Blast of DTL-Tempest - Episode 4
This was a really good episode. In terms of direction and script, I'll say this is probably the strongest episode so far. A pure character development episode focused on Yoshino and Mahiro, exploring their relationship and history together, and showing the contrast and similarities between their own perspectives of the relationship, as they relate it to Hakaze. Ando's storyboarding is really strong, and here he flexes his character drama skills instead of action. It reminds me a lot of the better episodes of Hanasaku Iroha, except with a somewhat more retrospective tone. The episode really captures the feeling of two friends who are now older, thinking back to their younger days in a nostalgic way.
The music is also a strong factor this week, with the more bombastic action themes being exchanged for softer and more melancholic tunes which set the mood really well. One piece I especially liked was an instrumental arrangement of the lullaby from the end of episode 3. The production values are a little lower this week compared to the high octane opening episodes, and surprisingly the episode was co-produced by Gonzo. No complaints though, because it was really well executed.
