“Edible Herbs and the Oni’s Dwelling”
What They Say:
The world is rules by a diversity of inhuman beings, who persecuted humans and drove them to near-extinction. One day, the forest guardian Golem meets a human girl. This is a chronicle of a journey that would bind a member of the dying “human” clan to the forest guardian Golem, as father and daughter.
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
As Somali stirs from sleep, she is greeted by a beautiful sunrise, prompting Father and child to prepare breakfast for the hungry human. After greedily diving into her delicious fish, the Guardian prompts not to eat so fast but her response is she cannot help it since it tastes so good, to which it answers he would not know such a thing since he cannot feel happy or taste, allowing Somali state that is the saddest thing she has ever heard. It is then when they have some unexpected guests prompted by the smell of food – a pair of horned rabbits, allowing the girl to play around as Golem asks directions to the nearest town. However in her overzealous effort to halt one from stealing an edible mushroom, she trips and falls, in the processing scrapping a knee that does not stop bleeding even after cleaning. It is only then does she begin to complain about the pain, which only moments earlier she bravely stated it did not hurt, all as she admonishes Father not to treat her like an object but as a person.
As the event begins to escalate, a small humanoid casually walks into their camp, mischievously asking if anyone needs medicine. Seeing their plight the dwarf oni named Shizuno begins his administrations, taking a small vial from a hidden pocket and asks the young girl to be brave since the ointment will sting after application. The bleeding immediately stops, but he warns it would be best to get the wound treated, volunteering his home nearby. However as he allows his guests to step inside, both father and daughter are assaulted by a barrage of fruit from an angry man inside, assistant of the medicine maker by name of Yabashira. Although he was aiming at his master for not cleaning up, the apologetic man excuses himself and asks for forgiveness, afterward allowing Shizuno to complete his first aid to the wounded child. Seeing this marvelous procedure, Golem asks if the oni could teach how to make these tinctures, to which he says yes … but only for price.
In Summary:
After developing the relationship between Somali and Golem, this episode helps to reveal the truth of his obligation to the human child, giving us our first taste of the bittersweet tone that underlies the show. Although Father may be taking care of his daughter, he does not fully comprehend the depth of emotions and it is this absence which makes his interaction feel cold at times and almost comical due to this lack of understanding. However as the grim reality of the Forest Guardian’s existence is revealed, one cannot but share his plight for who may never recognize how he effects everyone, even as the adorable nature of Somali is nurtured by his stolid care.
Grade: A+
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
