Opening Song: Shizuku by Sukima Switch.
Episode 1: Erin with the Green Eyes
Summary:
The story opens with an eagle (or maybe hawk) flying into the far distance, and the narrator talks about how in ancient times, the Queen’s ancestor descended from a place called Ephon Noha to Tahai Aze, and that the people met the Founding King, Je, “who was tall and had golden eyes. He was the holy God Himself.” A scene of two clashing armies is then shown.
Elsewhere, a yellow-haired man approaches an elderly women fashioned in noble attire and informs her that the war against Larza is beginning. She states how there will be more bloodshed, and the man responds by saying that as long as the Grand Duke’s warriors and Touda are on the field, none can stand in their way. It is then revealed that the woman is the current Queen.
Back on the battlefield, a man sits watching his army and those of Larza fight. At the ring of a gong, his troops are replaced by strange lizard-like creatures ridden by soldiers. Their fierceness and tenacity rip through Larza’s army, annihilating the remaining troops. One man cowers in fear as a beast approaches him, silencing his screams with its powerful jaws. The Grand Duke then rises and states how the those creatures, called Touda, are a symbol of her Highness’ authority. She commands the capital, which is respected the people and seen as a “zenith of prosperity,” while the Grand Duke and his army serve as their protectors.
The first chapter then officially opens: Erin with the Green Eyes
Far from the battlefield, Touda for the Grand Duke are raised in a rural village named Ake. A green-haired girl watches a ladybug crawl behind the bark of a tree, fascinated at the discovery of more ladybugs underneath the space it crawled into. Elsewhere in the village, a woman with similar-colored hair asks about someone named “Erin.” One of the men she asks bitterly tells his companion how she regards herself as a “beastinarian” despite being a woman; he tells him to stop such remarks. Continuing on, the woman is eventually led to a shed where Erin was supposed to be working, but does not see her. She eventually finds her digging around some bushes on a mountain path, having just caught a togera hopper. The woman scolds her for goofing off, reminding her that she is supposed to be making polish balls by noon and it is already that time of day. Erin’s facial expression indicates she has forgotten, explaining she wanted to make “benetrophic water” for the baby Touda and was looking for the ingredients. The woman comments on how the water indeed strengthens a Touda’s skin and gets rid of parasites, but is intended for adult Touda and is too strong for a baby; as she explains this a sad look spreads across her face, but is broken with a look of surprise at Erin’s enthusiastic response. The enlightened Erin deducts that this is the reason why they use polish balls as bug repellant instead of the benetrophic water when Touda are still babies.
As one may have already guessed, this woman is Erin’s mother, and she happily offers to help her finish the work. Erin happily agrees and the two work together in the shed. At this time, it’s revealed that the two cherished the time they had together, for they were the only ones left in their family. Erin suddenly asks about the baby Touda, wondering if it is yet old enough to be in “the pond,” and wonders whether she would be able to look after it when that time comes, further stating she wants to become a Touda doctor like her mom. Soyon again looks sad and says that should Erin feel the same way when she’s older, then she’ll consider it; she also warns her that the ponds not only hold baby Touda, but larger ones as well. Erin ignorantly states that Touda aren’t scary, a point her mother tries to correct by saying they are only calm because she is suppressing them with something invisible. Just then, they are interrupted by a man, who says that a Touda from the war has arrived; at the village’s entrance, the Touda struggles with several men but is suppressed when Soyon arrives and blows a whistle. Overhead, two of the village’s children who witnessed the event inform a passing Erin that her mother is incredible.
A man suddenly rushes past them with a cart, demanding people make way for a baby Touda he is carrying. This man, named Wadan, requests that they allow him to put the baby in the pond. Erin recalls her mother’s words and informs him that it is much too soon. He resentfully observes that she must be of the Mist People, indicated by her green eyes, and that he has been working with Touda far longer than “that woman,” referring to Soyon. She suddenly arrives and examines the conditions of the baby, allowing it to enter the pond based on several conditions, one of which is to replace the old straw. Wadan appears willing to abide to her requests, and makes his exit.
Late that night, Soyon returns home and discovers an awakened Erin. Wondering if she woke her up, Erin shakes her head and says that it was Touda smell that gave her away. Much to her mother’s surprise, Erin jumps into her blanket and asks whether they may sleep together. Soyon happily approves, saying it will be warmer that way. Outside in a nearby tree, a baby bird is fed by her mother, symbolizing the relationship Erin has with Soyon.
In the morning, men head to the pond in the mountain while the women and children remain at home to work on household chores and farms. As Soyon and Erin are having breakfast, they are interrupted by Wadan and another man. It seems the baby Touda has gone missing, and Wadan blames Soyon for allowing it to enter the pond. He claims she will have to abide by the village’s code and accept responsibility. His companion defends her, saying it was he who brought the baby Touda in the first place; Wadan counters by saying she permitted its entrance into the pond, a fact she acknowledges. However, she calmly states that they must focus on finding the baby. Wadan carries a look of skepticism, telling himself how Soyon shows no signs of self-reflection, which is one reason why he hates the Mist People.
