I’m just sayin’, but Revenger deserves way more attention – and respect – than it’s getting. There are times when my opinion about a series runs this dramatically counter to the general anime zeitgeist – maybe not as often as it feels like, but it happens. It’s dangerous territory to say this, but I think the generally poor reception this show has gotten (in English, certainly) is symptomatic of how the anime audience has changed over the years. And how the rise of light novel adaptations has helped shape expectations. It’s sad that Urobuchi Gen’s least trope-y and most coherent work in years is probably the most ignored series he’s ever written.
Revenger is also an example of why original anime can really work (though it rarely works this well these days). A writer – a good one, anyway – can walk into the room with a complete story that fits together exactly how they want. They can tailor it exactly to the length of time they’re given to tell it. An anime original in the hands of somebody like Urobuchi can be like a bespoke suit, while adaptations are off the rack. Even the best material (be it silk or manga) isn’t going to fit as well as something custom tailored. That’s why it’s so frustrating that so much original anime these days is pure polyester (and recycled at that).
Oh, well – that’s enough ranting for one night. Plenty to talk about in this episode, which effectively (and elegantly) fitted all the pieces of the Revenger puzzle together so that next week can be free to wrap up the story. Starting with Kanou, whose true reason for his actions regarding the opium is revealed. He wants to drag the country in disorder (very Shishio-like), ostensibly as the final retribution for Shimoda. In truth it’s because he wants to be the one to rule over the carnage – so, win-win for him.
Also explained: that piece of bitten gold Yuuen is periodically shown contemplating pensively. And a rather poignant explanation it is, too. This is painful on multiple levels, not least that it was Yuuen who inadvertently caused Yui’s suicide (or at least that’s how I would see it in his shoes). He was the one who told her that the name of the man that killed her father Hirata-san (who effectively foresaw his own assassination and “conditionally” bit gold to try and thwart the opium traders), while he was delivering the hairpin Hirata had him make as a wedding gift (having no idea that Raizou and Yui were engaged). What’s more, the hysterically distraught Yui bit gold for Raizou’s death, and Yuuen – not knowing the truth – swore the oath.
That coin is many things. A moral and ethical dilemma, and a spotlight shone on the hypocrisy of what the Reben-ji do. Indeed, from their perspective bitten gold is a solemn oath. But Yuuen obviously doesn’t want to kill Raizou after finding out the truth. Souji may not be an intellectual, but he’s slowly assembled the puzzle into an accurate picture. For him carrying out the oath makes sense because it was not doing so that led the Reben-ji into the mess they’re currently in. But of course, killing Raizou now – which Souji at least goes through the motions of planning to do – doesn’t solve any of those problems. It fulfills the oath, but that’s all.
One of the things I like about what Urobuchi is doing here is that he doesn’t ignore the truth about the Reben-ji. They’re hired killers. As Souii says, there have been occasions where they’ve killed people who didn’t deserve it or were genuinely remorseful simply because that was the deal they signed up for. What kind of solemnity is that? Yet, in spite of this ugly truth, I at least find all the Reben-ji to be likeable. They’re complicated, interesting people who aren’t untroubled (apart debatably from Nio) by what their existence signifies. I would much rather they don’t all die in the finale, which frankly seems very likely (and would fit the Urobutcher profile).
Because there is nuance and subtlety to the writing here, there are still moral differences between the Reben-ji and those who oppose them despite the above. Shishido is a straight-up sociopath, a sadist and in effect a serious killer. Kanou is a megalomaniacal zealot. And Sada’s revenger group isn’t the least bit concerned about the ramifications of their job, or the least bit choosy about who they accept work from. Yuuen is indeed working with Isarizawa, and combining their resources they manage to smoke out that Sada’s group is using an old English lighthouse offshore as a base. And that, it seems, is where the final battle is going to take place.
Joshua
March 17, 2023 at 11:19 pmThe sad thing about Urobuchi is that his name was dragged through the mud for the longest time, being attached to a string of underwhelming shows and films ever since that one-two-three punch of Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero and Psycho-Pass s1 back in 2011-2013, devaluing his brand in the process. By the time we got to his maligned Godzilla trilogy, he had already become a figure of ridicule, so much so, that I don’t think people even cared about the series he actually cared for (i.e. the Taiwanese puppet show Thunderbolt Fantasy and this show in particular). It’s a shame too, because he is capable of being a good writer when he is allowed to (like that one Concerto Revolutio episode he did or the Kamen Rider series he helmed), and not just some name added to the staff list for marquee value but hardly contributes much to (as what I’ve seen with Bubble and Aldnoah.Zero and the shows that continued without him). His name sadly doesn’t have the pull that it used to have merely a decade ago because it had already been devalued hard.
Moving on from that. rewatching the premiere after all of the revelations seen in this episode really makes this narrative stronger. It also recontextualizes everything between Usui and Raizo as a result, seeing as how Usui was meant to kill him to fulfill Yui’s vendetta, but instead took pity on him for everything that happened, hoping that he can find a better life beyond the killing.
Also Kanou clearly believes that his plan for Nagasaki involving this opium, is his own “revenge” for all of the persecuted Christians who were tortured, killed and martyred during the Shimabara Rebellion and its horrific aftermath 2 centuries ago. It’s just that he’s enacting his own form of religious prejudice in the process, corrupted by power and money, funded by the amoral trade union.
DonkeyWan
March 19, 2023 at 12:44 amI think part of the reason the show got a lot less coverage is because the first two episodes had some gimmicky moments that did not auger well for the future. Thankfully that part has been greatly toned down and the storyline has begun to develop in dark and disturbing ways. The episode where the young monk is brought low would send shivers down your spine. As such the show has far more interesting elements than you might think from just a superficial look. It still feels a bit odd, because it appears to have Shounen elements to some of the characters, but definitely a Seinen feel to the plot and world building. For me it’s definitely one of the best shows of the season, all the more welcome for being so unexpected.
Raikou
March 19, 2023 at 11:38 amToo bad for the people who dropped this early.
It’s very entertaining original anime, and that’s a rarity.
Many said Urobuchi has lost his touch, but I think he’s still one of the competent writer in anime world. Recent anime fans has just bad taste.
If anything, this anime proved that we need him in the oversaturation of LN anime. Hoping that he has another original anime planned.
Nicc
March 20, 2023 at 12:26 pmYep, no doubt that it’s been underwatched and it’s a shame too. The story is intriguing and the production values have been great. But, yes, tastes have changed. It’s like how everybody is clamoring for original movies, but then they sink at the box office (I’m not sure if the recent triumph of “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at the Academy Awards is a start of a new trend or a one-off. Hollywood moves too strangely for me to follow).
The Revengers are trying to lay low, while at the same time trying to draw out their adversaries. It’s a tricky balancing act and Raizo gets knicked by a bullet while trying to be bait. This penultimate episode takes us all the way back to the events of the first episode. Joshua is right, the revelations put the relationship between Raizo and Yuuen in a new light and I may want to rewatch all of the earlier episodes of their conversations.
The final showdown is going to take place on an island. I am assuming that they won’t have to worry about collateral damage there and so they’re going to go all out. I also don’t expect everybody to survive.