To Episode 17’s credit, it manages to provide some false hope during the opening part. I figured Kafka and Gen stood no chance against Kaiju No. 9, now that it’s absorbed the powers of Kaiju No. 2. However, it appears No. 9’s body is rejecting its newly absorbed powers so it’s extremely brittle until it acclimates to the change. So long as Kafka and Gen tank No. 9’s attacks (and they’re just barely able to do so), they have a chance to take it down. Kafka and Gen end up dealing a good amount of damage but ultimately, the plot kicks in and denies them a win by having No. 9 force them to shield Kurusu and Kikoru from some projectiles. A cheap tactic but fittingly so given that No. 9 doesn’t care to fight fair.
Some time later, a memorial service is held for Isao. The show doesn’t elaborate on who will take Isao’s place as Director General though I guess in-universe, that’s something the Defense Force hasn’t completely sorted out. Kikoru is noticeably absent from the memorial. Aside from grief, Kikoru explains that she won’t say goodbye to her father until she’s strong enough and has taken Kaiju No. 9 down, which is understandable and absolutely something Kikoru would say. As tragic as it is for Kikoru to lose her father, killing off Isao may actually serve her character arc well. It helps justifies Kikoru’s feelings of powerlessness, it further fuels her motivation, and it gives her character a sympathetic angle that contracts nicely with her ego.
Impressed by Kikoru’s resolve, Gen offers to pass down everything Isao taught him to her in the future. This is under the condition that Kikoru becomes on par with a Platoon Leader, though to be honest, I am kind of convinced that Gen is partly holding off so that he can play on his Nintendo Switch 2. Pretty neat that Kikoru starts training under Shinonome. The little rivalry they started in Episode 14 actually gets to go somewhere. Kikoru apparently aims to surpass Shinonome within a month, which sounds like a tall order but knowing Kikoru, she could very well pull it off.
Meanwhile, Kafka notices that his right hand hasn’t completely reverted back and it instead still has a mark of kaiju skin on it. After consulting with the First Division’s science team, Kafka learns that continuously using his powers will eventually result in his kaiju form becoming permanent. While keeping this matter to himself, Kafka receives permission to return to his hometown. During his vacation, he also meets up with his buddies at the kaiju disposal service. Even though it’s brief, I really love seeing Kafka reconnect with his friends and even indulge in some monster cleaning again (though funnily enough, he deliberately refrains from dealing with kaiju intestines). I still would love a spin-off dedicated to this part of the show’s world. On a more serious note, having Kafka return home for a bit is brilliant. It shows how much Kafka would like to live as a human and it also makes you feel for him as it’s likely that this life will no longer be possible for him.
Upon returning to base, Gen tells Kafka that he’s been informed about the latter’s condition. However, Gen decides to worry about Kafka’s transformation becoming permanent for later. Right now, he wants Kaiju No. 9 dead and he believes Kafka will help him achieve that. Considering Gen’s pride as the strongest Defense Force soldier, I find it really interesting that he admits that he could use all the help that he can get. He may be egotistic but he still has a good read on the threat No. 9 poses and acknowledges that he can’t defeat it alone. I also like that he appeals to Kafka’s desire to get back at No. 9, something that they both share following their failure in the last battle. I like to think that it helps Gen relate with Kafka and that subconsciously informs his decision to keep the daikaiju in his division.
You get a bit of a montage of everyone in various divisions training for the battles that’s inevitably on the horizon. You even get a cameo by Reno and Iharu. Remember those guys? I sure would love to see what they’ve been up to. The most curious cameo occurs when Hoshina (Kengo Kawanishi) visits a lab containing the remains of Kaiju No. 10, the red humanoid daikaiju the Third Division thought at the end of Season 1. I thought for sure that No. 10 died in its attempt to blow up the Third Division’s death but to be fair, we never did see its core get destroyed. How peculiar that Isao secretly ruled for No. 10 to remain alive. Unlike with Kafka, there is a strong case to convert No. 10 into parts like always so I wonder what’s the Defense Force’s grand plan for it.
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