Double Decker has been a definite positive surprise for me this season, but maybe it shouldn’t be.  Lots of factors go into whether a show works or not, and they’re not always predictable.  But one of the most straightforward and reliable indicators is also one of the simpler – talented staff usually make good anime.  I got hung up on the lengthy hiatus and the fact that Tiger & Bunny trailed off rather badly in its final third, but the fact it that was quite a good series.  And with most of its staff back for Doug & Kirill, I should probably have expected this to be as well.

One of the reasons DD is working as well as it is comes down to the fact that it’s proven quite versatile in its storytelling style.  There’s a pretty consistent vibe of goofiness and fun that’s been present in every ep but the last one, but thematically this series has ranged pretty widely, and that continues with this episode.  It starts off as a stakeout ep, morphs into a true crime reality show parody, then a look into Kirill’s past and then finally launches a twist ending (though perhaps not so much if you were paying close attention).

At the heart of most of this is the relationship between Kirill and Doug, and – like that between Kotetsu and Barnaby – it’s quite an endearing one.  Yes, there’s no denying that Doug is kind of an asshole – but only enough, I think, so that it makes him more interesting.  He’s also whip-smart and he seems to genuinely care about the people he’s partnered with, and that includes Kirill.  If Doug were really a full-on A-hole he’s had plenty of opportunities to make Kirill feel like an idiot (because, duh) but look back – has he?  I don’t think so.  He’s mostly patient and tolerant, and he manages to teach the puppy a few tricks along the way.

The stakeout part of the episode is relatively short (though for them it’s five days) and it does make one imagine a comedy about these two sharing an apartment.  Eventually the boys are called away to deal with a drunk spinning wild tales at a casino who’s suspected of being on Anthem (he’s not).  And while there’s something happening in the background which would justifying that whole encounter being there as a premise to set it up, I’m leaning in the other direction.  I do think the guy is somewhat nuts or a really serious drunk, but from a story standpoint those tales he was telling about a “higher place” and the one they’re currently in being a mere lab experiment sound like they’re relevant in some way.  Literally true probably not, but relevant.

We’ll find out sometime in the next seven weeks, but for now what’s important is what Doug & Kirill see in the footage of the incident that turns up on “24” – the reality show that films and broadcasts it.  That part is just a very silly spoof, but as Kirill scours the VHS-like recording of his appearance he spots his sister Milla in the background.  Rushing down to tell Doug, he discovers that Doug’s already found something on the tape – but his assumption that it’s the same something is a misapprehension.  It’s not until Doug apprehends the Anthem distributor he spotted that Kirill realizes the truth.

This is one of those opportunities where Doug could have gone in a much colder or meaner direction, but he doesn’t mock Kirill over this or dismiss his interest as too personal – this is important to his partner, so it’s important to Doug.  Apple Bieber is called in to help, and with his expertise they locate the woman on the tape pretty easily – though eventually she disappears into a bathroom and drops from sight (though not before Apple makes note of how she’s acting like someone trying to avoid being filmed).

What happens at Derick’s place is definitely of those small world anime coincidences (though who knows), but I won’t dwell on that.  In short, Milla has showed up to work there because she wanted “a place to avoid crowds” (Derick’s reaction to this is pretty hilarious).  The sibling reunion is not exactly heartwarming – Milla declines to discuss what drove her to leave, all those years ago.  But it’s not until an encounter between a now-drunk Kirill and she in the men’s room that things get wild. Kirill is a pretty dense guy, but to have grown up with the woman who says her true name is Valery and never noticed?  I guess it’s possible, and there’s no doubt his shock is sincere.  I’m pretty sure Valery is played by Amasaki Kouhei (Kirill’s seiyuu) which was a red flag for me that something was going to down.  Kirill’s sister revealed to be a man is no small deal, but I’m certain we haven’t come anywhere close to learning all the permutations of everything that happened this week  – and how it’s all connected.