I don’t know about you, but I was so HYPED about Saturday. Finally, Volume 4 of RWBY released. It was titillating, exhilarating, absolutely mesmerizing! And here is my review of this amazing new episode.

The anticipation for this episode was high for many reason. RoosterTeeth (I am going to call them RT from here on out) switched to Maya from Poser Pro 11, so the animation was a new format. Volume Three ended in heart-shattering tragedy with the deaths of Penny Polendina, Pyrrha Nikos, Roman Torchwick, and Fall Maiden Amber. Yang Xiao-Long was left disarmed (quite literally, in fact. But she is all right now….. I will see myself out), and her partner, Blake Belladonna, was stabbed through the abdomen. Weiss Schnee is whisked away by her mysterious father. Having witnessed Pyrrha’s death, Ruby unleashes a mysterious power that is related to her silver eyes. The team is left in tatters, physically and mentally, Beacon is in ruins, and Ozpin is no where to be found.
And I think the largest contribution to all the hype is that this is the very first volume that Monty didn’t have a direct hand in. Of course, he is everywhere within the series, having given it life. Alas, he had no fingers in the melting pot, molding the pieces as they were formed this go ’round. Fans are anxious to see what will be different and how Monty’s vision will change and stay the same.

Let us get to what you are here for: A break down of the episode and my thoughts.

The new episode opens on a puddle of what could be a tar-like substance. It’s easy to see that we are in Salem’s wasteland, and from this pit a Grimm starts to emerge. It became apparent that it is a Beowulf. So, is this how just Beowulves spawn, or is it all Grimm? I’d think maybe they spawn in different region or areas of Salem’s area, as they come in different sizes and mimic animals.
The scene pans up and out, and Mercury and Emerald come in to view behind a window. Both seem to look horrified/ disturbed with the Grimm and landscape around them. Emerald definitely seems to be having second thoughts about her part in this.
A hand snaps it’s gloved fingers and both characters retreat to what happens to be Cinder. Cinder has changed in appearance, and was obviously injured. Her hair is short again, and her left hand side is covered by her new outfit.  Cinder tries to talk, and can’t. It seems that her encounter with Ruby has damaged her vocal cords as well as her extremities. When Em and Merc approach Cinder, we are visually introduced to three new male characters.

One is pale, sits like L from Deathnote, and has long black hair. His name is Tyrian. The next is a statesman looking guy with a mustache even Port could admire. His name is Watts. The last is this burly, stoic, Tukson-esque wall of a man, and his name is Hazel. Watts shows an immediate distaste for Cinder, which seems to be equally returned. It looks as if he has no patience for younger people. He bashes on Cinder for being taken out by “a little girl”, and is swiftly when Salem enters the room.
Note: They all stand for her, and sit only when she allows them. I think it’s safe to say that Salem truly is the head honcho of Team EVIL.

Salem asks why Watts must bag on Cinder, and he says something about not tolerating failure. Salem’s rebuttal is all that Cinder managed, and all he could do was point out how she was beaten by Ruby. I sense a butt hurt villain, as he can’t look past that, que the music. Among her achievements, Salem lists that Cinder as slain Ozpin as well. I’m not sure how I feel about that, as he is a huge roled character in the show, why would they show is death off screen? That’s hardly fitting.

They tough base on having dealt with silver eyed hunters/huntresses before, which leads me to believe that they had a hand in Summers death. Salem also mentions that while Cinder’s new found power is great, it comes with weaknesses. What are they in nature? How detrimental can they possibly be, to keep Cinder at Salem’s side? And why is Haven next to be brought down? Atlas is obviously a power house, why not take them out next?

The scenery changes, and we are slapped in the face with a new character. He is a young, dark haired boy with intriguing eyes. They seem to be multiple colours, and as the scene goes on, you see that he is on a farm. The entire scene reminds me heavily of the old man wizard, and it makes me want to think that he is the old mans descendant. The other thought that popped to mind due to Tyrian being told to go after Spring, could he actually be Spring? It’s hard to say either way. This scene is short and doesn’t leave us with very much. DAMMIT RT!! Left with more questions.

