Failure Frame episode 12: Seven Arcs' nearly flawless finale marred by a few key missteps

Despite being preceded by three perfect installments, Failure Frame episode 12 fails to continue the trend largely by taking a slight step back in a key area. However, in almost every other major aspect, the finale is of exceptional quality, promisingly setting up exciting events for a hopeful sequel season.

Failure Frame episode 12’s biggest failures are a step back in CGI use specifically and animation overall after excellent showings recently, leaving one character feeling like an afterthought. However, virtually every other major season 1 plotline is wrapped up completely or to an acceptable degree as a further setup for season 2.

Failure Frame episode 12 review: Season 2 setup, romantic confirmations, and more are the positives

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Where Failure Frame episode 12 undoubtedly succeeds the most is via setup for a hopeful second season. Essentially, the entire second half of the episode is dedicated to this, with the most notable example being the introduction of the Witch of Taboos, Erica Anaorovael, as a cliffhanger. It’s a natural choice that lends itself to further discussion online, in turn possibly helping to further justify a second season in the contemporary internet era.

The season 1 finale also achieves this through the Takao sisters and Kashima Kobato. The latter is set up for a major focus and character arc in the second season, while the former pair essentially confirms Goddess Vicius’ intent to kill off class 2-C. It’s an exciting start to what will surely prove to be a bloody and suspenseful B-story for season 2. Likewise, this works equally well as a cliffhanger for the backburner plot of the inaugural season.

Failure Frame episode 12 also does a great job closing up loose ends, most obviously via the dramatic, last-minute introduction of the Witch of Taboos. Yet this is also achieved, and very rewarding for viewers, via Seras Ashrain finally internally confessing her love for Touka Mimori. It’s a very tastefully well-done scene that rewards viewers in just the right way while still leaving additional romantic development for the pair as an option later on.

Failure Frame episode 12 review (Image via Seven Arcs)

The episode also confirms that Touka is aware of her feelings for him but chooses to rest on this information. However, he also questions when he lets himself start to get so vulnerable around Seras. While seemingly juxtapositional, it actually emphasizes that there is something there in terms of his feelings for Seras that is just struggling to bubble up fully. In turn, this both develops Touka as a character and serves as the first tease of legitimate feelings on his part.

This entire sequence between the pair is incredibly well done and is the biggest highlight of Failure Frame episode 12. The second biggest highlight would likely be the action, which starts off with the tense progression of Eve Speed’s confrontation with the Takao sisters. It’s a quick but rewarding sequence that seemingly sets up the pair to join Touka and co later. Again, this further contributes to episode 12’s overall cliffhanger vibe, further intriguing viewers likewise.

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The biggest action sequence comes from Touka confronting a final human-faced beast who has deduced exactly how his powers work. While it obviously doesn’t break the tried-and-true template utilized throughout the season, it adds new spins to it, making for an exciting confrontation. For the most part, the sequence animation here is also palatable, albeit with a few missteps that do hold the finale back from flawless status.

Aside from this, every other major production area is done adequately enough not to merit being branded as a true negative. Voice acting maintains an even keel but lacks standout performances per usual. No directional choices are significant or impressive enough to mention, but none are particularly offensive. It’s a middling yet acceptable endeavor following the recent string of perfection in these unmentioned areas.

Failure Frame episode 12 review: Downgrades in animation and a lack of focus on Lizbeth are the only negatives

Where Failure Frame episode 12 fails to achieve perfection is in both its 2D and CGI animation, each seeing a major downgrade from recent installments. At times, the 2D animation looks wooden and lacks any fluidity, which doesn’t involve the entirety of one frame’s subject moving in one singular motion and direction. There are also significant issues blending the 2D and CGI, with one transition from the latter into the former being extremely jarring due to the lack of pose continuity, camera angle, and more.

As for the CGI animation, it’s simply not as high quality and well-integrated as it was in the previous installment. The aforementioned transition moment is one major example of this, as is the human-faced beast, which serves as Touka’s final enemy. The beast lacks fluidity in its observed full-body movements, with even facial closeups looking uncanny and downright creepy at worst.

The other major area that can be deemed a failure is a lack of focus on Lizbeth. While she didn’t need to take up a significant amount of time, her only dialogue in the entire episode comes from her rejoicing over Touka’s return. Considering how important a character she is in general and to Touka specifically, it would’ve been nice to see Failure Frame episode 12 give her involvement more consideration.

That being said, she’ll almost certainly be a key character if a second season comes, given that she, like the Witch of Taboos, is a dark elf. Should this end up being the case, it would make her relative absence in this installment more palatable, but it would still be a questionable and disappointing choice on Seven Arcs’ part.

Failure Frame episode 12 review: Final thoughts

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Overall, Failure Frame episode 12 serves as an exciting end to the series so far. While there’s plenty to get excited about, there are also some key areas in which Seven Arcs clearly needs to rethink their approach should a sequel come. Overall, however, the finale is just as high-quality and impressive as the series has been so far.