For everyone who has yet to watch this episode: close this window, don’t look at spoilers, wait for the subs to release and watch this episode. It’s one of those episodes you don’t want to get spoiled about. This line of text is there to prevent these spoilers from showing up at the various blog aggregators.
I’m utterly astonished at this episode. It was such a powerful proverbial kick in the groin that it gives the entire story an entire new direction. Show for kids? Charming story about a young woman and her trusty Beast King? Hah! Think again! This episode more than anything showed the mature and downright brutal nature of this series. I’m completely amazed at how far this episode went, and it’s also the episode of this series that has made the most impact on me.
After the death of the queen, you’d expect a slow-paced battle between Erin, as she tries to keep Lilan out of Damya’s clutches. That was Erin’s plan too, but here Lilan comes, attacks the royal guard, kills one of these people AND BITES OFF THREE OF ERIN’S FINGERS! Holy crap. It’s this series’ way of saying: don’t mess with beasts. They’re dangerous. It completely nullifies Erin’s wishes to be a beast player without the use of a mute whistle: this episode was a really hard lesson for her to never underestimate the power of these things.
Also, what’s going to happen next? I originally thought that the final episodes of this series would focus on the upcoming war, but this episode really changes everything. Erin doesn’t run away like a coward, but she has to bear the responsibility for killing one soldier, and injuring another. Lilan… I have no idea what’s going to happen to her. Common sense dictates that she’s simply going to have to be executed, but is everything really going to end that simple? After all, Erin was the one who proved the theory wrong that only the queen could control the beast kings, he might have some plans for her.
Is there really not going to be some sort of second season?
Rating: **** (Fantastic)
You’re definitely right. I just watched this over the web a while back and it really shocked me. The series took a huge turn over anything that I was expecting to say the least.
Although there were hints of the brutal nature of this series, I never thought they’d bring it out to full force like they did in this episode. Honestly, this episode served its purpose well. At least now, we’re sure that the remaining episodes will most definitely be worth watching.
Of course, I do wonder how the writers will wrap this series up. Considering the entire series is based on the first two books, which I unfortunately don’t have a copy of, I honestly hope that they do not disappoint and continue to exceed expectations as they have done so to this point. 🙂
Actually I don’t think either of the guys died, you see one plus the head Beast Master standing when Erin is apologizing and she appears to be apologizing to a well bandaged person in bed. I thought Lilian had killed him too at first but it doesn’t look like it.
And I suspect that the story is going to end with the Tohda and Ohju battle and Erin playing a big part of it. She could make the Ohju bow to the Shin-Oh and then have things continue as they were. But she can also refuse to make them bow and have the Shin-Oh and Grand Duke enter the alliance, but I suspect that Demiyah is going to try his hardest to keep this from happening.
I thought that one guy was killed, too. He was wrapped up like a mummy when Erin was apologizing, with even his eyes, nose and mouth covered.
Last week, someone posted what were purported to be spoilers for the third and fourth books, and from what I saw, a second season wouldn’t be much fun. I’ve heard that the first two books (i.e. this season) does end well, although I don’t know any details.
Definitely a brutal episode. Erin doesn’t seem as distressed at losing three fingers as I think a normal person would be. I wonder where they are going to take the final 7 episodes. My predictions are still towards some final epic war.
Yeah,the above posters are right,none of the beast catchers died.Hope you catched why Lilan attacked them,cause it adds some reasoning to Lilan sudden aggressive attitude.
@A Random Guy,please point me to the spoilers,I’m very curious about the two other books :3
my favorite episode in the anime so far
@c160
The first two books came out a few years back in 2006. The latter two books came out only in August 2009. From what my friend who has the books (all four, I seriously need to borrow those once he’s done), the first two books wrap up the series quite well albeit, he gave no further details. The only spoiler he gave me was that Erin is sure to survive since the latter two books continue her life (i.e. when she’s 24~29).
I posted once before but if your looking for what happened in the last 2 novels here is the link to a summary
http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=49710
Just a quick answer to the comment abut Erin’s fingers and how she doesn’t seem all that distressed. Erin might believe that loosing her fingers is some sort of divine retribution for using the whistle on Lilan and that is why it seems like she accepted that fact.