One 20-page chapter every two months seems like pretty thin gruel for an Otoyomegatari fan to sustain themselves on. But that’s the reality under the bi-monthly Aokoshi magazine – and even that’s assuming Mori-sensei doesn’t sneak any more Emma or Shirley chapters in, or take more research breaks. I take the view with this series that I do with the eternally hiatused Hunter x Hunter and Vagabond – however long it takes I’m grateful for what I get, considering no one else could write these manga if you gave them a hundred lifetimes. But still – it’s hard to feel satisfied.
The wait seems especially long when Amir and Karluk have just returned to the spotlight after a long absence. As you may recall they’d just reunited, with Amir power-lifting her husband and remarking on how much heavier he’d gotten. Karluk was spending time on the steppes with her brothers in order to man up of course (though mother nature will have taken care of some of that herself). And the current exercise of horseback deer hunting is a chance to show off some of the new skills he’s picked up along with general tiger cub masculinity.
In truth, this sort of thing is Amir’s bailiwick – and while Karluk does manage to hit the target (a mid-sized stag), it’s a flesh wound – leaving it to Amir to finish the job properly. She tries to give him credit of course but Karluk has always known when Amir was trying to soothe his pride. Karluk does lift the beast onto his horse solo, proclaiming that he’s “caught bigger deer before”. Amir’s knowing smile speaks volumes, as ever.
The other carryover storyline is the scheme to unite the people of the steppes through marriage – thus providing the townies a buffer against the impending Russian incursion. And our power couple stumbles into the midst of this, in the form of a huge gathering on the plains. The cause – a contest, and a chance for the Halgal brothers to get some brides at last. But they’re going to have to earn them – via a horse race against their rival clan’s daughters in a horse race to prove their worthiness.
“Nice horse” indeed – a classic Azel moment. As their elders remind them, this is a huge deal for the brothers and their clan – in effect, a probable last chance to save it from ruin. The women have legendary “Teke” horses, a Turkmen breed known for fierce temperament, intelligence, and yes, great speed. Azel, for his part, declares “No way I’m losing”. City boy Karluk doesn’t quite grasp the weight of the moment, but this prospect gets Amir’s blood rising in a big way. And mine too, as I imagine Mori-sensei applying her talents to depicting what’s about to happen. I just wish we didn’t have to wait so long to see it…
