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 know 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.