Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens - Episode 6 (Review)
By: RogueSymbiote
Sarucchi has been waiting for a showdown with the Niwaka Samurai, but something seems a bit off. While Banba rests in preparation for the local festival, Lin decides to impersonate the Niwaka Samurai in order to earn some serious money. This is not going to be the easy money Lin imagined.
Story Arc
Sarucchi and Lin clash swords in heated battle. Lin quickly realizes that his target is highly skilled. Just as Sarucchi is about to take out Lin, a van pulls up behind the faux Niwaka Samurai and captures him. The two former assassins employed by Genzo are out to make some quick cash with the bounty for the hitmen hitman. Upon further investigation, the scorned hitmen realize that Lin is not the real Niwaka Samurai. They hire Martinez, an avenger/torturer, to get information from Lin.Enokida helps Sarucchi track down the van that took Lin. After arriving at a warehouse, Sarucchi confronts the two hitmen who stole his target. They explain that the man they captured was a fake and that he is now dead from being tortured by Martinez. Banba learns of Lin's situation and goes to reclaim his body. Sarucchi is finally face to face with the true Niwaka Samurai. His chance to battle Banba is taken away as men from the Kakyu Association interfere and take the Niwaka Samurai with them. Wang, the leader of the Kakyu Association, wishes to kill this nuisance personally.Nitta feels bad taking away Sarucchi's moment and informs him that he placed a tracer on the Kakyu car. It is revealed that Lin is alive thanks to the quick thinking of his ally Martinez to use a body double. Lin discovers that Banba has now been captured and rushes off to save him. Before Lin can make it to the Kakyu hideout, Sarucchi arrives and eliminates the men guarding Banba. All Sarucchi wants is to fight a worthy opponent and he will not let anything stand in his way.
Before heading off to kill the Niwaka Samurai, Wang decides to entertain some female company. This proves to be a costly mistake as his lifeless body is later found sprawled across the bed. The woman responsible for Wang's demise is a femme fatale named Sayuri. This deadly assassin is also associated with Nitta. After escaping to the rooftop, Sarucchi and the Niwaka Samurai engage in a thrilling battle. Both disguises are removed and the two hitmen learn the true identity of one another. The fight escalates as Sarucchi loses his footing on the ledge. Banba saves Sarucchi as a thanks for help in his escape. The two hitmen call it a draw and part ways. Lin arrives on the roof to find Banba in one piece. The episode ends with a baseball game. Banba is at bat and is almost hit by the pitcher. In anger, Banba charges the mound and the two players recognize one another from their battle on the rooftop. Sayuri is the manager of the opposing team and it is implied that she and Banba were once an item.
Episode Review
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens continues to throw twists and turns at the audience. Killing off Wang was a surprise as he was being built up as some big bad that Banba would later encounter. Even though I enjoy the redirects, the use of body doubles is getting stale. The fake Banba head was amazing, but now every time a main character appears to be dead I know it's fake. I'm excited by the prospect that Sayuri and Banba used to be a couple. The intricacies of a world full of hitmen is beginning to unfold. Banba using his love of baseball to repel a shuriken was fun, but we've seen it before with a bomb in a previous episode. This series is on the verge of being something special, but there is just something missing. Now that Sarucchi and Sayuri have been introduced, lets hope we see more character development outside of Banba and Lin.
