Ep 2. Dream ~ "a girl appears"
- April 22, 2006
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(10)
In the second episode of the anime series Tokko, titled "Dream ~ 'a girl appears'", the plot thickens as new mysteries arise and the danger escalates.
After the shocking events of the previous episode, Ranmaru Shindo - the young special forces agent tasked with investigating and fighting the weird creatures known as Phantoms, who have been terrorizing Tokyo - is struggling to come to terms with the truth about his past and the fate of his family. His team tries to offer him support and guidance, but there's little any of them can do to alleviate the trauma and confusion he's feeling.
As if that wasn't enough, Ranmaru starts experiencing disturbing dreams that seem to mix his memories, nightmares, and premonitions. One such vision leads him back to his childhood home, which has been abandoned for years, and he finds a strange symbol etched on the wall in blood. His sister, who died in a mysterious incident years ago, appears in the dream as well, but she's elusive and cryptic, leaving Ranmaru with more questions than answers.
Meanwhile, the Tokko team receives reports of a new Phantom attacking people in a park, and they rush to the scene. They find a grotesque creature that's spewing a strange gas and latching onto its victims with razor-sharp tendrils. However, there's also a witness to the attack - a teenage girl named Saya who seems to have some sort of connection to the Phantoms. She claims that she saw the monster talking to a person before it appeared, and that the person was wearing a uniform similar to the one Ranmaru and his colleagues wear.
The team brings Saya to their headquarters for questioning, but they're wary of her strange behavior and apparent knowledge of the Phantoms. She's uncooperative and evasive, and seems to have a chip on her shoulder about the police and military forces in general. However, they soon discover that Saya has something in common with Ranmaru's case: her father was also a Tokko agent who died in the line of duty, but under suspicious circumstances.
As the episode progresses, Ranmaru and Saya's paths cross multiple times, and they both seem to be searching for answers and connections. The flashbacks and dreams that Ranmaru experiences reveal more about his family's involvement with the Phantoms, and how they may have deeper ties to some of the Tokko leaders than he initially thought. Meanwhile, Saya's cryptic remarks suggest that she's aware of a larger conspiracy involving the Phantoms, the Tokko organization, and some shadowy figures in the government.
The climax of the episode takes place as the Tokko team tries to confront the Phantom that attacked in the park, but their usual tactics prove ineffective. Saya shows up again, seemingly drawn to the scene, and reveals a surprising power that helps them defeat the monster. However, Ranmaru is left even more perplexed and disoriented as he sees something familiar in Saya's eyes - something that may be a clue to his own destiny.
Overall, "Dream ~ 'a girl appears'" is a tense and character-driven episode that expands on the mythology and themes of the series. It introduces new players and hints at possible alliances and betrayals, while also exploring the emotional turmoil and struggles of the main characters. The animation is well-done and the pacing is brisk, keeping the audience engaged and curious about what's to come.