Ep 3. Naoyuki Ando

Inuyashiki: Last Hero season 1 episode 3 titled "Naoyuki Ando" continues to explore the unique powers wielded by the two robotic protagonists, Ichiro Inuyashiki and Hiro Shishigami. The episode takes place primarily in a high school setting, with the storyline following Naoyuki Ando, a student who is bullied by his classmates.

Naoyuki is shown to be a typical loner, always on the outskirts of social situations and subject to ridicule and abuse from his peers. In one particularly painful scene, he is cornered in the bathroom by a group of boys who mock him and throw objects at him. Naoyuki's distraught expression indicates the extent to which he is struggling with his circumstances.

In the midst of this trauma, Naoyuki unwittingly comes across Ichiro Inuyashiki. Ichiro is present at the school as part of his quest to use his newfound powers for good, and he takes notice of the troubled student. Despite his initial trepidation, Naoyuki is eventually convinced to open up to Ichiro about his struggles.

Through Ichiro's interactions with Naoyuki, the episode becomes a commentary on the issue of bullying in schools. Naoyuki's story is a touching and timely one, as it explores the dangerous consequences of bullying and sheds light on the emotional turmoil that victims of bullying often experience.

However, the episode also balances its focus on social issues with exciting and action-packed sequences. We see Ichiro use his powers to help Naoyuki fight back against his tormentors, and the resulting battle is both thrilling and satisfying.

In addition to the spectacular action scenes, the episode also features a number of quieter, more introspective moments that help to flesh out the characters. We see Ichiro grappling with his new identity as a superhero, and Hiro struggling with the emptiness that comes with his own abilities.

Overall, "Naoyuki Ando" offers an intriguing blend of social commentary, action, and character development. It is not only a showcase of the show's impressive animation and design, but also a testament to the creative team's ability to balance compelling storylines with important societal issues.