What They Say:
“The Hot Guy Beneath the Mask: Nagatomimaru”
Content: (please note that the content portion of a review may contain spoilers)
With Mugai’s focus last episode, I thought I was safe assuming the character-introduction episodes were finished. Not so much, it turns out, as we encounter another character, Nagatomimaru, who has been reading books on bugs for so long he’s become an expert. Dressed in robes and a Noh mask, and constantly mumbling to himself, the man tries to sneak into the Insect Magistrate to steal a look at the records on the bugs. Thanks to Hibachi’s uncalled for tsundere violence, he’s caught pretty much immediately and is discovered to be a noble with a pretty handsome face. Recognizing him, Kotori doesn’t dole out punishment, but tells him the records are sealed off, and has Jinbei bring him home. Jinbei is, of course, super impressed with the man’s quest for knowledge (pure awe seems to be his defining character trait) and, through his faith in this stranger, convinces Nagatomimaru to use his knowledge to help defeat a giant mosquito.
Like all the other characters, Nagatomimaru has a semi-tragic past: being the eldest son of the Shogun, everyone is respectful to his face, but behind his back they talk about his incompetencies and how his younger brother will surely take his place as heir. He finds solace in books, the only things that he thinks tell the truth, and hides himself behind the Noh mask. It’s a very relatable tale, and certainly more poignant than Tenma’s not-so-serious fear of bugs, but it feels rushed, with Nagatomimaru’s feelings, like in many of these other episodes, being explained to us, rather than told.
There is, as usual, a good battle scene, this one being less gruesome than most as the nameless civilian getting his blood sucked out (gross) survives, and there’s no other pile of bloodless corpses. It’s also nice to see that it’s not simply force of will or over-powered fighters than bring about the insect’s defeat, but some quick-thinking strategy from Nagatomimaru as he recalls the bug’s specific weakness. The episode also breaks off the pattern a little bit, as the big fight and character epiphany comes a little earlier, giving Nagatomimaru time to sneak into the records room. While it begins with him pawing through books like a nerd, he stumbles upon hidden map. This is perplexing enough, but when Kotori steps in, and convinces him to keep this secret in exchange for letting him come back to see Jinbei, it becomes clear that there’s some secret underlying everything, and that Kotori is somehow a part of it.
In Summary
This episode surprised me with another important character showing up and gaining the focus, once again putting off any big plot reveal. Luckily, he’s pretty interesting, and hopefully he can add another dynamic to the show, though likely he’ll just wind up as another person Hibachi can kick. This unexpected addition does give us more hints about the backstory and what might be to come, but that’s all it is — hints. Maybe something big will happen next week, but I have more faith in seeing another monster-of-the-week, and not much else.
Grade: C+
Streamed by: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
13″ Apple Macbook set to 720p
