Note: Damn. Usually I try to get these summaries up as soon as I get the episode, but I was just too tired. Now that it’s Friday and the work week is over, plenty of time and energy to go around. Screen caps will come later though. Like tomorrow. Anyway, let’s begin.

Episode 2:

The day after, Sumire is still fatigued by the effects from being in Berserker mode. At the organization, they plan to perform more tests to make the Berserker mode more stable and safer. During the tests, they test different concentrations on Sumire while locking her within an energy barrier. The tests aim to have her be in conscious control of her powers, instead of being on a rampage. They also notice during the tests that the symbol on her shoulder has been changing in pattern.

Depending on how many episodes are slated for this series, Sumire will either be able to learn how to control her powers or they go out of control at the end and Lucia has to put an end to her. I predict that if it’s a short series (12 or 13 eps), Sumire will be pushed to the limits and her Berserker mode will remain permanent. If it’s a long or longer series (24+) chances are that Sumire will somehow find a way to control her powers at a very important time to save the day. And the strange symbols.. it’s definitely a ticking time bomb.

Sumire thinks back to her earlier experiences when she runs away from the Venus organization in an attempt to regain an ordinary life again, which is about two weeks after joining forces with Lucia. During that time, Lucia tries to persuade Sumire that she can’t return to the world she knew. Eventually her body might go return to normal, but in the meantime, she needs to put it to use. Sumire refuses to accept the facts.

When I first saw this episode, I didn’t realize she was having a flashback. Of course, on the second time around, things made a little more sense. And I’m guessing the hopes that Sumire’s body returning to normal is nothing more than wishful thinking. I doubt the viewers will stand for it, considering the subtle relationship that is portrayed between the heroines in the opening, ending, and intermediate stills.

At school, she’s unable to avoid staring at the Virus that stalks the campus. She finds herself in trouble when her eyes meet up with the Virus. Sumire runs back to her classroom and pulls out the antivirus gun in her bag. The Virus chases her around until he is hurt by one of the antivirus bullets. Sumire goes on the chase but is led to the roof of the building where she is cornered.

Despite the fear that Sumire displayed when seeing the Virus and running away from it, she sure had some guts to go chasing after it. Then again, she does have a trump card if it came down to it.

After wasting her second to last bullet on a missed shot, she runs out of options and shoots herself with the last bullet. In Berserker mode, she makes short work of the Virus. Lucia appears shortly after and locks Sumire in a barrier, but Sumire breaks out of the barrier. That is the last thing that happens before Sumire wakes up and sees that her altered self had injured Lucia. She tells Lucia that she realizes that she can’t go back to an ordinary life.

With this flashback, does that mean that that particular Berserker mode is a lot stronger than the one later down the road as this one can tear apart the barrier or is it that they developed a stronger barrier? And what do all the symbols mean? It does look like from the vantage point that the symbols reshape themselves to provide special skills to Sumire. Gotta wait and see (or get my hands on the manga).

Back in the present day, Sumire is less troubled by the testing. She finds a playground on the way home and finds a person there reading a book. He happens to be the same person she bumped into on the street in the previous episode.

I had a feeling that guy would make a second appearance. In the first episode, there was a slightly longer pause to show his face in that scene than it would for just some nobody. Of course, someone could as easily point out that the guy is in the opening credits. However, although very unlikely, I have this feeling he’s working for the bad guys. Because what other purpose does he really serve besides a possible love interest for Sumire?