Hijacked By Vice... Has He Truly Betrayed Us!?
- Original Airdate: February 20, 2022
Written by: Hanta Kinoshita
Directed by: Takuyaki Shibasaki
Summary
Following Ikki's sudden replacement with Vice after using the Rolling Vistamp, George orders him detained. Unfortunately, Vice soon breaks out, forcing the Igarashi siblings to chase after him while he enjoys human pastimes with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Meanwhile, Olteca and Aguilera cook up their own plans to deal with the Igarashis, and the Kūki Kaidan show is getting cold feet now that their bodyguards are out of action — putting them at risk of being sacked. Things get worse when their manager gets trapped... and it doesn't seem like Vice is interested in switching back with Ikki anytime soon.
Tropes
- Bait-and-Switch: The previous episode's Cliffhanger implied that Vice was Evil All Along. Here it turns out he wasn't aware of the effects of the Rolling Vistamp, though that doesn't stop him from capitalizing on the fact he's free now.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: This time, Vice promotes two social media hashtags — #IkkiInMyEar and #NiceVice.
- The Bus Came Back: Lovekov finally returns after the show's Cerebus Syndrome arc.
- Call-Back: Sakura calls her brother Ikki the Gundephone Detective, hearkening back to Vice calling himself that previously.
- Cruel to Be Kind: Sakura realizes that Aguilera left Tamaki in order to protect him, in her own twisted way. This leads to a "Eureka!" Moment for Daiji as detailed below.
- Curb-Stomp Cushion: While Kagero is very much overhelmed by Demons' power, he still manages to deal enough damage to force Olteca to retreat, even if it means getting knocked out of control again.
- "Eureka!" Moment:
- Daiji listening to Sakura explaining Aguilera's suggestion leads him to realize Vice acting evil was all a charade meant to protect a vulnerable Ikki.
- In turn, Ikki discussing these findings with his siblings and Vice allows him to deduce who the holder of the Shark and Elephant Vistamps was.
- Evil Versus Evil: Kagero resurfaces again and fights Olteca.
- Mediation Backfire: During the fight between Sakura and Aguilera, Lovekov tries to interfere (despite lacking any fighting skill whatsoever), but ends up getting a kick in the back by Aguilera instead.
- Mundane Utility: Vice uses his newfound freedom to have a day about town, going bowling, batting, and even playing Taiko no Tatsujin at an arcade.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business:
- When Ikki is still nowhere to be found even after the battle is over, Vice freaks out and only manages to put on the villainous act when George arrives. Between that he appears to be worried sick over what happened to Ikki.
- Kagero protecting Sakura is also pretty mind boggling both to her and Daiji.
- Pet the Dog:
- Downplayed in that Aguilera refuses to finish off Sakura when Olteca asks her to, stating that she is not taking orders from anyone before flouncing off when it's strongly implied she doesn't want to have Sakura's blood on her hands.
- Kagero protects Sakura after she and Daiji get easily steamrolled by Olteca with the justification that she can't make him curry if she is dead.
- The Reveal: The leader of Weekend is revealed to be George's Not Quite Dead father, Professor Karizaki.
- Shoo the Dog: Aguilera's firing of Tamaki in #22 is revealed to be this.
