Yatagarasu with an absolute banger of an episode is certainly nothing new. That’s basically the standard – when you’re 17 eps in and the premiere was the weakest of the bunch, that’s generally a good sign. Especially when it was as good a premiere as this was. One could say that Nige Jouzu and Karasu wa Aruji o Erabanai this week were a good demonstration of the different routes shounen and seinen take to greatness. I don’t like to overemphasize demographic boundaries because they’re highly flexible. But there are characteristics of each that ring true when you see them.
If I were to apply one term to this episode, it would be “tense”, and entirely in a good way. It was tension derived not from physical peril (mostly) but from character and subtext. Natsuka hijacking Nazukihiko’s mission to the Underground certainly raised some tension for starters. Clearly the Crown Prince is not used to this sort of pushback and no sir, he doesn’t like it one bit. He also doesn’t like Natsuka’s suggestion of taking Yukiya along, especially not as his representative (that’s Natsuka) but as the grandson of the Lord of the North. He knows how the lad feels about that role, and he knows what the implications of Natsuka’s words are.
Maybe there’s something subliminal to it, but when Masuho no Susuki dressed Yukiya in her little brother’s court robes for the trip I swear there was a bit of Chagum in that blue-eyed visage. It was great to see Masuho again, first of all. She’s decided to act as a court lady to the Empress-to-be, which is totally something I could see her doing. She’s a tough, practical woman of integrity. One can sense in this beautiful scene that there’s an untold and possibly tragic story to that brother, but at the very least Masuho no Susuki is emotional at seeing this innocent child dressed for what could be a journey to his end.
As for Wakamiya, he’s pretty much in full pouting mode at this chain of events. This has childhood pal Sumio concerned, as he has experience with this side of the Prince’s nature. The others head off on their journey via airborne carriages, and the glares of the Ravine residents are hardly adoring. It’s clear that where they’re going, stature and noble birth hold little meaning. They’ve been granted an audience, plain and simple. Natsuka thinks he understands this, but the sense here is that he doesn’t on a fundamental level
I don’t doubt Natsuka’s sincerity, or his intelligence. But he’s a bit too much of a linear thinker to thrive in this sort of off-the-grid venture. If you want tension, the audience with Tobi has it so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. Natsuka plainly believes his presence here should impress their hosts, but it doesn’t in the slightest. The invitation was for Wakamiya, and Wakamiya isn’t there. That’s an affront, and Tobi behaves exactly in the manner of an affronted noble. Things go cattywampus in a hurry, and the elder prince is forced to play his hole card. And the real reason for Yukiya’s inclusion in the party is made clear for all to see.
I don’t think there’s the slightest chance Yukiya was surprised to be offered as a hostage. Surely he knew that was his value to the operation. But Tobi is singularly unimpressed by this theatrical turn of events. Natsuka is increasingly panicked as events spiral further off course, and Yukiya – ever resourceful and graceful under pressure – takes command himself. He offers not his presence as a hostage (which is of little succor to Tobi’s ego) but his abject humility. He pleads as a son of the North, not as a hostage – pleads for help only the Underground can give. He also pledges his willingness to trade his life for the sake of his homeland. And he makes it absolutely clear that for him, Wakamiya is someone worthwhile of one’s fealty.
Yukiya has, in a nutshell (pun intended), balls of steel. He’s brave, he’s clever, and he’s a quick thinker. It’s clear there is a link between the Underground and the monkeys, and it’s clear it extends to Koume as it was her capture that Tobi deemed as a violation of the agreement. Tobi is intrigued by Yukiya’s actions, seeing immediately who the really formidable member of the party is. But exactly what he would have done next is uncertain, as no less than King Saku (Yasuhara Yoshito)* chooses this moment to make his presence known (and it’s clear Tobi is surprised to see him).
Saku sums up his views simply – he’ll treat anyone who asks for help with sincerity the same way, as it’s the way of the Underground. Saku asks Tobi to let him handle this matter as a favor, and tells Yukiya that yes, he might have some information that could help the boy’s people. But he sets Yukiya a task – go deeper into the underground and bring back “white shards”, and he’ll tell everything he knows. Two hours out and two back, with ghost fire light to guide him and an incense stick to measure his time. If he’s not back by then, Saku says, Yukiya had better find “another way out”.
What the boy finds two hours into the tunnels – a mound of bones and more of the monkey creatures – only adds to the mystery. Once more Yukiya shows his worth in a scrap, but he’s in serious trouble down there until unexpected help arrives. One can guess that Nazukihiko knew of another way in, but how he came to be there in that moment is the key question. He’s obviously not about to let Yukiya face death alone but how did he know where to find him? And these strange creatures – who may have more connection to humanity than simply the ability to physically mimic it – are seemingly the key to all of it.
*Let me just note here that it’s extremely rare to see seiyuu from Star Blazers show up these days, and Yasuhara-san is one of them. That may very well have been the first anime (not that I knew the word then) I ever saw – that or Speed Racer.
