Short Summary of Lycoris Recoil Review リコリス・リコイル - Rikorisu Rikoiru:
In order to keep peace and order in Japan they created a secrete organization called Direct Attack (DA). Direct Attack (DA) are trained assassins that eliminate trouble makers that disturb the peace. They are orphaned girls trained to kill under their "Lycoris" program. The story started with Takina Inoue who is an exceptional Lycoris who likes efficiency and results. She's also an expert marksman. Unfortunately, she was discharge from the DA for insubordination since she acted without the permission of superiors and gunned down all the hostage takers risking the life of fellow Lycoris Erika. Takina was transferred to one of the agency's under cover branches "LycoReco", which is a coffee shop. There she'll work with an easy-going agent Chisato Nishikigi, who is an elite Lycoris. Her new mission are mostly being a bodyguard, serving in the cafe, etc. Chisato prefered to use nonlethal weapons in defeating her opponents and this does not sit well with Takina. However, Takina even though she doesn't like her current situation has to get along since she's still hoping to get reinstated to her previous position at the DA.
Comment:
Lycoris Recoil is a nice action anime that is mixed with light and brutal scenes. The story which is the developing friendship between the main characters Takina and Chisato is interesting since they have different personalities and characteristics.
The animation can hold its own compared to other action animes today. I like the action scenes which flows naturally and gives emphasis to their abilities like Chisato dodging bullets and Takina's shooting. The movement is clean and smooth especially in action scenes. The characters are likeable and not annoying. Overall, it has a good storyline no wonder it's one of the most popular anime currently and ranked first on various anime weekly poll charts.
The art work and the story seems to remind me of them:
Or maybe because the director is Shingo Adachi....
Characters:
- Takina Inoue
- Chisato Nishikigi
- Kurumi
- Mizuki Nakahara
- Mika
- Sakura Otome
- Fuki Harukawa
- Mashima
- Saori Shinohara
Episode 1 "Easy does it"
 |
| Takina Inoue |
- Main characters were introduced and it shows the background of the secret organization "DA", the trained assassin who are young orphaned girls known as Lycoris, and the Café LycoReco which is operated by Mika and former DA agent Mizuki Nakahara.
- DA are still looking for the weapons that supposed to be traded in the arms deal operation and the hacker who hacked their system while the operation were ongoing that resulted to a failed mission.
- Chisato shows Takina the job that she'll be doing.
 |
| Chisato Nishikigi |
- Their first bodyguard mission is guarding Saori Sanohara who accidentally took a picture of the ongoing arms deal.
- A mysterious man working for Alan Institute who hired Walnut to hack in to the DA system, bombs the hacker's apartment to silence the hacker.
Episode 2 "The more the merrier"
- Walnut survived the explosion from the last episode and it was exposed that fellow hacker named Robota betrayed him/her, since Robota is after him/her title as the number 1 hacker in Japan.
- This episode revealed the man from the Alan Institute is Yoshi, who is Takina’s first customer.
 |
| Ok, ok, ok, not this Yoshi! |
- Chisato and Takina mission is to protect Walnut from hired assassins who were paid by Robota.
- Walnut appeared in the scene driving a car disguise as a squirrel, Walnut also has a yellow suitcase.
- While they were on transit using a car, Robota hacked the car's control who plans to sink them in the river but failed because Takina shot the drone he's using to control the car.
- In the abandoned supermarket, Chisato and Takina confront the assassins in a gun fight which shows Chisato even aiding the injured enemies. The action scene also shows Chisato's ability to evade bullets like in Matrix.
- While exiting from the abandoned supermarket Walnut is gunned down by another team of assassins. Robota informed Yoshi, that they have successfully eliminated Walnut.
 |
| Kurumi aka Walnut |
- While Chisato and Takina were in a van taking the apparently dead Walnut home, Mizuki emerges from the squirrel costume that is equipped with bulletproof. Walnut also comes out of the yellow suitcase, who appears to be a young girl named Kurumi.
 |
| this is the Yoshi I was talking about... |
Episode 3 "More haste, less speed"
- Takina still feels out of place despite being in LycoReco for months. She still remain distant from Chisato, even if Chisato keeps on bugging her.
