Shenmue’sfifth episode marks a turning point for theanimeseries, as Ryo Hazuki finally departs for Hong Kong in his quest to exact revenge from Lan Di, but not without a legendary brawl taking place before and Ryo saying his goodbyes to the people of Yokosuka.
In that sense, the anime doesn’t walk wander away from theShenmuegame in too many aspects, yet when it does it’s only to continue its distinctive trend of boosting how relevant some of the Dreamcast NPCs were in Ryo’s story. That this particular episode includes two of the best action moments from said game is exactly the cherry on top it needs to turn it into one of the best so far, even when accounting for the inconsistent pacing in the series.
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“Equal” picks up the plot just a bit beforewhereShenmue’sfourth episode left, with Ryo and Guizhang fighting each other much to Terry Ryan’s pleasure, however, it’s soon revealed that anime Ryo is a much better planner than his videogame counterpart. Why? Because the young Hazuki left a clue for the very unreliable Goro to find so that he and the rest of his friends can go lend a hand in their attempt to take down the Mad Angels.
This without a doubt the biggest change from game to animeShenmuefans might find here, because it not only makes Nozomi less of a damsel in distress but it also helps highlight the importance of Ryo gaining friendship points with Gorom, Mai, and Mark, an element that would perhaps be present inShenmueif it had been made a decade later. The fact that having Mark get involved also brings some forklift action is definitely a bonus, especially for those who might feel leaving the industrial vehicle races was a missed opportunity.
Nevertheless, translating interactive media is no easy task, and while Yu Suzuki and Chikara Sakurai have done a great job so far, the series shows that in this episode with a somewhat disappointing 40-man brawl. While playingShenmue, a game where the story and quests rather combat are the main focus, that fight can feel a bit intimidating as nothing has prepared the player for such a challenge; whereas here in the anime, taking out the Mad Angels seems like a minor nuisance for Ryo and Guizhang.
Even though the anime sticks to a consistent style to depict most, if not all, of the fights taking place in the series and the 40-man blowout is no exception, Ryo and Guizhang simply steamroll their way past their foes way too easily, sometimes knocking out 4 or 5 opponents at a time with just a single blow. I might be impossible for passive media to transmit that sense of anxiety and subsequent accomplishment in the same way a video game does, however, there clearly wasn’t any intent in doing that here.
Putting that aside, the rest of this closing chapter is definitely quite faithful to the general vibe of the game, with the only added effect coming in the form of Ryo having a touching moment to thank Mark, Goro, Mai and Nozomi for showing up. It’s in this first part of the anime where the efforts to give greater importance to the NPC characters pay off as it makes it feel like Ryo is actually leaving a real life behind Yokosuka.
Naturally, there is no greater beneficiary from this new aspect to theShenmuestory than Nozomi, whose motorcycle ride scene with Ryo comes off just as touching. While the original song is absent here, the one used still delivers, as has been the case for the show with most of its music selection and also towards the end when the final boss from the firstShenmuegame appears despite it not beinganAttack on Titantype of villain.
By featuring three action pieces from the story, his episode possibly contains more “quick time event” moments than any other prior to it, and they remain like a solid alternative around which the show’s writers and artists can createShenmue’sanime storyboard.
Episode five is truly important in that it finishes telling viewerswhat they should expect from aShenmueanimein terms of style, action and world-building. WhileShenmue 2was not generally perceivedas groundbreaking as the series’ first entry, it’s often considered the better game in terms not only on technical aspects but because it surpasses the original in some story or character-related aspects.
Overall, a sprawling Hong Kong during the 80s offers a more enticing world to explore, hence when Ryo finally makes it there in the next episode the series could really benefit from his new surroundings. Considering what was done with the firstShenmuecast, Joy, Renand all the other NPCs should get some very interesting upgrades that continue to makethe series a solid anime offering from Crunchyroll.
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