Who haunts the mansion of the hero?
What They Say:
Episode #4: “The Dragoon’s Wish”
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Chaika, Toru and Akari were in a tight spot at the end of the last episode. While trying to make their way to the home of the local hero to steal back another remnant they were attacked by mecha lightning wolves. Toru would have been torn to shreds if the dragoon knight they were looking for hadn’t shown up.
The lady knight in question is formidable, but also kind. Dominica invites the trio back to her mansion for the night so they don’t end up dead trying to get through the dangerous forest. It’s almost too convenient for the group, who instantly start to feel a little concerned about their plan.
When the lady of the manor asks the kids why they were traveling at night, Akari launches into a tale of forbidden sibling love. The story is out there, but the dragoon chevalier believes the tall tale. So does Chaika, but Toru clarifies the situation for her and we find out that Toru and Akari aren’t even siblings by blood. Which explains some of Akari’s behavior a bit later.
The trio is told to make themselves at home, which seems to give the group free reign for them to hunt down their missing body part. However, Chaika is creeped out by the nearly abandoned building. The mansion does look like a typical haunted house, one filled with statues and paintings of it’s owner. Clearly something is very wrong.
Dominica’s kind reception of the group causes Chaika to have doubts about taking back the remains by force. They come to a decision to ask first, which goes over about as well as you’d expect. Hilariously, Akari is more insulted by the fact that Toru called Chaika ‘someone precious’ and jealousy rears it’s head. Akari is not so subtle about her thoughts on her brother. Forbidden love indeed. Toru explains that Chaika gave him a mission and he had purpose in his life again, that’s all. Toru isn’t lazy, he was just listless.
Minds made up, it’s time for a duel to get back the next set of remains. Dominica is cocky, even telling Toru and Akari where her weak points are. However, Toru knows that something is strange with Dominica. If she was one of the heroes, how come she didn’t recognize Chaika? Chaika notices something wrong with the whole area, and so the fight begins. It’s another dimly lit battle, but the clash of steal of steal is impressive. Dominica can heal herself almost instantly, and the saboteurs exchange blows with her ineffectually. At least until Toru starts targeting Dominica’s statues.
It turns out that the real Dominica died some time ago, and the one they fought was her dragoon, Fredrica. None of which was a surprise to me or should be much of a surprise to anyone watching. The trio recovers a set of remains, the eyes of the emperor, and plan to get move on. However, Fredrica changes form from that of her former master to that of a girl Chaika’s age and confidently proclaims that her new purpose in life if to kill Toru! But not right now… that’s not sporting. Yikes! Luckily for Toru, Fredrica decides to travel with them in the form of a cat and not that of a dragon or another young girl.
In Summary:
The mission seems to be going well for the trio. Perhaps even better than expected. Another brief skirmish with fun swordplay has been fought, resulting in the return of another piece of the remains. The story of the knight and her dragoon isn’t exactly winning points for originality, and neither is the jealousy step sister and new companion. I always do like stories of what happens after the heroes save the kingdom though, and so far we’ve seen that these great heroes are falling far and fast from their status. I’m also interested in the pursuing forces, who should be meeting back up with the group in next week’s episode. However, I’m concerned with the pace of the story and how straightforward everything is progressing. The animation is good, even if the character designs are a bit silly, and the fights are wonderful…. but I want some surprises!
Episode Grade: B –
Streamed by: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment: 27” iMac running OS 10.9.2, via Safari 7.0.2, FIOS 15/5 Mbps connection. Your milage may vary.