Tu Bian Yingxiong X Episode 15 Discussion

Yet again I go into a TBHX arc with low expectations and come out very happy. I was kinda disappointed we were going back to a male MC after 3 straight banger arcs with badass female heroes, but I really like Ghostblade and am rooting for him now! Dude is just an extremely socially awkward protective dad trying to get close to his daughter :/

The opening scene with Ghostblade’s backstory and family life was so well directed. I like how over dramatic it seems, but that’s how excessively loud environments feel to introverted people. It’s an assault on the senses and they portrayed it perfectly. To all of his family, it probably felt like a joyous celebration, but it was hell for Ghostblade.

Me and the assassin I pulled by being chronically online, lmaoo Zhang and Ghostblade’s unconventional romance had me fucking crying bro. There’s no way you’re telling me she was texting during every date, the wedding AND said “I do” via text message. A gen z love story. It’s interesting how becoming a parent was the catalyst to change her life and make her become more present in reality, whereas Ghostblade just couldn’t make the transition as easily. The look on bro’s face when he found out he might have to live with his in-law’s and talk to people again 😭

Can’t really blame Zhang for leaving and taking Nuonuo, but damn she didn’t have to say he was “dead to Nuonuo”

Very cool to get Ghostblade’s perspective of the alley fight and all the “stalking” scenes. Turns out he didn’t have a scary mask on nor was he trying to be mysterious, he’s just so naturally aloof and scary that Nuonuo misinterpreted! He could only get closer to her in the way he knew how.

Yea apologies, this arc was needed. I learned a lot about Ghostblade and totally changed my perspective of Luoli/Nuonuo’s arc. This whole time buddy just wanted to establish a relationship with his daughter and she doesn’t even know everything he’s been through to do that.. :/ hopefully they get a reunion soon. For now, let’s see what these aliens are about.

Sheng must be Little Jhonny's father. Their clothes are the same.

Sheng must be Little Jhonny's father. Their clothes are the same.

Sheng must be Little Jhonny's father. Their clothes are the same.

So that was his daughter ,that was a good twist, and the believers trust value is proven yet again to be a curse,he physically can't talk,his believers want a silent deadly hero

I don't care if he has a disorder and can't adapt to society, and all he wants to do is connect with his daughter. He killed the father of Lil Johnny (one of my fave characters already), and that's a huge MINUS in my book. And now, if he gonna go kill Luo Li's father too, OH DAMN U CAN GO FUCK YOURSELF, U FUCKEN RECLUSE!!!


Angry rants aside, this was a genuinely creatively done episode. Ghostblade (Wang Yi, that's his name)'s narration flowed so smoothly with the episode that it hardly felt like exposition. Besides, I have a theory on what He been up to, killing on orders.

I believe Wang Yi is actually the cleanup guy for Rock. I DO think that Rock hired him to get rid of Sheng. Lil Johnny is in DOS, so makes sense that his father would be too, right? And considering that DOS n MG (Wang Yi n Rock's Company) were at odds till Queen's debut, it stands to reason that the bitchy MF Rock got Ghostblade to get rid of Sheng, to "eliminate competition''. And now it looks like he plans to do the same thing with Luo Li's father Luo Tong. So the next ep is gonna be somewhat of a both Ghostblade and Luo Li episode eh?

Okay, we're back on track guys :D

After so many 2D episodes with the same artstyle, we finally got mixed animation again (no 3D models though). It was great to see those experimental animation scenes from Ghostblade's past. It helped feel the dread of all the noise he was experiencing through the rough artstyle. Very good choice to change the art in those scenes.

(Sidenote: Me being an introvert with a tiny social battery, I can almost fully relate to his stress with such a loud family. For me it's loud colleagues who drain me totally, I'm soooo tired whenever we go out together. People think I'm a good listener but I am just too tired to respond for hours xD That phone wedding was kinda messed up though... I would be furious if my partner stared at his phone during such an important moment lol)

I think Ghostblade tried his best to understand his daughter with the limited capabilities that he has (being extremely introverted, unable to talk, being afraid of loud places, having had VERY dark thougths in the past). Him trying to understand her hobbies is bittersweet. He cares. But he can't show her.

But what will come back to hunt him might be the murder of Johnny's dad. There'll be DEEP hatred directed at him in future episodes or the tournament arc next season as soon as The Johnnys find out who killed their father...