Konnichiwa! Thanks for visiting Anime Rants. I don’t have a special introduction topic this time, so let’s get right to the episode reviews for Delico’s Nursery.
Note: This isn’t the end of Delico’s Nursery yet. There will be a final thirteenth episode airing on November 27th.
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Episode 11: The Clan Festival
Episode Rating: 9/10
This episode was the best in the series thus far due to the exciting and well-animated action, the stirring and epic music, and the abundance of character insights. The episode begins with a flashback of Dali being an arrogant little shit back when he was in the Vampire Clan. Even in the present, Dali wishes he could return to his cocoon phase. It’s understandable because vamps have more power and energy during that phase of their lives. The Clan and the cocoon phase symbolize being boundless and free, which is Dali’s whole vibe.
The Clan Festival is crowded with vamps both young and old. Everyone spreads out to search for the Pendulum members and their hostages as well as Teacher Krauss. Dali is the first to run into Krauss out in a quiet garden area. Krauss warns Dali not to get close to him, but Dali tries anyway. As a result, he is plunged into a vivid hallucination of his dead wife, Frida, calling out to him. Losing sight of reality, Dali approaches Frida. But he manages to snap out of it before walking off the edge of a building. The hallucination almost caused his death.
Meanwhile, Dino is the first to find Katarina and Juras. Unfortunately, Juras was able to stab Dino deeply in the side, quickly weakening him. Dino grabbed the dhampir’s throat to kill him, but Juras activated his ability and invaded his enemy’s mind. The mental landscape of Dino was fairly interesting. There was a huge statue of himself there, symbolizing his ego and his strong desire for personal perfection, when he was actually small and imperfect in reality.
Though Dino was able to push Juras out of his mind, he still collapsed from blood loss. Luckily, Dali and Gerhard are there to pursue Juras and Katarina, while Lord Johannes and Clara tend to Dino’s injury. Dali and Gerhard follow Juras to a stage where some young vamps are having a fencing tournament. What follows is an excellently animated action sequence as the two vamp aristocrats take up their sabers and fight with the dual knife-wielding Juras.
Juras escapes from impending doom by grabbing baby Ul and using him as a shield. He and Katarina then retreat. However, it doesn’t take long for Henrique to find them and start attacking. Henrique’s fight with Juras was exciting and mostly well-animated. At one point, Juras invaded Henrique’s mind, but the vamp aristocrat was completely unfazed. The mental landscape of his mind was an empty room with a single chair. A child version of Henrique sat in the chair staring blankly at nothing.
Henrique explained that his mind was largely empty because he lived for his parents and not himself. Everything in his life was decided by his parents – even his marriage. But now, thanks to recent experiences, Henrique has found things that he genuinely wants to do, such as raising his daughters with love. The brave vamp fought back and pushed Juras out of his head. If not for Katarina’s interference, Henrique would have killed Juras. But thanks to Katarina, the Pendulum members evaded capture again.
There’s a brief scene where Dino wakes up in stable condition and decides to continue the mission. I enjoyed this moment because it highlighted something about the relationship between Dali and Dino. Most other aristocrats hate and envy the Delico family. As result, Dali grew up with very few friends. Dino isn’t exactly a bff buddy, but his friendly rivalry with Dali is still something special and not hateful. Clara points this out and thanks Dino for helping her master.
In the final scene of this episode, Juras almost collapses and starts violently coughing. Katarina is clearly concerned about him. Juras admits that he’s probably dying. But just then, down the hallway, he spots Teacher Krauss. Finally, it’s time to talk to the True of Vamp, the original vampire who mentally influences all others. To be continued.
Episode 12: Sweet Dreams
Episode Rating: 8/10
Juras recklessly stabbed Krauss in the middle of the hallway, but the vampire god didn’t care. He used his Initiative to tell everyone else to forget the violence and continue the festival. Outside, in an alleyway, Juras again attacks Krauss, stabbing and slashing him repeatedly. Krauss heals from every injury in mere seconds. He’s truly an immortal monster. Giving up on physical attacks, Juras went into Krauss’ mind to try to break him from the inside. It’s easier said than done.
Much to his confusion and frustration, Juras can’t find Krauss within the vast mental landscape. He keeps searching, wandering through the wasteland, until he sees a magical-looking area with a single grave on a hilltop. Juras tries to dig up the grave, which probably contained Krauss’ deepest consciousness. Just then, every vampire at the festival – and perhaps in the whole world – began to shed tears. The mental link with Krauss was becoming stronger. The species was close to collapse.
Dali stops Juras before he can do more to upset the balance of Krauss’ mind. The other vamp aristocrats also arrive. Katarina and Juras are outnumbered. Moreover, Juras is too weak to continue fighting. So, in a last desperate attempt to satisfy his bitter anger, Juras attempts to kill Ul. Luckily, Katarina saves the day. She bites Juras from behind and uses Initiative, ordering him to give up the baby. Thanks to Katarina’s mercy, Ul returned unharmed to his father’s arms.
Katarina and Juras flee the scene, but they can’t get far with Juras literally dying. Soon enough, Dali and the others catch up. Katarina pleads with them to let Juras die in peace, and Dali agrees. He suggests an idea that will help. Katarina should use her Initiative to order Juras to have peaceful dreams in his final moments. Katarina follows this suggestion and gives the command. Thus, Juras is able to die in quiet bliss, seeing dreams of his childhood friends alive and happy in Nebula Village.
Mourning the loss of Juras, Katarina tries to swallow a poison pill. Luckily, Dali stopped her. He officially placed her under arrest, saying that she will pay for her crimes. As much as I love the character of Katarina, she was involved in several murders and kidnappings, and needs to be held accountable by the vampire justice system. The episode leaves off at this point, but I have a few more thoughts to share.
Firstly, we saw a brief scene that showed us how the kids are doing in the nursery. They all seem to be reasonably happy and hopeful now. Secondly, let’s talk a little about Krauss. I’m not exactly sure what to think of him. He seems soft and kind, the type of person who pets stray cats and spends time teaching knowledge to the younger generation. However, he’s also a bit callous, as evidenced by the fact that he couldn’t even remember Nebula Village. Krauss didn’t even try to be apologetic about it.
I wish we were given a better understanding of Krauss, because he seems like one of the most interesting characters. I’m neurodivergent and subject to mental instability at times, so I can relate to the messy mind of Krauss. Since one episode remains, it’s possible we could get more information about this character. However, I’m not holding my breath. Delico’s Nursery hasn’t been good with world-building, and the character writing also needs some work, in my opinion.
Anyway, that’s all for today! I appreciate everyone who took a look at my blog today. Until next time, Sayonara!
~Thanks for reading~
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Written by 7Mononoke
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