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Mangrove Heaven is the second episode of the Black Lagoon anime. It originally aired in Japan on April 15, 2006.

Summary[]

To evade a gunship, Dutch drives the Black Lagoon down a river, but he soon reaches a dead end. Rock comes up with a plan to destroy the gunship.

Plot[]

In the early morning in Japan, Kageyama is looking outside his building window when Fujiwara notes that it should be daybreak in Southeast Asia soon. Turning around, Kageyama remarks that the sea at daybreak is something only found appealing by "worthless students," also insulting the winter sky. He adds that recently cut employee Rokurō Okajima is likely in the same area, asking Fujiwara if he can prepare two plane tickets. Looking through the window, Kageyama proposes traveling to the "Sea of Heaven" as well. Far away, in the Southeast Asian sea, the sun has already risen as the Black Lagoon flees from the Extra Order gunship. As the gunship shoots and damages the PT boat's deck, the furious Rock throws a rifle into the sea and questions why he has to suffer like so. Grabbing Rock's collar, Revy berates him for throwing an expensive rifle into the ocean, but the resentful Rock still questions why he has to suffer for something that his boss Kageyama was involved in. Revy guesses that they are not after him but rather, the disk that Lagoon Company stole. Rock curses his company for treating his life as an accessory and kicks a torpedo launcher repeatedly, causing the baffled Revy to warn him that he should not be kicking it.

Below deck, Dutch asks Benny if he knows there is something odd about the situation. Agreeing, Benny observes that the gunship has completely stopped firing at them and could have easily annihilated them by now. Entering the cabin, Revy asks Dutch what is going on, and Benny informs them that the helicopter has consistently maintained a distance of 5,000 meters ever since they ceased fire. Looking at a local waterway map, Dutch realizes that the gunship purposefully guided them to the area, stating that the path ahead to Belawan is full of rocks and mangroves and will narrow down as they travel further. Revy chimes that there is no shame in running, and the like-minded Dutch turns Black Lagoon in a different direction. Noticing their attempt to flee, the gunship fires ahead of them, forcing the PT boat to swerve back into a narrow channel. Looking outside the bridge window, Rock warns against entering the river mouth, to which Revy replies that they are aware they will have little options to escape. Benny says that the helicopter has returned to keeping its distance. To the port side, Revy sees a sunken ship and believes that it is a bad omen.

Stopping the helicopter in midair, the E.O. Captain declares that they will stay put and wait for the boat to return. Benny informs his crew that the gunship has stopped by the sunken ship. Arriving at a waterfall, the Black Lagoon has reached a dead end, angering Rock. The E.O. Captain's copilot, Mayer, comments that it is exciting to wonder how the pirates will react in their current crisis. Agreeing, the Captain asserts that they will give the pirates a slow death if they do not attempt to fight back. As Dutch notices that the gunship is awaiting their return, he guesses that the mercenaries purposefully set up the trap. Worried, Rock rhetorically asks if they really only have the option to die. When Dutch advises him to calm down, Rock yells that they should at least contact the local police, but Dutch interrupts him with an uppercut, retorting that his panicking is not helping them. Revy wonders if waiting for the gunship to run out of fuel will work, but Dutch responds that the trained E.O. mercenaries will kill them before that happens. Meanwhile, on his plane, Kageyama reads a newspaper but gives it back to the stewardess, requesting that he would like a business paper instead.

Back in the channel, Revy asks how damaged their boat is, with Dutch answering that it is not too bad. He clarifies that he is more worried about their torpedos since the gunship could instantly kill them if they shoot it. As Rock sits down, Benny suggests ditching the torpedoes to avoid injury and make their boat speed faster. As Dutch prepares to rid of the torpedoes, Rock pleads with him to wait, assuring the pirates that he has a plan after having some time to calm down and think. He recommends getting into a shootout, perplexing Dutch because they only have an anti-tank rifle while the gunship has missiles. Revy mentions that the missiles appeared to be infra-red homing missiles, but Rock elaborates that their torpedoes will work. Claiming that it will be like a game of chicken, the salaryman confidently states that the sunken ship and their PT boat's speed and armaments are all that they need to win. Once Rock explains the plan, Dutch expresses his hesitancy and derides the plan as impossible. Benny reasons that their boat is designed to hydroplane in theory. Revy assesses to Dutch that they have no other choice, affirming that she agrees to the plan. Lighting Rock's cigarette, Dutch asks him if the gunship will truly confront them at a lower elevation.

