English Dub Review: Lycoris Recoil “Nature Versus Nurture”

Overview

Chisato is dragged into a tough fight against Majima at the old radio tower, but Takina rushes in just in the nick of time. Meanwhile, the existence of the Lycoris is exposed to the public due to Majima’s ploy. At Headquarters, Kusunoki’s command is stripped, and a decision is made to dispose of the Lycoris inside the Enkuboku!?

Our Take

Majima proved to be a tough opponent for Chisato and Takina, but their persistent battling paid off and they were able to finally get the better of him and win. However, Yoshimatsu went as far as to place the artificial heart that Chisato needs in his own body, just to try and convince her to kill him. In many ways, this kinda runs parallels with how Ogata tried to force Asirpa to kill him in Golden Kamuy, or how the Joker tries to push Batman’s “No-Killing” rule to his limits. Any chance Yoshimatsu gets to put Chisato in a situation that tests her morals, he fails to recognize Chisato’s newfound respect for life as something to be valued. And instead, perceives it as a mistake.

Chisato and Yoshimatsu’s dynamic in this episode was also perfect, and I appreciate how he ends up being the true foil for Chisato, even more than Majima himself. The hurt in her eyes really stung when he expressed his disappointment with her. She did end up shooting him, but it wasn’t a fatal hit and, despite Yoshimatsu’s aide making her entrance, Chisato and Takina were able to prevail, although Takina’s pure anger was in full force as she wanted Yoshimatsu dead, but Chisato somehow kept her at bay.

Overall, this could potentially end on a bittersweet note given the suspense of urgency and the underhanded shit Yoshimatsu pulled. Knowing what we know about Yoshimatsu as a character that kinda irks me a bit that he’s pulling these elaborate schemes to make Chisato kill even after being kidnapped by Majima and not giving a single fuck. With one episode left, I’m curious how they could possibly tie up loose ends and how this final battle against Majima will end…