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「綿裏包針」 (Mennrihoushin)
“A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing”
It’s always nice to get some backstory on characters both new and old.
Looking At The Past
With the story rapidly advancing toward the second act, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying all the flashbacks and character development that has led to this current point in the story. Getting to see all the major players’ pasts and how it affects them in the present, it’s done a fantastic job at getting my attention back onto the main story while creating a bond toward certain characters where I felt nothing before.
Starting with the oldest pair, it was really cool to see that Tatsuma and Fujimoto shared a short but close bond. As members of the same “society” when it comes to demons and “magic”, it was rather interesting to see the stark difference between the Myoda Sect and the Order. And even though it became painfully obvious why it felt like the Myoda Sect was stuck in the past (something we’ll talk about in a second), it didn’t make it any less interesting when it felt like it was tradition versus modern practices.
That said, who would have thought the Myoda Sect was protected by a deity that gained its powers from lies and mistrust? Then again, after seeing just how terrible the Impure King was, I guess some lies every now and then isn’t that big of a price to pay to keep something like that at bay. Still, who would have guessed that the majestic Phoenix would be powered by such things?
Mamushi
Boy, even though we all saw it coming, it still really sucked to see Mamushi get used in such a wicked way. Luckily, it’s situations like these that make for the most lovable of characters and with how the story presented it, her path to redemption is all but set. From reinforcing the notion that she’d do all of this to protect the ones she loves to the realization that she went about it in the absolute worst way, I can’t wait to see just what she does from here on out.
Looking Ahead
With the action ramping up and all hell about to break loose, it looks like we’re in for some epic moments soon. On one hand you have the Impure King that’s about to break out and wreak terror on the area and on the other you have Toudou who’s been playing a completely different game this entire time. While it remains to be seen which one of these situations the story is going to deal with, I’m really hoping Rin gets to do it with the former since out of all the ways to see a character die, watching them get stabbed through the throat from behind is probably one of the worst.
Anyways, I’ll catch you guys then. See you!
Preview
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BALDIE! NO!
Quite a story and interesting that you carry the impure eye in your eye socket but still keep your normal eye.
@RedRocket: Yeah, I don’t know how the whole put in evil eye but keep normal eye works either. Also, it makes sense that Toudou could insert the eye, but Mamushi should be dead given how toxic the miasma is just from minimal contact let alone putting the source in your head.
Definitely a lot going on with a plot with in a plot (so to speak). Toudou’s after power, not just to release the impure king. Considering that guy didn’t die when the building collapsed, not sure he needs another powerup, but he’s going to be even tougher to take down now. Story’s definitely kicking into gear. 😀
The flashbacks/backstory were nice, but also that’s a lot of flashbacks for one episode. Felt a bit disjointed at times as we switch back and forth between “now” and “back then”. Needed to get the information out, so not sure how to change the approach for the better. Parceling it out over more time might bog things down. I do like the details of the older generation. Makes the world seem more connected and there is a shared history between the Myoda Sect and the Order.
Hmm… Still wish there was a bit more to Mamushi’s story, especially since she has fond memories of Tatsuma. Maybe it works for others, but she just seems a bit too plot convenient gullible here to just straight up do what ever Toudou says without question. Eh, whatever. Gets us from point A to point B I suppose.
—“That said, who would have thought the Myoda Sect was protected by a deity that gained its powers from lies and mistrust?”
Perhaps memory fail on my part, but having read the manga, the “gaining power through lies and mistrust” was new to me. I thought it was having to keep secrets which is not necessarily the same thing. More secrets = greater bond/power. TL issue? Anime change? Memory fail on my part? Curious as to what other manga readers thought about that.
… wasn’t this anime about some school kids or som’n?
@starss: The focus is on Rin who ends up attending exorcist school, but the overall story is broader than just that.
Just to be clear, it’s not all about Rin of course. Anyway, school is just one setting in the story.