Sonicsenryaku
September 1, 2024 at 4:47 pmI’ve been following you being a hype man for this series for 17 episodes now and boy have you made me a believer. I have a thing where if I feel like a series I’ve missed following on a weekly basis is going to be special, that I’d prefer to binge watch it once it’s complete. You’ve been making Yatagarasu one of those shows for me. When it’s done, I’m gonna binge the hell out of it.
Guardian Enzo
September 1, 2024 at 5:35 pmI admire your will power, but my posts are full of spoilers you know.
Sonicsenryaku
September 1, 2024 at 6:20 pmMy entertainment with a piece of media has never been ruined or subdued by me being spoiled so no worries on that front
Datdude
September 2, 2024 at 2:04 pmI subscribe to this belief wholeheartedly.
Scampi
September 2, 2024 at 4:33 pmI must say, the director is a master of wordless, lingering shots that accentuates the gravity of the moment, in that regard Yatagarasu is really more like a TV show than most anime. Through the dark and pointed shots of Yukiya as he makes his decision to go down as Northern Lord’s grandson, and the cynical faces of the residents of the Ravine, the tension was so heavy it’s could as well be a literal walk to public execution. Then the animosity immediately softened as Yukiya takes matter into his hands. His earnestness and bravery just completely changed the mood, and I’d say it’s a good world where such a desperate plea is answered in kind, and elevated the viewer’s impression of a normal looking old man who otherwise unified the underworld.
And of course mention must also be made of all the shots on Nazukihiko as he sulks. You can literally hear the cogs spinning full speed as the camera linger on his back lol.
The incense clock was also a thing of beauty. Didn’t know what it was at first but it was immediately clear what it was used for. It looks like something more from the court than the Underground but a dangerous mystery unveiling event does call for fancy instrument to set the atmosphere. So happy to see another beautiful episode from Yatagarasu, I’d be so sad to see it end.
Guardian Enzo
September 2, 2024 at 4:50 pmI don’t think the chance of a sequel is zero, but it doesn’t seem terribly likely. It will indeed be a sad day when Yatagarasu ends.
Scampi
September 2, 2024 at 4:43 pmAlso want to add that real incense clocks are usually bronze made in the form of dragon, whose shape fit more as incense stick holder.
But this episode’s incense clock was made in the form of golden ravens.
Cute and shiny, as expected of these birds.
Nadavu
September 2, 2024 at 10:06 pmI just want to point out, in case anyone missed it, that Yukiya beheaded a young girl and left her brother weeping over her body.
Not that I fault him in any way, but damn that was brutal.
Guardian Enzo
September 2, 2024 at 10:09 pmWell that was Nazukihiko that did that, not Yukiya. And he did it because the monkey was about to kill Yukiya.
Nicc
September 3, 2024 at 7:31 amIt’s a tad early, but I still listened to “September” for a few times. I’m aware that the song is acually for September 21st, but it’s great to listen for any time of the year. Indeed, the tension was thick throughout the entire episode, which included the plan for Natsuka to take Yukiya along and as the grandson as the Lord of the North. Yep, Yukiya knew what was up. Wakamiya doesn’t like it, but he relents and spends a good deal of time brooding about it. The prepartions include dressing for the part, which includes Yukiya and even Rokon. Helping Yukiya out is Masuho no Susuki, who we learn has become a lady-in-waiting for Hamayuu. She’s certainly given a lot of freedom of movement, including being able to barge into the Sunrise Palace like a sitcom neighbour. I agree that she’s very qualified for that role and we later see her inside one of the carriages and holding what looks like a wig. I have to wonder if she’ll be doing some undercover work in the Ravine.
Natsuka was trying to make a big show out of it with the flying carriages descending into the Ravine for all to see. Right, nobody there seemed to be impressed and they enter the Underground and overdressed for the occasion. It was fascinating to see Natsuka out-of-his depth here. What would have worked when dealing with court ravens up above doesn’t impress Tobi. The “Do You Know Who I Am?” card doesn’t work, so he tries it on Yukiya. That doesn’t work either and Yukiya acts on his own. His humility gets the attention of the former king of the Underground, who asks Tobi to let him handle this. The others are ushered away and no doubt Natsuka will be stewing about this one for a while.
Saku will provide Yukiya with some information, provided that he completes a fetch quest first. They head towards an even deeper level of the Underground with the main entrance and exit covered by a giant rock that takes a bunch of men to move. Clearly it’s a place that nobody is to come in or out. Yep, Yukiya is given four hours to bring back some “white shards”. If he takes longer than that, the entrance closes and he has to find another way out. It’s eerily quiet down there until Yukiya finds a huge pile of bones. Those are the “white shards” that he’s supposed to bring back. Then, he’s spotted by some of the monkey creatures. I didn’t see that coming. He’s attacked by them and in the fight he learns that they show human behavior. They’re not like the monsters from his earlier encounters with them. He’s in big trouble when Wakamiya suddenly shows up. There are now even more questions regarding the monkey creatures. If Wakamiya was able to find his way down there, that means there are certainly ways for them to get to the surface. Now, Wakamiya and Yukiya have to figure out a way to get out of there.