The preparations continue.
What They Say:
As Arslan’s army approaches the Keep of Saint Emmanuel, both sides make preparations for the crucial battle that will take place there.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
It’s already been a long time coming, but it’s not quite time for the chaos of battle to overtake the atmosphere and hopefully reach a resolution to the struggle between Arslan and Hermes. Gieve leaving the party was a pretty big deal, but what’s left to work out isn’t the most eventful, just the necessary preparations for both sides that must be sorted out before any effective warfare can be engaged. We’ve seen plenty of what Arslan’s side has been planning lately, so we get a bit more of Hermes this time, collaborating with Guiscard, probably the wisest man he’s found himself fighting alongside, which also keeps his ambitions in check and doesn’t allow him to completely overtake the operation as he had with more easily manipulated rulers under his thumb. The two men have enough mutual respect within their apprehensions to formulate a strategy that should by all means overwhelm Arslan’s forces that measure up to a fraction of those Hermes and Guiscard will be sending their way. These odds have always been turned around previously and I doubt any of us genuinely believe that won’t be the case once more, but with unusually competent men leading the charge and even Narsus finding their counterattack to surpass his own plotting, the implication is that that the final showdown will rightfully be more suspenseful.
Narsus has had one young person of each gender supporting him to almost obsessive levels for a while now, providing the two with a rivalry that, when manifested as the kind of squabbling that comes most naturally to these kids, looks like nothing but fuel for cute young romance from any onlooker. While trying to spy on the enemy and get their direct lord (himself under Arslan, who both are still loyal to but only by extension) the information he needs to plan their next moves, they end up being caught and Alfreed’s first instinct is to play pretend lovers, which is as awkward, hilarious, and – despite the best attempts of both to deny it – telling of their potential feelings as one could expect it to be. It all works out, so they learn what they need to and pass it along, revealing to Arslan that a man he trusted and respected is now an enemy to him.
In likely the last peaceful moments we’ll see before the conclusion of the series, Arslan shows how far he’s come on the combat end, feeling insufficient when sparring with the impossibly powerful Daryun but managing to impress him and the nameless soldiers watching them. This leads into some training of those less important forces, which serves to further display Arslan’s current sense of leadership and ability going into the big battle that requires attributes like that of a leader with any hope to prove himself worthy of emerging the victor and obtaining the throne.
The production values are subpar this time, likely an indication that the big guns are being prioritized for when they count, as the final few episodes should be the most visually spectacular of the series. That’s still unfortunate, but if the episodes that count really impress enough to more than make up for the mediocrity of the artwork and animation in this one, all is at least acceptable.
In Summary:
One more episode of pure buildup might test some patience, but at least it would appear that we’ll be getting a real enough ending to the story in the final few episodes. Potential intrigue regarding the odds of the imminent battle and the skill of each notable participant set it all up well enough.
Grade: B-
Streamed By: FUNimation
Review Equipment:
Roku 3, Sceptre X425BV-FHD 42″ Class LCD HDTV.
