Moving on from Haven Academy, our main cast travels to Atlas, and ends up encountering a lot more resistance while on the road than they expected. This season performed remarkably well when it released, with the public perception of RWBY being higher than it had in years at the time.
Does it hold up? Let’s jump into it and find out!
Episode One – Argus Limited
After successfully retrieving Haven Academy’s relic, Ruby and her friends board a train headed to the port town of Argus, which in turn will ferry them to Atlas. However, a massive group of Grimm attack the train, attracted to the relic. While Jaune, Nora, and Ren keep the passengers on the train safe, Ruby and the others battle the Grimm. They are successful in besting the Grimm, but the train then crashes. Elsewhere, Adam violently eliminates those who seek to depose him from the White Fang.
As far as opening episodes in a RWBY volume go, you can do worse than this episode, but you can also do better. I actually like the opening minutes, where we follow our core crew at the train station. I like the Neptune cameo, and I think both Sun and Ilia’s farewells are suitably emotional. I appreciate the nuance in the reveal that Qrow told Haven authorities that Professor Lionheart died nobly, not that he was a traitor. There’s some funny moments too. The train stuff is, ironically, a bit less exciting, but it’s not a terrible fight scene either. The music is especially nice.
Rating: 8.5
Episode Two – Uncovered
Surviving her defeat at the hands of Raven, Cinder crawls away to safety and slowly begins to recover. She seeks the help of an information broker to track down Ruby and the relic. At the site of the train crash, an irate Team RWBY confront Ozpin over his continual refusal to divulge the full truth of things. Oscar mentally restrains Ozpin, allowing Ruby to use the relic to summon Jinn, a spirit of knowledge. She asks Jinn to tell them everything about Ozpin and Salem.
This is around the time when Cinder supplanted Torchwick as my favorite antagonist in the show, and I really love her scenes throughout this season. Getting to see such a primary antagonist have to work hard just like our protagonists is such a rare thing, but it’s very appreciated. And then at the crash site of the train, I really like the tense drama between our protagonists and Ozpin. Many scenes in shows and movies where protagonists fight and argue can come across as contrived, but the tensions that bubble to a head in this episode feel really natural and earned…not that us viewers want to see our favorite heroes bickering!
Rating: 9
Episode Three – The Lost Fable
In a lengthy flashback, the history of Salem and Ozpin (or as he was originally called, Ozma) is revealed. The two were star-crossed lovers, but when Ozma passed away from illness, Salem’s dark path began. An arrogant gamble led to her being stricken with a curse by the God of Light, as she was made immortal (and thus unable to see Ozma in the afterlife). An attempt to thwart her own immortality only infused her very soul with darkness instead, leading to her becoming the ruler of the Grimm. Meanwhile, the God of Light reincarnated Ozma, tasking him with defeating Salem, in a battle that has persisted for centuries with no clear victor.
I appreciate this episode for how unashamed it is. It’s one of the longest episodes in the entire show (if not the longest), it fully commits to being a start-to-finish flashback, and it takes its time going through every last detail of Salem and Ozpin’s backstories. It has some emotional moments, it has some good worldbuilding, and it answers a ton of lingering questions a viewer might have. My only issue with it? I honestly think it drags a bit. I can respect the artistic integrity, but I think it could’ve been tightened up and made a bit shorter while still getting the point across. Because, being an episode-long flashback, it does inarguably kill the season’s pacing a bit.
Rating: 8.5
Episode Four – So That’s How It Is
Team RWBY realize that Ozpin has no plan to defeat Salem, meaning that the struggle against her has been, in a way, pointless. In low spirits, the group trudges to a safe place to stay the night as a storm approaches, chancing upon an abandoned farmhouse. At Salem’s base of operations, Emerald, Mercury, and Hazel report in about they failed in their goals at Haven Academy. Salem specifically singles out Emerald, forcing Emerald to admit that it was Cinder’s fault that the plan failed. Hazel then mentions that Ozpin’s newest reincarnation is active, prompting Salem to explode in fury.