We finally are taken to Team JNRR/RNJR. Funny enough, it opens on Nora and Ren debating if the are JNRR (Junior) or if they are RNJR (Ranger). It’s a rather comedic scene, and Nora is as dramatic as normal. I will touch base on the new outfits more in a little bit, but we get to see the new outfits!! They are truly stellar.

CRASH, BANG, BOOM!! Here comes a new Grimm! It looks like a stone golem of sorts, and Ruby is of course leading the way. I can’t tell if it’s just me or if it’s real, but Ruby seems to move even faster. Ren’s blades do nothing against the stone, and Ruby reveals that she has at least two new clips of ammo: Lightening and Fire. Neither seem to do much. Jaune is revealed as weaponless, and mentions that  he is the strategist. True to that, he realizes that this Grimm’s weakness is his face, and starts to direct his teammates to their victory.

NEW TEAM ATTACK!! Nora and Ruby have one! It is amazing! So, Nora charges up Magnhild, and using her semblance, Ruby launches them at the foe. Nora breaks off and swings Magnild, and it leaves the golem in pieces. It seems to me as if the stone is simply a vessel, as a reaper looking Grimm escapes the rocky remains and tries to flee. Ruby kills the Grimm with a single shot after that. I’m thinking that it is a rather weak Grimm outside of it’s armor.

Now, the team is scene in a village, addressing a leader looking guy. The village is rural in nature and called Anima (I’m not sure on spelling). The leader gives us the name of this new Grimm: A Geist. I assume that that is after a poltergeist, and they might be a slightly terrifying and mischievous Grimm. Leader dude apologizes for not being able to pay them more, and we FINALLY get an answer as to why he’s weaponless. They start heading for the next village in hopes of finding an airship. Jaune starts to go through a list of supplies, and Nora thanks the Schnee Dust Company for their ammo. It’s plain as day to see that Ruby misses her partner. Poor Rubes.

Here is the new outfits:
Ren- Still sports green and white, but the green is more muted and his tunic is sleeveless and tailed. His hair is sooooooo much longer (I FREAKING LOVE IT!! EEEEEEEEEE!) He is sporting gradient pink gloves that come up to his elbows. Without sleeves, StormFlower now hangs from his belt.

Nora- Nora now sports a dark blue bolero with her iconic pink for details. Her hair is a bit longer, and the heart on her shirt now has a slash through it. I’m thinking this is her homage to Pyrrha. Her skirt is now a high waisted skirt, and her shoes are now knee high converse!! I may or may not be really excited about that ^^.

Ruby- We saw her in the leak from RTX, but I’ll recap here. Her cape is tattered at the end, and her tights are now a burgundy red with rips near the top. Looking at her outfit, it looks almost as if she took her alternate outfit with her, and that is what the new outfit could be based on. Also, her symbol pin has moved from her hip to what holds her cape on.

Jaune- Here is where the episode killed me: Jaune’s upgrades. Their payment for defeating the Grimm was an upgrade in Jaune’s armor and weapons. Jaune got Pyrrha’s headpiece and it was melded onto his shield. I am crying as I write this. He also know sports a scrap of red fabric just like Pyrrha’s hip scarf around his own hips. I love how RT pays remembrance to their characters. It’s truly beautiful. Jaune also has Pumpkin Pete on his sweater, after sending 50 cereal boxes in to get the sweater. Also, his boots seem more like combat boots instead of his converse (I’m sad, I love converse).

The last scene shows Weiss looking out the window, and introduces us to her butler, Cline. Her hair is still in a side pony, and has grown much longer. The episode ends with the new opening. I love the new song.

The things the opening make me wonder:
The young boy with Weiss’ scene, is he a butler or a family member? Is he a robot? He has a line around his arm.
Ironwood has new clothes (He must have been really cold, he was half naked when we last saw him).
And is it just me, or is Weiss having an Elsa complex in the opening?
We now know that Blake has Sun with her, but could the faunus be her parents?
Taiyang seems to be retraining Yang, but Yang is struggling (obviously).
My last question is do the birds represent Qrow and Raven?

All in all, this was a perfect introduction to the new Volume, and I am again counting down to next Saturday.

Love, Peace and Potatoes!!

-thatonepyrrhanikos