Time to meet the in-laws!
What They Say:
Episode #9: “The Principality of Rain”
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Oh, hello spoilery opening sequence edition. Foreshadowing much?
Livi and Nike are busy playing hosts to a trade conference among the many autonomous countries and regions allied with the Sun Empire. Bored of the politics the happy young couple start planning a getaway for some much needed rest and relaxation. Of course Neil and Bard won’t let them neglect their duties, so they’re putting up with some much needed… guidance about protocol.
Nike is asked to perform a rain summoning, and she’s no longer putting up much of an argument about performing it. Didn’t you have scruples about being used for entertainment, Nike? A letter from home puts her on edge before the performance, and Livi calls her out on her sloppy work… as if he’s a judge of rain summoning now. Nike confesses that the letter said her grandmother had collapsed and plans are made right away to travel to the Principality of Rain.
So Nike, Livi and Neil board a ship headed for Nike’s homeland, with Nike spending a lot of time on deck worrying about her grandmother. Livi comes out to comfort her, and boy does he have mad moves for a kid whose barely reached puberty. In fact he often acts far older than he appears. I’m told that Nike looks younger in the manga, and I have to wonder why the anime has to go make this more awkward than it already is.
The royals arrive in Nike’s homeland, which has a very eastern feel to the architecture. She’s greeted by her sister waving the worlds smallest flag, instead of an honor guard. Laid back doesn’t begin to describe Nike’s family. Even if their palace is an impressive looking hilltop fortress, the country doesn’t look opulent in the least. Even Nike is embarrassed coming home now that she’s seen the greater world.
That bedridden grandmother? She just threw her back out. With that tragedy averted it’s time for in-law antics! If you thought Nike had no tact, wait till you meet her sisters. Two of them drag Livi off for a photo session after they first mistook Neil for the king. By the time Nike recovers her husband he’s exhausted and reeling from the effects of the lower pressure in the Land of Rain. Now it’s time for Nike to comfort him with some home cooking and a view of the normally clouded night sky.
That foreshadowed kiss happens in the shadows, much to the surprise of both participants. However, someone lurking nearby is very unhappy about the young couple, and he appears to be in cahoots with Nike’s grandmother. Exactly what is going on in Nike’s homeland?
In Summary:
After only three months Nike has done a world of good for her damaged husband. That awkward political marriage is starting to turn from solidarity into something more, much to the shock of Nike and Livi. Sure, Livi might have joked about their relationship getting intimate in the past, but it’s clear the kid has never kissed a woman before. If I was Nike I’d put off the kiss until he was at least my height, yikes! However, they might have more pressing matters coming up, what with someone plotting in the shadows to possibly take the king hostage.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment: 27” iMac running OS 10.9.2, via Safari 7.0.4, FIOS 15/5 Mbps connection. Your milage may vary.
