Girls' Frontline: The Kindling 03

The sage continues, and AR-15 has been compromised. Doing what she does best, the generally cold and calculated T-Doll does her version of “Man on the Run,” heading to Sangvis to find answers. Answers for the viewers, maybe because I’m almost certain my girl knows something. Not only does she know something, but she’s out for revenge.

A welcome position indeed in the eyes of Dreamer, our resident Sangvis Ringleader. Dreamer has been toying with Destroyer, the antagonist we first met in episode eight and learned more about in the last episode. As a Ringleader, Destroyer is the most naive and least savvy of the group making her easy prey for her Commander. AR Team and AR-15 have trailed Destroyer, but it's all a trap. As I stated in my last review Sangvis remains focused on the end goal, and that goal is M4A1, and they’ll use any means necessary to bring her home, even if it means testing unclassified weapons to drive her out.

I’m reminded of an episode of Daria in which Trent, his band, and Daria are riding in the Tank. For those who remember the show, the Tank was an old van that constantly broke down. As they're driving, Trent becomes inspired and begins singing a song. “Betrayal, stabbed in the back” “betrayal, betrayal, betrayal!” A reference to Daria stealing and kissing Janes's boyfriend, Tom. Eat your heart out, Bruce Lee! I mention this because it serves as the backdrop, at least from Griffin’s perspective, and creates an episode with better writing and emotional content.

This episode is a mix of emotions, starting with the constant emotional M4A1 and SOPII who want to find their friend. Fortunately, M16 is present and adds a bit of rationale thought to the mix. I appreciate M16 as in addition to explaining to SOPII that they were designed to have feelings, she also recognizes that her sister has it bad for Gentiane.

Gentiane and the viewers also gain insight and a perspective on AR Team and why they are so valuable. Valuable enough to sacrifice T-Dolls to secure their escape. Unlike the T-Dolls, the Fab 4 do not have neural clouds, and they can not be reborn with new bodies. Like humans, there is no return if a 16Lab Doll is killed in battle. As Helian tells Gentiane this information, she also realizes that Kryuger is not a cold individual, only seeing the T-Dolls as machines. Naming the Dolls after weapons was a sincere attempt to minimize human attachment.

This view is juxtaposed through the eyes of Dreamer, a beautifully drawn and voiced Sangvis Doll who is seated in an undisclosed location viewing the scene through a drone. She reaches out to AR-15, tempting her with the lure of power, beckoning her to join her side. She also shows mercy to Destroyer despite allowing herself to be bugged and tailed by the enemy. However, her patience with her Sangvis sister is slowly waning. It is shown that several Ringleaders view themselves as superior to humans, and it is perhaps this reason that she would prefer AR-15 as an ally instead of an enemy.

While Dreamer dangles the string of betrayal, it is at this point that she realizes that she was, in fact, compromised when Hunter was holding her. It was not Hunter who compromised her but Destroyer. Hunter had initially believed that holding AR-15 would allow them to capture M4A1, but plans like tactics change, especially when your goal is to destroy Kryuger and Griffin. I doubt AR-15 would have switched sides, considering her love for her sisters. Caught in the middle, ST AR-15 will do what she and her fellow teammates have done throughout this series, struggling to survive.

The Kindling 02 felt dark and heavy, but we see the veil slowly lift in episode ten. The animators enhanced the storytelling by shifting the scenes from day to night and presenting a closing scene that shows us hope is on the horizon. As an anime based on a game, there have been a few easter eggs thrown about the series though none as apparent as their nod to HALO. The suit, which resembles Master Chief’s mecha in Halo, is the first time we see Kryuger on the battlefield, not behind a desk. It appears the Contractors have their own mission.

As this episode closes, secrets are revealed. We only know that Parapluie is a virus capable of infecting T-Dolls. We also understand that the Sangvis are evolving. But what will be the end game? As the stage curtain falls, it is AR-15 that remains in the spotlight. A true protagonist of this series and finally someone I can cheer for…….