That was epic in every sense of the word.

The transition to Takayanagi Shigehito has been pretty seamless for Kekkai Sensen.  The series has been different, but recognizably itself – an evolution rather than a regression as it moved into life post-Matsumoto Rie.  If anything what it needed was its signature episode – that breakout week that stamped Season 2’s identity on the franchise in an emphatic and unequivocal way.  Well, no more – this was it.  This week’s episode was epic Kekkai Sensen – probably the most visually striking anime episode of the season (a category that had been dominated by Mahoutsukai no Yome up to this point).  It was like a giant Earthshaking being’s thumb in the eye from Takayanagi-sensei to all the doubters (and there have been many).

This season has been mostly a survey course in the supporting cast at Libra, and not in vain – some of these characters have effectively made the jump to mains as a result of their increased focus.  This was a return to the series’ roots – a focus on Leo and his frustrations as he seeks to help Michella, and on the existential threats facing Hellsalem’s Lot.  It was also a showcase for Blood Blockade Battlefront’s signature shock and awe visual style, reimagined through the lens of Takayanagi’s aesthetic – stunning still shots, fast-moving transitions (which flow rather than jerk, in Matsumoto’s style), deep focus panoramas.  In truth, this was much more recognizably “Bones” than the first season (though Takayanagi’s background isn’t at this studio).

The magnitude of Leonardo’s challenge was hammered home in the opening sequence, a return to the hospital (thanks to Zapp’s cavalier disregard for Leo’s welfare) from the first episode.  If Leo wants to help his sister – to help her walk and see – there are “enormous risks” involved.  The director describes what’s happened as a contract with a supreme being – and for Leo to restore Michella’s sight would be a breach.  His slow progress has Leonardo about to turn to Klaus to express his frustrations – but more immediate concerns take center stage (as is often the case with this show) before he can.

There’s am awful lot of stuff happening in this ep, as there often is with Kekkai Sensen – and as usual, not all of it immediately makes sense (by design).  There’s a reappearance by Dr. Planaraio (who I think I vaguely remember from the first season).  There’s the summoning of a giant “Earth-shaking being“, which will cause a disaster with a five-figure death toll if its hand reaches the ground.  And there’s a strange infestation of giant crane flies (we call them “skeeter eaters” but they don’t eat mosquitoes), which take root inside Libra HQ as their leader evolves at breakneck speed.  And these last two are seemingly related.

Among other things, we get a very interesting look at the security measures of Libra HQ, in this instance turned against them by the invaders.  At Defcon 2, all of the entrances to HQ lead somewhere else and Klaus is forced to call on “locksmith” Yurian to try and break through.  At Defcon 1, the building basically becomes an impenetrable fortress with a defense system which annihilates anyone who tries to in-penetrate.  It’s up to Klaus to try and get around it (with Yurian’s electronic lock-picking and Leo’s God’s eyes for help) before the earth-shaking being reaches the ground – and before harm comes to Steven’s precious servers and Libra assistant Anila (did we ever find out what happened to her?).

One really cool thing about this season on Kekkai Sensen is the way it’s brought home just what a heavy weight of responsibility Klaus and Steven have to bear – the overwhelming nature of the threats to millions (?) of lives in Hellsalem’s lot that only they can act against.  Steven, especially, as flourished as a character with this new focus – he comes across as a very complicated and troubled man, and one that’s possibly just as formidable as Klaus, too.  Leonardo’s own problems may seem small in comparison with all that, but he has very good role models in standing up to despair and overwhelming odds.  Giving us a sense of both the global view and the personal impact has always been a strength of this series, and that prowess is fully on display this season.