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「国王の帰還」 (Kokuou no Kikan)
“The Queen’s Return”
I knew the cult people would end up being drawn in by the chupacabra! It was an odd way to end the last episode, but it’s cleared up very quickly by placing the Cryptids cult in the center of their B&B plans for Manoyama. Sakura Quest‘s approach to foreign language is interesting since many of the Cryptid members use pretty decent Spanish, and Sandal’s voice actor Vinay Murthy speaks fluent English. Some of the Cryptid members, however, speak with a heavy accent over their English, which is shown at its thickest as members argue over sushi and sukiyaki. The English isn’t too consistent with the stellar dub voices they got for the anime, but it was cool to follow people who were genuinely interested in what the town offered even with their eyes being drawn to the supernatural.
It also introduced Lucia, one of the Spanish members who speaks with a Latin American accent and travels the world. For a character who might not stick around too much, Lucia builds a meaningful connection with Ririko in this episode. Her desire to travel around the world, and her photos highlighting everywhere she’s been are a major contrast to the women of the Tourism Agency as they are either bound to their hometowns or have only traveled to other prefectures. Lucia’s travels offer the most significant development for Ririko though with her adventures inspiring Ririko to start considering what life is like outside of Manoyama.
This also feeds into what appears to be the theme of the second half; residence. The first cour had the women question their identity as they try to figure out if working for Manoyama was something they wanted to do, or if they missed a better opportunity somewhere along the way. Starting with the last episode, there is much more contemplation on what it means to settle or travel. If a house is really a home, as Luther Vandross once pondered. Although Yoshino has her parents as an example of how one can build a home away from their hometown, Ririko has been stationary most of her life. Lucia’s excitement over her travel diary planted the seed in her head to consider traveling, but I can see Chitose trying to hold her back to protect her from the outside world. It is great that Sakura Quest is digging deeper into this theme by giving Ririko more to consider. Of the residents that live in Manoyama, Ririko has been the most curious about finding new discoveries, so she’d be the best candidate for looking from the perspective of one of the Tourism Agency girls who is just starting to become fascinated with moving beyond Manoyama to maybe consider traveling the world.
The latest episode hints at a much deeper, darker secret lingering in Kadota’s past. Whatever’s lingering under the draining river is about to be uncovered, and Kadota is hellbent on getting rid of it, even if it means almost drowning. From the preview images and the conversation the agency’s guys had alluding to his past river experiment, the next episode is looking to have quite the bombshell about what he tried to bury underneath the river for Chupakabura.
Preview
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https://randomc.net/image/Sakura%20Quest/Sakura%20Quest%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2036.jpg
After all girls’ story arc now we move to mystery genre.
https://randomc.net/image/Sakura%20Quest/Sakura%20Quest%20-%2015%20-%20Large%2027.jpg
Now I’d like to know the place that has similar looks as Tokyo Ghoul’s opening.
The show surprisingly does the mystery and suspense genres well.
I’m also curious about this body of water, and how she was able to get such a nice picturesque photo of herself in mid-air without it being blurry.
I’m thinking that’s a visit to a salt flat lake in Lucia’s picture. Plenty of pictures can be found online and I really want to see one myself someday.
Yeah, always love seeing pictures from that place.
IS it the Loch NEss Monster?
The wood shape looks like Nessy, but it’s probably an ode to chupacabra
Not sure how accurate is the English of those Spanish girls since I don’t really know what a Spanish accent is like. But I think the way those Singles Club members speak English is pretty accurate, in how some Japanese actually speak it that is. Well, they may not have to act for that though. So, I think it was okay. Language wise, I wished we got translations on the Spanish. Wondered what hey were saying a few times.
I think whatever that thing is that Kadota doesn’t want seen is something that is shoddily built. Don’t think he’d react that badly for an idea. Speaking of Kadota, he sure looks drunk for most of the episode.
They were great voices, but I’m just spoiled by how well Sandal’s VA could slip between English and Japanese so easily. I do wish they had the Spanish translated though as I know very little of it, but I guess the broadcast didn’t have subtitles up for either of the foreign languages, so I understand why the show would be comfortable with the viewers not being as familiar with said languages.
Kadota’s hidden shame most likely was a failed experiment that he tried to build at one point in time with poor results. I’m just unsure of whether it’s something he tried to make in the water, or if he dumped it in the river out of shame.
omg what could that monster be!? This episode became a horror/suspense show xD
The incoming conflict between Ririko and Chitose won’t be pretty, since what Ririko has in mind, was what her mother, and soon her father (Chitose’s son) did and left her there.