That would definitely have been one hell of a kick in the nuts ending (even more than it already was) if we hadn’t gotten a S2 announcement last week. Or at least a leak – the official word came with the season finale. We also got word of a video game adaptation and a stage play, so it’s safe to say Gachiakuta has had a very good week. It’s still too early to assert that the series is developing into the major hit I was expecting, but it could just be a slow builder that way. Franchises don’t get games and plays and the mountains of merchandising this one has unless they’re very profitable.

What we got, then, was a transition episode. It had the feel of a slice-of-life, wind-down sort of affair – heavy on comedy and cuteness. But along the way some humongous bombs were dropped, so it would be a good week to pay attention. We start off back at base, with Rudo starting furtively down at a depressed Remlin sitting in the quad. Zanka, who’s the closest thing this show has to a tsundere, steps up to fulfill his mentor duties with his usual aplomb (and complaints). He directs Rudo to offer some cheer to Remlin – in practice, he says, for helping Amo later. He also pledges to go with and help when the time comes.

At this point Gachiakuta delivers what is without question it’s cutest sequence so far. It starts off with the kiddie corps – Rudo, Remlin, Guita, and Dear – drawing together in the lounge. It’s kind of heartwarming to see Rudo this way, not gonna lie – he’s very much still a child himself, as these moments remind us, and it’s nice to see him carefree for once. Not that he can ever relax, this kid – his lack of drawing skills stress him out. Remlin may be a Spellcaster but they’re no teacher, that’s for sure.

From here we almost go into an episode of “Old Enough”. Corvus tells the kids to go on a field trip to Canvas Town, where Remlin longs to add their mark to the legendary Spellcasters’ mural. He also tells Rudo that as the oldest, it’s his responsibility to protect the others. Now, we’ve just seen the three junior Cleaners kick serious ass in the flying trash beast (as Enjin reassures a panicking Bro Santa) – it’s not like they especially need to worry about petty thieves and getting lost. But Rudo takes his responsibility very seriously indeed. And Enjin and Bro tag along covertly to make sure everyone is safe, just like the doting parents they may as well be.

Corvus, as it happens, has an ulterior motive here. He’s gotten wind that the Hell Guard – the primary enforcers of the law on The Ground – are on the way. And while their captain, Kyouka (Sawashiro Miyuki) makes noises about collateral damage from the Raiders incident going unreported, Corvus knows that’s not why she’s there. She wants the Spherite – his memories, his DNA, every scrap of information he can provide – and Corvus isn’t going to let that happen. He seems to have the law – to the extent it exists – on his side here. But I suspect it wouldn’t matter to him even if he didn’t.

The field trip is highly amusing, with Rudo going berserker over sweets and the gaggle of grommets being accosted by a sexual predator who literally offers them candy to go with him. I don’t feel sorry for anyone like him, but it’s fair to say Dear does (and that he got what he deserved). Eventually Remlin leads them to Canvas Town  – they’re exhausted by the 16 KM walk but the Cleaners are unfazed. And it turns out the legendary mural is on the ceiling (mostly). It was begun by the first Spellcaster, Macaca Icol. And runs right through to Remlin’s mentor, Gob.

Here’s where the first big bombshell hits, though. Enjin and Bro reveal themselves (I thought Rudo might be insulted but he doesn’t seem put out) and the group stares at the mural in awe (and neck pain) for a while. Then Enjin and Rudo notice the same thing at the same time – one of the paintings is the same symbol that’s on the Watchmen Series vital instruments. Remlin informs them that was painted by one Canis Surebrec – a friend of Macaca Icol’s knows as “Undertaker”. Rudo is doubly astonished, and informs the others that his birth name is Rudo Surebrec (which, I’m almost certain, is the first time that’s been revealed in the series).

There are other familiar faces popping up – like Fu, the hapless Raider who was left behind by Zodyl. It seems his alter ego Hii is some kind of doll, and their plan is to latch on to Enjin and get him to start issuing the orders Fu so badly craves (if he can ever muster the courage to speak to him). And then, at the very end, Amo – chained to a wall, imprisoned in some kind of underground cell. And who should it be looking in on her and smirking? No, not Rudo, who she calls out to – it’s none other than Tamsy of the Cleaners. What could this mean?

Obviously I’m hugely glad Gachiakuta is getting more anime. Not surprised, but relieved – I would have put the chances at about 90% but that’s not a sure thing. I hope the series really does go on to become the monster battle shounen hit it deserves to be – I really think it’s about the best one running now that HeroAca has ended. Stylish, smart, cool, funny, great power system, peopled with fascinating oddballs – Gachiakuta checks all the kaijuu boxes even if it isn’t a kaijuu (yet). And as usual Bones has delivered a pretty much impeccable adaptation that gets everything right. I still think this franchise’s best days are ahead of it, and I look forward to seeing just how big it can become.