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I'm really disappointed with this show. I didn't hope for too much but I did hope for more.
What I hoped for was something episodic darker slice-of-life action series, where we get to examine different contractors under different contracts. How contractors are using their unique powers to lead an unique life, and how they're paying unique price to get them. It would also mirror how we humans in real life are not that much different to contractors, going through hardships and painful or boring stuff just so that we can get things that we want in life.
From what I have seen in the first six episodes, their powers are simply fanservice. They're just there to look cool, they're their weapons, symbol of their power, whatever, anything but symbolic of their unique goals and sacrifices in the life they choose. Even actions are poorly executed. I can understand that their powers are useful in assassinations because they add an element of surprise. For example, the guy who can freeze liquids by contact, could assassinate three mafia guys with guns because they let their guard down and let the contractor use his ability without knowing his powers. But guns would have been infinitely more useful in an open face to face battle. While you are freezing the ground and waiting for the guy ten meters away to freeze, the opposition could've easily shot an entire magazine of bullets. I mean, November 11 need the woman to summon a bloody storm of water before he can do anything useful in the street. Again, it's there to look cool, completely ignoring these obvious limitations to their power. I think many fans of shounen anime are willing to ignore that, maybe even embrace that. That is all good, since it's all fun, but I expected more and I'm not getting it.
I would've stopped watching this show if it wasn't for Havoc. I mean, sure, she died in the most lame possible, and dramatic impact of her death was lost when I started hearing that cheesy tune as the contractors and Hei arrived in the battleground like gladiators. But it was nice to see that one formerly feared as the most destructive contractor able to live peacefully without her power. Made me think whether this contract is something like Death Note, changing their character completely by growing seeds of evil inside their heart. I'm glad they didn't show Havoc's power just for the coolness factor. Her decision to not use it was a sign that there may still exist a possibility for contractors to resist evil. Although she was practically 'sniped' by the icicle missiles and one could argue that she would've died even if she was willing to use her power. But then again, one could argue that the guy could've killed Hei also in that one single assault, which again illustrates poorly designed action sequences but I won't go into that anymore. Also their interaction made me bit curious on Hei's past. His previous reason for becoming a contractor, how he lost the need of obescience (and I thought he just had to eat a lot), and his sister.
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