructure Yukito has landed himself in.

In a well-contained episode, the main action takes place as Yukito and Jingi travel to a different island, one that has been turned into a hotspot retreat for tourists. From busy markets with street food and musicians, it’s a much different experience compared to the Second Island and its rural sensibilities. While the two are meant to relax and enjoy the day, an Ara-Mitama arrives which both disrupts their plans while also opening Yukito’s eyes to the different methods used to confront the threat.

While the world continues to be fleshed out the characters, meanwhile, continue to suffer from being one note or devoid of personality. Jingi continues to be an overgrown pest whose only moments of seriousness arrive towards the end of the episode when trying to placate Yukito’s naivety-born self-righteousness. Yukito, meanwhile, is simply a vessel to move the plot forward, his only defining character trait being his fear of his powers overwhelming him. Largely passive, he’s allowed a moment of that aforementioned anger when he realizes the truth behind how Aka handles the Ara-Mitama and can’t stomach the idea of it.

Because while Jingi and Kurama pacify the corrupted spirits to return to them the islands Ley (the balance of nature) Aka is exterminating them. Equipped with a gun that’s loaded with bullets containing spells, he along with a designated task force isn’t looking to restore balance. Rather, their main objective is to protect the human lives of those on the island, especially with the amount of traffic due to the high tourist rate. Aka takes it to extremes, however, using Black Magic to defeat them, absorbing the power of the Ara-Mitama and using it as his own, transforming his body in the process.

This and the theatrics he engages with in public following his success, plus the hidden reaction of simply executing them for the sake of not letting anyone else die, makes Aka the most interesting character the show has introduced so far. That said, the show doesn’t seem to realize this. That, or it simply has no understanding yet of how to shoot an engaging fight sequence. Aka has a distinctive character design made more so by how the Black Magic affects his body, and the Ara-Mitama he faces tracks influences from steampunk and industrial elements. And yet the direction is stilted. The direction moves so that the frame is also a paused sequence of action, allowing us moments that come after and depriving the series of much-needed kinetic energy.

Ayaka Episode 3 continues to bring together the main characters as Yukito learns more and more about his past. Despite the fun introduction of Aka and his abilities, however, the series still requires a necessary boost of energy. The universe and the premise built in it have moments of intrigue but the visuals and characterization have yet to deliver anything greater than mediocre.

Ayaka Season 1 is available now on Crunchyroll.