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An eyecatch in the middle of the episode? How conventional…
Kingdom 2 – 13
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What’s really striking in watching the last few episodes of Kingdom is just what a huge gap exists between Xin and both his 300-man General rivals. For all their stylistic and personality differences – and they could hardly be greater – both Meng Tian and Wang Ben are in many ways peas in a pod. They’r both scions of aristocratic families with impeccable military training, and a willingness to use their wealth and family name to their own benefit – albeit thus far in different ways.
There’s no question who the odd sock in this drawer is. Xin’s humble past (he was a slave – it doesn’t get much humbler) has been more of an abstraction and rallying cry up to now, but here we’re seeing just what it means in practical terms. As Wang Ben concocts an ingenious strategy using his wealth and Meng Tian decodes it and takes advantage, Xin stands by dumbfounded. But it’s not just in military tactics that Xin is a neophyte – it’s in the ugly aftermath of battle, too, as this episode showed in no uncertain terms.
No question, the “real world” of war in Warrning States China was what was happening to the Wei civilians – and in that real world upstarts like Xin didn’t stand up and risk their lives to stop the atrocities. It’s truly only because of Meng Tian’s intervention that Xin kept his head, or at least his career. Nevertheless, the incident says a lot about both of them – about Meng Tian’s eye for talent and taste in friends, and Xin’s integrity. How Xin will reconcile the latter if the series follows the generally accepted historical view of Zheng’s ascendancy will be interesting to watch, to say the least.
While it’s been a virtual walkover for Qin’s forces so far – three castles taken in twelve days – there’s a secret weapon in Wei’s arsenal. That’s a Zhao defector named Lian Po, one of the “Three Great Devas” of which much was spoken in the first season. As the going gets tougher for Qin, that will seemingly accelerate Xin’s education – and offer the Feixin Force ample opportunities to achieve glory in their own element as the battle gets more ragged and desperate.
Mushibugyou – 22
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Mushibugyou delivers the goods yet again. There was naturally a little uncertainty about this episode, given how little Tenma has been used lately, but as it usually does Mushibugyou exceeded my expectations with the results.
This being a shounen battle arc, it always seemed likely that all of Jinbei’s peers in the Insect Magistrates would get their own focus episode, but for a while there I wasn’t sure if Tenma would (he’s the only one without a dedicated sequence in the OP, for example). After a very solid backstory episode way back in the Spring he’s been strictly in the background, but happily he received the full treatment this time around with fine results. We even got a little more backstory – I’d been under the impression that his parents were dead, but apparently Tenma’s onmyouji talents were spotted at birth and he was immediately separated from them (which I suspect was the common practice). He always struck me as rather a sad and lonely figure with all his phobias and no one his own age to commiserate with, and this episode pretty much confirmed that.
As is often the case with this story, it’s Jinbei’s relentless positivity in the face of all logic that’s proved to be the game-changer for Tenma. For an opponent Tenma has Anayama “Justice” Kosuke, quite a different figure than the Insect Braves we’ve met to this point. His justice involves saving Tenma a few times so he doesn’t die before he understands the concept, a lot of lecturing about it (including the “brush your teeth” and “go to bed early” aspects of justice) and then pummeling Tenma vigorously after disabling Jinbei to stop him from interfering. What ultimately turns the tide – after Jinbei’s words of encouragement buoy Tenma when he’s about to give in – is a sort of super-sentai, limiter off, “full power” combination attack, which leads to a Team Rocket ending for Justice. To say that it’s on a different level than anything we’ve seen from Tenma before would be an understatement.
Meanwhile, Princess Naa’s group is finally closing in on the well – and Saizou is closing in on figuring out what’s really going on. With Mugai (I was starting to look for him on milk cartons) present as well it seems safe to assume that the two of them are going to have their final battle when Saizou reveals himself, leaving Sanada for Jinbei. Next week, though, it’s one more preliminary, a battle with Kamanosuke Yuri (Takagi Motoki) and Juuzou Kakei (Hatano Wataru) – with Oooka seemingly taking the featured role this time.
