Lock'n Load Revolution is the eleventh episode of the Black Lagoon anime. It originally aired in Japan on June 17, 2006.
Summary[]
The Lagoon Company is asked by the Hong Kong Triad to transport a briefcase containing information on the Protectors of The Islamic Front.
Plot[]
Narrating, Rock states that gangs from all over the world fight in Roanapur. At the same time, a building in the city blows up. At Revy's place, on her television, a reporter reports at the scene near the bombed U.S. Embassy in Zaire, claiming that 37 embassy employees have been killed and 150 others have been wounded. Mentioning that the Zaire military is aiding rescue efforts, the reporter explains that a group calling themselves the Protectors of the Islamic Front has claimed responsibility for the bombing. Entering the room, Rock remarks that her room is dirty and tells Revy to wake up. Adding that Dutch says it is an emergency, Rock opens the blinds to shine light onto her face. Accepting a cigarette from Rock, Revy learns that Mister Chang of the Hong Kong Triad has commissioned the Lagoon Company for a job. At the Lagoon Company office, sitting down across from Dutch, Chang jokingly asks for a cup of coffee since he has been in the office for a while now. Dutch rejects his request, and Chang confirms that he and his men fled to his office because the Triad's own place got bombed.
Looking outside the window, Benny asks if Hotel Moscow is responsible, a thought which Chang denies due to the Triad's current friendship with Balalaika. Hearing the other two pirates enter the office, the Triad boss greets Revy and assures her that he is just beginning the mission briefing. Placing a briefcase on the table, Chang recalls that his men retrieved the item from a Bulgarian man who attempted to sell firearms in his territory. Asserting that only Sister Yolanda of the Rip-Off Church is permitted to sell firearms, he chastises the Bulgarian for ignoring his warnings, which resulted in him being abducted and threatened to be castrated with a nutcracker. Dutch is intrigued to hear that the man worked for Bulgarian intelligence and gave the Triad intelligence documents relating to a future terrorist plot by the same group that bombed the Triad's office. Hearing Chang add that the group was also in the news earlier that morning, Rock realizes that the group was responsible for the U.S. Embassy bombing. Commenting that there are many groups that oppose the United States of America, Chang informs the pirates that he and his men offered to give the terrorists the documents, but the latter refused upon hearing the price, even threatening to kill the Triad members if they did not leave.
Because of Chang's refusal to hand over the documents, the PIF bombed his office, so he decided to go to Dutch's place to have the documents delivered elsewhere. Specifying that five teams, including Lagoon Company, will all leave Roanapur simultaneously with briefcases, Chang informs Dutch that he will deliver the documents to the military base on Basilan Island. Learning that the deadline is two days, Dutch expresses his hesitancy about the schedule. Chang notes that the PIF will carry out more attacks, including an attack on the President of the United States, so people from the U.S. government came to the Triad for help in order to avoid repeating the U.S. Embassy bombing. As he additionally talks about a getaway driver and guard being provided to them on Basilan, Revy looks out the window and sees several PIF fighters, one armed with a rocket launcher. Instinctively, Revy jumps away from the window and yells "RPG" as a warning. The rocket damages the office as the PIF fighters storm the building, though everyone is more or less unharmed. Annoyed with the turn of events, Dutch responds that the job appears to be cancelled, prompting Chang to joke that he will not pay for the damages to the Lagoon Company office if he refuses.
Declaring that he will at least escort the pirates to their PT boat, Chang pulls out two pistols and comments that he has not been in the field for a while. Pulling out her own pistols, Revy eagerly agrees to help him create an exit for everyone. As several PIF fighters wait outside the office door, Revy and Chang both jump out and shoot the men dead. The two gunslingers head down the hallway when a fighter throws a grenade at them, shocking Revy. Advising her not to freeze up, Chang kicks the grenade back at the two fighters, killing the latter. Armed with his own revolver, Dutch orders Benny and Rock to follow him since the way has been cleared for them. The three pirates quickly run past the Triad boss as he kills several more fighters. Noticing a fighter above them, Revy shoots at the man, jokingly warning Chang not to be careless. Giving her the same advice, Chang shoots another man above them and remarks that she needs to see the bigger picture. Revy humbly agrees that she is not on his level yet, and they quickly shoot another fighter charging at them. Running to the balcony and jumping down to the escort vehicle, Dutch mutters that he wants a job where he will not be shot at, causing Chang to argue that he and his men are doing most of the work. As Revy jumps down, Chang yells the password to them as they speed to the dock.
