Let's Watch: Kemono no Souja Erin

[rocklobster]

Ep 43: Beast Healer
[spoiler]Beastinarians from Lazal come, learning about Erin's ability to tame Ohju without the use of a Silent Whistle, despite the fact that she is supposed to carry one under Law. They order Erin into using the whistle on Lilan, but Erin refuses. As one of the beastinarians blows a whistle, Lilan goes into a blind rage and injures the beastenarians. This forces Erin to use the Silent Whistle on Lilan. The Whistle gives Lilan a horrifying aftershock, and Erin losing some of her fingers. This has Erin understand what her mother meant by "Ohju are beasts." From there, Erin decides to go onto the path of the "Beast Healer" a beastenarian who shares the joys and pains of the Ohju and uses the Silent Whistle, just like her mother did with the Touda. Erin is ordered to go to the Royal Palace with Lilan and her family.
Thoughts: I have to admit I felt really sad about this episode. Erin has to go against everything she believes now. [/spoiler]

[Atria35]

Woo! Finally caught back up.

I have quite a few comments for these eps. First off, I don't care for the lady singing the OP. While I do think the more melancholy tone of it and the ED are appropriate, her voice is grating.

[spoiler]I wasn't shocked when Lilan flew- it seemed like it had been building towards that. After all, where would the story go if she couldn't fly? A war between the Tohda handlers and one that was defenseless? And since flying ohju had been part of the ancient story that they played in the beginning, it was definitely foreshadowed. I also enjoy Erin's new voice. It does sound like her all grown up. Very nice and mellow.

I was sad to see all Erin's friends go in ep 36, but I have to say, I wish they had done more to update their looks. Only the 'big players' in the anime look like they've aged at all.

I hope Shiron gets a bigger part. But I don't think that will happen in the time frame given- there just isn't enough time to complete the politics and saving the world AND give Erin an apprentice who she gets close to.

I feel bad for the original Shin-Oh dying. I've seen my share of both so-pure-it's-sickening royalty and so-evil-it's-sickening royalty, so she seemed to have her good and bad (or at least spoiled because of her family being considered gods) side, and that was refreshing.

I could also see Seimiyah's anger towards the Grand Duke and Tohda handlers coming from the episode before when she had refused their get-well and condolance gifts to the Shin-Oh.

I was really sorry to see Erin get injured. That was unexpected- usually the heros aren't permanently injured or incapacitated like that. It will be interesting to see how that comes into play with the plotline.

But what drives me up the wall..... is that Erin just doesn't go straight to the new Shin-Oh and explain the family history and legends and etc. Seimiyah is totally in the dark and her uncle is a jerkface. Erin had a witness to what was said, AND she and Ia-lu know that it wasn't the Duke's Tohda that attacked. It certainly wouldn't hurt.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

[spoiler] I think the reason Erin doesn't go and tell Seimiyah the truth is because she knows her place. I don't mean to sound sexist when I say that. What I mean is that royalty often looks down on commoners. True, she was better respected by Shin-oh, but when it comes down to it, Erin is still a commoner. I think she feels she will not be believed because of her station, so it's worthless. Of course, we've still got a few episodes left, something could happen...(shrugs)[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 44: Akun-Meh-Chai
[spoiler]As the war between the Shin-Oh and Taikoh Reigons begins, Erin is called to the palace by Dahmiyah. While in there, he orders Erin to create a battalion of Ohju to use for the war. Erin refuses to breed the Ohju for war, due to the fear of repeating the mistake of First Shin-Oh Je. Erin tells Dahmiyah that she is an "Akun Meh Chai" a "Child of Impossibilities" because Erin herself is a child of a Tohda breeding man and a woman of the Mist People, two people that were said to never be able to be together. She tells Dahmiyah that only she can control the Ohju, and successfully demonstrates it. Dahmiyah tells Erin to continue to breed the Ohju battalion or else the people of Kazalm will be sentenced to death, as well as Erin's best friend, Yuuyan.
Thoughts::stressed:GRR! Dahmiyah, you are now on my list. I hope there's some returibution coming your way. An excellent episode, and I'm beginning to think I was right about that bittersweet ending. The scenes at the grave confirm it. In fact, I think the woman with the doll might be Yuuyan. Sure looks similar to her.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 45: Caged Bird
[spoiler]Back at the Royal Palace, Kahil tells Ia-lu that Dahmiyah was to wed Queen Seimiyah. He also hears that the old Seh-Zan were to be dismissed and new Seh-zan were to be introduced to the palace. Ia-lu is strongly against it, and decides to confront Dahmiyah. While there, Ia-lu learns that Dahmiyah was working with the Psi-Gamul and planned the attack on the boat. He also learns that Dahmiyah was blackmailing Erin to create an Ohju Army for the war. Meanwhile, Kahil was being ambushed by Psi-Gamul, one of them including Kirik. Ia-lu manages to get there in time and save Kahil. As Ia-lu confronted the unmasked Kirik, he helps him realize the mistake in his current actions.
Thoughts: Have we said "Ia-lu is awesome" enough times? Apparently not, because every time he shows up, we get another awesome moment. And Dahmiyah is such a good villain in this arc. His voice actor does a good job at making him chilling. I love the line about "chosen people like myself are the only ones qualified to rule this world".[/spoiler]