The anger and drama our protagonists had in the second episode continues here, though it doesn’t quite hit as hard due to a bit less overall tension. It still adds some neat character drama to everything, though, and I always enjoy when a character’s ideals or dynamics get challenged. With Salem and her crew, I quite enjoy the focus that Emerald gets. I’ve liked her character ever since her introduction in the second season, and I still like her now, especially as we viewers (and Emerald herself) get to see sides of her that exist outside of Cinder’s sphere of influence. Salem screaming out and shattering the windows is a bit hokey, but still a cool moment.
Rating: 8.5
Episode Five – The Coming Storm
Cinder revisits the information broker, only to be attacked by Neo, who has been seeking her out ever since the Fall of Beacon. The two battle fiercely, with Cinder realizing that Neo wants to make those she blames for Torchwick’s death pay. The two strike a truce, uniting over their common hatred of Ruby. Ruby and her friends discover that the farmhouse is filled with dead bodies, as if the residents went to sleep in their beds and never woke again. Yang is plagued by flashes of Adam, and she rebuffs Blake’s concern, viewing it as pity. Tensions run high as night falls.
I absolutely adore how Neo’s first appearance in three volumes comes almost out of nowhere (though it does make logical sense given her grudge towards those who led to Torchwick’s death), and yet her very first act is to star in a phenomenal fight scene that is the best moment of action RWBY has had in several volumes. It’s just another reason why Neo is such a fantastic member of this show’s cast. And then it shouldn’t be a surprise that I enjoy the dark atmosphere at the abandoned farmhouse, since I’ve stated many times on this blog that I love when non-horror things briefly dip their toes into the horror genre. I can’t get enough of that stuff! Also, Blake and Yang’s conversation in the barn is really neat and well-written even amidst its angst.
Rating: 9
Episode Six – Alone in the Woods
Qrow gives in to his earlier drinking problems, teetering on the edge of alcoholism. Everyone else is despondent and tired, almost apathetic, and they wonder if the journey to Atlas is even worth it. Ruby almost gives in to the same apathy, only to realize that a Grimm is responsible for the soul-sucking aura that everyone is experiencing. She and the others barely survive the Grimm attack, and they are saved by the power of Ruby’s silver eyes (encouraged by the group’s new friend, Maria, who has been traveling with them since the train crash).
The horror vibes that built in the back-half of the previous episode continue here, although much more overtly. Honestly, I actually enjoy the opening part of this episode the most, with everyone but Ruby acting so strange and apathetic. It makes me skin crawl, knowing that something is off but not quite being able to tell what. Once the zombie-like Grimm show up on-screen it’s a bit less scary to me, but it’s also still a ton of fun, so I’m really just nitpicking. I also love how the whole thing is, in a figurative sense, a representation of the self-destructiveness of Qrow’s own alcoholism. It’s another example of this season’s surprisingly effective use of nuance and subtlety in its writing.
Rating: 9.5
Episode Seven – The Grimm Reaper
On the road to Argus, Maria reveals that she used to be an infamous huntress known as The Grimm Reaper, and Qrow expresses awe by saying that she was the inspiration behind his own weapon. Maria was once hunted by servants of Salem, and she lost her eyes in a battle with the vicious mercenary, Tock. Salem, for whatever reason, was hunting people with silver eyes. Ruby asks to learn more about her eyes. The group then arrives in Argus, reuniting with Jaune, Nora, and Ren, and the temporarily stay at the home of Jaune’s older sister, Saphron.
It’s a bit anecdotal towards this episode as a whole, but I really love how much is packed into this singular episode. Maria’s flashback is maybe a bit indulgent (given it could’ve been conveyed in a simple conversation instead), but it’s also awesome and contains an excellent fight scene so I am in no way complaining. The reunion between Team RWBY and the others in Argus is super sweet, and there’s a bunch of wholesome moments and funny bits when we meet Jaune’s older sister and her family. It really does a super effective job transitioning us into the second-half of the volume, and the setting we will be in for the rest of the season.
