Episode 2: Soyon the Beastinarian
Summary:
The episode opens with a similar introduction from last episode, but mentions that the Grand Duke serves as the Queen’s military might since she does not have an army. The focus then shifts to Ake, in a field where Erin is resting. She is thinking back to the day when the Kiba (special kind of Touda) attacked her. A goat suddenly appears above her, surprising her enough to make her roll down the hill into a pile of hay. Her friends, Saju (the girl) and Chok (the boy) help pull her out. As Erin explains how this happened, she notices a plant known as the capracide. Because it is poisonous to goats, Erin requests Chok inform the other villagers of its existence. The episode then officially begins.
Back in the fields, people are cleaning up the capricide, and a woman wonders how they grew here. They are quickly interrupted by rings from the “chronicle bell,” and Chok informs everyone that a Touda is at the entrance. Once there, they find a man with a large carriage holding a Touda. Erin and the others wonder who he is, and Chok deduces that he must be a soldier from a couple blocks away, indicated by how the crest on his Touda’s scales is different than theirs (looks like the Triforce).
Wadan and the Chief, now referred to as Hasson, approach the man. He introduces himself as Tairan from the Togi quarter, having traveled here because he heard of a good doctor in Ake. The Chief observes that the Touda does not have any external injuries, but Tairan claims that since they returned home, his Touda has not been eating. Should this keep up, the Touda will naturally starve. Wadan asks what he has been feeding it, to which he replies, “goat meat,” the same food that Ake provides to their Touda. The Chief scolds Wadan for revealing that fact, saying it is a violation of their code to share village secrets; furthermore, he tells Tairan that Touda die in the village in which they were born, implying Ake has no obligation to assist. Tairan then shows permission from the Grand Duke himself, and this prompts the Chief to request Soyon’s presence. Wadan is clearly disappointed that he does not get to examine the Touda.
While Soyon performs her examination, Tairan marvels at how she is an Arryo and a female beastinarian. The Chief informs him that she is no longer of the Mist People and is the wife of his deceased son. He further adds that she is the best beastinarian they have. Tairan wonders aloud if she has any shady spells, but Soyon then turns to them and says she will formulate some benotrophic water to aid in its recovery, but can’t guarantee anything.
The scene shifts to a curious Erin and Saju watching the Touda in the pond. Wadan approaches from behind and yells at them for being there, employing his bad humor at how “that Mist woman” sent them here. Erin denies that claim with Saju, who claims she is the one who asked. A still-skeptical Wadan says it is difficult to trust a woman that comes from a group known to travel place to place and steal secrets. A disgusted Erin and Saju leave, but as they are walking away, Erin turns around one last time and notices Wadan pouring in a bucket of water into the pond.
At night, Soyon reads a book while Erin makes dinner. She sneaks a peak at her mother, who happily welcomes her presence and explains that the book she is reading covers poisons, further adding that Erin is probably too young to understand it. Erin protests that she’s already ten years old and that grandfather (the Chief) has allowed her access to the Touda pond. Soyon reveals it was she who asked him for permission, on the condition that she keep an eye on her. Erin pouts back with how she’ll be able to take care of Touda when she grows up, and her mother looks slightly worried. She then asks whether Erin thinks Touda are scary, and Erin hesitantly claims otherwise, though its apparent she thinks differently; Soyon says that she can become a good doctor if she thinks Touda are scary. For some reason, Soyon expresses a sad look. The scene shifts to Tairan’s Touda, who is sleeping.
The next day, Saju, her sister, and Erin are picking up more capracide. Saju complains about the work involved, and her sister tells her to stop, though Saju counters by saying her sister won’t have anymore worries once she gets married. Her sister hesitantly agrees, saying that she and Erin should work hard once she has gone; on that note, she leaves them. The two then spot Tairan wandering off near the river, spear in hand. They decide to follow him, thinking he may be practicing. Instead, they see him easily catch fish, and their amazement gets his attention, resulting in the three of them sitting down to eat the fish. As they roast on the open fire, he explains that on the battlefield, he would often catch fish for himself and his Touda. Erin ponders the strength of the Touda, and Tairan explains that it is due to their power that the country is at peace. Furthermore, special Touda called Kiba that are larger and possess tougher bodies and fangs are ridden by those the Grand Duke chooses. He asks whether one is in this village, and Erin nods, saying that her mother is its current caretaker. Tairan adds that only the best may take care of the Kiba, and that if its her mom, then his Touda may indeed recover. Erin is caught off guard when he thanks her, and can only respond with, “your welcome.” He says that by looking at Erin, he can tell what her mother is really like, for children are the mirror images of their parents. Suddenly, Chok appears and tells them that the Touda is shivering, causing them all to run over to the scene. Before Saju leaves, however, she grabs the roasting fish.
