Upon returning from a week-long break, fans eagerly anticipated the release of episode 7 of Failure Frame. The previous installment had been incredibly eventful and captivating, leaving fans eager to see what would happen next. Finally released on Thursday, August 22, 2024, this latest installment of Touka Mimori’s otherworldly adventures took some unexpected turns, surprising fans in several significant ways.
Despite the predictability of the events in Failure Frame episode 7, such as the fallout of Touka and Seras Ashrain’s actions in the previous episode where they killed Civit Gartland and the Black Dragon Knights, one surprise element was the budding romance between the two characters. This unexpected development was portrayed exceptionally well.
Failure Frame episode 7 review: An organic romance subplot, worldbuilding and plot advancement, and more are the positives
Undoubtedly, the organic romantic subplot between Touka and Seras is the standout highlight of Failure Frame episode 7. Despite its sudden appearance, it does not feel contrived and instead serves as the culmination of the growing tension and mutual respect between these characters since their introduction. The bashful moments in the episode where they both try to navigate their relationship with respect add to the natural progression of this development.
Similarly, there is a relatable aspect to the way they both discover and understand their feelings. For Seras, it comes in the form of appreciating a present from Touka and feeling compelled to smell his clothes before laundering them. As for Touka, she becomes mesmerized by her own beauty and acknowledges the allure of things that are unfamiliar or outside of one’s own realm.
The seventh episode of Failure Frame skillfully continues to highlight the main theme of the growing romance between the characters, seamlessly blending the evident displays of affection with the plot developments. The characters’ attentiveness towards each other only enhances the execution of this theme, with Touka reflecting on the sacrifices she has made to be with him and Seras showing concern for Touka’s health and sleepless nights.
Despite its heavy-handedness, this declaration effectively establishes the main romance line of the series. Both characters consume a lust potion, but Touka declares that he cannot focus on anything else until he achieves his revenge, causing Seras to devote herself to him and their shared goal. While it may be a bit obvious, it effectively confirms the direction of their relationship and highlights their genuine care for each other.
Throughout this string of interactions, there exists some expertly crafted worldbuilding that not only adds depth to the story but also propels it forward. This is particularly evident in the “Meeting of Kings”scene at the beginning of the episode, where Goddess Vicius is portrayed as someone who will stop at nothing to achieve her objectives. This theme is also present in Failure Frame episode 7, highlighting the other Kingdoms’ suspicion of Alion due to their seemingly fortunate circumstances.
The emphasis on Touka and Seras effectively combines worldbuilding and plot progression. Instead of simply introducing a human townsfolk as their next ally, the series takes the opportunity to introduce the Leopardkin species, providing insight into the world’s gladiatorial sports and their workings. This seamless integration of two important narrative elements is a clever and successful approach.
The seventh episode of Failure Frame also skillfully introduces a new group of antagonists known as the curse users of Ashint, seamlessly weaving them into both the Meeting of Kings and Seras and Touka’s storyline. This subtle addition adds to the cohesiveness of the episode, tying all the events together. While the episode would still make sense without these elements, their inclusion helps to create a more polished and cohesive narrative.
One of the most commendable aspects of this installment is its minimal use of unnecessary CGI. Unlike in episode 7, where there were numerous scenes that could have been portrayed without CGI, this installment takes a step back and relies on more practical effects. This choice may seem insignificant, but it greatly contributes to the overall viewing experience by avoiding any jarring moments. Whether intentional or not, it shows that Seven Arcs has acknowledged and rectified their previous errors.
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One of the major drawbacks of Failure Frame episode 7 is the unimpressive voice acting, particularly from Ryota Suzuki as the voice of Touka Mimori. Whether it was a result of direction or a subpar performance, even during emotionally charged scenes and interactions with Seras, Mimori’s voice lacks depth and emotion. This is concerning as Touka’s character is supposed to be tough, but for the romantic storyline to be effective, he must see Seras as someone he can open up to.
Similarly, the ideal method for conveying the beginning of this scene would be through voice acting, which would have complemented Touka’s actions in the episode. Despite Suzuki’s usual delivery contrasting with that of Saki Miyashita as Seras, his co-star shines in this moment with an approach that perfectly captures Seras’ emotions. While it may be forgivable for this change in delivery to occur later in the series, it is somewhat perplexing to not utilize it now at the outset.
Despite being a justifiable decision for the direction of the episode, the lack of action is a more acceptable negative in Failure Frame episode 7. Although the episode focused on other aspects, there were moments that could have been altered to provide fans with more visually stunning scenes. For instance, showcasing the gladiator colosseum in Monroy, where the Leopardkin fought, would have been a more impactful cliffhanger than the exposition at the end of the episode.
Failure Frame Episode 7: In Summation
Despite some missed opportunities that could have further improved the quality of Failure Frame episode 7, it remains one of the strongest episodes in the series, if not the best. The focus on the narrative is a major factor in this assessment, with a strong emphasis on worldbuilding and subplot development. Additionally, the main storyline progresses well, making it clear that the second half of the anime’s first season has started off on a strong note.
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