Welcome to Anime Rants once again. This post is several weeks late, but I’m doing my best to catch up to the current episodes. Here are my episode reviews/recaps for week 9!
Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season: Episode 9
It was quite a dark episode of Bungo Stray Dogs, but also a welcome one, since it was virtually all about Yosano. In a show dominated by male characters, there’s hardly ever time to develop the female ones. Kyoka is great, but I’m more interested in an adult like Yosano. Anyway, this episode explored Yosano’s past as she was used for her healing ability. She was forced to keep healing a certain battalion of soldiers and send them back to the front lines. It was an immortal legion kept alive by Yosano. She saw the suffering her power caused and was traumatized by several related events, including the suicide of a soldier she cared about a lot.
Years later, Mori Ogai tried to claim Yosano for the mafia, but Fukuzawa and Ranpo saved her and gave her a place at the Detective Agency. Back in the present, Yosano goes with Kenji and Tanizaki to make the deal with Francis, even knowing it could be a trap. She is determined to save the Detective Agency and win back her sense of home.
Koori Zokusei Danshi to Cool na Douryou Joshi
(Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague): Episode 9
As expected, after the Christmas episode, it was time for the New Year’s episode. The six coworkers had a zoom call on New Year’s Eve and drank together. I really enjoyed that because it’s the kind of thing I’d do with friends. Fuyutsuki in her gym pants was so cute. The next day, the six friends went in formal kimono dress for the first shrine visit of the new year. There were some cute and romantic moments at the shrine. Sometime, I’d like to celebrate a Japanese-style New Year. Anyway, it was a nice episode.
Mononogatari: Malevolent Spirits: Episode 8
The old man Hyoma went to go see ordered his servants to attack the young man. Hyoma fought well to defend himself. He killed several tsukumogami servants. However, when he saw one he recognized – Yage from episode 2 – he hesitated. Instead of killing her, he freed her from hypnosis. The old man then let Hyoma go. The next day, Botan accompanied Hyoma and Yage to the new place where Yage would be taken care of. It seemed like Hyoma and Botan got closer in this episode.
I don’t have a lot of thoughts about this episode, other than reiterating that I do kind of like this anime. The visuals suck and the writing is awkward as hell, but I still like the themes in the story of overcoming hatred and the idea of mythical marebito spirits.
Nokemono-tachi no Yoru (Tale of Outcasts): Episode 8
Snow is still a prisoner of Luther, who is turning him into a demon. Meanwhile, Sitri sees Wisteria in London and tries to attack her. Wisteria had been trying to reach private detective Holmes for help finding her brother. Marbas saved Wisteria temporarily, but Sitri is a powerful demon too. If not for the help of the armored commander of the Sword Cross Knights, Marbas might not have been able to protect Wisteria. Dantalion rescues the wounded Sitri and both escape. But the threat isn’t over. Marbas and the armored commander still have to deal with the demon-possessed swordsman who used to be Takenami.
It was a fairly intense episode this time. I enjoyed it. This anime isn’t getting very high scores on MAL at all, but I’m liking it quite a bit. I just love the way the demons are designed and how furry-like they look. Wisteria is also a cute and easy-to-root for character.
TenTen Kakumei: Episode 9
The issues with Prince Algard were finally resolved in this somewhat impressive episode. First, we saw some battle between Anis and Algard. Meanwhile, Euphie worked on healing Illya and Lannie. When Lainnie explained she could regenerate with blood magic, Illya fed the girl her own blood from her bleeding lip in the form of a kiss. It was quite hot.
Euphie stopped Anis right when she was about to possibly kill Algard. The young prince explained his insecurities and ultimately surrendered. He was banished to the borderlands and disinherited by the King as punishment for his violent actions. A few other co-conspirators were put to death. Lannie and Euphie gave their goodbyes to the disgraced prince. As for Anis and Illya, both are bedridden due to exhaustion, wounds, and magic reactions. In the last little scene, I was delighted to see Euphie plant a kiss on Anis’ cheek while she slept. Great episode!
Vinland Saga Season 2: Episode 8
While Thorfinn deals with continuing PTSD and nightmares, the retainers plot against him and Einar. They destroy the new wheat field. Naturally, Einar is livid. Thorfinn tries to keep him calm, but at the next confrontation with the retainers, both young men lose their cool. Thorfinn punches one of them so hard it breaks his jaw. Despite starting out strong, however, Thorfinn and Einar are doomed to lose the fight. To be continued! As usual, this was an excellent episode with interesting themes and insights on life, history, and human nature.
Thank you for reading~
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