Taiho Shichauzo! Full Throttle Episode 21
逮捕しちゃうぞ フルスロットル Episode 21
You’re Under Arrest! Full Throttle – 21 anime review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

A gang of street racers is causing a lot of problems for the Bokuto Police Department, causing Miyuki to request night shift patrol to help. Nakajima is concerned for Miyuki’s safety but when he brings it up to her, he fails in communicating with her. That night, the gang is on the loose again and seemingly about to lose the cops again when a red car comes in and leaves a red cloud, causing the racers to all wreck as well as motorcycle officer Samejima. The man is heralded as an anti-hero and dubbed the “Red Phantom” (English words actually used) by the press. The police are frustrated and Miyuki ponders doing more than allowed to get the criminals.

The following night, the surviving street racers are determined to get the Red Phantom but fail. Nakajima chases the car down, the driver seemingly knowing the police officer. However, while Nakajima gets the Red Phantom to pull over at a road block, the driver blasts through the road block. Nakajima is again in pursuit while Miyuki and Natsumi go to cut the Red Phantom off. The Red Phantom does his red cloud trick but Nakajima continues the pursuit. However, coming on Miyuki and Natsumi, the Red Phantom manages to avoid hitting them and gets away, causing Nakajima to crash into their car and break his arm.

There is a great deal of concern over Nakajima, who plays it off. Miyuki is more determined to get the Red Phantom but Kachou comes in with news that the main police HQ has decided to get involved in this case and will be sending down someone to oversee the capture of the Red Phantom. Miyuki goes off upon hearing this, leading Kachou to tell her to remember that feeling. That night, Miyuki sends Natsumi on home and writes a letter of resignation as she’s determined to get the Red Phantom even at the cost of her own job.

Thoughts/Review:

I don’t think I’d ever heard the name of the other motorcycle cop before this episode. Samejima, eh? Not that it matters of course, but he has been around for a while and I guess it is nice to finally get a name with the face.

When Miyuki and Nakajima had their little chat on the roof, I just rolled my eyes. After all, it wasn’t like they were going to actually get their relationship going now was it? Instead, it was the same old failed and boring attempt by Nakajima to express his feelings for Miyuki.

As to the story of the Red Phantom, is it any different than countless other stories centering around fools in a car? Nope. It looks like the Red Phantom will be an ex-police officer that Nakajima knew but since we don’t know this person, who cares? I guess the writers did since they decided to make this a 2-parter. Whatever.

So why keep watching?

Well, I’m already invested this deeply in the series, I may as well go all the way as I’m able. It really is a shame to see how a really fun cop anime show has turned into the farce it has with Full Throttle.