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Lycoris Recoil Episode 3 Review – Best In Show

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Lycoris Recoil Episode 3 Review – Quick Summary

In Lycoris Recoil episode 3, “More haste, less speed”, Chisato had waited until the last day to get her Lycoris physical, and that day was tomorrow. Takina, hearing Chisato was heading back to the DA headquarters, begged to go with her. Of course, Chisato agreed. Once there, Takina felt taken aback by the vitriol with which the other Lycoris treated her – calling “friend killer” and the like. Takina couldn’t understand it. Why did they say such things? Why did her previous partner, Fuki, seem to lead the cruel statements? Is there any way Takina could return to DA?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from Lycoris Recoil Episode 3

Lycoris Recoil Episode 3: Chisato is in better shape than Fuki

The physical’s exercises left Fuki exhausted. Chisato? Not so much! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

The characters in this show, the way they carry themselves and the way they interact, are an amazing wellspring of quotes and moments! Even now, going back through my notes, I want to pick seven or eight quotes out! You know what – I’m going to break tradition. Lycoris Recoil has done what even the quote-friendly SPY x FAMILY couldn’t do: it broke my format.

Here are my favorite quotes in chronological order:

  • Chisato (07:28): ““Of course. I don’t punch her or anything, after all.”
  • Fuki and Chisato (08:34): “You’re as tough as ever.” “Well, thanks.”
  • Chisato (11:25): “Shut up, runt.”
  • Chisato (15:55): “But for now, I want to beat up those girls who said horrible things to you, so I’ll be right back.”
  • Chisato (18:24): “Oh no, you shouldn’t extend your arm at such close range.”
  • Kusunoki (20:28): “She’s just a cheeky little brat.”
  • Chisato (21:02): “I’m gonna leave you behind! Though I’d never leave you behind.”

And that’s me exercising restraint!

Best in Show Moment for Lycoris Recoil Episode 3

Lycoris Recoil Episode 3: Chisato lifted up Takina spirits

Chisato knew exactly what Takina needed, even if Takina didn’t. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Lycoris Recoil and Its Respect for Its Characters

In the comments of one of DerekL’s recent posts on Apprentice Mages Lounge, we talked about explanations for Chisato’s ability to seemingly dodge bullets. I’m not sure how he feels about the explanation this episode provided, but it avoided the worst possibilities I could think of. In fact, the explanation that Kusunoki offered almost makes sense – though it doesn’t explain how Chisato dodged Takina’s shot at the end of the previous episode. After all, that shot seemed to be at the back of Chisato’s head. Overall, though, I’m happy with the explanation.

Also, I like the direction the show took with both Takina’s changing scene and the locker room scene with Chisato and Fuki. Please keep in mind that I’m saying this as a fan of Monster Musume, okay? Instead of just showing these young women changing, the director showed restraint. In Monster Musume, Miia exposed herself to Darling-kun for plot and character-relevant reasons. There were no such reasons in this episode. The camera showed enough to establish what was going on, and that was it!

Lycoris Recoil Episode 3: The show demonstrated good restraint

That’s it. That’s as explicit as this episode gets! And for the characters, plot, and overall feel of the show, it’s perfect. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Yes, I enjoy series like Mieruko-chan where sexy is part of the show’s DNA. I also like Lycoris Recoil where sexiness is much more understated and is subordinate to the relationship between Chisato and Takina.

Speaking of which…

I discovered something very important in this episode. Revelatory, you might say. What was this ground-breaking discovery? It’s just this: I could watch an entire episode of Chisato picking up Takina and spinning her around. And I would consider myself a lucky man.

Delivery: Chisato Lifts Takina’s Spirits

Takina had hit rock bottom. She’d endured the taunts of various other Lycoris agents. She’d even put up with her previous partner/team lead, Fuki, disrespecting her. But Kusunoki telling her that there were no conditions under which she could come back? That hurt.

Chisato put the icing on the cake when, beside a pretty fountain in the middle of DA, she said that the Takina’s field operation in episode 1 didn’t have technical difficulties. Their Artificial Intelligence (AI) had been hacked.

