Christopher Hitchens once compared life to a party. When it’s time to die, the party continues for others, but you must leave the celebration. That’s terribly depressing. On the other hand, it’s also reassuring. If the party goes on, then someone can take over singing your song, and continue bringing joy to the crowd. You can pass the torch. And if everyone does so, the song will grow ever more beautiful and complex. Thanks to this realization, Gras died content, with much hope for the world. Let’s see how Gras’ story ends in this episode of Orb.
Episode 5: Even If I Die, This World Will Continue
Episode Rating: 9/10
The first scene in the episode shows the monk Damian confronting Nowak on his “poor attitude.” Nowak has never been the most go-getter man, but it seems like he lost even more motivation after the incident with Rafal. I think he was thrilled and entertained by Rafal’s unusual nature, and now, he’s bored. Anyway, I’m grateful for Nowak’s low motivation. After confirming that the heretic died, he gave up on pursuing Gras and Orczy. If he actually had a mind to kill them, he might be unstoppable. (Additionally, his curvy sword is really cool!)
After they discover the chest of research materials on the mountain, Orczy hesitates to continue. He’s curious, but also cautious and unsure. He asked Gras to decide for him whether or not he should continue. Gras requested his companionship until they pass along the materials to someone who will make good use of them and pay money for them. While Orczy’s indecisive nature is cute, I wish he didn’t have to deal with so much anxiety. I just want to hug and encourage Orczy.
As the two men walk, Gras asks Orczy to look at the stars for him, since his own vision is impaired after an injury from the wagon crash. Orczy then explained his phobia of the stars, and how he sees the eyes of all humanity looking at him when he focuses on the sky. But Orczy also mentioned that when he saw those eyes when he was younger, he felt excited and thrilled. Though the eyes terrify Orczy, they also interest him.
Orczy is frightened by this vision for two main reasons. First of all, assuming it was a full-blown hallucinagenic experience, anyone would be terrified by seeing millions of eyes staring down at them from space. But the vision is also existentially frightening, a symbolic reversal of what Orczy sees as the natural order. Humans should be looking up at heaven to praise it, not looking down at earth to study it. I think Orczy and his religious trauma are fascinating in this episode.
The psychological introspection and character growth of Gras was also great. I also love the whole conflict about whether or not to give up on the material world. As Gras pointed out, all the good things we know are here, like the family he loved so much. Is the world really a fully disgusting place if you can fall in love so deeply? Don’t forget that Gras attempted suicide in the past. Despite his laidback attitude, he’s always fighting despair.
That makes it even sadder when Gras gives the rest of his life to save Orczy at the bridge later. But it also was super empowering to see him “passing the torch.” He died content. Another benefit about the material world is that it will continue after you die. Therefore, you don’t have to abandon all hope of improving it. You just need to pass the torch on and trust the next generation to also work on improvement.
The bridge scene was so epic. I’m highly impressed with the directing of this anime’s key scenes so far. As soon as they set foot on the bridge, the atmosphere let you know something significant was about to happen. I love how Orczy was so insistent on trying to save Gras, subverting my initial expectations of the character. But unfortunately, Orczy still couldn’t save his companion from falling into the raging river far below. Now it’s up to this reluctant, anxious man to carry the heretical knowledge to someone who will make use of it.
In the last few minutes of the episode, Badeni was introduced, which immediately captured my attention. I recognized at once that he was voiced by Yuuichi Nakamura, who is a talented VA with a very sexy voice, haha. Beyond jut liking his VA, though, I’m also keenly interested in Badeni as a character. He’s a monk who doubted the church and got demoted. He already sounds like a heretic in the making. I look forward to seeing more of him in the next episode.
~Thanks for reading~
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