Elsewhere, in a motel room, a PIF member, Ibraha finishes a call and informs his comrade Takenaka that their fighters have found the deliver boys on the main road and will kill them near Ban Kantang. Relaxing on a bed, Takenaka recalls that their job should have ended with the Triad office bombing, making Ibraha sternly reply that he will not judge his comrades' failures. Takenaka politely retorts that Ibraha underestimated Chang and his men as mere gangsters, quoting Mao Zedong to claim that they must not view their enemies as caricatures. Ibraha in turn retorts that words from an atheist like Mao are meaningless, prompting Takenaka to remind him that he himself is an atheist. The former clarifies that Takenaka is nonetheless his comrade. Both then talk about their plan in the U.S., to which Ibraha disagrees executing the plan right away due to FBI surveillance. Cleaning his own ears, Takenaka rules out land and air routes concerning where the documents are being brought to. Ibraha proposes calling a comrade in the Philippines for assistance, and Takenaka answers that he will check out the sea route based on his own intuition.
Meanwhile, on Black Lagoon, Revy lambasts the password, "The Triad is super cool," as a lame phrase. While Rock eats noodles, Dutch jokes that Chang is not perfect at everything. Far away, at an airport, Takenaka is pleased to learn that subordinate fighters have determined the delivery route and the vessel carrying the documents. Joking that he does not have to trade in his plane ticket for another flight, he sits down and orders the caller to avoid doing anything until he arrives. As Takenaka lights his own cigarette, a Japanese salaryman asks him in English for a light. Takenaka correctly guesses that he is a fellow Japanese man, noting that he held out his hand in a certain way. Sitting down next to him with his son, the salaryman states that they are on a family trip to Cebu Island, and Takenaka jokes that any place outside of Manila seems far when traveling with a family. Smiling, the man asks Takenaka if he has seen him somewhere, remarking that he feels like he has met him before. Hiding his own worry, Takenaka brightly smiles and claims that people often mistake him for Ken Shimura. Politely excusing himself, he tells the salaryman that he has to leave, bidding goodbye. Putting on his shades, Takenaka mutters that he would only be recognized at a police station because he is wanted for murder, using explosives, and resisting arrest.
At night, Revy watches a distant enemy boat and, taking a Remington rifle from Rock, shoots at the boat. Affirming that they have taken out the enemy's eyes, Dutch nevertheless informs Rock that he and Benny will act as bait and sail away from Basilan, elaborating that he and Revy will get off at the Zamboanga Coast and use the Zodiac motorboat to head to Basilan. At a PIF diversion camp on Basilan, Takenaka calls Ibraha and urges him to come by, angering the latter. Takenaka reasons that the enemy's sole place of safety is the anti-guerrilla special operations camp nearby. As he jokes that he can see Chang's next move, Ibraha shouts that their plan is not a game and angrily hangs up the phone, startling the relaxed Takenaka. Deploying the Zodiac motorboat, Revy repeats Dutch's idea that they will meet up after they deliver the documents at the base. Remembering that he received an additional message from Chang, Dutch asks her to tell Rock about it when he returns from the bathroom. As the four pirates part ways, the PIF sailors report that the target is moving further north from the Zamboanga Coast and believe that the PT boat is heading to Negros Island. Accepting their proposal to continue the pursuit, Takenaka believes that the pirates are certainly headed to Basilan instead.
In the morning on Basilan Island, Rock and Revy arrive, with the former noting the time as 6 a.m. Walking through an empty village, Rock is surprised at the quietness. Revy tells him that the island has been under martial law for two years. At that point, a Jeep speeds up to them, startling them. Revy points her pistol at the car as Takenaka introduces himself and wonders where the other two pirates are because he heard that Lagoon Company had four pirates. Putting away her pistol, the nonchalant Revy asks him where his guard is, sternly warning him to say the password instead of joking around. Easing up, Takenaka tells her the password, so Revy shakes his hand. Grinning and glaring at him, Revy smugly informs him that Chang gave her a second password, insulting Takenaka for his arrogance. Feigning defeat, Takenaka jokes that he should have been smarter to avoid being deceived by a young woman. He quickly pulls out his hidden pistol and exchanges gunfire with her. Rock tries to flee, but the car backs up, allowing a PIF fighter to knock out Rock and shove him into the backseat. Although Revy shoots the fighter, Takenaka drives away with the unconscious Rock, frustrating her. In another direction, several enemy cars drive toward Revy, and a firefight ensues.
Hearing the gunfire, the hired guard, Shenhua, applies some lipstick and tells the getaway driver, Leigharch, that they must get moving. Leigharch replies that he wants to relax, prompting Shenhua to criticize him for relaxing too much before work, reminding him that they will not get paid if the pirates die. Taking cover behind a corner, Revy shoots back at the guerrillas. She tries to escape and suddenly sees Leigharch's car park in front of her. Shenhua warns the woman to duck, throwing several knives at the attackers. The pirate rhetorically asks if they are the getaway team and gets into their car, causing one of the fighters to order everyone else to fall back. In the backseat, Revy tells Shenhua and Leigharch that two of her coworkers had to split up while her partner was captured. Whereas the two Triad affiliates are relieved that they only need to return to the base, Revy asks about the enemy camp six miles north of the village, learning that it is deep in the jungle. To Shenhua and Leigharch's amusement, they learn that Revy wants them to attack the enemy camp, so the former coldly informs her that they were only paid to bring her to the base.
Insulting Shenhua's Chinese accent, Revy claims that her partner has the documents. Angered by her insult, Shenhua puts her kukri to Revy's neck and explains that her English is intermediate because she is native Taiwanese, threatening to decapitate her. Unfazed, Revy reminds her that Chang hired her for the documents first and foremost, proclaiming that they will have to nervously answer for their failure if they do not retrieve the documents. At the diversion camp, the PIF fighters hold Rock at gunpoint as they discover that Rock's briefcase contains nothing inside. Reconvening with Ibraha and welcoming Rock to their demilitarized zone, Takenaka shows him the empty briefcase. The tense Rock calmly answers that he knows nothing about it and could not answer if he knew about it. Hearing his upfront answer, Takenaka responds that he should crack a joke and declares that they have time to speak with him. Taking Rock into a small house, he speaks to him in Japanese and jokes that he needs to be more careful in his line of work. Though Takenaka claims that it is good for two fellow Japanese to be friendly with each other, Rock stays quiet. Sighing, Takenaka comments that his silence is a problem.