Rock deduces that the gunship pilot's mentality is akin to that of a duelist wanting to face their opponent face-to-face. Although Dutch believes that Rock is crazy, he grins and admits that he is excited, agreeing to execute the plan. On his radar, Mayer tells the Captain that the PT boat has moved, so the giddy Captain speeds ahead. On deck, Rock repeats to Dutch that he knows the steps to fire a flare away from themselves. At that point, Dutch orders Revy to invite the pilots to the game of chicken, so she shoots at the gunship. Excited, the Captain proclaims that he accepts their challenge and speeds toward them. When the helicopter fires two missiles, Rock accordingly fires a flare, diverting the missiles away from the boat. Benny warns Revy and Rock to get below deck quickly, and the Captain sees that they plan on using the sunken ship as a ramp. The Captain tells Mayer that they will end the boat with a single shot after they cross paths to finally finish the duel. When Benny notes that they are only 100 meters from the gunship, Dutch launches both torpedoes. As they fly in the air, the PT boat's torpedo successfully smashes into the helicopter, hitting the Captain right in the face. The helicopter violently crashes down, killing both mercenaries.

As the PT boat crashes down into the water as well, Rock gives a middle finger gesture and insults the mercenaries for their arrogance, then passing out into unconsciousness. Soon, Dutch wakes up and realizes that he is still alive, expressing thankfulness that he gets to live another day. On her back, Revy mutters that they should not do that again. Benny confirms that he is also alive but informs the pirates that his machinery is damaged. To her side, Revy notes that Rock is passed out, adding that he yelled something when the helicopter crashed. Smiling, Dutch remarks that Rock looks very peaceful as he sleeps. Later, as the PT boat heads onward, Rock narrates that he soon woke up after his boiling blood calmed down, asking himself where he is and what he is doing now. At sunset, Balalaika accepts the disk from Dutch, commending his work but noting that the pirates look terrible. Dutch only responds that he will dress however he wants. Addressing Kageyama, Balalaika tells him that Hotel Moscow will uphold their end of the deal, causing Kageyama to note that the Bougainvillea Trade Company was the one who contacted him. Giving him the disk, Balalaika states that there should be no more grudges, to which Kageyama nonchalantly agrees that the world is full of things that cannot be helped.

Hearing her state that the remaining deal will be discussed at the hotel, Kageyama agrees and commends Rock for his work. Seeing that Rock is not moving, Fujiwara reminds him to get moving, but the salaryman removes his necktie and in turn reminds Kageyama that he was declared dead. With steadfastness, Rock declares that he is now Rock, not Rokurō Okajima. Accepting his resignation, Kageyama tells Fujiwara to drive him. Having Boris stop her car next to Rock, Balalaika apologizes for having him speak with his foolish bosses, remarking that it would be a waste for him to remain a Japanese salaryman. Before she departs, she tells him to come to her anytime if he needs help. Driving away, Fujiwara wonders what happened to Rock to make him leave his old life, but Kageyama is unconcerned and notes that Rock's gaze was that of a dead man and non-managerial material. Dutch asks Rock what he will do now, with Rock smiling and answering that he is no longer a hostage and has nowhere else to go. Smiling in turn, Revy informs him that a certain company is looking for a new sailor, to which Rock jokes that he does not mind doing illegal activities at times.

Some day later, in the Southeast Asia sea, a cargo ship, St. Jones, has its path blocked by Black Lagoon. In the ship's bridge, a crew member informs the ship captain that the PT boat has not moved at all despite honking their horn several times. Using some binoculars, the captain looks ahead to see the PT boat with Revy and Rock on the stern. In Japan, Kageyama receives praise from fellow board members at Asahi Industries after he successfully acquired the disk. Remarking that the amount of information leaked was inevitable, the Vice President adds that they were prepared for such a turn, commending Kageyama for a job well done. In the sea, as Dutch and Benny sit around, Rock uses a megaphone to nervously speak to the crew of St. Jones. Annoyed, Revy asks him why he is not wearing the Hawaiian shirt she bought for him at the market, prompting Rock to answer that he is at work. Apologizing to the cargo ship for the sudden request, Rock politely asks them to stop their ship. Seeing Revy prepare her RPG-7, he quickly pleads with the crew to comply with the request.

