The two gargantuan forces continue their surge to inevitable warfare…but why?
What They Say:
After freeing the Dwarves, the Drifters’ plans continue getting derailed as unexpected guests show up. Meanwhile, far to the north, the Black King’s plan continues to unfurl as the Ends regroup and recover in preparation to strike back
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
The kingdom of Orte is on clearance, and all things must go! With its doom rapidly impending in the eyes of Saint Germi, the purpose of his visit is finally revealed, but who is going to take the bait? With both the Black King’s and Drifters’ armies preparing for what promises to be a massive battle, Orte is sort of forgotten and left in the dust here. What was once a powerful nation seems like mere child’s play now, especially considering the great stride each side takes in just the confines of this one episode. I imagine this is what Oakland Raiders fans feel like right now.
This episode above all others, instills the sheer power of the Black King, both physically and psychologically. In his(?) desire for both manpower and technological growth, the King is seen openly negotiating (intimidating) with a Bronze Dragon. Not at all put off by the sheer look of the thing, the Black King has the confidence and gall to relegate the Dragon to the back of his line, and punish the dragon when it predictably refuses. The Black King’s power manifests itself instantaneously in attack as it does benefit here as we finally learn just what it is…life replication. He can replicate anything that is alive! Even in the most abstract of definitions! That’s scary as hell, even with the catch added in. How effortlessly he replenishes food or subdues this giant dragon is nightmarish; with only a glimpse of a weakness being spotted. Clearly Orte, and maybe even the Drifters, are outmatched here.
Not saying our antiheroes are slouching! We witness their advancement here in a more traditional sense, though very advanced all the same. With the dwarves rescued and fed back to full strength, it is time to take advantage of the blacksmithing skills they have so legendarily cultivated over the ages. Seeking to replicate the rifle he has been toting around, Oda puts it upon the newly freed prisoners to do their best in recreating it; a weapon they have never seen nor heard of in their time. Unsurprisingly, they master the forging of the barrel almost instantly, predicting the ability to create up to a dozen a day if given proper facilities and supplies. The production of firearms provides a large tactical advantage, which is good and all, but so far I’m a little disappointed by the dwarves’ introduction.
The elves and dwarves used to be at war with each other, haunting one another’s dreams, but so far, we’ve been treated with nothing but a little side-eye from the elves. It reminds me of the Lord of the Rings movies, which defined Legolas and Gimli’s relationship as more a tense awkwardness than the dislike one would think would happen. So far things have been going a little too smoothly for the Drifters, so a little interior feuding wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Come to think of it, it’s also hard to figure out a reason behind these two factions fighting. They are each so powerful but so generally vague in there motivations to do battle; Oda wants to conquer and the Black King hates humans. So if the Orte empire is destroyed, where does that leave us? Other than what should be a big ol’ battle. Maybe Germi’s visit, and proposition, will help to sow a few seeds amongst the protagonist force; after all, he is here to sell off what is left of the Orte Empire.
In Summary:
One of the slower episodes here, we get a chance to view the preparations and advancements each of the major armies takes to gain the upper hand here. Knowing full well the disadvantage the humans possess, Germi visits the Drifters, hoping to pawn off the rest of the empire for pennies on the dollar…but will Oda & Company take this deal at face value?
Grade: B-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll