Warmongers and power plays.
What They Say:
Episode #5: “Flower Banquet”
Goku continuously tries to see Nataku to tell him his name, but is refused every time. Tenpou and Konzen talk about Nataku’s true origins and how Goku’s existence may be a threat to Li Touten.
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Oh, the gods are so fickle, and hell bent on one upping each other.
The flashback to the past lives of the Sanzo gang is still in full swing in this episode. The heavenly denizens are up to their not-so-petty bickering and power playing, and Tenpou is concerned about Touten’s actions. We know that the gods and other divine beings of the realm are not fond of Nataku but we didn’t really know why he was considered to be a cursed being until Tenpou digs deeper.
What he discovers and reveals about Nataku’s origin is more than a little disturbing, but it’s also a sad story. Konzen, who is amazingly different than the Sanzo we know, actually appears to be concerned and disturbed by all that’s taking place around him. He even has a moment of self-reflection where he realizes his cushy life as the nephew of the Merciful Goddess has lulled him into a state unawareness. Even Kenren starts to realize everything about what’s going on is total bullshit. He sticks his neck way out to help out Nataku and nearly gets it cut off for the effort.
Meanwhile, poor sweet, naive, young Goku is just trying to tell his friend his new name and being shut down at every turn. When he finally does manage to see Nataku, the boy god of war ignores him. Nataku is a tool of his so-called father, Li Touten. Whatever Touten orders Nataku carries out. Even if that order is to kill the creature born from a stone, Goku.
The tragedy reaches its natural conclusion. Nataku stops himself from killing Goku at the cost of his own life. Friendship wins in the end, but at a horrible cost. Goku is distraught and goes berserk, breaking his bonds and returning to his feral form. The episode cuts there, right before all hell can break loose in the court of the gods. That’s going to have to come at the conclusion of this flashback next week.
In Summary:
A sweet and simple tragedy of friendships made and lost in an instant. For old fans, this piece of the puzzle is an old tale that’s been retold a few times, but it’s been awhile since I’ve heard it. I’m concerned about how much of this season this flashback in consuming, as we only have limited air time to finish this story up. (I hope they plan on finishing it up even if the manga hasn’t yet.) I’m impatient to get to the new stuff. The animation is still taking some short cuts but the show still looks good despite that.
Episode Grade: B +
Streamed by: Crunchyroll & Funimation