Rating: 9
Episode Eight – Dead End
The group expects passage to Atlas to be easy, but the are countered by the head Atlas officer of Argus, Caroline Cordovin, who explains that passage to Atlas is blocked, no exceptions. The group pleads, argues, and eventually bickers with Cordovin, before finally giving up. Back at Saphron’s house, Jaune, Nora, and Ren learn the truth about the futility in destroying Salem, causing Jaune to angrily snap at Oscar. In the backyard, Ruby is tutored by Maria about her eyes, and how to draw on the strength of her loved ones and the desire to protect theme.
I mentioned ‘funny bits‘ in my review of the previous episode, but once the ostentatious and self-absorbed Caroline Cordovin enters the scene, the humor ratchets up immensely. Her banter with Maria, Nora, and several others is exceptionally entertaining, and she makes for a very amusing obstacle for our heroes to overcome in these final few episodes. Ruby’s conversation with Maria is also much-needed, aiding in the rather remarkable character development Ruby herself goes through in this season (it’s the season where she gets the most growth since the very first volume). Jaune’s anger at Oscar doesn’t quite feel justified to me and is this episode’s weakest point.
Rating: 8.5
Episode Nine – Lost
At Salem’s base, Emerald and Mercury practice sparing, with Emerald expressing aimlessly with Cinder not around, and Mercury explaining how Cinder never cared about them, and how hard he’s had to work to get where he is in life. Tyrian mocks the two of them, then heads to Atlas with Watts. In Argus, Jaune searches for a missing Oscar and ends up finding a tribute statue of Pyrrha (as Argus was her hometown). He talks about Pyrrha with a woman who looks like she is a family member, and the conversation inspires Jaune and helps him to refocus on the mission. He later apologizes to Oscar, and strategizes a plan to get to Atlas.
So, I’ll make a confession here that I hope doesn’t bring the wrath of the RWBY community down upon my head. I was never a huge fan of Pyrrha. I didn’t dislike her at all, I just didn’t actively love her either. I easily get invested in characters and stories, so of course I cared about her struggles and her death at the hands of Cinder…just not as much as I cared about some other characters and storylines. So this episode’s huge focus on Pyrrha means that, to me personally, I care about it just a little less than I might’ve had it been about something else. It’s still a touching scene, though! And I really like the sparring match between Emerald and Mercury, and how much we learn about each of them during it.
Rating: 8.5
Episode Ten – Stealing from the Elderly
Weiss, on the power of her family name, pretends to order Cordovin to fly her back to Atlas. Meanwhile, Ruby and a few of the others wait out in the forest for Weiss (and a stowaway Maria) to steal an Atlas ship and pick them up. Over at a nearby radio tower, Blake and Yang plan to sabotage communications so Cordovin and the others don’t suspect anything. However, things go awry when Adam launches an attack on Blake, hunting her down. With the radio tower operational, Cordovin notices the plan, and proceeds to board a massive mecha to put Team RWBY in their place for daring to provoke the might of Atlas.
Oh boy. This volume’s final four episodes are seriously something else, and I have almost nothing but abject praise to sing for these remaining episodes. Everything kicks off here, leaning pretty heavily into humor in the first-half before pivoting to desperation and panic in the second-half when Blake is hunted down by Adam. The tonal shift is maybe a touch jarring, focusing on Ruby and friends with their comparatively more relaxed showdown with Cordovin’s mecha, and intercutting with Blake fighting for her life. But it’s not too distracting, and both storylines are super fun to follow, so it all ends up being engaging and entertaining anyway!
Rating: 9.5
Episode Eleven – The Lady in the Shoe
Cordovin attacks Ruby and her friends, intended to defeat them and arrest them, but they fight back. Qrow warns Ruby to be careful, but she insists that he trust her. She and the others do battle against Cordovin’s mech, scoring several good hits by disabling her shields. However, she eventually gets the upper hand, turning the tides on our heroes. Out in the forest, Blake and Adam’s battle continues, with Adam managing to slowly whittle down Blake’s stamina, and even destroy her weapon. She’s saved, however, by the appearance of Yang. Becoming a 2-on-1 showdown, Blake and Yang square-up against their persistent, obsessive foe.
