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Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 11 Review – Quick Summary
In Unbreakable Machine Doll episode 11, “Facing Elf Speeder III,” Loki and Cherubim arrived to back up Raishin and Yaya in their losing battle against Shin. Unfortunately, not even the speed and might of Cherubim could turn the tide. Shin’s speed put him out of their reach. Even if they get close to striking him, the enormous power of his kicks brushed aside their attacks. With Raishin already seriously wounded (again), what can our heroes do to survive the night?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 11
Loki found it hard to articulate his feelings. But Frey knew what he meant. And why are so many of the scenes at night? Capture from the Blu Ray.
We got some character development in this episode! How cool is that? And it was from an unexpected quarter – a secondary character!
The early fight between Raishin, Yaya, Loki, and Cherubim setup my favorite quote. Shin was basically toying with them, and none of them could even land a blow. It seriously looked bad. Then Frey showed up with her kennel of automatons, led by Rabbi, and forced Shin to retire.
Honestly, I thought it was cool that Frey saved the day instead of Loki or Raishin.
Later, after Raishin had been hospitalized (again), Loki tried to warn Frey to stay away.
“You stay out of this,” he said (05:11). “You’ll only get in the way.” Seeing her hurt expression, he looked away and said, “That is, I mean… Protecting someone while I’m fighting cramps my style.”
He had just watched her save his life. Loki knew she wouldn’t get in the way. He just didn’t want to see his sister in danger. There’s no way he would have admitted something like that when we first met him. So, yea character development!
Best in Show Moment for Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 11
Shouko was reduced to slapping Raishin. There wasn’t much else she could do. Capture from the Blu Ray.
Setup: Shouko Isn’t In Control of her Destiny
There’s a lot going on in the background of this series. Watching it again to prepare for these reviews is helping catch a lot of those details. A lot of them are subtle, and in fact, the first times I watched this, the scene that’s now my favorite didn’t even register.
Raishin had decided he was going to help Charlotte and Henri. It seemed like he had Kimberly’s blessing, but Kimberly represented only one faction in this world. Raishin’s decision put him on a collision course with the Kingsfort family, who he had already embarrassed. It also put him at odds with someone else, someone important to him: Shouko.
Keep in mind that Shouko is probably the most talented automaton creator on the planet. She’s renowned. Governments would kill to get her talent on their payroll (in fact, I think they have). Yet, she’s one person. As we’ve seen on multiple occasions, she knows she’s part of a great machine, and that part is not guaranteed to always be there.
Yaya could not obey Shouko’s order. Capture from the Blu Ray.
Remember back in episode 7? Shouko was able to save Rabbi, but only by appeasing the military. If she had done otherwise, the military might have disposed of her. And now, in this episode, Raishin put her in a difficult position. Again.
Shouko approached Raishin and Yaya. She was drunk, swaying on her feet. Throwing down the jug of what looked like saki, she said (13:01), “Boy, there are two paths before you. Go back to sleep like a good boy, or have me put you to sleep right here.”
Delivery: But Shouko Still Tried to Support Raishin
He rejected those options. Furious, Shouko ordered Yaya to leave Raishin. Yaya refused.
Shouko stepped up to Raishin and slapped him across the face. Then she walked away.
Why was Shouko drunk? Was she at her limit? Had she had enough of orders she couldn’t stomach? Could she see no way out for herself or Raishin if he failed? If he succeeded? I’m not sure. All I know for sure is that she was in pain and that the only way she could see out of her predicament was to give Raishin a half-hearted ultimatum. An ultimatum that she had to know he would refuse.
I wonder if Shouko realized she had created too well? That the automaton she had created did, in fact, have free will? Yaya’s refusal seemed to shock her. Capture from the Blu Ray.
Also, did you see what she did not do? Yaya is her automaton. She lent Yaya to Raishin. Shouko could have revoked that contract. She could have insisted Yaya return to her; and if Yaya refused, she could have turned them over to the military. But Shouko didn’t. All she did was slap Raishin and walk away.
Almost in a tone of awe, Yaya said (13:52), “Shouko wouldn’t do that to someone she didn’t care about.”
It was a short scene, but it hinted at the influence of a much wider world. That, and I really like Shouko. I wouldn’t mind seeing a spin-off focusing on her adventures!
What did you think of Raishin confronting Charlotte? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 11: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- AngryAnimeBitches Anime Blog: Unbreakable Machine-Doll Episode 11: Facing “Elf Speeder” III
- Brave New Moe: Unbreakable Machine-Doll ep 11-12 final impressions
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 1: Facing Cannibal Candy I
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 2: Facing Cannibal Candy II
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 3: Facing Cannibal Candy III
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 4: Facing Cannibal Candy IV
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5: Facing Sword Angel I
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 6: Facing Sword Angel II
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 7: Facing Sword Angel III
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 8: Facing Sword Angel IV
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 9: Facing Elf Speeder I
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 10: Facing Elf Speeder II
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 11: Facing Elf Speeder III
- Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 12: Facing Elf Speeder IV
Final Update. I ordered the Wandering Witch Chinese Bootleg DVD, and started writing an article on bootlegs. These bootlegs coming from a group called “bestanime.asia”. It’s then I found out that there is at least over a dozen emblems and certification stamps that all say the same thing. That the product you are buying is certified Content Japan. Yeah. The Japanese have to release a certification stamp… Or 14… To place on official Anime products so you know you are getting authentic Japanese made and approved products. None of my Chinese Bootlegs have the Content Japan certification by the way. Funny how that works (yes, Sentai Filmworks is a certified publisher). Anyway bye.
Update. Yeah. Apparently you can get the official DVD Bluray release from Unbreakable Machine Doll. From Japan in Region 2 or probably Region 4 formatting. For no less than $60 and up. Because it’s an out of print series from 2011… And that’s per Volume. Not the complete set. Hard pass. Too expensive.
Wandering Witch? As expected found a Chinese Bootleg DVD on E-Bay first search out. I might get it… Meh. We will see. I do need reviews so…
Amazon has the Blu Ray for under $25 for the complete series:
https://amzn.to/354tpEL
That’s my affiliate link.
Be careful with those bootlegs. They might arrive with extra features! Like trojans or some kind of virus.
I see in your past posts you reviewed Wandering Witch the Anime. I tried watching it on YouTube… And no doubt I can find a Chinese Bootleg DVD of that and this Anime if I looked… But yeah. Just reviewing the manga of Wandering Witch I have no desire to resubject myself to the Anime in review format. Unless there’s a demand. Sigh… Now I’m curious to see if this was released as a Chinese Bootleg DVD yet… Bye.
You didn’t like Wandering Witch? It really seemed to polarize folks. I loved it!