Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Episode 4

Why yes, this is last weeks episode.

Due to scheduling issues we weren't able to watch this episode until Friday and I haven't been able to write the post for this one until now.

We start off the episode with a surprisingly short recap and intro before jumping right in. (By now we've basically said everything there is to say about the intro so I'll be skipping it from here on out unless it turns out to be something more interesting.)

The episode starts with Maya asking Phoenix about his defense. He tells her that everyone turned him down but that he still has an idea. Though, seeing his defiance in the earlier episode as opposed to his in-game self you'd think Grossberg would step in and defend the guy. I guess that didn't happen. Hemorrhoid issues or something...

 That is a very funky looking 3D audience. And guy with the 90's haircut is there three times!
Not to mention the Fonz and his twins. I mean, at least they bothered palette swapping that woman.

The Judge asks both sides if they're prepared and Phoenix declares that he's going to defend himself. This seems to turn Edgeworth on.

Which brings me to a funny quirk of this episode's direction. It really likes close-ups of faces in this one, and I don't know why.

(And that's me cutting out a number of repeats)
As you can see there's an awful lot of Redd White in there, but that's just because the camera loves him so much. The other guys were desperately trying to out-ham him though.

But let's face it, you can't beat:
PRESIDENTO
NEBAR
YES
UH-HUH
OKAY
READING
WHAT?
LONG HAIRED LADY
DIRECT HIT(?)
MY GOD
PERFECTO
YOU UNDERSTAND?
WHAT'S?
WHAT?
YES!
BAD BOY
REMEMBER, REMEMBER
BEAUTIFUL
YES, I DO
OF COURSE
THE END!
WHAAAAAAAAT?!
WHAT. WHAT. WHAT.
NEEEEEBAAAAAAAR
GOODBYE, FOR-EEEEBAAAAAAR
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Alright, alright. No need to be so dramatic...

So, in short the case basically goes along just like the game did. What can I say? This adaptation just continues to be faithful and I liked the version of cornered we got. I do like how they lampshaded something that I was wondering about myself.

Although the fact that the Judge is that flustered by Maya/Mia's "Aura" is a bit odd considering her age. Then again, I guess she is still legal...

I do have to comment on the fact that they didn't mention anything about this being the first case that Edgeworth lost, despite that kind of being a major plot point in the series. Then again, maybe they didn't mention it until the third case in the game either...

I did also notice in this episode how useless poor Nick was. Maya pointed out the inconsistency about the light stand at first. Mia then pointed out the back of the receipt (which is true to the game) and she then saved his ass at the end as well. Honestly Maya should consider a career as a defense attorney instead.

I liked the fake out there, especially the way Mia's voice transitioned into Maya's.

Anyhow, that was the third episode. Turnabout Samurai is up next and already available, but due to more scheduling problems we might have to make it a two-parter with the second episode of that case. Regardless, I will see you all next time.. whenever that may be.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Episode 3

Hey guys, Kevin here. I’m gonna change things up a bit this time around. I’m gonna do a recap in post alongside the usual reaction excerpts due to us not really saying much that was very worthwhile.

The episode itself started off with a recap before hitting us with the intro.

Caitlin: “This is still the most anime opening ever.”

Kevin: “We’ve been over this. It really isn’t.”

Caitlin: “I know but I’m gonna say that every single time.”

Kevin: “When were they ever at the beach together?”

Caitlin: “A romantic rendezvous of course.”

Kevin: “Oh god, since this is an anime we’re probably gonna have a freaking beach episode too…”

Caitlin: *laughs*

Kevin: “Do the bow!”

Caitlin: “Aw.. he didn’t..”

Kevin: “There he goes!”

Caitlin: “Yaaaaaaay!”

Kevin: “I like how it showed it was the receipt for the glass stand, even though it was a plot point they didn’t know they because no one ever bothered to flip over the thing.”

The remainder of the trial scene was enjoyable as well but it ended up mostly just us fangirling or laughing at every little thing from the games that was really awesome or really weird to see in anime format. We mainly enjoyed them replicating animations like Wright’s desk slam and Edgeworth’s finger wag.

Caitlin: “I’m surprised he hasn’t broken that desk yet by slamming it so much.”

Kevin: “Don’t sit like that, you’ll ruin your hair!”

Caitlin: “Or maybe he’ll poke holes in the chair.”

In the second part of the episode we get a pretty interesting deviation from the games where Grossberg himself owes up to being blackmailed by Redd White (and sending Wright off to investigate),  even mentioning a certain something that happened in the past.

Caitlin: “What was that?”

Kevin: “Did you not realize what that was?”
Caitlin: “No I didn’t.”
Kevin: “Do you need a parrot to remind you?”
Caitlin: “…I repressed those memories…”

From here on out I think we were basically constantly laughing at the hammy ridiculousness that was Redd White in the Japanese version. He spent the whole seen shouting random (misused) Engrish and it was one of the most amazing things I have seen in what little anime I’ve watched. It truly was a sight to behold.

The scene itself was pretty interesting too. White didn’t actually resort to physical violence in this scene but he actually gets Phoenix Wright arrested for Mia’s murder. I believe he just got him kicked out in the game with the knowledge that White murdered Mia but he had no way to put him on trial for it.
I think he might’ve threatened to pin it on Wright but I don’t remember him actually going through with it. The scene after that even has Maya being released from custody and Wright being locked up instead.

Overall we really had a blast with this episode, despite not having much to say about it. It was just every bit as wonderful as we hoped it would be and it makes me really excited to see some of the other really quirky character pop up later.