Episode 24: Song of Grief
Summary:
At the border of the Holy Kingdom of Ryoza, the Grand Duke’s army and Larza have been at war for many years. Those in the Grand Duke’s army are exhausted and aggravated by the scorn of those in the Queen’s quarter. Ngan (now referred to as Nugan in the subs), touches a tree in the garden and recalls the history of their ancestors.
At Kazalm, Tomura catches a hungry Erin dreaming about feeding Lilan in the haystack. Erin suddenly awakens, thinking she has missed her afternoon classes and tries to rush out. Tomura stops her, saying there aren’t any classes today. Outside, he hands her a lunch and lectures her; she teases that he sounds like an old man sometimes. He reminds her that they pledged to protect her and Lilan, and she thanks him again. As she eats, she wonders if the sandwich was made by Yuuyan again but Tomura says he made it.
The scene switches over to the Grand Duke’s quarter. The Grand Duke is updated on the situation by one of his commanders. He’s informed that casualties on the battlefield will return once reinforcements arrive, and that the Queen’s quarter is sending doctors to the palace; he wonders why they don’t go the battlefield instead. He inquires about Shunan, and his commander says he will return soon to give his report. Nugan sits and listens to the conversation. After his commander leaves, Nugan requests that he be able to join the battle to display his strength, but his father tells him Shunan is in charge. He touches on Nugan’s inexperience and dismisses him. Angry at his father’s words, he leaves the room.
A battle-worn Shunan returns and finds Nugan chopping down trees with his large sword. Shunan immediately figures out something happened with their father, and compliments his brother on his impressive strength. He tries to quell his brother’s anger by explaining his father’s perspective, and that though he does not show it, he needs his help. Nugan expresses interest in protecting the country like Shunan, with similar strength and a just heart. Shunan remarks how he hasn’t changed, and looks over to a nearby tree. They apparently planted the tree when they were kids. It is their tree. When he was young, Nugan also expressed interest in protecting the country alongside Shunan, and his brother promised that they’d work together to do so.
Back in the present, Shunan again compliments his brother’s strength. He advises that it’s as important to observe passing events as it is to actively protect the country. Nugan says how he wishes to walk the same path as Shunan.
The scene shifts to the palace with Damiya, who is informed that his flowers have been sent to the Grand Duke’s quarters. He asks the maid to send some get-well flowers too. He touches on the Saigamul, and says that the citizens have been afraid since the Queen’s birthday. The maid asks him whether they will ever go away, and Damiya reviews their purpose: they feel those with the most power should be king. He says they don’t understand the importance of a ruler with a pure and calm heart. Though they have the Sezans, it’s not sufficient to protect the Queen. As he states: “In order for a flower to maintain its beauty, the garden’s beauty must be maintained.”
At the Grand Duke’s quarters, the fallen and injured are gathered in the courtyard. Shunan sadly looks over the scene as he is greeted by messengers of the palace. They’ve brought Damiya’s flowers. This angers Shunan, but he thanks them. The grief and horrors of the war are reflected in the soldiers. Shunan grows increasingly frustrated with their progress.
He talks with his father, and tells him if the war continues, casualties will increase. He wishes to shield their men from unnecessary pain. The Grand Duke says that this is why they must end the war soon, and that they cannot be defensive and will march into Larza. This disappoints Shunan. As Nugan approaches, the Grand Duke says how those of the Queen’s quarters, Holons, misinterpret the situation. He says that it is they [the soldiers] who protect a pure Queen descended from the gods. Nugan appears and says he cannot permit what he’s just heard, asking his father whether he’s forgotten about their loyalty toward the Queen. His father tells him to step back, for he does not fully understand the situation. He leaves and Nugan tries to follow, but Shunan stops him.
In the garden, the two brothers have a fateful discussion. Shunan informs him that Wajyaku and Holons are both just humans. There is a distortion in the country that makes people believe the Queen is a god. Nugan calls him mad, and Shunan tells him he wants to fix the country. His brother thinks the country is fine as it is, but Shunan says things will end if the status quo remains. Shunan wants to change things before that happens, and tries to reach out to Nugan, but is slapped away.
It’s apparent the two are conflicted in their beliefs. With his sword out, Nugan wonders if Shunan remembers the promise they made when they planted the tree beside them. Confirming he does, Nugan again expresses his dream of walking the same path as Shunan, but is resolved to walk his own path if necessary. He asks if he will change the way he feels, but Shunan tells him he wishes to unite the country without the use of force. Nugan then tells him he will also follow his own ideals.
With those words carried off in the awakened wind, the two face off in a duel. As they fight, Nugan asks him why this happened, since Shunan has always been correct and shown him the way. His brother understands, but tells him he must follow his own path. Nugan’s force is so great that it cracks Shunan’s sword; in turn, Shunan is able to disarm him. Unfortunately, his sword breaks just as he is delivering the finishing blow.
Two petals float side-by-side in a nearby river as Nugan retrieves his sword and uses it to cut down the tree they planted together, symbolizing the end of their union. He says he will no longer hesitate as the petals diverge.
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My Thoughts:
When I first watched this episode, I was confused as to what the brothers were fighting over. Now that I’ve seen it again, it makes more sense. Nugan fights to keep the status quo, while Shunan believes something new is needed to save their kingdom, in-line with what Hagal told Ial. I’m not sure why Nugan got upset when his father was talking about the Queen, since it seemed like he was stating beliefs similar to what Nugan believed. It might be the tone or implication given by his statement. As in, the Grand Duke implies the Holons should be grateful for their service, but Nugan thinks that they shouldn’t care how they’re treated since it’s all to serve the Queen. The Holons’ detachment from the war was visibly evident this episode, when the palace’s messenger arrived with flowers to “help” the soldiers. In fact, it feels like Damiya is ruling the kingdom while the Queen just serves as a figurehead. Based on his conversation with the maid (who is pretty cute), one can assume he’s the one that sent the flowers. Then again, perhaps it was the Queen that dispatched the doctors to help the wounded.
Shunan and Nugan’s fight was pretty cool. They both have different fighting styles, which I like, and I was in suspense of how it would end. When Shunan’s sword started to crack, I thought he would fatally be wounded because of it. Fortunately, he managed to pull out a half-victory, though the intended blow was for naught since his sword broke. Either his weapon is weak or Nugan’s strength is pretty impressive. Well, since he can cut big trees down with it, the latter may just be the case. Speaking of which, I felt bad for the tree that he sliced down at the end of the episode. I’m glad that Shunan didn’t die, since he’s not so easily manipulated by Damiya, who is made out to be the main antagonist.
With this, we get a further push into setting up a greater political conflict that’s sure to affect Erin. The question is: when? With 26 episodes to go, they still have plenty of time to build things up. This is evident with the next episode, which I’m hesitant to say is pure filler, since it focuses on Nukku and Mokku, who aren’t the most prominent characters in the show. Then again, perhaps next episode is designed to help develop their characters. I’ve read that the two weren’t in the novels that this anime is based on. In any case, expect silly things in the next episode of Kemono no Souja Erin: “The Two Go Out Shopping!” Can’t get any more descriptive than that, right?
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
