MARS RED “A Midsummer Night’s Dream Gone By” Review
MARS RED “A Midsummer Night’s Dream Gone By” is the tenth episode of the MARS RED anime. Following the events of episode 9 the Code Zero boys decide to go and find some supplies Takeuchi had stashed away. Whilst Aoi and Defrott put on a potentially lethal play.
Plot
Whilst the Code Zero boys scout out the area. Aoi meets Defrott in the theatre in order to convince him to do another play. This time it’s Orpheus with Defrott playing the main man himself. A clear indication of what’s going to happen to Defrott and Aoi. Meanwhile, Takeuchi is talking the Tenmaya crew through his newest invention. A flying machine. He also shows everyone a vial of the Ascra blood that’s being used to make people vampires. It apparently reacts to the UV light from the sun. So could perhaps be used to help vampires age.
Meanwhile Rufus is plotting away at getting Defrott, who he sees as a pebble in his shoe. He see’s Aoi that way too, he makes it quite clear as he is complaining about Kurusu to LTG. Nakajima. Using the plot of Orpheus. He lures Defrott to the area underground with shutters to let sunlight in. With Aoi in the middle of the room knocked out, in plain sunlight he starts to open random shutters so Defrott can’t just walk out.
But all is disturbed when Maeda shows up, calling Aoi Misaki by mistake. And stating he will kill all vampires.
Review
Even for an episode which is clearly meant for exposition and filler before the final few bring things to a close this was a beautiful episode. The subtle hints the show is known for is still here. Defrott saying he’ll be Orpheus as long as Aoi changes Orpheus’ fate. Obviously hinting at Orpheus’ myth meaning love and the power of art to overcome death. A sign of Defrott’s deep depression as he’s lost the very thing he himself did actually symbolise.
The female vampire that is friendly with the code zero boys has clearly given up. She’s caught by Suwa before she can destroy Takeuchi’s blood serum and later remarks that vampires like them will never fly like birds as birds fly in the sunlight, something they can never do. She and Suwa do seem to have a connection, though. So maybe he can save her. He has definitely become more relaxed around the child vampires, his cute interactions around them being some of the best in the episode.
I think it’s safe to say that Maeda can’t be saved at this point. Mistaking Aoi for Misaki just because she was wearing the Salome costume. And making the comment he’ll kill all vampires. He’s still stern but none of the “tough love” personality is there. He’s just in too deep and has lost himself. I’m excited to see how far he’ll go. Part of me wishes he’ll come round but the realistic part of me knows Kurusu will likely have to finish him off.