Characters and cast[]
- Rokurō "Rock" Okajima — Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese), Brad Swaile (English)
- Revy — Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese), Maryke Hendrikse (English)
- Dutch — Tsutomu Isobe (Japanese), Dean Redman (English)
- Benny — Hiroaki Hirata (Japanese), Brian Drummond (English)
- Mister Chang — Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese), Trevor Devall (English)
- Shenhua — Yūko Sasaki (Japanese), Saffron Henderson (English)
- Masahiro Takenaka — Katsuhiko Sasaki (Japanese), Fred Henderson (English)
- Ibraha — Ken Yamaguchi (Japanese), Mackenzie Gray (English)
- Leigharch — Akimasa Ōmori (Japanese), Trevor Devall (English)
- Salaryman — Yōichi Nishijima (Japanese), Ted Cole (English)
- Cho (credited as Triad Member) — Tōru Nara (Japanese), Ted Cole (English)
- Jake Chambers (TV Reporter) — Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese), Clay St. Thomas (English)
Songs used[]
- Opening Theme — Red Fraction (by Mell)
- Bulgarian man is interrogated — Unknown
- Chang and Revy vs. the Protectors of the Islamic Front — Rock the Carnival
- Takenaka gives the wrong password, Rock is abducted — The Way to Last Night
- Shenhua helps Revy escape the ambush — Melting Brain
- Rock surrounded by guerrilla fighters, Takenaka tries to interrogate Rock — After the Rain
- Ending Theme — Don't Look Behind (ending version)
Differences from the manga[]
- The brief scene of Chang's office exploding at the beginning is only in the anime.
- In the manga, the terrorist group was originally Hezbollah, but the anime changed their name and appearance to a generic terrorist group. Additionally, the camp on Basilan Island was controlled by Abu Sayyaf in the manga, but in the anime their name was also censored and it was just another camp for the PIF. In the manga, the group that bombed the United States Embassy in Zaire was the Islamic Salvation Front; the anime makes the PIF the culprit of both the U.S. Embassy bombing and Chang's office bombing.
- The clothing of the enemy fighters is different in both media. In the manga, the Hezbollah and Abu Sayyaf fighters wear checkered head scarves, but in the anime the PIF fighters wear balaclavas. Likewise, Ibraha wears a head scarf in the manga, but in the anime he wears no head clothing.
- In the manga, the Triad threatened to castrate the Bulgarian spy with a knife, whereas in the anime the Triad members also had a tool resembling a garlic press alongside their knife.
- The character Cho is only in the anime adaptation of this arc, as Chang's guard in the manga is just another Triad henchman.
- In the manga, Chang uses his customized dragon-symbol dual Beretta 76 pistols to fight the terrorists, whereas in the anime he uses non-customized dual AMT Hardballer pistols against the terrorists.
- Chang's comment in the manga that Revy's gun skills are "not bad for a Chinese-American" is not included in the anime.
- In the manga, the terrorists' plot is a chemical weapons attack on a Manhattan subway metro system, whereas in the anime the terror plot is not specified except that it will happen in the United States of America.
- When Masahiro Takenaka leaves the motel and bids goodbye to Ibraha, he sings a song in the anime as he walks out. In the manga, he responds to Ibraha's comment about being Japanese by saying that he quit being Japanese two decades ago.
- This episode completely omits the boat chase/fight between the Lagoon Company and Hezbollah/NPULF boats in Chapters 16, 17 and 18. In the anime, it is changed and greatly shortened to Revy firing a few shots at a distant boat while Dutch explains the next part of their plan. Furthermore, Takenaka ordering the attack to continue and then remarking that he needs to catch his plane flight is manga-only.
- When the salaryman asks Takenaka to borrow his cigarette lighter, he says the question in English in the anime. In the manga, he says the question in Japanese.
- In the manga, the salaryman states that he is traveling with his family to Phuket, Thailand, whereas in the anime he states that he is traveling to Cebu Island in the Philippines.
- In the manga, Takenaka claims that people often mistake him for Yasuo Daichi, but in the anime he claims that people frequently mistake him for "Mr. Ken" (Ken Shimura).
- Takenaka's wanted poster at the police station is only seen in the anime.
- The brief scene in Chapter 18 of Takenaka asking an Abu Sayyaf fighter in a car about nearby checkpoints and ordering him to scatter their units is only in the manga.
- In the manga, Leigharch uses both cocaine and cannabis, whereas in the anime he is only a cannabis user.
- The first scene of Shenhua and Leigharch in Chapter 18 at night trying to discern if the cars that pass them are government forces or the enemy is manga-exclusive.
Trivia[]
- The TV reporter, Jake Chambers, is named after the character from the novel series The Dark Tower by Stephen King.