UlasanAnime.com – The age-old debate between ninjas and pirates concludes with Black Lagoon, where the maid emerges victorious.
Words felt insufficient to capture the experience of watching films like Desperado or Terminator 2 for the first time. Similarly, little can be said about the masterpiece that is Black Lagoon episode 9, beyond sheer awe and an overwhelming desire to rewatch it repeatedly. The image of Roberta’s deceptively simple shoes rotating counterclockwise, framed by the lace trims of her uniform, is etched in my mind. This mental playback also includes her quick “peek-a-boom!” with a spinning umbrella, or her transformation into a rigid, flat-fisted running style as she brandishes a combat knife. My immediate reaction was to make Terminator 2 jokes before truly savoring the brilliance of this animated episode.
The dedication and passion of the creators are palpable in this episode. It’s the only logical explanation for such a compelling piece of work.
To be candid, Roberta initially bothered me. After discovering Black Lagoon, I delved into its manga, stopping at volume one. I had a strong premonition about the direction the story would take, for better or worse. While the series excels in its depiction of outrageous mercenary action with a gritty realism, exploring the grim realities of criminals versus our own imperfect lives, it occasionally falters. The escapism it offers is well-executed, and the action sequences are intelligent, but the manga sometimes succumbs to mediocrity by trying too hard to adhere to conventions, perhaps intentionally.
Do you recall Noir? I was among those who initially enjoyed it, only to become thoroughly frustrated by its descent into a bizarre slideshow of secret societies. Frankly, it could have been a stronger series if not for Chloe. Roberta, in her outlandishness and her status as a SOLDAT, reminded me of Chloe. Both are undeniably formidable fighters.
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One can’t help but wonder if Noir would have been a better show with Chloe as a maid. Thankfully, we don’t have to ponder that question for Black Lagoon; it’s a maid destined to win.
Interestingly, this discussion is part two of a larger entry, which began with Gunslinger Girl.
The concept of killer maids is not inherently flawed, nor is it particularly novel. The dichotomy was perhaps best explored in anime through GSG (Gunslinger Girl), which explains why Roberta’s character immediately brought it to mind. However, when placed alongside the other female characters in Black Lagoon, what kind of unique concoction is Roberta? Is she merely another special on the Yellow Flag’s menu?
If Rebecca were Suzumiya Haruhi, would Balalaika, in the role of Nagato Yuki, step in to save Rock (and Dutch and Benny) from certain death? This line of thought makes me appreciate Asakura Ryoko even more.