At the scene, Soyon discovers that the Touda has been poisoned, and upon inquiring what Wadan had fed it, he says, “only the benetrophic water.” She remarks that the symptoms are similar to that of capracide poisoning, but Wadan denies having added such a thing. Tairan comes over and examines the Touda, while Soyon tells him to prepare for the worst. If the Touda had been eating and carried the strength of a regular Touda, it could survive. The Touda suddenly goes wild upon Erin and Saju’s entrance, knocking back Soyon and Tairan and going after the others. Soyon is forced to blow the whistle to suppress it.
That night, Soyon, Wadan, and the Chief have a meeting about the day’s events. The Chief wonders if the benetrophic water was too potent for the Touda and caused it to go berserk. He looks to Soyon for answers but she is unsure, saying more research must be conducted. He approves, reminding her that she will be blamed if the Touda dies. With that understanding, Soyon returns home and finds Erin sleeping by the stove. Picking her up, Soyon notices an open book and realizes Erin had been searching for a solution. This makes Soyon happy and she thanks her.
The next day, Tairan finds Erin digging around some bushes for a flower. He surprises her by lifting her up with the hilt of his spear. The scene then shifts back to the village, where Tairan summarizes Erin’s theory: the capracide made the Touda go berserk, for her mother’s book mentions that it causes a similar condition in goats. Saju and Chok soon appear, asking to see Tairan’s fishing technique. He heartily agrees, saying his Touda won’t get any better even if he just sits here. Erin suddenly realizes something about the Touda involving fish.
Back at the pond, Soyon is greeted by Erin and the group, who have brought a buckets of fish. Erin tells her to watch and tosses a fish into the pond, garnering no reaction. Tairan thinks they’ve failed but Erin persists: she brings a fish close to the Touda, prompting her mother to ready the whistle. To everyone’s surprise, it eventually eats the fish from her hand and this causes everyone to toss the remaining fish into its mouth. Erin’s reasoning was from the fact that the Touda often ate fish on the battlefield, explaining why it didn’t eat the goat meat. Still, Soyon is unsure of what caused the poisoning. Erin thinks Wadan made a mistake but her mother defends him, saying she shouldn’t talk bad about others. Erin apologizes.
After the meal, the Touda coughs, indicating it needs water and Chok goes to fetch it. Erin then realizes something, stopping Chok on his return and pointing out that the water source contains traces of capracide, which explains the poisoning.
As the day draws to a close, Tairan prepares to leave with his Touda and thanks the Chief for the village’s assistance and that he is indebted to them. The Chief tells him that there is no debt to repay, for he helps maintain the peace in their country. Tairan asks about Soyon, who apparently has excused herself from the farewell. He regards her as having impressive skill, but also mentions Erin’s own abilities and that she has a great successor. The Chief does not seem to give any response.
Back in the cave, Erin watches her mom clean the scales of the Kiba. Soyon compliments her for her deductive skills and allows her to clean the scales. Furthermore, she happily states that if Erin really wants to become a doctor, then she will teach her. The episode comes to a close as Soyon watches a motivated Erin clean the Kiba’s scales.
Next Episode Preview:
My Thoughts:
A few interesting things came out of this episode. Soyon has accepted the fact that Erin is serious about pursuing the role of a beastinarian. The occupation does not seem rewarding with the alluded consequences, brought up by the Chief and Wadan, should a Touda die. I respect Soyon for being able to handle her job knowing that something can go wrong at any moment and she’ll be thrown under the bus. I’d just find a new profession. Also, Soyon doesn’t seem to enjoy her work, as hinted by the sad look in her eyes when Erin talks about wanting to become a beastinarian. Perhaps she has no other choice if she wants to remain in the village?
Just to reiterate: I don’t like the “code” that the Chief and others mention from time-to-time. It sounds too inflexible and harsh. Wadan is still a punk despite the events of episode one, talking badly about Soyon to Erin and Saju. Interestingly, Soyon defended him when Erin talked badly about him. Even if she doesn’t know all the things he says (she’s a smart woman– she probably knows or senses it), it shows a lot of character on her part.
We also officially found out that Soyon’s deceased husband was the Chief’s son, Asson. Some questions I have about that is how he died. I can’t help but think that Soyon took over his responsibilities, hence allowing her to stay in the village despite her race, which explains why she may not be too happy taking care of the Touda. This also could imply that there is a harsh punishment if the code is violated. If it were possible, I’d say Soyon and Erin should find a better place to stay, but if only it were that easy. Next episode, it looks like we see that blonde-haired guy from episode one’s prologue again. Also, Erin witnesses the battle side of the Touda. It seems Soyon gets involved, too.
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