When it comes to action scenes in RWBY, the best ones do either one of two things (or they do both). They either lean into lightning fast, energetic, and exciting choreography. Or, they leverage the unique abilities and powers of every character present, really conveying a battle that could only happen in the world of RWBY. This episode delivers the best of both worlds. With Ruby and friends, we have everyone teaming up and using their abilities in such fun and clever ways while battling Cordovin’s mecha. And then with Blake and Yang, we get the best choreography in the entire show as they fight separately against Adam. Befitting, I suppose, for my favorite fight in the entire show!
Rating: 10
Episode Twelve – Seeing Red
With little options remaining, Ruby taunts Cordovin into firing a massive arm cannon blast directly at her. At the last second, Ruby uses her speed to fly into the cannon and trigger a chain reaction that blows it up from the inside, rendering the mecha defeated. However, drawn to the chaos, a huge Leviathan Grimm arrives to attack Argus. Meanwhile, Blake and Yang combine their strengths in the struggle against Adam, just barely managing to overpower him through speed, skill, and smarts. In a desperate final manuever, Blake and Yang end Adam’s life before he can kill either of them, with Blake sobbing and collapsing into Yang’s arms once he’s dead.
We finally have achieved the first ‘11‘ score for RWBY, the coveted highest placement an episode can score for in these Contrarian Retrospective articles. And what better episode to give that score to than an episode that decisively caps off one of the best group battles in the series with the bout against Cordovin’s mecha, and then the unforgettable conclusion to the actual best showdown in all of RWBY. Ruby’s determination and willpower is legitimately inspiring (to both Qrow and to viewers like me), and the genius of her fight-winning move is applause-worthy. And then I’ve already waxed poetic about Blake and Yang’s fight against Adam in other articles, so I’ll just reiterate that it’s fantastic!
But even aside from the fighting, the quiet moments hit hard too. Blake breaking down into tears and being consoled by Yang is the perfect way their battle with Adam could’ve ended. I love when a story gives characters the time to react in a natural and human way to the things that happen to them.
Rating: 11
Episode Thirteen – Our Way
With Cordovin’s mecha down, only Team RWBY can hope to save the citizens of Argus from the Leviathan Grimm, so they head into battle to do so. With Weiss’ assistance, Ruby hops in front of the skyscraper-sized Grimm. Channeling all of the memories of her friends, family, and allies, Ruby pushes past despair and into hope, and paralyzes the gargantuan Grimm with her silver eyes. Cordovin, with the last of the mecha’s power, gets the finishing blow, and she opts to let Ruby and the others head to Atlas as thanks for their assistance. The group then arrives to find Atlas firmly barricaded by a huge military presence. Elsewhere, Cinder and Neo sneak their way into Atlas.
Nothing could live up to the sky-high hype of the previous episode, but this finale still comes pretty dang close. I love literally every single thing about this episode. I love how we come full-circle with Ruby and her silver eyes in how she’s able to defeat the Leviathan Grimm, and I love the music that plays during the montage of memories (and our first look at Ruby’s mom, Summer). I love Cordovin genuinely coming to respect our heroes and letting them go free. I love that Blake and Yang aren’t just instantly over what happened with Adam, and still have lingering impacts of that to deal with. And I love the tease (but not outright cliffhanger) setting us up for the next arc in Atlas.
Rating: 10
SEASON CONCLUSION
I’m not going to bury-the-lede with my review here. Volume Six of RWBY is the best written season of the entire show. It’s the only season that feels like it was comprehensively curated from start-to-finish to tell a full and compelling story with a beginning, middle, end, and character arc progressions for our central characters, with particular emphasis on Ruby (who really did need it). This isn’t a critique of the other seasons. They serve their roles fantastically as pieces of a much bigger puzzle. I love that too. In fact, if you’ll recall, on my personal ranking of the volumes, there are two other volumes that rank higher than this one for me.
However, if you were to tell me that this was your favorite volume, I wouldn’t even blink. I would immediately understand you. I think there’s a true argument for this being the best season of the entire show. From the writing, to the pacing, to the action scenes, this season just does everything right. And, as I addressed above, it somehow manages to do all of that within a self-contained narrative that provides a fully enjoyable and cathartic experience that, while it does build up the world and show around itself, it can almost just be seen and loved even all on its own.
Rating: 10
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 