The Millionaire Detective: Balance Unlimited Episode 4: A Review
(Photos: Fugou Keiji Balance: UNLIMITED Twitter: @fugoukeiji_EN / website: https://fugoukeiji-bul.com/ - Japanese)
I have been following the Anime The Millionaire Detective: Balance Unlimited since April 2020 . It stopped after two episodes because of COVID 19 situation which stopped productions and resumed its telecast by end of July 2020.
The premise: A buddy cop anime series where Kambe Daisuke; scion of the Kambe Group joined Metropolitan Police as a Senior Inspector and chose Modern Crime Prevention Task Force where most of the "undesirable" (ehem for a lack of better term) of the police force stay. Katō Haru, a former police assigned at Section 1 is currently deployed at this Department. He was sent after an incident where he accidentally/fatally shoots a civilian during an encounter; as a result, developed fear (or phobia) of using a gun since.
Their brand or style of justice differs if not clashes with their core belief: Daisuke uses his family's bottomless resources (i.e. money and technology) to get what he wants while Haru uses the usual style (old fashion) of solving crimes.
The title of Episode 4 is: "Nothing Makes A Man so Adventurous as an Empty Pocket". This particular episode started with Daisuke angrily leaving his mansion for reasons he himself knows. While going out towards the main gate, Haru called him for help despite the latter is on leave. He asked Hattori to bring him to the park, where he met Haru and Tsuyoshi Nomura.
Haru asked his assistance in locating a missing puppy (Shiro) but he discovered that he did not bring his earring (means of using HEUSC, his butler AI), wallet and cellphone. Without his trusty AI, he joined the search like a normal policeman would do.
Haru went to the Koban (Police Station) with Nomura to assist the poor kid to go home and though that Daisuke left them. He realized that Daisuke followed them to the Koban.
While going back, Daisuke told Haru that he did not bring his wallet with him. Haru took pity and was willing to lend him money which he refuses. Refusing to go home, he stayed overnight at Haru's residence, where he was able to taste a "normal" (and I mean normal by Haru's standards) life: going on a grocery run, cutting vegetables, getting cut himself and licking it instead of getting band-aids.
He get to wear Haru's clothing after taking a bath and eating dinner. For the first time, we were able to see a calm but drunk (sleepy) Daisuke compared with Haru's emotional drunk persona.
They resumed the search the next day. Haru helped Nomura in looking for the pooch but wasn't successful in finding the pooch. Daisuke arrived at the park bringing with a dog and gave it back. Daisuke told Haru that the dog got hit by a car and died. He bought his sibling instead as a replacement for the poor Shiro.
Daisuke started going home however he ended borrowed money from Haru. He arrived at the mansion and prepared dinner for Suzue (as a peace offering I supposed) using Haru's secret family recipe for Devil Natto Rice.
My Comments:
We get to see Daisuke out of his usual elements - a fish out of water of sorts. Without his money and his technology backing him up on this episode. Heck, I can even call this episode "Daisuke's Day Off".
Despite not having any form of assistance from HEUSC, he was able to figure out what happened to the dog using old fashioned detective skills.
Haru's dedication to the job even if he is off-duty. When Daisuke told him let the police handle this matter; he reminded him that they are part of the force. And his funny drunken stupor where he said that they are both civil servants.
There is the lingering question as to why, despite being the heir to a conglomerate, he still joined the police force and why chose MCPTF over other sections. Maybe in succeeding episode after this, the question will be addressed once and for all.
The episode may be considered as fan service but I feel that this will develop a more cordial relationship between Daisuke and Haru as partners (but the fandom wants a more "deep" relationship beyond the buddy cop story or should I say BL).
The "cheapest" episode so far in terms of the expenses - JPY 55,616.
The Funnies (not in particular order):
Daisuke fuming mad when he was told that he is useless by Nomura.
Daisuke wearing a red hoodie and jogging pants; his newly washed hair (or is it hair down?).
Spitting grocery bought ham to the floor after tasting the same; which he considers not suitable for eating (he prefers Iberico Ham which annoyed the guy, well it was JPY1500 and expensive right?).
Ended liking and eating Haru's Tuna and Beans Sprouts instead.
Snot bubbles on Daisuke's nose while sleeping (LOL!).
Haru drunken breakdown while watching a cop drama over TV while Daisuke drunk but "calm and sleepy".
His so-called aloof and "cute" annoying statements towards Haru.
Suzue speculating as to why Daisuke threw a hissy fit including: giving the wrong clothes, waking him 5 minutes early, eat extra rice, footwear and lastly, his grandma saying Natto did it.
Suzue sending her sorry via LED using AI.
Daisuke really hates Natto, until he tasted Haru's Devil Natto Rice for breakfast (which I conclude that certain foods are considered acquired taste).
Hattori taking a picture of the said food for posterity (for Instagram I suppose? LOL!).
Slept in the bathtub instead in the floor (sorry DaiHaru fans, didn't slept together in one bed).
Suzue getting mad with HEUSIC over the statement "balance limited/unlimited".
Grandma Kambe letting him be to taste the "normal" life and commenting he will go home when he is hungry (considering that he lived a spoiled and sheltered lifestyle).
Haru is the perfect "waifu" (sorry not familiar with this term myself). He can shop, check expiry dates and cook. Yes, the ideal husband.
Daisuke borrowing money from Haru. Enough said.
Haru is one happy fellow when he discovers that Suzue is not Daisuke's wife but a relative.
As a fan of the series, I am looking forward to the next episodes.