After Soyon leaves for the pond, Erin decides to search for the baby herself. The two children from the day before notice her running off and follow her. A limestone cave called the “Touda Grotto” is where all the Touda are held in their separate ponds. The village’s Chief is informed of the events, and directs Wadan and the others to drain and search the ponds for the baby based on Soyon’s analysis; after they leave, he reminds her that the only reason he allowed her, an Arryo, to stay here despite the danger of violating their “code” was by the will of a man named Asson. It sounds like this Asson regarded Soyon highly for her knowledge and skill as a beastinarian of the Mist People. Asking if she understands, Soyon sadly responds, “yes.”
Erin and the two children following her manage to sneak their way into the cave. Meanwhile, two men are talking about special Touda called “Kiba,” and one wonders when they will get to take care of it; however, this requires permission from the Chief. Soyon is currently the caretaker of the Kiba, and one of the men who questions that is told to stop, for that is part of the village code made by the Chief. Back on Erin’s side, she climbs down a drained pond and notices that the straw is old, indicated by its smell and warmth. She explains to her friends that old straw ferments, causing such conditions. She eventually discovers the baby Touda in a grotto, and convinces it to come out. As she is handing it to her friends above, the Kiba, a large Touda, approaches her. A scene then takes place where the baby bird from the night before is approached by a predator. Soyon hears the children’s screams and rushes just in time to Erin’s aid, petrifying its movements with her whistle; the baby bird is also saved in time by its mother. Erin apologizes for entering the cave without her permission, but Soyon thanks her for finding the baby, though she asks her never to do something dangerous like this again. Once outside, Erin reveals that the baby ran away due to the old straw, indicating that Wadan is to blame for lack of listening to Soyon’s advice. Wadan then apologizes, explaining that he did not think it mattered, and is scolded by Soyon and the Chief.
At night, Soyon asks Erin if she was afraid of the Touda, and despite Erin saying she was, she still wishes to be a doctor like her mother. Soyon tells Erin never to forget that Touda, at their core, are just beasts. Erin acknowledges her words, also taking away from the day’s experiences that Touda aren’t the tame, cute creatures like she had initially thought. In this way, Erin begins to grow…
Ending Song: After the Rain by Cossami
Next Episode Preview:
My Thoughts:
And thus I dedicate my first anime blog post to Kemono no Souja Erin. First off, some of you may notice I follow a similar format to Random Curiosity’s blog posts. I’ve done so because I enjoy that format and find it pretty easy to follow. Let me also say I’ve watched up to episode 39 of this series in under a week (don’t worry, I’ll keep it spoiler-free and convey the thoughts I remember having when watching each episode). I thought it would last awhile, but I became so captivated by the story I couldn’t control myself. Some find that the story starts slow (though I wasn’t bothered by the pacing), so if you’re one of those people, I encourage you to just keep watching. It’s definitely a heart-warming anime and Erin is an interesting and lovable character.
As for the episode for itself, part of the back story is told, putting into context the events happening. Two armies are clashing, and the territory Soyon and Erin live in command the powerful Touda. Their village, Ake, raises these Touda and Erin’s mother, Soyon, is a vital asset to the village. Despite that, she appears to be treated differently because of her race. The talk of being held responsible because of some village code puts me at unease. Whenever “codes” or “rules” are involved in a story more than likely it will be taken to some unreasonable extreme. Because of that, I’m already worried about Soyon, in combination to Erin crying in the intro. As for two main characters, Soyon and Erin, I find them both likable: Soyon for her caring, responsible, and motherly personality while Erin carries an intelligent and strong aura like her mother. It’s apparent the two deeply care for each other.
As for Wadan, the Chief, and some other villagers, I don’t like their personalities– especially Wadan. It fires me up when a group of people decide to make another feel privileged or look down on her because of birthplace or other attributes that should not be a factor. One interesting thing I find is that all the women and children do chores and work in the farms, but Soyon is the only woman handling the Touda. I’m guessing it’s a male-dominated occupation.
The art style for the backgrounds of this anime is also another interesting thing. It takes some time to get used to, but once you do it’s an appreciative factor of this series. The analogy with the parent bird protecting its baby like how Soyon suppressed the Touda for Erin was also a nice touch.
Looks like next time we meet a Touda rider and get a more in-depth look at Soyon’s responsibilities. Should be fun! I’m not sure if I should adjust my summary length. It does seem kind of long. Feel free to let me know if you think I should adjust it. On another note, I’m trying to catch up to blogging up to where the series currently is, so we’ll see how that goes. It’s a long road ahead!
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
