![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_02.54_[2011.09.05_15.29.45]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zsuA12Q3Gjs/TmVbF2f6BnI/AAAAAAAAR9o/zfJYmDIJwGo/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_02.54_%25255B2011.09.05_15.29.45%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_02.54_[2011.09.05_15.29.45]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_04.43_[2011.09.05_15.31.35]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M8YKVfzeg_k/TmVbHAiCDeI/AAAAAAAAR9w/xsIbC1qlwQQ/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_04.43_%25255B2011.09.05_15.31.35%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_04.43_[2011.09.05_15.31.35]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_05.37_[2011.09.05_15.32.28]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XqSbj4UUmjk/TmVbIV5Ni9I/AAAAAAAAR94/D36f8g4FPQw/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_05.37_%25255B2011.09.05_15.32.28%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_05.37_[2011.09.05_15.32.28]") |
It strikes me just how much the character of this show changes depending on where its focus lies in any given episode. It was certainly true in the transition from season one to this season, and it’s even true from episode to episode and within the episodes themselves.
As surmised here last week, it was indeed the envy in Akifusa’s heart that was the weakness exploited by Hagoromo-Gitsune – specifically Minagoroshi Jizo, who possessed his body. The politics of the Keikain come to the fore here, as there’s obviously a sense of rivalry between Akifusa and Ryuji for the role of next leader of the clan. That is, until little Yura showed up and showed that she could master the Hagun summoning, a powerful spell that calls on the power of the dead Keikain onmyouji, and was foretold as being one of the calling cards of the next leader. More reason for Akifusa to seethe and glower, albeit in secret.
The upshot of all this is that it’s rather ironic that Yura and the Hagun is what ends up saving Akifusa from the possession. Hagun also calls the spirit of Hidemoto, the legendary 13th head of the clan who was responsible for sealing Hagormo-Gitsune 400 years (and several episodes) ago. Naturally the Nine-tails is surprised to see him, being that he should be centuries dead, but Hidemoto doesn’t like the odds and his assistance to Yura is merely in casting a spell to cover the retreat of the surviving Keikain forces. Perhaps he has in mind to stall for time until his old friend from Edo (or his Grandson) shows up.
The other plot rolling out is the simmering resentment beetween the Nura clan and the Tono clan, with the latter proclaiming that they bend the knee to no one and they’re only along because Rikuo would be dead meat without their presence. This causes some friction on the airship, quite naturally, though this part of the episode never really gains much dramatic traction. What’s obvious here is that the Nura are feeling very sensitive to charges that the clan has weakened with the aging of Nurarihyon (due to Nine-tails eating his heart), the death of Rikuo-Papa and the ascension of a green boy who can’t even execute a proper fear yet. So they overreact, naturally, and a scuffle ensues. Rikuo seems oddly tone-deaf about this issue, or perhaps it’s simply a matter of him still being only 12 (or is he 13 now) even in youkai form, and not well-versed in the niceties of big-boy politics.
I’m ready for all the parties to get together and rumble. The setup has been interesting, but let’s get to the main event.
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_10.43_[2011.09.05_15.37.34]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sAXujsHZ2lE/TmVbt68tjMI/AAAAAAAAR-A/jWqie8O0azQ/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_10.43_%25255B2011.09.05_15.37.34%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_10.43_[2011.09.05_15.37.34]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_11.41_[2011.09.05_15.38.32]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ark9vUAicc8/TmVbvvyfreI/AAAAAAAAR-I/kfyknNGMJfU/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_11.41_%25255B2011.09.05_15.38.32%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_11.41_[2011.09.05_15.38.32]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_13.09_[2011.09.05_15.40.00]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J1yg1jpKBdM/TmVbxHLG-oI/AAAAAAAAR-Q/bTrajuq7uSs/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_13.09_%25255B2011.09.05_15.40.00%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_13.09_[2011.09.05_15.40.00]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_15.54_[2011.09.05_15.42.45]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p3FlFSPtNOw/TmVbyZuHMII/AAAAAAAAR-Y/g8d7js0F3lo/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_15.54_%25255B2011.09.05_15.42.45%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_15.54_[2011.09.05_15.42.45]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_17.29_[2011.09.05_15.44.20]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xPCaIM5P1wM/TmVb0I5KtmI/AAAAAAAAR-g/KApn8trFEEM/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_17.29_%25255B2011.09.05_15.44.20%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_17.29_[2011.09.05_15.44.20]") |
![[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_21.14_[2011.09.05_15.48.05]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gx8wXCSqimI/TmVb1UYZsNI/AAAAAAAAR-o/GnofINItV48/s1600-h/%25255BWhyNot%25255D%252520Nurarihyon%252520no%252520Mago%252520Sennen%252520Makyou%252520-%25252010%252520%25255BE6717024%25255D.mkv_snapshot_21.14_%25255B2011.09.05_15.48.05%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "[WhyNot] Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyou - 10 [E6717024].mkv_snapshot_21.14_[2011.09.05_15.48.05]") |
jrj
September 6, 2011 at 1:33 pmwithout reading the manga, I have to say, season 2 is much better than season 1 here… and I agree with you on that Riku certainly seems like of clueless about what is about to unfold between his clan and his friends from Tono… Hopefully this conflict will resolve soon and gets to the real fight here. It would certainly be amusing to see Riku meeting Hidemoto 🙂
admin
September 6, 2011 at 3:35 pmInteresting and inevitable – that meeting's gonna happen soon. I think it's easy to forget that youkai Rikuo is the same age as human Rikuo, and this still a little kid – and stuff like what's happening between his Night Parade and the Tono group is pretty subtle for a little kid.
belatkuro
September 6, 2011 at 4:16 pmAs a manga reader, I have to say season 2 is really going very well. Very pleased here. Really wish people gave this show a second chance. Oh well.
And looking at the preview, I have to say I'm really looking forward to next episode. Though that makes sound like I'm against the good guys 😛
Mads
September 7, 2011 at 11:22 amI totally agree with belatkuro, it would have been nice if people stuck around for season 2.
btw enzo, in the yokai world 13 is considered to be adult age, but the problem with our rikuo is that he's been spoilt by the nura clan and strong and cool he might appear in his night form, the gap in his knowledge and experience is clear. I like how this show can show the good guy's weaknesses too and that they really gotta work to get to the next level. if we had a certain orange haired boy watching his papa being killed, he'd have getsu-sorry, won against hagorom gitsune then and there imo xD
How's enzo liking the show so far? 🙂
Where's Nayrael, he's usually one of the first people to comment 😀
Nayrael
September 7, 2011 at 12:38 pmOh, I am here Mads. I just didn't have anything to comment on ^_^;
But yeah, Rikuo has been spoiled a bit too much by the Nura Clan, like shown when he just arrived in Toono.
Mads
September 7, 2011 at 3:21 pmyeah, but we know the direction this is going in 😉 not so much in the recent manga chapters but yes, still loving this, though the pacing gets awkward sometimes.
admin
September 7, 2011 at 5:00 pmMads, I like S2 better than S1 so far. There are still occasional bouts of awkward pacing, but it's less an issue now than it was last year. I can't help but think this made have been a better series in the hands of a better studio, because it feels as if there are depths in the manga that the anime doesn't always capture.
Mads
September 9, 2011 at 5:37 pmyou're right, there's a sense of gravity and a tense atmosphere in the manga because of them being enemy clans and each having their own agenda, but the anime needs that "WHOA" feeling the manga gives. But still, not bad.