WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 6 of SSSS.Dynazenon, "What is This Pain?," now streaming on Funimation.
Koyomi Yamanka’s life in SSSS.Dynazenon is less than ideal. He is a 33-year-old NEET and he has lackluster self-esteem as a result. His struggles have also been relegated to a minor role in the story behind another protagonist: Yume’s emotional development. However, Koyomi's journey takes a more prominent seat in Episode 6.
Dejected and confused, Koyomi ends up bonding with the enemy. One Kaiju Eugenicist, in particular, has a lot more in common with Koyomi than one would think. Mijuna, the unenthused and detached member of the villainous group, finds a drunk Koyomi and they discuss their respective lack of ambition. Their shared experience may not last long but Mijuna finds some spunk by the episode’s conclusion, and the seeds of a promising relationship are there.
For the past few episodes, Koyomi has been reconnecting with an old classmate he had a crush on in middle school. He also has some sort of trauma associated with her. Inamoto, the classmate who also happens to be Yomogi’s manager, appears recurring and eerie flashbacks with Koyomi. On one occasion, she asks Koyomi not to talk about the windows she broke before offering to show him something.
During a flashback in Episode 6, Koyomi sees whatever ominous thing she wanted to show him and it clearly traumatizes him. His feelings about her are clearly jumbled. Inamoto is married, after all, and Koyomi knows this. But Inamoto is also vague about romantic implications. On their outing, Inamoto’s husband arrives at the table. He is very different from Koyomi: buff, ambitious and loud-spoken. The juxtaposition leaves Koyomi dispirited and heartbroken.
On his way home, he runs into Mijuna, and, surprisingly, the two go out for drinks -- although Koyomi is already drunk. Koyomi complains about being led on by Inamoto and Mijuna responds with apathy. She doesn’t know Koyomi and she doesn’t know herself. She can’t possibly be of any assistance. There is nothing she wants to do.
Mijuna is often the one who does not care either way when the Eugenicists make decisions. She shows disinterest during confrontations with Dynazenon and her goals are undefined because she doesn’t have any, unlike the others. Little does she know, she is of great assistance to Koyomi. The big struggle in his life is his lack of ambition. The two are incredibly similar.
But Mijuna is a villain after all. While Koyomi is drunk, Mijuna steals Dyna Striker and takes it back to the Eugenicists. Upon this realization, Koyomi comes clean to Gauma. Along with Chise, the three are able to retrieve Dyna Strike and Gauma challenges Koyomi to take action. He tackles Mijuna during the confrontation.
Later in the episode, the Eugenicists need to co-pilot a Kaiju. Its power is too much for one to control so Sizumu challenges Mijuna to cooperate with Onija. As a result, her personality completely changes. She becomes upbeat and determined to end Dynazenon. It’s a stark contrast from her earlier persona.
Her newfound confidence still draws comparison to Koyomi. When Gauma first requested training sessions, Koyomi was proud and engaged. Perhaps it's being useful to a team or fighting for a greater good, but he likes to pilot Dynazenon. While Koyomi is going at his own pace, Mijuna may have found her calling instantly. More interactions between the two might help both characters grow throughout the series.
