Key: The Metal Idol, episodes 9, “Return.” Written and directed by Hiroaki Satō. Produced by Shigehiro Suzuki and Atsushi Tanuma. Music by Tamiya Terashima. Studio Pierrot, 1994-1996. 13 episodes and 2 movies. Rated 16+.
Available on Crunchyroll.
This episode continues to ease us into the second phase of the series. Still without any major action sequence, it largely centers around Akane and Key’s efforts to break into the idol industry
As the episode proceeds, they get false leads but also talk to several people who like their recommendations. In particular, the name of Tataki apparently has clout, though he had earlier demurred when they went to him for references.
Tataki is at this point an ambiguous character: He’s a square-jawed, masculine guy, but at the same time he is president of a Miho fan club and apparent lives for nothing but fannishness. However, he has real influence in the industry, indicating he’s not just some geek.
Key’s big break, however, looks to be coming in the form of a judge who spotted her at an apparently disastrous dance competition. This is the dude we’ve seen brooding with no clothes on while holding Key’s business card. On the one hand, he likely has real pull, but on the other hand, his tendency to think about idol candidates while naked suggests he’s a creeper.
Although the episode is well constructed as a plausible introduction of Key into the idol industry, it doesn’t give us much else to chew on. That is now, however, to say that it is pointless filler: While Key and Sakura tread the streets of Tokyo in search of work, Ajo Heavy Industries continues its experiments with the robots.
The “gel,” we learn, is extracted from the robots’ pilots. At present, robots can only be controlled by pilots who produce their particular gel, but Ajo hopes to train pilots who can control any robot regardless of its gel’s source.
Up until now, Sergei has been the most proficient pilot, but he’s currently incapacitated after his blood-soaked fistfight with Key’s body guard, so Ajo is forcing others to try their hand at controlling the robots.
At the same time, Ajo is looking for an idol to replace or assist Miho, who is still seriously ill—and Key’s number just happens to come up.
