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Dennou Coil Episode 3 + 4 – Enter the Encoder, Isako

June 21, 2007 on 9:26 pm | In Anime, Dennou Coil |

In episodes 3 and 4, we find out more about the mysterious Isako and a little bit about Yasako’s past. Negative emotions are being tossed about and fights are starting to break loose. We get to see more of the imaginative world of Dennou Coil as well as learn more about some of the characters in these two episodes.

Summary

Ep. 3:

Continuing where we left off from the last episode, the Mojos are attempting to capture Densuke with Mega-baa and Kyoko (more or less) trying to stop them. However, Mega-baa breaks her back and Kyoko runs off with a megane-beam, zapping anything in sight.

Yasako goes into her first day at her new school with Fumie and Daichi. Daichi however, doesn’t seem to fancy Yasako, blaming her for not being able to capture his “quarry” before Fumie could. Fumie warns Yasako about Daichi since he’s basically a prankster with his glasses.

Densuke is eventually captured by the Mojos and Mega-baa informs Yasako about it. Yasako and Fumie then go searching for Densuke after class. The Mojos get attacked by Kyuu-chans and Satchiis. It appears that there was only one Satchii present in the town but apparently, now there are two of them. Yasako is able to retrieve Densuke but is chased by both of the Satchiis. They are probably attracted by the virus that is affecting Densuke.

Yasako gets help from Isako in getting away from the Satchiis. However, Isako was planning to use the situation to steal Densuke away from Yasako. While Isako runs off with Densuke, Yasako fends off one of the Satchiis by depleting her whole supply of megane-beam onto the Satchii.

Yasako finds Isako hiding out in a parking lot. Isako finds a countdown timer on Densuke which appears to be a bomb of some sort that expels the virus from Densuke’s body. The virus and Densuke are sent flying in opposite directions and Yasako is able to recover Densuke. Isako traps the virus and holds up a key in front of it. The virus then reacts to it by opening up a keyhole shape on its forehead. Isako puts in the key which causes the virus to break apart and damage the whole space around it. We also get a glimpse of two keyhole symbols on the back of Isako’s left shoulder.

A Satchii attacks Isako after the incident and Yasako and Fumie run off during the whole commotion. Isako is able to escape the Satchii by drawing a torii enclosed in a circle on the ground which makes whatever inside invisible to the Satchii. Fumie discovers some meta-bugs in the damaged space but Yasako insist that they keep running.

After the whole ordeal, Fumie explains to Yasako that the girl they saw (Isako) was an “Encoder”. She explains that encoders are basically like wizards of cyberspace who can manipulate cyberspace more so than normal glasses users. Fumie and Yasako then inform Mega-baa of the encoder and Mega-baa tells Fumie to gather up information on Isako.

The next day in class, Fumie starts worrying about how hard it would be to find Isako. Then right after she says that, Isako appears as a new transfer student in the same class.

Ep. 4

With what happened in the past episode, Yasako and Fumie are a bit uneasy with the familiar face that has shown up in their classroom. Fumie explains to Yasako about some urban legends regarding encoders. One such rumor is that they try to make contracts with “Miss Michiko” who will grant you any wish you’d want.

Fumie and Yasako immediately begin their “investigation” of Isako. Although Fumie began the conversation with a pleasant demeanor, things soon turned for the worst with Isako’s anti-social attitude. Daichi soon butts in thinking that Fumie is trying to recruit Isako into her “let’s play detective” club. Daichi tries to recruit Isako into his hackers club in hopes to have their first female member. However, Isako ignores Daichi which causes him to get upset.

During the next lecture, Daichi attempts to pull some cyber pranks on the two new girls. His first attempt at Yasako is easily stopped with the help of Fumie. Daichi then attempts to pull the same prank on Isako when she goes up to solve a problem on the board. However, Isako easily repels the attack and even causes it to backfire onto Daichi.

After the incident, the children are talking about a hidden illegal function that the glasses may contain that allows the user to control their glasses with their minds. However, it seems that there has been a bug associated with this function which makes its use forbidden. With his previous prank causing his glasses to be rebooted, Daichi and his hooligans resort to traditional real-life pranks. This, of course, is just a lead up into what they have in store for Isako after class.

Yasako attempts to befriend Isako after school but, despite her efforts Isako lashes out at her saying that she does not like people who “blindly flock to others”. Isako then claims that she thinks that Yasako moved to this new school because of trouble she caused or that has been caused at her old school. She claims that either Yasako has been bullied or has bullied others. Yasako denies the fact even though she becomes very disturbed.

Daichi sends a fake message from Maiko-sensei to Isako to meet with her. This turns out to be a trap laid by Daichi and his hacker’s club to start a cyber war with Isako. Daichi and his buddies use special “portals” that can appear anywhere in that space and send things through it. In Daichi’s case, cyber bullets and rockets from turrets on his side were shot through the portal at Isako. Fumie and Yasako also get in on the fight by observing her from another location.

Isako is able to escape her predicament by making it seem that she’s in two places at the same time. She learns how to manipulate the portals for herself and uses them to counter attack against Daichi. Isako manages to lead Daichi and his followers into a trap using their own weapons against them… however the fight is still not over. Fumie gets into a struggle with Isako for a while and finally manages to steal some information from Isako before having her connection completely cut off. Fumie gives the information to Mega-baa however, most of the information has been damaged during the fight except for a few pieces… “Michiko”.

Impressions

I’m starting to see a whole new side to the world of Dennou Coil… it’s starting to be a bit more darker and less innocent fun. We learned of the existence of encoders, Miss Michiko and even a little bit about Yasako’s past. There have also been a few symbols that apparently have some significance to the story such as, keyholes and torii. What could the significance of these symbols be? I’m sure we will find out sooner or later and I am anxious for the truth of it all.

Encoders seem to be the elite hackers of the world of Dennou Coil. I’m wondering about how many other encoders there are and what their purpose really is. Could they be some sort of group or cult with a sole purpose? Or are they simply loners trying to achieve their own goals? Whatever the case may be, I’m sure it will be an interesting one.

Miss Michiko seems to have a deep significance in this story. The mere mention of her/its name has popped up numerous times through out the series so far. What is Miss Michiko exactly? How is she/it related to Isako? What is Miss Michiko’s purpose?

Yasako story/role is still a bit mysterious to me. I haven’t really though of her background much since her dream involving a possible brother until Isako brought up her “guess” about Yasako’s reason for leaving her old school and moving to Daikoku City. Could Yasako possibly have a dark side to her? I’m kind of interested in seeing Yasako as a “bully” but, even if she wasn’t one I’m sure whatever her reason for leaving will be an interesting one.