Delving deeper into the global scope of the plot, "Pilots" brings both Zorndyke's passivity and Blue Fleet's aggressiveness into focus, challenging preconceptions of good and evil.

Perhaps sloppy given the colossal amount of characters shaped in "Pilots," Hayami's arc sweeps skyward, his previous apathy cracking under emotionally charged revelations.

More brilliant CG splashes across the screen. However, the most dramatically potent image comes in the penultimate scene in which Hayami floats peacefully to the bottom of the ocean against a featureless backdrop of blue.

Though faced with larger issues, Hayami's voice maintains that cocky drawl, which makes for a nice contrast. Across the board, these actors embrace this story. And the dub translation continues to be rich with nuance and flare.

The trademark Bandai trailer option serves up a glance at new releases, but otherwise the DVD extras amount to very little. And for a thirty minute episode, the DVD does very little to justify the cost.

Some disturbing images, such as a severed hand and a brutally slain amphibious woman, creep into this episode, bumping up the series' violence factor.

Kino might be a talented young pilot, but so far she's only whined and complained like the 18-year-old brat that she is.

Dude, doesn't Hayami own a shirt or can someone lend him one?