[Atria35]

Ep 44- [spoiler]Damiyah was always a creep. I had him very high on my list of suspects and betrayers, but the many episodes that passed by made me rethink that. I'm sorry I did! His so..... Grrrrr. Nasty, nasty man.[/spoiler]

Ep 45-[spoiler]I will admit it, I have a mini-crush on Ia-lu. He is just made of awesome. The whole episode answered a lot of questions and is bringing things to a head between all the cast members[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Ep 46: The Bond Between the Two
[spoiler]After being poisoned by Dahmiyah and injured by the Psi-Gamul, Ia-lu seeks refuge at Lazal with Erin. While there, Erin tends to his wounds while he tells her about Dahmiyah working with the Psi-Gamul to kill the late Shin-Oh. Kirik is sent by Dahmiyah to make sure Ia-lu was dead, but Kirik decides not to after seeing him with Erin. Dahmiyah learns of this, and decides to locate Ia-lu and kill him himself. When he arrives at Eku and Lilan's shed, he doesn't find Ia-lu and leaves. It is later revealed that Erin had Ia-lu hide under Lilan. For the rest of the night, Erin and Ia-lu talk. From there, they decide that they will reveal everything to the Shin-Oh Seimiyah together.
Thoughts: This was such a sad episode. And I guess we were wrong about Erin, she is going to tell Seimiyah! You go, Erin! It's just too bad the baby Ohju kept stealing the scene.[/spoiler]

[Atria35]

I was so very glad about this episode! It seems like she waited until an opportune time to[spoiler]talk to the Shin-Oh, since she probably would have been stopped at any other point. And it was good to hear that Semiyah didn't outright believe her- it made her a more believable character, that she didn't just go along with what Erin was saying. But in the end, sense won out, Erin was able to convince her, and now....*excitement*[/spoiler]

[Midori]

I've just started watching this show and have seen the first 3 episodes. I really like the aesthetic and plot so far. I have some ideas about what could happen but none certain enough to state. Glad I picked this up.

[rocklobster]

Ep 47: Pure Night
[spoiler] While at the Forest of Purification, Seimiyah is confronted by a large Ohju in the mist. Seimiyah meets Erin and learns of the First Shin Oh Jeh and the incident of Ophalon. Erin also explains that Damiyah was forcing Erin to create an Ohju battalion for the war and attempted to kill the "traitor" Ia-lu with poison to prevent the truth from getting to Seimiyah. After listening to what seemed to be lies, Seimiyah comes to terms with the truth and decides what to do next: Seimiyah will grant Erin her freedom, only if Erin would accompany her when they go to meet the Tai-Koh at Tahai-Azeh.
Thoughts: This was a great episode, and I admire Erin's bravery. This has to be one of her crowning moments of awesome. And it worked too![/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

We're in the home stretch, folks!
Ep 48: "Dawn of Ryoza"
[spoiler]The day of the meeting of the Shin-Oh and the Tai-Koh comes, deciding whether there will be a war or not. Kirik is heavily injured due to pursuers sent by Dahmiyah, and took refuge with Erin. When Kirik decides to leave, he tells Erin of his sister Taya and to live happily. While the ceremony for the meeting of Tahai-Azeh is being performed to Dahmiyah and Seimiyah, Kirik and Ia-lu meet in the mountains to fight. Their fight is interrupted by Psi-Gamul sent by Dahmiyah, and the two decide to team up to fight. They win, however Kirik is too injured to go on, and asks Ia-lu to go and help Erin by disguising himself as a Psi-Gamul soldier.
Thoughts: What do you know, Kirik isn't such a jerk after all! Maybe the ending won't be so bittersweet after all. Ah, who am I kidding. With all the angst we've been getting since Erin became an adult, it still looks likely.[/spoiler]

[Atria35]

WooT! Closing in on the end!
[spoiler] I thought the fighting in Episode 48 was a little drawn out. I kept watching the clock and waiting for it to be over. Even so, the last two episodes have been terrific. I can't wait to see how this ends![/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