- Chisato was called to HQ for a physical exam; Takina begged her to accompany her so she can talk to Commander Kusunoki and request to bring her back.
 |
| Commander Kusunoki and her assistant |
- At the HQ, other Lycoris were seen gossiping about Takina making fun of her being expelled from the DA. Erika, the Lycoris that she saved did not agree with the other Lycoris, she appears to want to talk to Takina but she doesn't have the courage to approach her.
 |
| Takina's former team leader Fuki Harukawa |
- Takina learned that she can no longer be reinstated since her team leader Fuki Harukawa (the one who punched her after the mission) has already filled her spot with a Lycoris named, Sakura Otome and Commander Kusunoki in the first place has no intention of bringing her back.
 |
| Sakura Otome |
- Chisato figured out that the reason Takina can no longer be reinstated because she was used as an scapedgoat to cover up the hack in the DA's advanced AI Radiata.
- In the physical exam, Chisato clearly outclassing Fuki Harukawa. They argued about Takina being set up by the commander. Fuki challenged them to a mock battle, Chisato accepted but Takina ran away.
- Chisato fight against Fuki and Sakura alone at first, but Takina joined the battle and they easily beat the two DA agents.
- Because of this events, Takina seems to gain respect for Chisato and opens up to her.
 |
| Kurumi eating cookies |
Episode 4 "Nothing seek, nothing find"
- Takina questions Chisato's non-lethal bullets which were absolutely inaccurate, which is why Chisato had to shoot up close to her target.
 |
| Kurumi playing VR |
- Chisato discovered the Takina wore boxer shorts so she decides to take her shopping for clothes. They later went to a restaurant and aquarium. The episode shared a little slice of life in the story.
 |
| Takina, Kurumi and Chisato |
- Mika met with Yoshi asking him why he won't tell Chisato who he really is. Yoshi was the one who brought Chisato to Alan Institute; Yoshi argued that it's against their policy.
 |
| Majima |
- While Takina and Chisato were walking home, a terrorist named Majima attacked a subway train thinking that that train is full of civillian but to his surprise the train was full of Lycoris who gunned down all his men. Majima detonates explosives to be able to escape.
Episode 5 "So far, so good"
 |
| Takina, Chisato and old geezer Matsushita |
- After a month from the last episode, Chisato and Takina have a new mission, acting as bodyguards for an old terminally ill rich guy named Matsushita, the old businessman wanted to go around Japan. While Chisato was chatting with the old man, she revealed that she can relate with the old man since she has a mechanical heart which shocked Takina. Upon hearing about Chisato's heart, Kurumi after a while figured out where Chisato’s heart came from the Alan Institute.
- They were followed by an assassin named, Silent Jin who Mika remembers working with 15 ago. Matsushita the old guy, said that Jin killed his family and what he really wants was to guard him but to kill Jin in revenge. Chisato was able to defeat Jin after he hits Takina. The old man ask her to kill Jin but she refuse then he ask why an "Alan Child" refuse to kill. He also warned her about the Alan Institute’s plans. However, before he can divulge the secret the old man's machine suddenly stop working, killing him. They learned afterwards that, "Matsushita" was just some old drug addict and were used as a puppet. The person controlling him was soon revealed who looks like the secretary of Yoshi.
Meanwhile, Majima together with his gang ambush and kill a Lycoris.
Episode 6 "Opposites attract"
-
In the ending of the last episode, we saw Majima and his gang eliminating a
Lycoris agent this will be the continuation of that story. When the news
reached Takina regarding the attacks on Lycoris agents, she decided to live
with Chisato since there is safety in numbers.
- Majima getting impatient for loosing more men for attacking Lycoris
agents threatens Robota giving him only 3 days to look for the location of the
DA headquarters. After three days Majima barge into Robota's apartment to kill
him but stopped when he saw Chisato recording beating up someone who attacked
her apartment.
