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Outbreak Company Ep 12 Review – Quick Summary
In Outbreak Company Ep 12, “Shoot the Invaders!“, Shinichi made a tough decision. He decided to support the integrity and independence of Petralka and her people. That put him at odds with the Japanese government. So much so that they sent a team of soldiers to assassinate him! Fortunately for Shinichi, Petralka, already a seasoned empress, knew the Japanese would make such an attempt. She loaned her very own personal maids — who were also her elite guard — to protect Shinichi. But they couldn’t maintain that level of diligence forever, and Japan is very, very patient. How will they resolve this impasse? Will Shinichi be able to stay with Myucel? Or will the Japanese government’s patience pay off — with Shinichi’s “retirement?”
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Outbreak Company Ep 12
Petralka’s combat maids made quick work of the assassins that tried to kill Shinichi. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The Self Defense Force’s soldiers were utterly professional. They breached the perimeter of Shinichi’s mansion and silently made their way to his bedroom. Using their infra-red goggles, they saw a lone figure sleeping. They hurled the blanket back, expecting to see a terrified Shinichi.
Instead, they saw an elvish maid — who wasn’t alone. Several others ringed the room, having hidden their heat signatures under magical spells. The soldiers opened fire, only to have the maids easily deflect the bullets. The soldiers were forced to surrender.
“But I bet they never imagined my personal maids would also be my elite guard,” Petralka said via her enchanted owl (01:26). She’d been one step ahead of them the whole time!
Best in Show Moment for Outbreak Company Ep 12
Setup: Myucel’s Near Sacrifice Was Sappy…
The episode impressed me. The Japanese government actually ordered Self Defense Force (SDF) troops to assassinate Shinichi. That was very realistic! It was absolutely awesome that Petralka’s elite squad of combat maids protected him! It wasn’t my favorite moment, but danged if it wasn’t close!
My favorite moment might look sappy on the outside, but I think I have a good defense for it! It’s about Myucel. She, Brooke, and Elbia had rushed to the school, which they found in flames. Elbia ran interference while Myucel went straight to the library. She knew that’s where she’d find Shinichi. He was lying where the soldiers had left him. She went down on her knees to try to wake him up, but she didn’t know that the soldiers had drugged him.
Myucel barely heard the bookcase as it crashed down on her and Shinichi. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
She heard a cracking groan. Turning, she was horrified to see a book case teeter, then fall over (10:27). It would have crushed Shinichi had she not thrown herself on top of him as she cast a shield spell. Her magic was enough to hold the bookcase in place, but not enough to throw it away. It was all she could do to hold the burning bookshelf in place.
I liked how she didn’t go into the situation with the intent of dying so he could live. She went in to save him so they both could live. A cliche sacrifice drains a scene of all its drama. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case here.
Delivery: But I Bought It!
Instead of being cliche, the narrative did what I’ve come to expect from Outbreak Company: it put Myucel in a realistic, terrible situation, and let her work through it.
The minutes dragged on and the flames grew in intensity. Myucel’s magic began to falter. It got to the point where she knew she couldn’t hold on much longer. She decided to tell him how she really felt, even if he couldn’t hear her.
“I will follow you… wherever you go…” she whispered (12:47). Her magic shield glowed less brightly. The bookcase was closer now. “Be it school… or Akiba… or even heaven!”
Myucel was at the upper limits of her endurance. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Even then, she still hung on. She smiled at Shinichi as her tears fell.
It was a beautiful moment. I was really glad when Elbia and Minori arrived! At the same time, it was nice to see a scene where there wasn’t any false bravado or unauthentic emotion. Outbreak Company, despite being a comedy, gave me some powerfully emotion moments like this. Or maybe it’s because it’s a comedy? Sometimes, a comedy can lull me into dropping my defenses so it can do its emotional damage!
What did you think of Shinichi and Petralka’s solution to the current problem? What was your Best in Show moment? let me know in the comments!
Outbreak Company Ep 12: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: [Spoilers] Outbreak Company Episode 12 Discussion
- The Fandom Post: Outbreak Company Episode #12 Anime Review
- Random Curiosity: Outbreak Company – 12 (END)
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Outbreak Company Episode 1 Review: I Landed in Another World
- Outbreak Company Episode 2 Review: I-I’d Better Watch It
- Outbreak Company Episode 3 Review: Thou Art Invaders
- Outbreak Company Episode 4 Review: Furry Spy
- Outbreak Company Episode 5 Review: This Really Is Another World
- Outbreak Company Episode 6 Review: Soccer… Soccer?
- Outbreak Company Episode 7 Review: Maid in Japan
- Outbreak Company Episode 8 Review: The Melancholy of Her Imperial Majesty
- Outbreak Company Episode 9 Review: Swimsuit of the Dead
- Outbreak Company Episode 10 Review: Magical Girl Petralka
- Outbreak Company Episode 11 Review: Plot Silent, Plot Deep
- Outbreak Company Episode 12 Review: Shoot the Invaders!
Again, this is a favorite series of mine, and this episode played out well. A key difference between governmental styles is explored herein: the cold efficiency of Japanese bureaucracy versus the reasoned but flexible policy possible under an authoritarian ruler such as Petralka. And, hey, Lil’ Bit won big!
“A key difference between governmental styles is explored herein: the cold efficiency of Japanese bureaucracy versus the reasoned but flexible policy possible under an authoritarian ruler such as Petralka.”
It was surprisingly deep for a light comedy, wasn’t it?
I’ve grown up with the understanding that authoritarian rule is negative. And for the most part, it is. For every benign dictator you get, you get several more that are, well, less benign. The genius of modern governments is that they disperse the power among multiple institutions.
Which is a sign of progress.
Until one of those institutions puts you in their sights. In which case, you’re just as dead as if a king beheaded you.
Sees we still have a way to go!
“And, hey, Lil’ Bit won big!”
I love that nickname for her!
And since Petralka was one of the benign dictators, it was a lot of fun seeing her come out on top.