Episode 48: Dawn at Ryoza
Summary:
At Tahai Aze, Shunan and his men ready themselves for the morning. Shunan asks about his father, and one of his aides tells him he is resting in bed. Another man approaches and informs Shunan of a large carriage cloaked in darkness on the Queen’s side. Shunan’s other aide tells him there are rumors of a beast-lord that saved the Queen when she was assaulted by Touda on the river, adding the men are afraid that a similar miracle may come to pass. The other aide thinks this is ridiculous, for beast-lords and Touda have never befriended humans; he says that there will be nothing to protect them when the blue flag fails to raise, but Shunan says they will wait for her answer right now.
In the Queen’s tent, Seimiya and Damiya sit across from one another with masked men around them. She mutters how she must make her decision soon, and Nami expresses concern. Damiya is informed by one of his men that they failed to finish off Kiriku, though an injury has been inflicted. Damiya tells him there is no rush, for he will come to them; after all, it seems he has an attachment to Erin. Elsewhere, Kiriku stumbles around in the night blizzard.
In Lilan’s cage, Erin, Nukku, and Mokku stand around. They note Erin’s worrisome expression and wish they could do something. Just then, a noise originates from outside and they find Kiriku unconscious on the ground. In another area, Ial contemplates his plan of attack, noting how it’s too windy for a bow and arrow. He is interrupted by Kyle, who offers to lend assistance since the guard around the area is tight. Ial looks him over and remarks how it will be more of a hindrance since he is injured; Kyle points out injuries of his own. However, Ial says he will put an end to this himself with a smile, explaining his reasons for becoming a Sezan and saying they can’t allow a man who killed his own aunt to govern the country. In addition, he claims it is to honor Erin. Kyle deducts he isn’t going in there to die, and allows him to go forward without him, stating he has found a new light. Ial looks up, contemplating his words.
Back in Lilan’s cage, Kiriku awakens to Erin, who is bandaging his wounds. He asks why he is saving her when she knows who he really is. Erin says she can’t ignore the wounded, and he apologizes, handing her some candy. He tells her not to worry, for his wounds did not come from fighting Ial. She asks about his reasons for coming here and, at that moment, he sees Tahya in her, muttering her name. Lilan then growls and Erin, along with Nukku and Mokku, focus on events outside: a swarm of Touda led by Ngan move through the snowy lands. Shunan asks what he is doing here, since they are Touda he provided to protect the castle. Ngan claims he could not stand by during such a key moment. Shunan tells him this isn’t a war, and Ngan sarcastically replies, “Of course not.” He accuses him of treason in trying to subjugate the Queen with an army of Touda. Shunan denies this, but Ngan decides to keep watch. Their father interrupts them, stating he may observe how Shunan changes the world and accomplish something Yaman Hasal could not. Ngan replies how only the gods know fate, then walking off. Their father then stumbles, and Shunan rushes to his aid. He asks him to allow his old eyes to see the light of a new era, to which Shunan promises.
Back at Lilan’s cage, Erin looks out, knife in hand. Kiriku approaches her and asks whether she’s afraid. He notices the knife and says that she could try escaping, proposing leaving with him. Erin says she can’t, stating she doesn’t know what will happen, but wishes to continue with Lilan until things must end. Kiriku affirms that Lilan’s name means “light,” then wishing it will be that which washes over her. He then proceeds to make his exit, and Erin tells him to “live on.” This reminds him of his sister’s last words, and he tells her about Tahya. He thanks her and also hopes she will live on and find happiness, then leaving.
A gong in the distance sounds off, and Damiya and Seimiya watch a performance featuring men dressed as beast-lords and Touda. Meanwhile, Kiriku heads off into the hills and faces off against Ial. At the deciding strike, Ial finds that Kiriku is resolved to die by his own blade, and questions his motivation for being there. They are then approached by the masked men and face off against them. Kiriku manages to take out the men Ial is fighting against, and tells him to go to Erin’s side. As he is about to be overcome by the men he’s fighting, Ial comes to his aid. Kiriku asks why he didn’t leave, and Ial says he won’t abandon someone he can save. He tries to tie up his wound, but Kiriku tells him he can bandage it himself, handing him a mask enabling him to get close to Damiya. He tells him to also take care of Erin.
