Best episode of the season so far. The action is intense from start to finish, with Basara, Zest, and especially Mio getting great moments to shine. The long-awaited Zest fanservice finally arrives, but surprisingly it doesn't overshadow the episode's serious tone. The fights are well done, the power displays are impressive, and the ending raises the stakes even further. It's a shame this is only the midpoint of the season.