First Impressions / Grancrest Senki

「進軍」 (Shingun)
“Marching”

This episode is about several things, most chiefly that Margaret and Villar want to fuuuuuck, but they won’t let themselves. How this was conveyed is a microcosm of this series, because it was very good in some ways, but the ball was dropped in all the rest.

First, the good: small, slight movements that show the sexual tension bubbling between the pair . A sigh from Margaret. How she closes her eyes as her fingers slowly rub the stem of the glass. How Villar’s hands move down her arms. That entire dance scene, especially her panting. It’s clear that they’re both into each other, they want to bone, everyone can see it—can smell it. And in a rare move for anime (though not for this type of setting), Theo says that this is the one thing outsiders like them can’t meddle in. The two might lust for each other as clear as day, but our heroes will not interfere.

The not as good: instead of taking this subtlety all the way to the end, instead of having Margaret and Villar talk about something else when the subtext is really about their relationship, or have them go partway (Villar talks about his mom) without outright tying the thread back to the subtext between them, they make it all text. They just talk about their situation, Villar admits to fearing women (which is much more accurate than revering them; dude is scared of relationships, straight up), and they part. It denies us this torturous lack of fulfillment that would align well with the sexual tension—of the two of them wanting this thing, but not allowing themselves to have it, not even allowing themselves to speak it aloud lest their thin veneer of self-control crack. I’d argue that a lack of fulfillment is exactly what was required, even if it would have been frustrating, because then we would feel what they feel. That would have made it more memorable. Instead they just said it all out loud, and Margaret disappears. We’re left wondering what the whole point was.

I said it was a microcosm because it’s a sequence that both shows appreciation and care for the source material, followed by laziness with the same. It’s a half-measure, likely because they’re short on time and money, and dialogue is a cheap and quick way to get to a resolution—even if it’s unearned, and even if a lack of a resolution would have been better. (I have no idea what was in the original, that’s a judgement based solely on what I saw here.) To be honest, time is probably the biggest killer, as always—dis show rushed. At least this one wasn’t as rushed as last episode, though.

The other main conflict of the episode was Theo’s worldview vs that of prince what’shisname. (The interchangable and numerous factions and territories is making it hard to tell them apart.) Though it (once again) wasn’t all that well delineated, the crux appears to be that the prince has resigned himself to the world as it is, while Theo is acting upon his ideals in order to help create the world he wishes existed. It can be summarized in what Theo said—that wherever the prince goes, he will leave a pile of enemy corpses in his wake, though it’s possible that Theo could leave a trail of dead allies in his [wake]. Is it worth it to stand upon ideals if is means that the people whose lives are trusted to you are going to suffer and die? It’s a question that’s been asked throughout history. Not often by actual rulers—traditionally they’ve not given much of a shit about their people, only caring about those who will keep them rich, powerful, and with their heads still connected to their bodies—but philosophers have fun with it. Theo is wrestling with it now.

The rush rears its ugly head again, though, as Theo’s ideals are more inferred than truly understood because the story has never been that interested in letting us spend time really understanding him. Hell, Tigre of Madan no Ou to Vanadis—now there’s a series I bet you haven’t thought about in a while—did a better job of establishing Tigre’s worldview, which is all that kept it from shaking apart amid its own headlong adaptation rush. Grancrest Senki needs to sink some time into Theo before it’s too late.

Also, is individual combatants are so powerful, don’t let them get so damn close to your Crest holder! Jeez. Amateur hour. These lords keep getting taken down in the same way. You’d think they’re new to this world too, the way they’re acting.

Random thoughts:

  • Let’s talk about Villar and his little “25yo and you’re out” rule. As an option for his employees, it’s good. That other lords keep their mages under contract in perpetuity is less than ideal, from an employment perspective (though in this kind of setting, not unusual). But forcing them out regardless of their wishes at 25 is another type of tyranny. Villar does not revere women, and I’m glad he at least admitted that. His fear of a relationship still takes precedent over Margaret’s wishes. He’s still a bastard, even if it’s in a different way, and even if other people are bigger bastards. Which, unfortunately, is too true to life; bastards tend to be loved by fate, and often find themselves in power. Bah.

