I was kind of surprised by the fairly negative reaction last week’s episode of Ousama Ranking received in certain quarters. In part of course because the zeitgeist about the series has been almost universally positive since its premiere, but mostly because I thought it was good. Maybe not the series’ best, but I didn’t have any major issues with it. The animation has obviously slipped to an extent in the last couple of episodes, and that’s certainly a concern going forward. But it was starting from such a high level that even a step down still ranks it near the top where currently airing TV anime are concerned.
Mind you, I don’t consider the show perfect or anything. I’m finding Hilling’s healing power to be something of a plot get-out-of-jail free card (though happily it has limitations, as we’ll get to shortly). And I was a little disappointed at the source of Bojji’s new ability – rather than arduous training it seems to have sprung from a Vulcan mind meld with Death-par (though that may have just been the first step on the path to mastering it). But the big moments are being nailed, and this episode was certainly full of big moments.
As far as I’m concerned it’s still not totally clear how the power faultlines run in this series. Bosse-Daida clearly could have intervened on Hilling’s behalf – his busting his cell door right in front of Bebin is proof that he’s going along with his imprisonment by choice. Hilling’s despair as she saw Dorsche being ripped apart in front of her was almost enough to pull him into the fray, but not quite. With Mitsumata soon jumping it itself, what does that tell us? Was this done on Bosse’s orders, as part of an agreed course between Bebin and Bosse, or did Bebin order it without Bosse’s knowledge?
Dorsche certainly needed saving, in more ways than one. He was prepared to die in Hilling’s service but she wasn’t going along with that plan. Mitsumata gets Dorsche out of the path of the magical beasts but he’s in a pretty bad way – and while Hilling can save his life (turns out those are magical potions she’s drinking, not Red Bulls) her powers don’t extend to re-growing his foot or restoring his eye. It sucks for him but it’s better for the plot that way – this power already pushes the envelope of plot convenience pretty hard.
At this point Bojji (and Kage) arrive on the scene, much to Hilling’s shock. And since Gigan has just thoroughly kicked Mitsumata’s scales it’s a good thing, too. The secret to his power is apparently the truth Death-Par revealed to him, which basically amounts to being able to see the weak points in the molecular bonds holding things together. That’s quite a modern twist for a medieval fantasy series, but it’s an ability that certainly suits Bojji to a T. Even Gigan is no match for it, but he’s already done a number on Mitsumata and Hilling’s well has run dry. Just why was Kage packing her healing potions, I wonder – if indeed that’s what was in those blue bottles.
The reunion was everything you could have hoped it would be. Bojji is so pure he can’t help grieving even when his enemies are wounded, and Hilling has a very tough time saying no to him. My favorite thing about this whole exchange was Kage calling Hilling a dumbass, which she kind of had coming. But in her defense, she’s kind of right about Bojji not being able to be everyone’s friend if he’s going to be king (and about his lack of bearing). As full of bluster as she is Hilling is clearly a pretty soft touch.
Lastly, we hav the matter of Ouken and his (I’m assuming) brothers. Death-Par ascribes his descent into demonhood as being due to his gaining immortality – which seems to be connected to Miranjo. I’d thought Death-Har (lightning is his headline skill) was in this to try and add Bosse’s kingdom to his collection and maybe take out Death-Par, but the implication here is that he and his brother are on the same page, and their real intent is to defeat Miranjo. We’ve recently had an announcement that the anime will cover the entire “Part I” section of the manga (which just ended) which implies we’re going to see a resolution, albeit perhaps an intermediate one. But that still lives Ousama Ranking with a ton of ground to cover over the next nine episodes.
Bounty
January 22, 2022 at 2:58 amDefinitely another super weak episode. Although I liked the way Despa explained Bojji’s power-up, the fights continue to be highly underwhelming.
Drusi is 1v9ing a bunch of beasts. Sure, he lost one eye and a leg, but what does it matter if there are perfect prostheses in the world? Moreover, none of the good guys die. How is Hilling considered ok as a character? The insanely overpowered ability that saved Dursi twice, the giant snakes, even the mind-controlled beasts required… drinking some juice. And when we finally expect the heroes to lose something over the battle (the giant snake) Kage shits out 4 more potions. There is no pathos because there are no stakes. Everyone suddenly power-ups and gets restored to full health. And somehow even the enemies change sides! Ok, sure, the beasts got mind-controlled, but why did the big giant do it? It makes no sense. He got captured once by someone stronger than him since he was in prison, why didn’t he swear his allegiance to his last captor?
And then, we see Ouken’s fight completed off-screen and suddenly Desha stuns him with a thunderbolt.
Extremely anticlimatic fights, overall a very weak episode with a few good moments sprinkled in (mostly Despa’s dialogue). Also, the animation continues to look worse than usual. Especially the first few mins with Dursi vs the beasts were almost hideous.
This show is on a downhill since episode 13 and I don’t like where this is going. My suspicions regarding the ability of the mangaka are confirmed: he just doesn’t have the experience to deal with an overarching plot and a plethora of different characters. He needs to refine his storytelling.
DauntingOverlord
January 22, 2022 at 9:24 amThat’s just like, your opinion man. But in all seriousness. I don’t see what you’re seeing here. I think that some of the remarks you’re making here can only be made rock solid from hindsight rather than foresight (such as Ouken). The author hasn’t showed his hand yet, so I don’t think that the criticism in that regard is legit until we see the hand he plays. “The author is sweating, his hands tremble as he looks at his crappy cards that are currently face down on the table”. While I think that you see what you see, the way you handle it with such certainty when only two episodes have passed seems a little harsh and a wee bit absurd. Again, you may be fully right, but I don’t see it. Hindsight is 20/20. But unless you have read the manga and were disappointed with the outcome, fair play, but if not, foresight is blind until the final card is played.
Bukszie
January 22, 2022 at 5:05 amHaven’t been enjoying recent episodes
Finding it hard to feel sorry for certain characters for long periods of time and they occupy a lot of screen time recently. I get that people are complex and have different layers to their characters but these guys have done really terrible things that I’m not sure they have shown remorse for or can easily get redemption for.
I understand that hilling isn’t a bad person but then I remember she disregarded and tore up bosse’s will and more or less stole the kingdom from bojii and gave it to daida. I get that she loves bojii but she also appears to underestimate and limit him the most.
I’m trying to understand daida and sympathise with his current position then I remember he tried to have his brother killed
How would the series have turned out if bosse’s will had been respected from the beginning and boji had been made king
Marty
January 22, 2022 at 7:49 amThis has got to be one of my favorite Episodes of the series so far.
Bojji’s effort Finally paying off, getting the recognition he deserves. The reunión with Hiling was pretty heartwarming, and Bojji’s ability Seems to resemble Mace Windu’s Shatterpoint, which is one of my favorite power styles.
Red
January 22, 2022 at 9:35 amGreat episode, my favorite was Bojji going toe to toe with Gigan and the exchange between Hiling and Kage.
Being in a medieval fairy tale setting, I can still tolerate Hiling’s ability and Kage’s Doraemon-like ability (might have missed it in the earlier episodes but does he swallow those things into his stomach or just put in a dimensional pouch in his body?) and there are more OP abilities with immortality, mind control and wish-granting with a little bit of sacrifice among them.
What happened to Ann the knight? She was healed first, with potion power, but look likes she’s still unconscious maybe she’ll revive and the other knights next Ep.