WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 11 of Ikebukuro West Gate Park, "Sunshine Street Civil War, Part 1," now streaming on Funimation.
All peace is gone in Episode 11 of Ikebukuro West Gate Park. Ever since the Red Angels were introduced, the tension between them and the G-Boys who had long held Ikebukuro under their control was only barely managed under Makoto's supervision. It was clear from all the foreshadowing in the past few episodes that Makoto's position as the troubleshooter of Ikebukuro would eventually put him in danger. But did anyone anticipate just how badly this would blow up in Makoto's face when he finds himself the target of both the Red Angels and the G-Boys?
A Secret Taken to the Grave
More and more quarrels have erupted between the G-Boys and the Red Angels ever since the latter helped the former in Episode 7. The only safe zone is Sunshine Street. Kyouichi reiterates that the Red Angels protect their own: they will not hesitate to retaliate if they're attacked but agrees to meet with Takashi about territory negotiations. The Red Angels leader orders his members to stand down, much to their consternation. He might not trust the G-Boys but he does consider Takashi a friend.
Suddenly, a Red Angels member, Kazumasa Watanabe, approaches Makoto, looking apprehensive. As soon as he catches sight of Isogai, the Archangel, he clams up. The next day, Kazumasa's found dead in East Ikebukuro Park with a knife through his heart, lying on a pair of painted wings shot down by arrows. Angry tears running down his face, Kyouichi declares war against the G-Boys.
Framing Makoto
Makoto meets up with Takashi after the latter sent his guards away. Takashi tells Makoto he had nothing to do with Kazumasa's death but admits the other G-Boys may be involved. Takashi believes the only way to resolve this is through a fight. Makoto points out there might be someone manipulating things to create conflict between the two gangs.
He notices Mitsuki lurching towards them, foam forming at his mouth. Without warning, he fires off several shots at Takashi, a few bullets hitting his chest and one grazing his head. Makoto immediately wrenches the gun from Mitsuki and he takes off while Makoto runs back to his friend. To make matters worse, the cops arrive just then, seeing Makoto crouched over a body with a gun in his hand, leaving him no choice but to run.
Makoto on the Run
When he gets back to his mother's fruit stall, he realizes that someone had set him up by taking photos of him at the scene--it's Isogai, but Makoto doesn't realize it yet. Without even asking any questions, Makoto's mother hands him money, telling him to find out who exactly shot Takashi. Suddenly a van charges in. His mother pushes him out of the way but gets knocked unconscious. Guo urges him to run and, though unwillingly, he follows this advice.
Everywhere he goes, he seems to run into G-Boys. Far away, in a bar doused in faint red fluorescent lights, the Red Angels are getting ready to get rid of all of the G-Boys in Ikebukuro. After Makoto locks the gun in a locker, he turns off his phone and calls Big Rei on a payphone where Rei urges him to turn himself in. But he knows that only he can clear his own name.
The Traitor
The reveal of Isogai's betrayal feels a little over-the-top. From his first appearance, his good-natured personality stuck out like a sore thumb. Now that we know he's the one who drugged Mitsuki and either killed or got someone to kill Kazumasa, Isogai is shown obscured. Either shadow hides his eyes or only the lower half of his face is sown.
While it's not much of a surprise, his motivations still remain unclear. What is clear is that he's not working alone, judging from the fact that he's shown showering in a hotel with a Kobe businessman. Isogai may just be part of an elaborate business plan to get his footing into Ikebukuro, partially explaining his relationship with the businessman but he may also be doing this for personal reasons. Isogai wants Ikebukuro to be in ruins and Makoto was the one getting in the way. What better way to kill two birds with one stone than to have both gangs go after the troubleshooter and each other?
