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Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4 Review – Best In Show

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Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4 Review – Quick Summary

In Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4, “The Budding Detective ~Mirror Glaze on the Mind~,” Yuuki continued to endure nightmares. This time, it was of a beautiful red-haired woman with glasses who tried to protect him from the wrath of a god. He woke up before he saw if she succeeded. But what he got into a little later was only a little less dangerous. Visiting a monster-infested island looking for tasty meat, the Gourmet Guild found something that determined to kill them. Capable, too! In fact, as a gigantic bird-like creature flew off with Yuuki in its mouth, Yuuki had to wonder if there were easier ways to get tasty meat. Or maybe whether a vegan lifestyle might be more suitable!

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

Favorite Quote from Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4

Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4: Karyl really was trying to help!

Karyl was trying to help everyone get along in her own little special way! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Last week, Yuni grappled with the existential darkness at the heart of the world. This week, that darkness took considerably more solid form. But before we get to that, I want to celebrate a quote from a moment that no doubt looked dark at the time to Makoto, Maho, and Kasumi, the first three members we met from the Caon guild. But in hind sight, it was really kind of funny.

The members of Caon guild, including their fourth member, Kaori, had saved the Gourmet Guild from Pecorine’s lack of planning. Specifically, from the gigantic carnivorous beast hunting them. So, to say thanks, Pecorine, Yuuki, and Kokkoro butchered the giant beast. They also gathered segmented bugs to use for seasoning. 

Needless to say, Caon guild didn’t seem to think wriggling bugs looked appetizing. Well, Kaori might, but she’s so cheerful in general, it was hard to tell. Karyl saw their reaction and tried to reassure them, saying that Pecorine, Yuuki, and Kokkoro really were trying to express their gratitude; they weren’t trying to be mean. 

“I know it’s not what you want,” she said, pulling them into a kind of friendly embrace (07:05). “But just give up.”

At least, I think she was trying to be helpful!

Best in Show Moment for Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4

Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4: Pecorine's day took a serious turn for the worse

How do you create drama? Show us Pecorine’s worst nightmare; make us feel that nightmare in our bones; then drop her right in front of it. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Exciting Animation is Just the Foundation

I thought that Demon Slayer Entertainment Arc Episode 9 was well-animated! It was, but damn, this episode did not suffer by comparison. Some of the scenes reminded me heavily of the experimental shots of Siluca Meletes from Record of Grancrest War’s episode 14. Those shots were probably the pinnacle of animation goodness from that series.

But it wasn’t just the fight scenes. Remember Pecorine giving a speech offering to help Caon? Watch her eye movements. Watch how her body sways as she directs her attention to different listeners. The animators didn’t need to do that. She could have just turned her head. Or even just stood there with her jaw moving! But they added those little extra details to bring the scene alive. 

Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4: Pecorine is an inspirational speaker

The extra details in her movements were beautiful to watch. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

That’s a factor in my favorite moment. I can still enjoy a moment of drama if an episode is lacking in some aspects. But if a show executes well across the technical spectrum, and if the less tangible elements come together, the effect borders on magic. Which is what happened in this episode.

Early in the episode, we see Kaiser Insight giving Karyl a pretty ring. Karyl thinks it’s a gesture of affection, which might be the most sad thing I’ve seen this year (it only being January and all). I mean, talk about foreshadowing!

Delivery: Pecorine in Danger! Serious, Serious Danger!

Later, Pecorine, Kaori, and Makoto went into the heart of the golem to save Metamorregnant. The latter knew Yuuki from before he lost his memory, and our heroes seem to think she’s one of the Seven Crowns. Which seems like a big deal, as in “created the god who created the world” kind of deal, but without looking for spoilers, I just get the idea she’s a big deal.

And Yuuki interacts with people like that. Just who the hell is he, anyway?

Pecorine led her comrades into the golem. But the shadows proved too strong. The shadows ejected all three of them, but Pecorine wasn’t done. Remember how her most powerful attack is Princess Strike? She use it once, then twice.

Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4: Pecorine has some serious combat power

She’s a kind, gentle soul. But she’s also capable of profound violence, should the need arise. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

If you look very, very carefully (21:35), you can see Karyl’s ring sparkle as Pecorine launched her final attack. As she gathered the energy for the final Princess Strike, on the edge of victory, the ring flashed, and Pecorine’s attack simply vanished. The golem resumed its rampage.

Her friends like Kokkoro didn’t know where Pecorine had gone. It looked like she had simply disappeared! More like teleported. The next thing we know, Pecorine is standing before a very, very pleased Kaiser Insight, who said (21:56), “Welcome to my Landosol Castle, Princess Eustina.” 

That went dark fast! And I loved every second of it.

What did you think of Yuuki’s power somehow helping create Kasumi’s shadow mimic? What were your favorite moments? Let me know in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “Princess Connect! Re: Dive Season 2 Episode 4 Review – Best In Show

  1. This was the best episode yet in either season. The animation was spectacular and the action equally so. Then, that moment at the end when Pecorine vanished. Breathtaking!

    1. I’m enjoying the heck out of it. I’m seriously worried about Pecorine, too. It’s a good sign when I worry over a character, at least in terms of characterization!

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