Episode 39: Attack of the Touda
Summary:
As the students clean out Lilan’s cage, Erin notices Kiriku staring out into the fields. As he recalls his conversation with Damiya, he’s interrupted by Erin, who asks what he’s doing. Kiriku claims he’s not thinking of anything in particular, relieved that the Queen’s visit went well; however, he wonders how she would take it if she knew Erin could fly on a beast-lord. Erin starts to protest, but he reassures her that the secret is safe with him. Meanwhile, Esal-sensei informs Karisa that the Queen is returning via the nearby Kazalm River. She’s excited that they may be able to watch her travels from the nearby hill, but Esal-sensei reminds her that it’s rude to look down at the Queen from such a vantage point. They’re interrupted by Tomura and some teachers, who ask permission to take the students on a field study. Esal-sensei thinks about it and tells them it’s okay. She warns them not to fall off the hill, implying that they were using this as a cover to actually see the Queen; their reactions confirm her beliefs. Once they leave, the two overhear rejoicing students outside their door, making both of them smile.
At the Grand Duke’s quarters, a more mature-looking Ngan returns. He enters his father’s bedroom and, thinking back on past events, prepares to assassinate him. However, Shunan interrupts him and the two talk outside. Ngan says he can’t stay for too long. Shunan requests that he not commit too many troops during a time when the Queen is away from her capital; since the Saigamul are active, it could cause a misunderstanding. However, Ngan says he will ease this doubt by fulfilling their duty: wiping out Larza. They zoom in on the tree Ngan had cut down 4 years ago, when he and Shunan began walking their own paths, which remains down.
In another area, the Queen rides towards her boat and says she’s never felt this close to her country. Had it not been for the beast-lord baby, she would have never thought to leave the palace. Damiya compliments her with more phrases. She states that if her existence as the Queen helps the people, then she’ll live accordingly. Damiya thinks back on his travel plans. At the palace, Seimiya wonders if the Queen is on her way back. A red flower falls onto a pool of water.
Meanwhile, the students march out from Kazalm for their field study. Some sing a chant. Erin, Tomura, and the other teachers accompany them. Shiron takes out her telescope and searches for the Queen’s boat. She eventually sees it in the distance. Nukku marvels at how an entire castle is on the boat. Damiya looks around outside, and the Queen appears slightly curious at his behavior. All the students wave, and Shiron notices a bunch of figures moving towards the boat. She mentions this to Erin, and taking a closer look, she realizes it’s Touda. The Sezans notice the incoming attack and ready themselves. Damiya immediately thinks the Grand Duke’s army is responsible. They try to ward the Touda off with arrows, but it’s apparent they’re outmatched. The Touda take out the escorting boats, stranding the Queen’s vessel. Seeing this reminds Erin of her mother’s execution, prompting her to take action. She eventually runs off and Kiriku goes after her.
Her intent is made clear when she returns to Lilan with a saddle. Kiriku tells her he can’t let her fly off because people will try to take advantage of her. Erin remembers the past tragedy, but also her mother’s death and Nason’s words. However, she recalls her mother’s whistle and vow to not tie down the beast-lords with codes. She also says she can’t let people die in front of her, and flies off with Lilan. Meanwhile, as the vessel is breached, Damiya continues insinuating the Grand Duke. The boat shakes enough to throw everyone off balance: the Queen ends up hitting her head against the wall. Erin arrives shortly afterwards, and has Lilan descend; Ial immediately notices Erin on Lilan’s back. Esal-sensei, Tomura, and the others watch from the hill. Kiriku notes how they can’t let her interfere with their plan.
When Erin tries to command Lilan, she goes berserk and begins an endless rampage. Everyone simply watches as the beast-lord rips through the Touda. Erin is showered with Touda blood. Near the end, one of the attendants wakes up and informs Damiya that the Queen is unconscious. He hears Lilan’s call and walks outside to see the spectacle. His eyes fill with new possibilities and visions of the founding Queen in Lilan and Erin; he thinks how it’s all so wonderful. Dead Touda and men lie bloodied in the water. Erin is unable to pull her eyes away from the carnage, knowing this is her doing, and is crushed by that reality.
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My Thoughts:
Looks like all of Erin’s secrets are now unveiled for the wrong people to see. I’m surprised Kiriku didn’t mention the flying to Damiya, and it again makes me wonder if he’ll take Erin’s side later. It’s apparent he has some genuine concern for her; that, or he doesn’t want Damiya getting sidetracked from their main objective. The fact that he warned Erin about flying because he didn’t want her used by other people makes me think it’s not the latter. The Sezans were beaten pretty badly (expected since they were going up against beasts), but I wonder why they didn’t think this would happen. It might not be realistic, but perhaps they could have thought of some stronger countermeasures against Touda? It’s difficult when the planner of the trip is most likely the conspirator of the attack (aka, Damiya). It’s obvious he’s trying to get people to believe it’s the Grand Duke, based on all his accusations during the attack, and I think the Queen is too naive to realize his bad acting. Speaking of her, she went down hard, which could be an issue.
Did Erin do the right thing? I honestly would have done it, especially factoring in how my mother was eaten by Touda. That experience is too traumatizing for Erin to watch again. As she told Kiriku, she’s not going to stand back and let people die. The flip-side is that Lilan freaked out like the beast-lords in the past. I felt bad for Erin when blood started flying and she tried to stop Lilan; not even their bond was enough to prevent something like this from happening. This raises another question: what makes the beast-lords go berserk? We already know that they can attack wild Touda just fine, so is it an issue of how the Touda are raised? Maybe something in the benetrophic water?
The scene at the end with all the dead Touda (one with its tongue out) was gruesome compared to what we’ve seen in this anime. But the fact remains Erin saved people she cared about, though for a heavy cost. It’s also interesting to note that Lilan didn’t completely go insane and eat everyone on the boat; she only targeted the Touda and its riders (maybe, we didn’t explicitly see her bite into one). Based on the preview, it looks like Lilan regains her cool, though Damiya may have his wheels turning differently now. Things are sure to be exciting in the next episodes, so stay tuned and catch it all, on Kemono no Souja Erin: “Falling Into Shadow!”
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
