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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following the Blade Runner: Black Lotus two-part premiere, the series continues to unveil more details about its protagonist.
The third episode is titled “The Human Condition”. Brandon Auman (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars Resistance) pens the teleplay, while Kenji Kamiyama & Shinji Aramaki return to serve as the co-directors.
In this review, I’ll be talking about the anime series’ third episode. I won’t reveal any major spoilers, as the title of the article suggests. If you aren’t familiar with anything Blade Runner-related, get on it.
With that said, please read ahead at your own behest!
Plot Synopsis
According to Adult Swim’s pressroom, here are the short synopses for Blade Runner: Black Lotus Season 1 Episode 3.
Elle learns more startling truths about nature of her identity…
Jessica Henwick/ Arisa Shida voice the main protagonist, Elle. Barkhad Abdi/ Takayuki Kinba voice Doc Badger, while Will Yun Lee/ Shinshu Fuji voice Joseph.
Gregg Henry/ Masane Tsukayama, Samira Wiley/ Takako Honda, Wes Bentley/ Takehito Koyasu, and Brian Cox/ Takaya Hashi voice Senator Bannister, Police Officer Alani Davis, Niander Wallace Jr., and Niander Wallace Sr., respectively. Jason Spisak/ Kayuki Yao voice Hooper, while Elias Toufexis voices Drove.
Stephen Root/ Hochu Otsuka voice Police Chief Earl Grant, while Peyton List/ Yoshiko Sakakibara voice the character’s wife, Josephine Grant. Sunil Malhotra voices the new anchor; Colleen O’Shaughnessey voices a grocery woman; Laura Post voices a female gang member, and Roger Craig Smith voices a family man.
Discussion
Auman’s writing excels. “The Human Condition” is a radical title for this third episode, especially with what happens in it. It briefly explains the disparity between humans and non-humans, which is always nice for science-fiction stories such as Blade Runner. Fans get a callback to one of the Blade Runner short films along with the involvement of a special something related to Replicants.
I would like to commend Masayuki Miyaji, who serves as the storyboard artist for this episode; as well as Victor Karam, who joins in the sound design. The framing and the musical scoring help make the episode all the more appealing. For example, the cinematographic shots of the Los Angeles streets and the atmosphere from the ground are just beautiful. With these crucial elements together, the story paces fluidly; it just seems to flow well, progressing neither too slow nor too fast.
Performances and Character Developments
Officer Davis is getting closer to solving her case, it seems. Rie Ueda does a fine job in the motion capture of this character. The episode takes partial focus on her and how committed she is to what is going on in the city. Viewers will see her in action in the same way Elle was in the first two episodes. Let’s just say that she is awe-inspiring.
I also like the development in the dynamic between Elle and Joseph. I would like to see how they interact as the series moves forward, as I am sure they are both of importance to the overall narrative. There is a certain scene that they share together that brings fans back to the original film. You will know when you see it. Although, there is something off about Joseph that we as viewers still are not knowing of by this point. Thus, it would be safe to wait for the next episodes to roll out and see what they have to reveal of him.
Additionally, I find Niander Wallace Jr. to be an interesting antagonist. He comes off as mysterious in juxtaposition with his father, Wallace Sr. They obviously pull the strings, although the viewer has yet to see them do anything.
Final Thoughts
This third episode of Blade Runner: Black Lotus keeps the pace of the story while focusing on characters not explored in its series premiere. The build-up to major revelations is present, but it’s up to the fans and viewers to be patient. Overall, “The Human Condition” is a lovely episode of the series worth watching, even though 22 minutes only provides so much detail.
Blade Runner: Black Lotus premieres on Toonami (via Adult Swim) and Crunchyroll this weekend!
Will you see this series? Which do you prefer more: Blade Runner or Blade Runner 2049? Have you seen the trio of Blade Runner short films from 2017? Let us know! For more adaption, adaptation, anime, and science-fiction-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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