Season 2 of Chained Soldier continues to oscillate between over-the-top fanservice and earnest attempts at character beats, and episode 6 — titled “A New Azuma” — is a clear example of that tonal tug-of-war. This installment tries to close a multi-part subplot centered on the Azuma family while nudging the larger conflict forward with a looming Thunder Gods thread. The result is an episode that redeems some of the season’s structural looseness by giving emotional weight to Himari’s family struggle, even if it still leans heavily on long fight sequences and provocative moments.
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Episode recap: What happens in “A New Azuma”
Episode 6 attempts to tie up the Azuma family arc that’s been hovering over recent episodes. The central conflict pits Himari against her domineering mother Fubuki and the question of who will lead the Azuma clan. Most of the episode is spent on the family showdown — both emotional and physical — while side threads involving Yuuki, the Azuma heirship, and the Thunder Gods (notably the mischievous Kuusetsu) continue to seed future developments. Brief moments of exposition punctuate the action, but the episode largely plays out as a showdown that reveals more about Himari’s inner life than it does about the broader stakes of the war.
Why this episode works: Character stakes over spectacle
The strongest element here is the episode’s focus on Himari’s growth. After several episodes of episodic pacing, giving her a personal victory — however imperfect — makes the viewer care about the Azuma family question in a way earlier installments did not. Fubuki functions as a more compelling antagonist than some of the season’s other one-off villains; her domineering personality and morally twisted mentorship toward Himari provide an emotional core that elevates the fight beyond mere choreography.
Importantly, the episode allows Himari to confront her own doubts and assert herself. That personal arc is satisfying because it reframes what might otherwise be a dull succession struggle into a coming-of-age beat: leadership isn’t just about dominance; it’s about identity and conviction.
Kuusetsu and the Thunder Gods: A welcome tease
Side coverage of the Thunder Gods — and Kuusetsu in particular — adds a dash of menace and unpredictability. Kuusetsu’s appearances are brief but memorable; she’s a scene-stealer with a gleeful, violent energy that hints at larger trouble coming to the surface world. While much of their screentime feels like padding this episode, the Thunder Gods’ emergence shapes a possible direction for the season: broader, more dangerous conflicts that could finally give the show consistent momentum.
What doesn’t click: Pacing, action quality, and fanservice
The episode struggles when it tries to be everything at once. Extended fight scenes frequently override tighter plotting, and the action choreography rarely reaches the level of clarity or excitement needed to justify their runtime. Hits land, poses happen, but the flow often lacks cinematic weight — animation shortcuts and repetitive cuts undermine dramatic payoff at critical moments.
Fanservice is still a defining characteristic of Chained Soldier, for better or worse. Episode 6 leans into risqué content as a way to characterize Fubuki and to provoke reaction, but that same fanservice can come off as crutch rather than narrative choice. For viewers seeking meaningful character drama, the erotic elements can feel distracting; for viewers who expected titillation, the episode delivers, if not always tastefully.
Balancing tone: When kink and character collide
There’s a tonal friction between the show’s attempts at emotional beats and its reliance on sexualized humor. Sometimes that divergence pays off — as when Fubuki’s depravity amplifies her threat level and underlines why Himari must resist — but it also risks alienating viewers who would prefer the series to lean harder into action or drama. The episode’s bravado in dialing up the “kink factor” is a double-edged sword: it deepens character dynamics for some, and cheapens the moment for others.
Animation and direction: Moments of competence, lots of padding
Visually, episode 6 is inconsistent. There are standout frames and character expressions that convey real energy — Himari’s resolve, Fubuki’s smug menace, and Kuusetsu’s lightning-quick brutality — but the direction frequently falls back on long, repetitive exchanges and commonplace fight-cuts. These choices sap momentum and make the episode feel longer than necessary. When the show leans into quieter beats, however, the animation team surfaces the best of its skillset: facial acting and staging give emotional beats the room they need to land.
How this episode fits into season 2
After a bumpy start, “A New Azuma” feels like a pivot episode: it wraps a family subplot while nudging the central conflict forward via the Thunder Gods. It’s not a wholesale improvement of season 2’s earlier structural problems, but it does enough to keep interest alive. Kuusetsu’s rise and the hint that the surface world will face a serious incursion provide narrative hooks the show needs to maintain longer-term tension.
Where to watch
Chained Soldier Season 2 is available to stream on HIDIVE. For more details on episodes and streaming availability, check the official HIDIVE season page. Watch on HIDIVE (nofollow). You can also consult broader series listings on MyAnimeList if you want background details and community episode guides: Chained Soldier on MyAnimeList (nofollow).
Final thoughts
Episode 6 of Chained Soldier Season 2 is an uneven but occasionally rewarding entry. Its success rests on Himari’s personal arc and the presence of a clearly intimidating antagonist in Fubuki, which transform a long fight into a character moment worth caring about. However, inconsistent action staging, uneven pacing, and a heavy reliance on fanservice hold it back from being a fully satisfying installment. Kuusetsu and the Thunder Gods inject promising tension that could pay dividends if the series commits to a clearer, more purposeful direction. For now, “A New Azuma” redeems some of the season’s earlier flabbiness — but it also leaves plenty of room for improvement.