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20 Comments

  4. Just went to A-suki and came across an interesting post from a Novel-reader. And, unlike a certain regular poster here, I’m gonna credit the individual who shared this information: larethian from Animesuki

    Theo took to the floor because he could tell from the atmosphere that no one would dance after VillarxMargaret dance, which is too perfect and flawless. So he purposely made a fool of himself, made the rest laugh at him and since he’s so bad, the rest could now dance at ease as before that, they were just afraid of looking bad in comparison to Villar. Siluca realized that of course and went along with him. Milzar didn’t know that but was irritated at the stupidity of Theo so he made that snide remark about his talent in clowning himself.

    At least for this episode, they didn’t cut out Villar’s backstory and the emotions between him and Margaret were there. Yes, Villar’s story is interesting. We also get to learn why he’s in the opposite faction of the Kreische family, thanks to his father’s betrayal. Villar sought to live a graceful kind of life that’s beautiful in form. His reputation as the lustful lord was really a false rumor. He really wanted Margaret to continue serving him, but by making an exception, it breaks his way of life. The translator also didn’t knew the context as it wasn’t clear, but Margaret’s birthday had already passed by a few months (or a month?) and Villar pretended to forget so that he could rely on her a bit longer (in case someone finds it contradictory when he said no one knew better than him about how to treasure a woman even though he seemed not to know Margaret’s birthday when he asked her).

    Oby
    Reply

  5. So… They don’t live in the Vampire King’s castle now? Or is it like, a day from Villar’s place? I thought, hoped, was excited for the promised action in the Forest of Eternal Darkness for a while, get some adventure in and spend some time with the twins. You know, build on some characters aside from Theo and Siluca while our knowledge of the world gets expanded. But instead we’re right back into “blah blah whose war is it anyway” after finally getting a reason to care about two whole people at Villar’s place! Oh, wait, one’s gone now… But those other folks are back again! Lets NOT have any kind of reunion before we’re thrown into more fighting. Yup. Actually, hasn’t the crazy nun been somewhere in Villar’s castle all along? I know she likes to vanish until someone needs to be healed or it’s time to stroke Theo’s bone, but seriously, does she live in his shadow?

    Sorry, but poking fun at how absurdly rushed this show feels is the only way I stay remotely interested.

    Aex
    Reply

  6. Some world lore and events from Vol 2, which was left out last ep:

    -Werewolves, witches and vampires have long resided in Artuk’s North forest, they’ve traditionally kept a peace/non-aggression pact with its Lords.

    -Witches are classed as Chaos manipulators; like mages they bend Chaos to perform magic and summoning. Werewolves/vampires are Chaos artists, they put Chaos into their own bodies which grant them fearsome powers like immortality and transformation.

    -Yana the Black Witch is Show Spoiler ▼

    zztop
    Reply

  7. Let’s talk about Villar and his little “25yo and you’re out” rule

    The problem grow bigger, when these “and you are out” have an child with him. Do they are members of his household or more Bastards? So how many male grownprinces are born into his world and are used as paws to get his throne? or do he fear to lose the throne and get rid of his kids?

    The other side of his “medal” is also important.. we just see now his “when they bone already!” playing with the females and we get jealous that we forget about them that grown to old for him.. How old is he anyway?

    So, we get envy of these “used” females, because they had an “Prince” time until they hit 25

    As i said, take France at the time of the Sun king as example.. how many children died because they fought for an throne or where used

    It can be deeper if you look more carefully

    Worldwidedepp
    Reply

    1. or perhaps he use them as some kind of “Virginity” life force status. to display his youth and hide his true age

      something like “virgin” viagra

      But let it slide, the anime surly do not want to taste this side. it just want to entertain. But they should not close her eyes how life and tastes change with time

      Worldwidedepp
      Reply

  9. That was some Long Unresolved Sexual Tension out there…
    Meanwhile the Desert Scorpion really leaves a trail of bodies.
    I sense some strong dark side/chaos vibes from him, though (gathering the “shadows” from fallen enemies to strenghten his crest…) and I do wonder to whom was his remark at the end of castle conquest? Villar?

    As for the Villar and his christmas cake rule, I guess it will stand only as long until some gal decides to challenge him directly and get no “no” for answer… I wished for Margaret to act this way but alas this was not to be.

    ewok40k
    Reply

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