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Ai No Kusabi 2012

The third OAV is titled Congressus~Encounter.  At this point, the series has spun down so low into the abyss of degredation that I am hesitant to even blog about it.  I have absolutely no clue of what is going on anymore.  My excitement about the Ai No Kusabi redux no longer exists and I am now just watching only to see things through to the end.

The episode begins with Riki recklessly racing around a speedway.  He stops briefly and is praised by Guy, then hurries off to do another lap.  While the other members of Bison cheer him on, Guy plays the role of the worried wife and advises him to be careful.  Guy is reminded by Norris that Riki is a perfectionist.  That revelation puts Guy into a thought mode that we are all too familiar with now.

The environment is relaxing and mellow until Kirie arrives and suggests that everyone go to the Pet Auction.  Of course, for obvious reasons, Riki does not want to go.  But Kirie, already having a strong dislike of Riki, presses the issue.

Kirie, gets his way by refusing to take “No” for an answer.  As a result, all members of Bison will be attending the Pet Auction.  Riki is visibly uncomfortable with this outing.

In Eos, Iason is…working?

Why are you staring at your hand like that, Iason?

While making his descent in an Eos elevator, a fellow Elite asks Iason if it’s about time that he got a new pet.  Iason’s mind immediately travels back to six months ago when Riki ran like the wind when Iason set him free.  Iason’s response…

No, Iason!  No!  You have Riki!  Just kidding…  I’m more than sure that Iason is just blowing smoke up the Elite’s ass so that he’ll stay out of his business.  With that, the conversation and scene end and we are back at Ceres where Riki tries to get Norris’ boyfriend, Max to fix his air bike.  A totally unnecessary scene that was probably created just so Riki could say…

What?

What does that have to do with anything?  Ai No Kusabi is the story of you and Iason, NOT Norris and Max!  But I digress…  While at Max’s shop, Riki sees what he thinks is an Eos security robot in his storage room, but it turns out just to be junk.  He blames Kirie for his brief hallucination.  Face it, Riki, you miss Eos and Iason!

Riki gets set to leave, but not before Norris catches up to him and questions him about his relationship with Guy.  He asks Riki if he’s broken up their pairing.  Norris advised Riki to end things properly.  Riki simply responds with, “That’s right.”  Norris runs off like a love struck damsel to return to Max, and Riki is left to face Guy.  Internally, Riki reveals…

Why not, Riki?  Are you missing the comforts of Eos?  Are you desiring to be wrapped up in Iason’s loving embrace?  This what you wanted, right?  Iason gave you freedom.  Shouldn’t you be happy?

Well, at least Guy is happy.  Guy is all smiles and full of happiness while doing the things that couples do.

They're just oranges, Guy. Why are you so happy?

Guy, doesn't Riki look like he'd rather be somewhere else right about now? Like, somewhere with Iason!

Topless meal service by lantern light. Guy, you're SO romantic!

"I made him a good meal, served it to him topless, and he never even turned around to look at me. Why? Does he not love me anymore?"

I’m sorry, Guy.  For the last three years, Iason has not only been beating your time…but a part of Riki’s anatomy as well!  Riki has not loved you for quite some time now, and it’s only a matter of time before he realizes that for himself.

Sorry, my dear readers, if I didn’t put that paragraph in here, I would’ve popped like an over-inflated balloon.  Moving right along…

The day of the Pet Auction arrives and the members of Bison make their way to Midas.  As expected, Kirie is the only one that’s truly excited to be going.

The friends browse the grandiose display of caged Pets, male and female alike.  Riki tries to educate Kirie on the the value, or lack there of, placed on a Pet at auction.  Kirie’s not hearing any of it and instead hurls an insult at Riki.  Fortunately, Norris steps in and smacks him.

Way to go, Norris!! I've been wanting to do that myself since OAV #2.

The members of Bison try to talk some sense into Kirie, but his little tantrum and annoying rants continue.  Riki and the others leave the auction area and make their way to the balcony.  Kirie continues with his irritating desire to get out of the slums by way of being a wealthy Elite’s Pet.

Just as the friends are about to leave Kirie on the balcony, Riki stops short in his tracks.  Iason has made a celebrity-like arrival to the Pet auction.  All of the Bison members are captivated and intrigued by what they’re witnessing, but immediately hide when Iason looks in their direction.

Riki is paralyzed with fear and rendered unable to move.

Iason’s hidden gaze meets his, and Riki collapses and breaks down as he internally relives the tortuous treatment he received while being in the possession of a demonic Iason Mink.

While Riki is about 10 seconds away from requiring hospitalization and intense mental therapy, Kirie is ecstatic and loud about having seen a Blondie live and in person.  Kirie hopes even harder for that chance that he’s probably willing to sell his soul for.

Poor Riki is in such a distressed state that he needs assistance from Guy to leave the balcony.

Guy calls for everyone to leave, but Kirie ends up getting left behind.

Kirie is now detained in Eos.  Iason shows his image to Katze and instructs him to use Kirie by making him his underling.  When Katze leaves, Iason looks at a picture of Riki and talks out loud to himself about their unimaginable encounter.   The scene and episode end with Iason appearing to be deep in thought.

Just what exactly are you planning, Iason?  Well, if the final episode stays true to the original story…then I already know.  ~__^

Another totally worthless episode filled with irrelevant fluff!  Instead of filling these two episodes with a less than adequate story, it would have been the perfect opportunity to tell the story of how Iason met Riki and made him his pet, and of Riki’s and Guy’s relationship before he disappeared.

However, that’s not my only complaint.  The original OVA was steamy, sexy, and gave us an Iason and Riki love scene to die for.  In this remake, so far, Iason has barely touched Riki.  The whole thing has taken on more of a shounen-ai feel instead of yaoi.  What’s up with that?

The final OAV, “Retino” is scheduled to be released today.  I’m quite interested in seeing how they’re going to wrap everything up in just 26 minutes.  Will it be rushed?  Will they have to leave a large portion of the story out?  Will it even be the ending that I’m expecting?  In any event, bring it on so that I can have closure on what has so far turned out to be a disappointment.  This is very unfortunate, considering how great the first episode was.