Intro:
Usually, this author reviews this show episode by episode. However, this author is treading old ground since there isn’t much to discuss. Specifically, this article will examine the dynamic between Bravern and Isami. Considering their dynamic is polarizing, many fans have strong opinions on it, with some even calling the duo unhealthy. This article seeks to shed a better light on the alien mech and his pilot. At the time of writing this, only episodes two and three have been released.
Bravern:
For anyone watching the show, the title mech can come off as polarizing. His personality is pushy and loud, and he disregards boundaries. Some have even used these traits to claim that he does not care about Isami. Episodes two and three directly prove this sentiment wrong. Let’s look at both sides of the scene in episode two, where Isami breaks down over having to pilot Bravern.
Episode 2 & 3:
From Isami’s perspective, he just got waterboarded for being associated with Bravern. The idea of piloting Bravern again directly relates to this recent trauma. Bravern, on the other hand, doesn’t know the extent of Isami’s interrogation. He repeatedly lets himself get beat up waiting for Isami because he trusts him. During the fight with Superbia, he says, “He’s coming…Isami is coming! I know it” (Bang Brave Bang Bravern, episode two, 14:55). When he finds Isami, Bravern’s first thought is not his pilot’s emotional wellbeing but of the seriousness of the fight.
Bravern appears to have trouble with social cues, which may cause some to view him as purposely malicious. However, this author believes he is merely oblivious until something is impossible to ignore. After the fight, it is shown he cares about Isami by letting Isami break down inside him. He does not reveal Isami’s location to anyone. Instead, he says, “That’s…a little complicated” (Bang Brave Bang Bravern, episode two, 21:10). In episode three, he convinces Isami’s friends that Isami is doing fine, possibly as a protective measure. Though it should be noted that he promptly ruins this by mentioning that Isami is naked, the intent is still there.
Isami:
The absurdity of the genre switch and the repeated trauma that follows have put Isami in fight-or-flight mode. Because of this, he is even less receptive to Bravern than he might have previously been. Bravern’s insistence on constantly being pushy does not fare well with Isami, who is closed off. As such, his habit of disregarding Isami’s boundaries comes to a head in episode three after Isami’s breakdown.
In this episode, when Bravern agrees to fight a death driver, Isami retaliates. Thus, audiences get the defining line, “You keep agreeing to all this crap without even asking me” (Bang Brave Bang Bravern, episode three, 13:48). This marks the first time Isami has set clear boundaries with Bravern. For these two characters to have a good rapport, Bravern has to learn to respect those boundaries. Unfortunately, considering the alien mech’s disposition, this will feel like pulling teeth.
Conclusion on Bravern and Isami:
With that said, neither one of these characters seems malicious so far. Both have their unique perspectives on the situation this show has put them in. More likely, they are incompatible at this time. Bravern doesn’t understand Isami, and Isami is afraid of him. The hope, however, is that they learn to work together. episode three of the series can be found on Crunchyroll.