- Kurumi found out how the criminals know the identity of the Lycoris
agents who were attacked. It was from a photo of the team who took part in the
arms deal mission. Kurumi also revealed that she was the one who hacked the DA
that resulted to Takina's dismissal. She also shows Chisato's photo taken while
she was defending her apartment, telling the three that Chisato's life might be
in danger.
- Chisato while walking to her mission got attacked by Majima. She was
captured beaten and about to be shot by Majima when Kurumi shot the gun from
afar.
Episode 7 "Time will tell"
- Meanwhile
back the LycoReco, Chisato caught a glimpse of a text message from an anonymous
sender to Mika. Chisato thought that the DA is planning to close down LycoReco
so she asks the other to help her investigate.
- Robota was
able to find more information on Chisato sharing them to Majima, he found out
that Chisato was involve in the old Tokyo Tower incident which Majima is
responsible for that attack. Majima attacked a police station.
- Fuki and
Sakura (Takina's replacement) went to LycoReco to show them surveillance
footage of Majima's attack on a police station which they finally identified
Majima.
- Mika went
to a high class bar to meet someone, Chisato, Takina, Kurumi, and Mizuki
secretly followed him and found out that he was meeting Yoshi. They thought it
was a date and that Mika is homosexual.
- When
Chisato and Takina were about to leave, Chisato overheard that Yoshi was the
one who saved her 10 years ago. She exposes her cover and talks to Yoshi and
thanked him.
- In an
elevator, Mika pointed a gun on Yoshi threatening him to leave Chisato alone.
He later apologizes to Chisato for hiding the truth from her.
- At the end
of the ending credits, it shows briefly that both Chisato and Majima have owl
pendant which revealed both of them are Alan Child.
Recommended Light Novels:
| Spice and Wolf, Vol. 1 (Light Novel) |
Episode 8 "Another day, another dollar"
Lycoris Recoil Spin-off Light Novel
このたび、小島監督より小説『リコリス・リコイル Ordinary days』へコメントを寄稿させていただきました。
— KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS (@KojiPro2015) August 21, 2022
小説の詳細はこちらから👇https://t.co/oijz5s3e3g@lycoris_recoil@asaura_seizon@imigimuru pic.twitter.com/qzb9SWWDjJ
え？そんな疑惑が？！
— Ayako (Touchy!) (@Kaizerkunkun) August 21, 2022
小島監督のコメント依頼を多くいただきますが、監督自身が気に入った作品のみお受けしています。 https://t.co/wrtHoPPphO
Episode 9 "What's done is done"
Episode 10 " Repay evil with evil"
Episode 11 " Diamond cut diamond"
- Kusunoki gives final instructions to Lycoris
for their assault to take down Majima. Takina noticed the the name of Chisato
on the list of Lycoris and ask Kusunoki about it. Kusunoki told her that she’s
not coming since she lost contact with her. Takina felt something strange to
she left and tried to investigate on her own she proceeded to Café LycoReco and
found Chisato’s phone. She suspects that Majima has something to do with it.
-Onboard an airplane,
Kurumi is using a virtual reality device to investigate Yoshi, and she found
out more information on him through the doctor that created Chisato's
artificial heart. She also found out that there is an improved version of that
device that can save Chisato's life. She hurriedly disembark the plane and get Mizuki
to leave her flight to Vancouver too. She called Takina to inform her about the
better version of the artificial heart.
- Meanwhile,
Majima talks to Robota asking if he was ready for Act 2 as the Lycoris begins
on raiding his suppose hideout.
- While Takina’s
team is waiting, she received a call from Kurumi. Kurumi sends her a photo of Yoshimatsu
tied up which led her to believe Chisato is on her way to rescue him since Mika’s
car is heading towards the old radio tower. Takina left her team to help
Chisato even if she knew that she can never go back again.
- The Lycoris
continue their operation against Majima's hideout but it turns out to be a trap,
Robota hack the Radiata and seize the airwaves to expose the DA's existence and
the Lycoris agents all over Japan.
