Sonoda captures a big-budget movie feel with this issue, but the story and artwork boast superficial elements that ultimately make for an unsatisfying read. Some gratuitous nudity robs the story of any chance of being taken seriously. Sonoda's audience must be teenage boys who don't have older brothers with a Penthouse stash.
Reiko has decided that since her niece Akane (and fellow prisoner) is in danger, the time has come for their escape from the alien Riofaldian stronghold in the heart of Tokyo. Fortunately, she's equipped for the job, as there is much more to the woman than meets the eye. Her sleek battle armor is chock full of morphing weaponry, making it a simple matter for her to break out of her cell and Akane's. Unfortunately, getting out of the building will be another matter altogether, and that's where Hoichi, Reiko's son, comes in... along with the enormous Exaxxion robot he pilots.
How convenient... Reiko's battle suit can easily be hidden and offers plenty of power, yet it cannot accommodate her underwear? The gratuitous nudity in this issue is infantile and inane, and it eclipses any other strengths the book may offer. The fully clothed Reiko offers plenty of titillation, so seeing the character completely naked flies in the face of any real effort to tell a story.
Aside from that element, the art is pretty strong. The security technology boasts surprisingly simple designs, and it makes for an interesting visual contrast in the middle of the finely detailed artwork. The cityscape is a stunning visual as well, and Reiko and Akane's flight from the building strikes me as particularly cinematic. My only other real qualm with the artwork is the General, whose exaggerated appearance adds a silly element to the book when a more grave tone is called for.
This issue features, among other development, a toppling skyscraper. The events of Sept.11, 2001, still resonate in our consciouness, but I'm pleased that the creator and the folks dedicated to bringing it to Western audiences didn't shy away from the subject matter. There's no real similarity to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers, but it could be argued that sensitivities remain high.
The escape serves as the main plot of this story, but the overall plot of the series really doesn't advance much at all. This is an exciting, action-oriented issue, but it's ultimately an inconsequential one as well.
