Episode 3: Install
Continuing from the previous episode, the “Black Bird” continues to appear. They realize that the “Black Bird” is using the red dragon’s corpse to appear. Ichi launched his strong Wave of Swords attack that killed the red dragon, however, they were easily deflected dealing no damage. Something is not quite right about this resurrected dragon. As they continue to fight the “Black Bird,” the pirates arrive to destroy the family.
The pirates attack, but the barrier stops their attack. The pirates decide to watch the fate of the Akabane family as they battle the mysterious headless dragon. Shiro and Ichi do a combination attack that appears to have worked. The “Black Bird” makes its way to AAAAA and May. As it raises its foot to step on AAAAA and May, AAAAA pushes May out of the way and takes the death penalty. In the real world, Asuma is knocked over and Ichi/Taichiro hears it.
Out of nowhere, Shiro instructs the rest of the family to log out. In the real world, Kojiro (Taichiro’s father) makes a phone call and instructs the person on the other side to quickly find the address for AAAAA and to send an ambulance. Kojiro then checks himself out of the hospital.
From the next room, Asuma (AAAAA) calls for Taichiro (Ichi). Taichiro makes his way to Asuma’s room. As he enters, he sees a collapsed Asuma. Panicked, he calls an ambulance, but not before he sees Asuma’s login screen.
In the hospital, Taichiro begins to cry when Asuma awakens. He mentions a little sister while he is crying. Taichiro then asks Asuma if he plays Planet. Asuma denies, but Taichiro knows what he saw. Asuma denies it in the ugliest way possible by insulting those who play the game. Asuma admits he is looking for someone to bring them back to reality. Taichiro doesn’t have the heart to tell him he is Ichi and instead tells Asuma he hopes he never finds his friend.
In a conversation with the doctor, Asuma reveals that his father is the creator of Planet and probably developed the headset that caused the injury. Meanwhile, Taichiro is walking home pissed off at the coincidence. Taichiro determines that he will not let the Akabane family perish.
When Taichiro makes it home, it appears his computer was hacked. He then has a memory of his father teaching him how to code. His younger sister brings tea and spills it. The father pushes the daughter down and makes her cry.
THOUGHTS
What a pivotal episode. Taichiro now knows that his brother plays the game and is none other than AAAAA. I am curious to know whether Taichiro knew his brother only played to find him and bring him back to reality. From this episode, I have a lot of questions. If the father created the game and leaves a signature of “Hello World”, how does that play into the title of the show? It makes me really curious. It also begs the question, who is the Black Bird? Shiro/Kojiro obviously knew something and even instructed the person over the phone to find AAAAA. Did someone hack Planet and is planning something nefarious? What happened to Taichiro/Asuma’s sister? Did she die and Taichiro feels responsible?
Filthy Casual for Life 
Leave a comment