Below deck, Benny tells Dutch that St. Jones has opened up its communications, specifying that the cargo ship has threatened to force its way through if they do not move. Subsequently, Dutch permits Revy to fire a rocket at the ship's hull, which she does. Terrified, the ship captain wonders what has just happened. Grabbing the megaphone from Rock, Revy yells that her rockets are faster than their mayday calls, threatening to fire more if they do not halt. Smoking a cigarette, Dutch orders Benny to contact their client Can Wei Bang that they have stopped the St. Jones, advising that the client get the ship before other parties show up. Elsewhere, at home, Kageyama enters and is happy to see his dog John. Exiting the bathroom, his son Takanori walks past him. As his son goes up the stairs, Kageyama asks him how his studies for the entrance exams have been going, to which Takanori replies that it is not too good. Seeing her husband enter the living area, Kageyama's wife greets him and informs him that their 18-year-old daughter is getting home later and later. Though she asks him to speak with her, Kageyama responds that it is her responsibility. He sits down and reads a stocks newspaper when his younger daughter asks him about the color of the sea. He claims that he cannot recall because he was busy with work. Once the St. Jones is halted, Revy tells Rock that they need to hurry back to Roanapur so that they can get Kao Han's China bowl which sells out quickly.

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)
  • E.O. Captain — Masahiko Tanaka (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)
  • Mayer — Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese), Alistair Abell (English)
  • Balalaika — Mami Koyama (Japanese), Patricia Drake (English)
  • Kageyama — Jouji Nakata (Japanese), Ross Douglas (English)
  • Fujiwara — Ken'ichi Morozumi (Japanese), Hiro Kanagawa (English)
  • Director — Non-speaking role
  • Boris — Non-speaking role
  • Sakharov — Non-speaking role
  • Vice President — Takaya Hashi (Japanese), Michael Dobson (English)
  • St. Jones captain — Yōichi Nishijima (Japanese), John Novak (English)
  • Kageyama's wife — Sayuri Ikemoto (Japanese), Tabitha St. Germain (English)
  • Takanori Kageyama — Tōru Nara (Japanese), Alistair Abell (English)
  • Kageyama's second daughter — Rika Morinaga (Japanese), Maryke Hendrikse (English)

Songs used[]

  • Opening Theme — Red Fraction (by Mell)
  • Kageyama contemplates at sunrise, arranges for flight — Tear Drops to Earth
  • Boat at dead end, gunship hovers, Dutch gives up — Don't Look Behind (requiem version)
  • Rock discusses torpedo plan — The Way to Last Night
  • Boat and gunship play chicken — Don't Stop! (guitar version)
  • Balalaika thanks Rock; Rock joins Lagoon Company — After the Raini
  • Radio song — Unknown
  • Lagoon Company finishes pirating the tanker boat — Tear Drops to Earth
  • Ending Theme — Don't Look Behind (ending version)

Differences from the manga[]

  • The beginning scene in Japan with Kageyama and Fujiwara in the business building while the latter agrees to prepare travel arrangements is only in the anime.
  • Rock throwing his firearm into the sea and angrily kicking a torpedo launcher in front of Revy is only in the anime adaptation.
  • The channel path and the way that the gunship helicopter confronts the Lagoon Company differs by medium. In the anime, the channel has a dead end at a waterfall and the helicopter waits at the sunken ship on the channel's bank for the Black Lagoon until the boat returns from the dead end. In the manga, in contrast, the channel's end is not a dead end but an entrance to Palawan Island, so the helicopter speeds ahead and waits at the channel's end to cut off the Lagoon Company's path.
  • In the manga, the channel path is on the way to Palawan Island, Philippines. In the anime, the area ahead of the channel and waterways is Belawan, Indonesia.
  • In the manga, there are three pilots in the gunship, but in the anime, the E.O. captain and Mayer are the only two pilots present.
  • In the anime, Dutch gives up and smokes a cigarette in defeat, but in the manga Dutch does not have despair after punching Rock and immediately thinks about getting rid of the torpedoes on board.
  • The four later scenes with Kageyama (the first on the airplane, the second when Fujiwara asks Kageyama in the car why Rock quit, the third in the business meeting at the end, and Kageyama talking to his family at home) are exclusive to the anime.
  • In the manga, the capsized boat was not seen until near the channel's end, as Rock's original plan was for Dutch's PT boat to drop anchor at the last second in the game of chicken. In the anime, Rock and Revy notice the shipwreck when they travel on the channel and work that into the plan. Furthermore, in the anime it is shown that the boat waits near a waterfall while Rock comes up with a plan.
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