Episode 1: The Last Hope
Black Bullet Episode 1 Review: That’s an Ugly Spider and the Plight of the Cursed Children
In Black Bullet Episode 1, “The Last Hope,” Rentarou Satomi, a CivSec officer employed by the Tendou Civilian Security company, gets called in to an infection scene that the police have tried — and terribly failed — to contain. Together with his partner Enju Aihara (his Initiator), they face off against a Gastrea that has taken the shape of a giant spider. Can they stop it before it spreads its virus to the survivors in Tokyo? What’s the terrible price that humanity has paid to survive so far — and what does Enju have to do with it?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
When Rentarou beside her, Enju has a chance to developer her skills and confidence. Too few of the Cursed Children have that opportunity. Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 2: The Mask of Madness
Black Bullet Episode 2 Review: The Crushing Weight of Expectations and the Lonely Umbrella
In Black Bullet Episode 2, “The Mask of Madness“, Rentarou Satomi and his boss, Kisara Tendou, receive a summons from the military. There, they find all the major CivSec entities waiting to receive these orders from Seitenshi, the rule of the Tokyo Region: kill the infector Gastrea and retrieve the box within its body. But Kagetane Hiruko and his Initiator/daughter Kohina Hiruko crash the party and make demands of their own. If even the most skilled Promoters can’t lay hand on Kagetane, what hope does Rentarou have? For that matter, how can he even protect his own Initiator, Enju Aihara, from her own classmates, much less Kohina?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Despite Rentarou’s demonstrated situational awareness, Kohina was able to slip in behind him — completely unnoticed! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 3: The Children of Fate
Black Bullet Episode 3 Review: The Under Appreciated Warrior and the Lonely Initiator
In Black Bullet Episode 3, “The Children of Fate,” Enju Aihara tries to return to school, but her identity has been leaked. Rentarou Satomi has to race to save her from her classmates — or, more likely, them from her should they decide to attack — but her emotions are shattered. How will she fare when she and Rentarou are thrown right back into battle? And even if she survives, what will both of them do when Kagetane Hiruko and his Initiator/daughter Kohina Hiruko challenge them again?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
While Kagetane’s voice actor for both the sub and dub do a solid job, the dub’s performance in this episode kicked it up a notch! Screen capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 4: Black Bullet
Black Bullet Episode 4 Review: A Steady Hand and Lost in the Dark
In Black Bullet Episode 4, “Black Bullet,” Rentarou Satomi and Enju Aihara trust the Initiator Kayo Senju to hold off a wave of Gastrea as they plunge forward in pursuit of the case — and of Kagetane Hiruko and his Initiator daughter, Kohina Hiruko. After his disastrous showings against Kagetane in the past, does Rentarou have any hope of victory? And even if he does, what will they do about the monster of a Gastrea — a Stage V, the most devastating of all — that’s heading straight for the Tokyo Area?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Enju tells Rentarou that he’s the only one who can save the world. Talk about pressure! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 5: The Crimson Black Assassin
Black Bullet Episode 5 Review: A Sleepy Sprout and a Tough Assignment
In Black Bullet Episode 5, “The Crimson Black Assassin,” Kisara Tendou, desperate for some kind of income, hires out Rentarou Satomi to be a body guard for none other than the leader of the Tokyo Area, Lady Seitenshi — though her professional body guard takes great exception to the idea. Rentarou also meets a pint-sized girl driving her bicycle all over town in her pajamas — in the middle of the day! Who is that little girl who’s about the same age as Enju Aihara? And why does she lug around such a huge cello case after dark? She doesn’t seem like the musical type…
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
By this point, I think Rentarou is pretty clear in understanding that Tina’s a lot more than she seems! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 6: Tragic Irony
Black Bullet Episode 6 Review: A Messy Office and She’s Ranked What?!?
In Black Bullet Episode 6, “Tragic Irony,” Tina Sprout invited Rentarou Satomi on a mini-date. After he had to hand-feed her because she was too drowsy to use the toothpicks, she said she’d never been treated so kindly. But she still didn’t know he and Enju Aihara were the ones protecting Lady Seitenshi. Tina learns that tragic truth when she’s ordered to kill Kisara Tendou and guess who has to stop her? But not before she made a mess of Kisara’s office. Later, as Lady Seitenshi travels to a high-stakes meeting, Tina strikes again. As Enju tries to stop her, Rentarou learns a terrible fact about who Tina really is — and he wonders if he’ll ever see Enju again!
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
The looks on Tina and Rentarou’s faces were heartbreaking! She’s already been through so much, too! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 7: In the Still of the Moonlit Night, the Dawn Sky
Black Bullet Episode 7 Review: The Power to Protect and Just Enough for a Spit-Take
In Black Bullet Episode 7, “In the Still of the Moonlit Night, the Dawn Sky,” Rentarou Satomi discovers to his immense relief that Enju Aihara is still alive, and it seems that Tina Sprout intentionally spared her. But Lady Seitenshi still plans to meet a rival leader, so Rentarou’s job isn’t finished. How can a Promoter like him go up against a level 98 Initiator like Tina — alone? Will Doctor Sumire Muroto even let him? Or will her attempt to stop him have another effect?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
She’s intelligent, she’s powerful, she’s beautiful… and she’s teetering on the edge of despair. Rentarou and his work are part of her lifeline. What a poignant relationship! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 8: The Monument on the Border
Black Bullet Episode 8 Review: The Bleached Monolith and Recruiting is Hard!