Back in the cage, Lilan is uneasy about the Touda, and Erin asks her to calm down, saying they are still far away; she then plays the harp to ease her worries. Meanwhile, the Queen and her escorts move forward while Ake Village, Tairan and Chok, Yuuyan, Ial’s friend, Owl and Eku, along with Esal and the others all wait anxiously for the new day. The snow soon stops, replaced by the ascending sun from the mountains. Kiriku looks up, seeing Erin soon substituted by his sister. He marvels at the light’s beauty, addressing Tahya and falling unconscious.
Seimiya cries at the sight of the sun, and Damiya says there is no need to cry no matter how many Touda there are. She says that isn’t the reason, instead stating that she never knew how vast and beautiful the world was. The legend of their kingdom is then narrated by her as both sides watch the day break. Back in Lilan’s cage, Erin informs her that the night is ending.
Next Episode Preview:
My Thoughts:
My immediate impression posted on the myanimelist forums:
This was a frustrating episode for me. Frustrating in the sense that not too much happened, but great in that the emotion and buildup for the final episodes were there. They did a wonderful job with getting all the main characters’ perspectives on the upcoming events, and I agree that Seimiya reading the legend was a nice touch. Also awesome was seeing all of the characters again (even Tairan!), and how they were waiting for the results of this epic event. Was that pink-haired lady Yuuyan in one of the shots? If that was, then I’m surprised she already has a whole family. Characters in this anime pop out children like no tomorrow! I wouldn’t be surprised if Erin and Ial had triplets in a sequel (if they both survive and there was one).
I just wish the resolution would come sooner. There were times where I wanted to slap Seimiya to hurry up and do what she was planning to do and also whack Erin for taking out that knife again. The tag team fight was cool though, and I was worried Ial would have killed Kiriku.
I wonder how much time really has passed from Erin’s graduation until now? Despite just 4 months, Shunan looks a lot older than when we last saw him. Ngan’s appearance was sudden, and it’s apparent he has some gripes about what his brother is doing. I just wonder how that’ll factor in with only two episodes remaining. Even if they do fight, can’t Seimiya stop it since he’s supposed to genuinely care for her interests? Also, that definitely looks like Yuuyan from the screenshots, but she already has kids (standing, no less!)?
I’m glad they did a 360 on all the characters (even Tairan!). It makes the anticipation for the final two even greater. It would be awesome if we got to see Erin reunite with them all, but I doubt that will happen, unless episode 50 is dedicated to that (meaning 49 would show us the resolution to things). Again, I’m a little frustrated with the pacing of this episode. I think they could have moved things along faster while maintaining the buildup of emotion. My greatest hope is that we actually get to see a solid resolution by next episode and have episode 50 be a relaxed episode, but we’ll see.
Another disappointment (as mentioned in the quoted text above) is that Erin took out her knife again. Even after speaking with Ial and Seimiya, she still is thinking about that path. I thought she had dismissed it based on what she told Ial a couple episodes ago, but apparently not.
I also wonder if Kiriku has kicked the bucket? We probably won’t find out until the end. I found it funny that Erin told him to live on and he basically said the same thing back to her. It was also predictable she would react the way she did when he said it, but I guess some things are just that way. Lastly, why is Seimiya and the others with those masked men? Don’t they know that her grandmother’s assassins wore those masks? If not, then that’s pretty poor communication… It seems ridiculous that only the Sezans would know a major detail like that.
In any case, I’m really excited about the next episode. I hope Damiya gets what’s coming to him, and that Erin ends up with a happy resolution. Here’s to the hoping! Keep your eyes peeled for the next episode of Kemono no Souja Erin: “The Battle!”
Tags: anime, drama, fantasy, Kemono no Souja Erin