I decided to combine both 49 and 50 in a single spoiler since it's a 2-part finale.
[spoiler]: "Final Battle":The Tai Koh's Touda troop advances towards the Shin Oh, but Seimiyah refuses to go to war with Shunan. As she orders her maids to put up the blue flag to surrender, Dahmiyah shows his true colors and reveals to Seimiyah that he killed Queen Harumiyah and that all the Seh-Zan were working for Dahmiyah. Erin tries to save Seimiyah, but is stopped by a Psi-Gamul soldier. Ia-lu reveals himself out of his Psi-Gamul disguise and saves Erin. Seimiyah orders Erin to raise the blue flag, and the Tai-Koh's troops see it and cheer for their win. As Ia-lu detains Dahmiyah, Dahmiyah reveals that there was a secret Touda army working under him and the Tai-Koh's son Nugan was leading it. The Dahmiyah Touda army attacks the Tai-Koh's troops, and everyone watches in horror of the bloody slaughter. Semiyah notices Shunan who was the in fight, and fears for his life. Erin tells Seimiyah that she will fly Lilan into the battlefield to save Shunan and destroy Dahmiyah's Touda once and for all.
50: "Beast Player": Erin flies Lilan into the battlefield and successfully destroys the Touda army Dahmiyah made. She manages to have Lilan stop attacking the Touda and have Shunan ride Lilan to escape. However, all does not end well, as Erin is suddenly attacked by a barrage of arrows. As Lilan flies under Erin's orders, Erin lays in the sea of arrows. Shunan gets to where Seimiyah is, but is worried for his life's savior, as the Touda who were forced unconscious reawaken and go after Erin. As Seimiyah cries to ask someone save Erin, Lilan hears this and decides to go back. Lilan saves Erin from the Touda by grabbing her with her mouth. This surprises Erin, who once feared Lilan's fangs, doesn't hurt her. Lilan flies in the sky, shining silver, and everyone watches in awe. As Seimiyah and Shunan agree to join their countries through marriage, Dahmiyah breaks free from Ia-lu's grip and grabs Erin's knife. He lunges it at Seimiyah and Shunan, only to be killed by Ia-lu.

Years later, the crowning of King Shunan and Queen Seimiyah has been done, and the once segregated countries are now ruled under a single leadership. Kirik, who was thought to be dead, is revealed to be alive and is now a traveling doctor who treats patients of both countries. Everyone at the Kazalm Ohju Breeding School have grown. Nuk and Mok stay as the school's head Handymen who help Karisa. Erin's friends, Kashugan and Yuuyan, are married and have 3 kids.

Erin is now a Master at Kazalm and is married to former Seh-Zan and current harp carpenter Ia-lu. Together, they have a son named Jeshi, who attends Kazalm and is caring for Eku and Lilan's child Aru. He now wears his grandma's bracelet and plays his parents' harp.

Reminiscing in her memories, Erin doesn't regret a single event that happened to her on the path of the beast healer. Now, as a mother herself, Erin promises to teach her child of the true ways of the Beast Player.
Thoughts: What a great and surprising way to end the series. I'm not surprised or disapporinted that she wound up with Ia-lu, they had a good relationship. When I saw the trailer for ep. 50, I actually thought they were going to have her die (there have been shows that end with the hero making a heroic sacrifice, after all. And is it just me, or did Erin bear a surprising resemblance to her mom at the end? Her kid sure is cute! All in all, a great ending![/spoiler]
OK, to keep this thread alive, what do you think of the series overall? What was your favorite moment? Most annoying character? Most improved character? (meaning character you didn't much like much at first, but liked later on) What was the worst moment?
Note: Since I see Midori came in late, I want to keep the thread alive for his sake.

[Atria35]

Okay, so general thought on this series? [spoiler]This is a terriffic show. I would almost put it up there with Ghibli in sheer quality. The storytelling, the art, the acting, whe writing... it was all fantastic. I am so glad that I decided to join the 'Let's Watch' thread- I would have missed out on sooo much if I hadn't![/spoiler]

Favorite moment- [spoiler]Too many to count. When she saved the little Tohda. When she finally called Jon-oh 'dad'. When she flew Lilan for the first time. When I saw her kid. It was all fantastic.[/spoiler]

Most annoying character- [spoiler]Mook and the other dude. THey were pretty pointless to the story overall, and screwed up waaaay too many times. I know that those comic relief characters are great for kids, but as an adult, I hated them so much[/spoiler]

Improved character-[spoiler]None, really. I generally kept my opinion of various characters the same throughout the series[/spoiler]

Worst moment-[spoiler]Do you mean sad? In that case, I would have to say when her mom died. Or do you mean just bad? In that case, when Erin's two henchmen did.... anything. Like revealing information they weren't supposed to, or losing money in a really rediculous way. They were too dumb to live.[/spoiler]

[rocklobster]

Most annoying character-
Mook and the other dude. THey were pretty pointless to the story overall, and screwed up waaaay too many times. I know that those comic relief characters are great for kids, but as an adult, I hated them so much

I tried to like those two because I read a review on MAL that said they existed to help Erin's character development. But they didn't work for me either. You see, I believe comedy works better when it isn't forced, that is, when a character is "naturally" funny. Look at Edward on Cowboy Bebop or Osaka on Azumanga Daioh. They're silly characters, but it never seems forced because they also help the flow of the story and don't bring it to a complete halt. (Heck, there were actually a few episodes where Edward's hacking skills came in handy) Or you can make a deadpan snarker type, those are always comedy gold (that's one of the reasons Spider-man's stayed so popular for so long. He's an excellent snarker). But don't force it on the audience. That almost never works. They become like that idiotic director on Animaniacs. God, I hated that guy! Obnoxious does not equal funny.
Did any of that make sense?