In Black Bullet Episode 8, “The Monument on the Border,” Lady Seitenshi interrupts Rentarou Satomi and Kisara Tendou’s first day of school for some of the Cursed Children with terrible news: the giant Stage IV Gastrea named Aldebaran has, for some unknown reason, been able to attack one of the Monoliths protecting the Tokyo Area. The Monolith will collapse within days. She asks Rentarou to lead a CivSec militia to stop the thousands of massing Gastrea. Can Rentarou and Tina Sprout convince any of the other CivSec teams to join them? And with that many Gastrea massing, will it even matter?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
I got the impression that Yuzuki doesn’t think much of Rentarou… Brittney Karbowski, the voice actor, must have had a ton of fun with this role! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 9: The Protectors of the Barrier
Black Bullet Episode 9 Review: A Surprise Reunion and a Difficult Presidential Order
In Black Bullet Episode 9, “The Protectors of the Barrier,” Rentarou Satomi, Enju Aihara, Tamaki Katagiri and Tamaki’s Initiator, Yuzuki Katagiri, arrive at the military camp, but their little CivSec militia unit is too small to qualify for official status. That means no official equipment like a tent! So Rentarou and Enju set out to find one more Promoter/Initiator pair. Enju learns that hard way that picking a good pair is a huge challenge, and that’s not only because their search is interrupted by a murder. Who’s killing CivSec pairs — and why? And why is Rentarou so upset that a surprise Promoter showed up and ordered him to accept her into their unit?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Enju gets a lot of points for her enthusiasm! With more practice, maybe she’ll be able to pick out a CivSec pair that’s actually powerful! Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 10: Tokyo Area Defensive Battle
Black Bullet Episode 10 Review: Two Clasping Hands and Standing Up In Spite of Hate
In Black Bullet Episode 10, “Tokyo Area Defensive Battle,” Rentarou Satomi and Kisara Tendou try to squeeze in a few more classes for the Cursed Children before the battle. It helps keep all of their minds off their fears. The two even take the kids on a quick field trip to the Flames of Revival, a monument to one of humanity’s previous victories over the Gastrea — a statement of hope that’s not lost on the kids. Later that night, Rentarou and Kisara investigate Monolith 32. What they discover shocks Kisara into a cold rage. Unfortunately, that’s nothing compared to the shock and rage awaiting Rentarou and Enju Aihara when they try to go to class the next day.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Think I’m kidding when I say that “decent” people can be talked into harming children like these? I’m sorry to tell you that it’s happening, right now, in a country that used to believe in “liberty and justice for all.” Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 11: The Heart of Taurus, the Spear of Light
Black Bullet Episode 11 Review: A Failure of Command and a Very, Very Shaky Alliance
In Black Bullet Episode 11, “The Heart of Taurus, the Spear of Light,” Rentarou Satomi, Enju Aihara, and the rest of their milia unit is on their line of defense with the other CivSec units. They watch the JSDF engage the Gastrea for all of a couple of minutes before a JSDF tank flies through the air to crash in front of them; the JDSF were utterly defeated. Shocked, Rentarou’s unit is the only one that sees multiple flying Gastrea try to get behind them, which would have been disastrous for all of the CivSec teams. Without orders, they defeat the enemy but return to a battle where over half of the CivSec forces had already been destroyed — turned into Gastrea. Then, inexplicably, the Gastrea retreat. Why did the Gastrea do that? How will command react to Rentarou’s initiative? And who is just itching to see Rentarou again?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Just what the heck is Gadou thinking? Who compromises his best soldiers ahead of a major battle? Kagetane is looking better all the time… Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
Episode 12: Crisis Point
Black Bullet Episode 12 Review: The Fall of Pleiades and the Shot That Kindness Wrought
In Black Bullet Episode 12, “Crisis Point,” Rentarou Satomi teams up with a surprising partner — Kagetane Hiruko — to challenge Pleiades. If they can’t defeat that Gastrea, then their forces stand no chance. As augmented as they are, even the two of them fighting together found it no easy task — yet they prevailed. Unfortunately, Aldebaran saw an opportunity and struck the CivSec teams at the same time. So many CivSec members were killed that Rentarou ended up in command. Can he rally the troops before the next assault? Or will their fear, along with their distrust of Kagetane, doom the Tokyo Area?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Midori is the anti-thesis of Kagetane. She saw the same world he did, but she focused on different aspects and so came to a completely different conclusion. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Episode 13: The Ones Who Aspired to be Gods
Black Bullet Episode 13 Review: The Virtue of Teamwork and a By Any Means Necessary
In Black Bullet Episode 13, “The Ones Who Aspired to be Gods,”Rentarou Satomi leads the Tokyo Area’s last defense against Aldebaran and the massed Gastrea. Deprived of the batteries needed to power their lights, the entire team except for Tina Sprout can’t even see their targets in the gloom. Will Rentarou have to give the order to blindly charge the enemy — almost certainly resulting in their own deaths? And even if they could see Aldebaran, will their plan to use an untested weapon work? Or will Murphy’s Law reign supreme?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Good leaders bring people together — despite fear and in spite of fear mongering. Capture from the HIDIVE stream.