Ronbb
September 3, 2013 at 4:54 amVery much agree with your insights on Kingdom. I made a wrong speculation last week, but I like how things turned out in this episode better. The characters — Xin, Meng Tian, and Wang Ben — remain who they are, and this episode builds them up further. Despite his arrogance and disdainful attitude towards people of lower ranks, Wang Ben is no fool and can have the capacity to swallow Meng's sneaky move. I am wondering if there is a story — involving Wang Qi perhaps — behind his condescending attitude. I am more interested in Meng Tian though, and I like how this show portrays this famous historical figure. He's definitely an opportunist and a strategist, but I like that he doesn't let his emotions or pride cloud his mind, and I like that he does cherish talents.
As for Xin, I think it's good for him to feel the defeat and the gap — putting him in jail for the night probably helps calm his hot-blooded head and make him think and learn from his rivals. I kind of feel for Xin when he acted against the 1000-men General. Not that his action was smart, but he can understand the helpless peasants better than anyone and can act on what is right. Of course, this is a fictional world, but I like that Kingdom doesn't shy away from showing us the ugly side of wars — even for a little bit.
elianthos80
September 3, 2013 at 10:30 pm*fighting the shippy Xin x Lei bug* dude she's such a catch :,).
I like how this episode managed to highlight the three young generals with all their differeneces in personality background and attitude do share not only the ambition but also the dislike for war crimes. It's a worthy element per se but also some nice ground to build a bond between them in time don't you think? Tangentially @Ronbb I quite like your hunch about Wang Ben and Wang Qi.
Xin's reaction was both noble and reckless, but hey he's being true to himself. And similarly to Meng Tien it's pretty hard not to appreciate such straightforwardness regardless.
I agree with wondering about how Xin's way is going to fit into the mix of ruthless fighting and politics in the long run.
admin
September 4, 2013 at 12:20 amLei is indeed a catch, and seems a perfect match for Xin, but I don't think she's interested in being "caught".
Ronbb
September 4, 2013 at 1:15 am@elianthos80: thanks. About Xin, I don't think that he will survive the politics and in the battlefields for long if he continues to be as reckless and hot-blooded as he is, but I think that he will grow. I actually like how this episode shows Xin's gap with Meng Tian and Wang Ben — it allows room for future character growth.
elianthos80
September 4, 2013 at 8:03 am@Ronbb: ehe I'm certainly looking forward to that, but I'm wondering about the pace given how many characters we have already (we haven't seen Diao in weeks to name one). If this means we're going to get a season 3 I wouldn't mind at all.
@Enzo: actually a few years down the road I might envision Lei sorta popping the question while holding him at swordpoint during a training session X,D. But definitely not happening now, they each have their own set of pressing non-romantic goals first and foremost.
The allure of battle couples based on comradeship is a very old and dear weakness of mine. Blame (or thanks , YMMV) for that a certain seminal shoujo anime series to my knowledge you haven't watched (yet?) :p.
Ronbb
September 5, 2013 at 3:16 am@elianthos80: I am with you and would love to see a season 3 :).
Gary Cochran
September 3, 2013 at 10:30 pmKingdom – Just how much can you trust a guy that defected from another country?
I'm guessing when it is all said and done Xin and the other 2 leaders "might" end up as friends. Right now they are rivals but when the shit hits the fan they are ALL Qin soldiers. I'm hoping they can realize who the true enemy really is and start working together.
Mushibugyou – was painful to hear Tenma getting tossed a beating. Then when we saw him his face was all beat up. Not often you hear a little kid in an anime getting his ass kicked like that.
Maxulous
September 3, 2013 at 11:13 pm"Not often you hear a little kid in an anime getting his ass kicked like that".
My favorite part of the episode actually.