“But they can’t report something like that. So they said a Lycoris had acted recklessly, and that’s why…” Chisato said in the voice of someone who has been on the receiving end of something like that before (14:40).

Lycoris Recoil Episode 3: The political description shocked Takina

Despite her strong field experience, Takina remains naive. Chisato’s explanation of what happened behind the scenes shocked her. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Takina felt shattered. In an attempt to cheer her up, Chisato hugged her, only to hear several passing-by Lycoris agents taunt them for such a public display of affection.

Takina’s amazing in combat. But she has no political sense. If she doesn’t get praised for doing a good job, she doesn’t know what to do, except try to do the job better. Chisato, on the other hand, has seen some stuff. She knows how to do the things Takina doesn’t. So, Chisato did exactly what she knew Takina needed. Chisato picked up Takina and spun her around.

“I was glad I was able to meet you,” Chisato said (15:17).

Takina wasn’t all better in an instant. Lycoris Recoil respects its characters too much for that. But it was the course adjustment that Takina needed. Now that Takina’s on the right track, I’m really curious to see what these two can do, together!

What did you think of Chisato and Takina overpowering Fuki and Sakura in the mock battle? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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14 thoughts on “Lycoris Recoil Episode 3 Review – Best In Show

  1. Probably my favourite episode so far, mostly because of the density of relations. For example, Chisato’s ex-partner mentioning that she *can* only shoot with rubber bullets, which makes it seem less like a choice and more like some sort of inhibition, which is interesting. We saw lots of characters, all with their own interpretations of what’s going on. It intersects really well and makes the setting more interisting.

    It’s starting to convince me that it’s one of the better new shows this season (it’s a weak season for new shows, though).

    Also, I noticed that over at Dereks blog, we got two ping-backs for this post, and of the sites isn’t yours. You’re likely being plagiarised.

    1. Good catch, thanks Dawn! I should have caught that. Crow, I’ll DM you the plagiarizers link on Twitter and kill the pingback.

    2. All of the hints that this isn’t random — like the character relations you mentioned — elevate this series so far.

      Thanks for the heads up about the plagiarizing posts. Irina suggested a cease and desist letter, and I think that’s what I’m going to do. It’s been going on for a while, but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to do anything about it.

      But I need to learn. I’ve published one novel, and I hope to publish more. I’m certain I’ll come across them in the wild at some point, and it’ll get good if I know what to do.

      Thanks again for pointing it out!

  2. I think I’m happy with the explanation – because Kusunoki didn’t explain it. She simply presented it as a fact. Nothing about super reflexes, or magical skills, or any other wohoo or handwaving. Just “she’s really good”.

    If that makes sense…

    1. It does make sense. And I hadn’t thought of it that way. It’s less an explanation and more an acknowledgement.

      But it’s consistent with the story, and it doesn’t take away from what we’ve seen her do. So I’m happy with it, too.

    1. Your comment is giving me a flashback to takt Op.Destiny. First episodes were great, then came a major change… I have a feeling (and that’s all it is!) that this show isn’t going to follow that path.

      I think you might like it.

      I’d hate for you to have another God Eater situation!

        1. Sorry I wasn’t clear! That’s what happens when I try to be clever.

          I meant I didn’t want to recommend you watch it, given it’s only 3 episodes in and that’s about where Takt OP.Destiny started to change.

          On the other hand, I remember you saying you wish you had see God Eater when it first came out. I thought that you had, so I felt like I should have recommended it.

          So I was caught between feeling like I should recommend it, but I didn’t want to recommend something that you would end up seriously disliking.

          If that makes any sense. My motivations are often confusing even to me.

          1. Crystal clear. I’ve got other shows to get to first, so I’ll check back towards the end.

            I definitely don’t need another Takt OP. Destiny bringing me down.

    1. I think I read a Reddit post that said Chisato was like Siesta, but more powerful and in a series with a plot. Had to admit, I laughed!

Please let me know what you think!

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