- Chisato
attacks the old radio tower and fights with Majima. Majima traps her in a room
where there are no lights which neutralize her ability to predict while
maximizing Majima's super hearing ability. Majima has the upper hand and he’s
beating Chisato at every turn, when he’s about to hit Chisato midair, Takina
burst into a wall to kick Majima in the face leaving a huge hole in the wall
that gives Chisato the advantage. Prepare to continue with their battle next
week!
Episode 12 "Nature versus nurture"
- Right where we left off from the previous episode, Chisato, Takina and Majima are battling it out. Takina whispers to Chisato that she’s out of bullet, she revealed to Takina, Majima’s super hearing ability. In the end, the duo Chisato and Takina were too much of Majima. They were able to defeat and capture him.
- The DA were informed about Majima’s capture and Kusunoki orders to get the cleaner to Majima’s location. She was stopped by a mustache man and he told Kusunoki that all the Lycoris will be disposed. Fuki received an order to standby. Mustache man tells Kusunoki that every Lycoris will have to disappear and Lillybell (just like Lycoris but made up of boys) will deal with them.
- Chisato finally found Yoshi who tells her that she’s supposed to kill people not help them. He told Chisato that he has implanted the new artificial heart into himself so she needs to kill him for her to continue living. Chisato refuses to kill him but Takina tried to attack him but stopped by Chisato.
- Mizuki and Kurumi arrived on a helicopter and she tells them that they have a new mission, they need to rescue the Lycoris at Enkuboku which is about to get deactivated by a group of LilyBell agents. Kurumi gave Chisato a USB stick so she can hack the tower and expose Robota.
- Fuki ask her team to move and disobey orders. She ask the others and the injured Lycoris to joined up with the other team and she tells Sakura to join her and take back the control room.
- Chisato and Takina arrived in time and save Fuki and the others who are getting beat up. She also plugs in the USB stick which helps Kurumi expose Robota and upload a fake video telling the people that it was all a publicity stunt.
- Since DA's secret identity has been restored the higher ups calls off the LilyBell.
- Just about when the elevator door’s about to close Majima appears and peppered them with bullets leaving Majima and Chisato alone in the same floor.
Episode 13 " Recoil of Lycoris"
- Inside the elevator, the Lycoris are
tending to Sakura who got shot when Majima peppered them with bullets.
- Meanwhile
on the top floor, Chisato and Majima will begin the continuation of their
battle. Majima activated a countdown timer for a bomb on his phone that will blew
up the tower in one hour. He also shuts down the power to Enkobou so that no
one will interfere with their fight.
- Takina decided to left the other
Lycoris to help Chisato fight Majima.
- Chisato
and Majima fights but was interrupted when her heart started malfunctioning.
Majima lost his interest in fighting Chisato and decided to sit it out and talk
for a while. As it turns out, Majima thinks he’s in the right path that he
likes to bring down the DA by exposing them and bring chaos since they are
lying to the public, while Chisato wants to help other people.
- In another
scene, Mika was able to reach Yoshimatsu and Himegawa. He fought Himegawa
briefly and was able to bring her down. He then proceeded to kill Yoshimatsu to
get the new heart for Chisato.
- Chisato
and Majima resumes their battle, Majima was able to hit Chisato since she’s
more focus in snatching the detonator. Takina arrives and Chisato was able to
shoot Majima multiple times that causes the glass to break and both Chisato and
Majima fell. Takina rush to save her friend Chisato which she did successfully
while Majima fell off the tower.
- The timer
sounded off and instead of a bomb it was only fireworks.
- The
general population accepted Radiata's cover story that it was only a publicity
stunt a movie. The DA seems to be having trouble finding the majority of
the guns Majima had hidden while Majima
was revealed to have survived the fall.
- Chisato
who was missing after her successful heart transplant was tracked down by Takina.
She found her in a resort. Mika hid it from everyone that he had to kill Yoshimatsu
for the heart.
- Chisato,
Takina, Kurumi, Mika and Mizuki all went to Hawaii to operate a cafe truck.