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Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5 Review – Best In Show

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Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5 Review – Quick Summary

In Unbreakable Machine Doll episode 5, “Facing Sword Angel I”, Raishin Akabane and Yaya were in the middle of yet another argument when, entering their room, they found a woman hanging from the ceiling. She had been caught in the rope trap she had tried to plant for Raishin. Who is this strange woman? Why is she hanging in her own trap? And will Yaya calm down long enough for Raishin to find out?

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

Favorite Quote from Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5

Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5: Yaya is trolling Raishin

At this point, Yaya is just messing with Raishin. Capture from the Funimation stream.

One of the criticisms I’ve read about this show is that Yaya is too clingy, too insecure, and too possessive of Raishin. Those are all cliche, and it’s so intense that it’s annoying. What makes it worse for some folks (and I have to admit I sympathize with their position) is that it feels like the show trivializes Yaya’s feelings. I mean, it’s funny when she cries a bathtub full of pearl tears – but it’s also not funny at all, if you know what I mean.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t like that kind of humor. But this series showed me enough clues that it’s self aware, especially regarding Yaya’s humor. One example was her conversation with Sigmund in this episode, when Yaya confided in him that she wanted to be a human girl. It took him about a second to convince her otherwise, suggesting she wasn’t serious about it – anymore than she’s serious about her insecurities. She knows who she is, and she knows what she’s capable of.

Which is why I can laugh at lines like my favorite quote. It’s from the scene where Raishin and Yaya entered their room to find Frey hanging from the ceiling. She had been caught in the trap she had been trying to set for Raishin.

“Fetish play, Raishin?!” Yaya exclaimed (00:40). “You brought in a woman and hung her from the ceiling?”

I mean, there’s no way Yaya really thought that happened. She’s just messing with him, and that’s why I liked it.

Best in Show Moment for Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5

Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5: Sigmund gave Yaya some good advice

Sigmund gave Yaya good advice, at the same time showing exactly why Raishin insists on treating him and all other automatons as equals. Capture from the Funimation stream.

Setup: Raishin’s Motivation is Important

Fiction gives us a way to understanding reality by proxy. We can talk about issues like racism, or ableism, using the avatars of a fictitious world, and that gives us a level of abstraction that deescalate any personal involvement folks might feel. Think about the graphic novel that’s been in the news recently: Maus. By portraying the Jewish people as mice as the Nazis as cats, it made the concepts easy for anyone, even children, to understand. Its goal was to help us understand and remember, so that we will fight, and fight hard, to ensure the Holocaust never happens again.

Maus is so powerful that it even teaches its lesson as Americans try to ban it and silence it. How? By triggering conversations, driven by people of good will. Those people use the example of the darkness trying to rear its head again as a call to arms.

It also teaches another lesson. Namely, that it’s important why we take a position. The people who want to silence the lessons from Maus claimed that it was unsuitable for children. They were claiming, in fact, to be Protectors of Children, taking action to keep kids’ clean little minds safe from terrible images, like a partially naked mouse. 

Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5: Raishin's "why" is very important.

The “why” is very important, because otherwise, when your position comes under attack, you won’t know what you’re really defending. Capture from the Funimation stream.

Because, as we all know, looking at a partially naked mouse is too high a price to pay to stop the rise of fascism. 

And in one sentence, I have exceeded my allocation of sarcasm for 2022.

But my point remains. Why we hold a position is as important, or more important, than the position itself. Now, at this point, if you’ve managed to read this far (and thanks if you have!), you have got to be wondering what the hell this has to do with Unbreakable Machine Doll.

It has everything to do with it.

Delivery: Raishin Treats Automatons the Way They Deserve

I like this series in part because Raishin treats dolls/automatons as equals. That’s good, but only if he does so for the right reason. Is he doing so to show the world how wonderful he is? Is he doing it to impress Shouko Karyuusai? No. The answer is more simple. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s the only right answer.

When Yaya confided in Sigmund that she wanted to be a human girl, he took her concern seriously. He also explained how she wasn’t being honest with herself. 

“If you were a human girl, I doubt you could protect Raishin,” he told her (20:54). “You’re an extraordinarily gifted automaton. What he needs isn’t any ordinary girl; it’s someone like you.”

Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5: Yaya is sentient; she was able to understand Sigmund's point easily enough!

Yaya heard and understood Sigmund’s words. Why? Because Sigmund was right. It’s as simple as that! Capture from the Funimation stream.

Right there, Sigmund not only gave Yaya the emotional support she needed. He demonstrated the capabilities that prompted Raishin to treat Sigmund, and Yaya, and the other automatons as equals. Sigmund was an equal. He was as intelligent and emotional as any human. Just like Yaya.

Raishin treats Sigmund and Yaya as equals precisely because they are equal. That’s it. That’s the real reason. That’s the heart of why I like this show. And it’s the heart, I think, of why Yaya is so dedicated to him.

What did you think of Frey’s failed assassination attempt? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “Unbreakable Machine Doll Episode 5 Review – Best In Show

  1. I don’t have much to say about this episode. I find it hard even to talk about seasonal episodes, so an episode that’s not an episode of the week (suspended between the last one and the next one), but part of something I’ve finished long ago… the episode would have had to stand out in some way. That said, I’ll just drop in to let you know that I rewatched the show after you started reviewing it. I hardly remembered it, but I remember quite liking it, so I wanted to see how it held up.

    It held up pretty well.

    Now, I could have said that earlier, so why now? You’re talking about people not liking Yaya because she’s too clingy. Here’s the thing: I hate clingy character, but from episode one I liked Yaya, and I never found out why. Re-watching the show? I still like her every bit as much as I did then. I’m not entirely sure she’s overacting on purpose (given who created her…), but she can switch to serious mode in a heart beat. So, yeah, she’s the type of character that usually annoys me, but I like her instead, and I don’t know why.

    1. Glad you dropped by!

      Also glad to hear your reaction to Yaya, too. I think you’re right — her ability to become instantly serious is important to why I like her. It’s also a lot of fun to see her get serious in a battle. She’s tiny compared to some of the other automatons, but she packs quite a punch!

Please let me know what you think!

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