Heavy Object

Episode 22

I wonder how far down you'd have to shrink the Objects in Heavy Object before they got to a reasonable action figure size. Given the spherical shape that most of them have, maybe it'd make more sense to have a line of soccer balls. Instead of the usual black and white pattern, they could print each Object's array of turrets and cannons onto the ball. Heck, I'd probably buy one just for the sheer novelty of the thing.

It's a race against time this week as the Indigo Plasma and its group of dummy Objects bear down on the city. Qwenthur, Havia, and the Battlefield Cleaning Service launch a drone attack to slow the enemy down, and the ensuing fight yields some vital information. Guided by Granny's technical expertise, Qwenthur is able to analyze a piece of armor from one of the dummy Objects. The weakness they discover allows them to come up with a plan for using the enemy's overwhelming firepower against them. The timely arrival of Milinda and her freshly repaired Baby Magnum seals the Indigo Plasma's fate and saves the city. The team may not have a chance to relax, however, as a familiar foe looks poised to step up for a rematch.

The drones used by the Battlefield Cleaning Service add an intriguing new dimension to Heavy Object's man-against-machine battles. Having a way to attack the baddies from a distance gives Qwenthur and Havia a chance to test their opponents' abilities before committing to a strategy. The plan that they eventually come up with is satisfying to watch, especially since it requires the guys to use what they've learned from past battles. It lacks some of the explosive punch of the show's Object-against-Object battles, but it's fun to watch the team annoy their enemies to death with little remote-controlled toys.

The chemistry between Qwenthur, Havia, and the maids remains strong, and I can't help but enjoy the way Wydine's personality changes depending on which of the guys she's talking to. It's a good thing that Heavy Object is getting into the habit of bringing a few new minor characters along for each story arc; Qwenthur and Havia can only do so much to carry the show's comedic ambitions on their own. This episode's more dramatic efforts are also fairly successful, thanks in large part to the way things play out with Granny's efforts to protect her family. The script doesn't push too hard for a big emotional payoff here, instead opting to go for a pleasant moment of sentimentality after the battle. Granny's willingness to openly praise Qwenthur and Havia for their efforts provides a genuinely satisfying moment that we might have missed if the show had tried to swing for the fences by putting the family in the line of fire. This is a good example of less being more, and it's a solid improvement over the previous story arc's dramatic overreach.

Between the revelation that the maids have really been working for Ohoho, and Sladder's ominous warning to Charlotte in the prison cell, it's clear that Heavy Object is trying really hard to set up a big clash for the end of the season. The first of the two epilogues is arguably the more intriguing, as it pairs one of the show's better antagonists with some competent and entertaining backup. Together, they make for an exciting group of opponents for the Baby Magnum team to face off against. The interrogation after the end credits seems less necessary, as it only serves to reiterate the already obvious fact that the main characters are in for a big fight. Still, I suppose it's important to bring Sladder Honeysuckle back into the picture now that Prizewell City Slicker has gone out in a blaze of glory. It just wouldn't be Heavy Object without at least one silly name to giggle at.

Heavy Object has put on a good show with this latest batch of episodes. The series has seemingly found its groove here, balancing its core strengths with a more refined delivery. Things are looking positive across the board as we head into the final episodes of the season, and I'd love to see the show end on a high note. The anime world is full of mecha shows with forgettable endings, but perhaps this stubbornly nerdy series has what it takes to defy that trend.

Rating: B+

Heavy Object is currently streaming on Funimation.

Paul Jensen is a freelance writer and editor. You can follow more of his anime-related ramblings on Twitter.