I.D. Analysis – 2nd episode of Seirei no Moribito and Kaze no Shoujo Emily

Hey all, it’s me with a short announcement. I have fully updated my list for the Spring Blogging list. I currently have five series on my radar but they might always run the risk of being dropped. Still, they are rather firm choices I am seeking to move on. So cheers and I hope you like my choices and join in my little discussions…

Signed, Impz

These two series seem to do pretty well, even though both of them are mostly overlooked by fansubbers for one reason or the another. Nevertheless, they are both competent series that should be given a look for excelling in the genre that they are in, with great production values in terms of graphics for Seirei no Moribito and great storytelling for Kaze no Shoujo Emily.

It’s time once again to bring you the summarized proceedings, as well as a little of my humble thoughts in the series. And some rather not humble thoughts for the fun of it.

Seirei no Moribito Episode 2

Summary in a chunk

Barsa and Chagum fled from the palace in a midst of huge flames from the burning imperial palace, and Barsa told Chagum that he, as the prince, does not exist after today. She also told Chagum to take good care of the gift given by his mother. The Imperial Stargazer Shuga watches the blaze from afar as Gakai acknowledged that it was the third attempt on Chagum’s life. After Chagum was dozing in his sleep, Barsa offered to piggyback him and told him it was a common practice among the commoners for a mother to carry their child that way.

Shuga approached the Seidoushi, which tried to deny the assassination attempt before letting him into the secret that it was in fact granted by the king. The Seidoushi knew that the second queen was hiring Barsa to protect Chagum and there was indeed a spirit within. With that, the Seidoushi concluded that the spirit was the legendary water spirit and warned Shuga that knowing too much about politics was a path that he could not return. He then explained that in the history books, the first king had slain a water spirit within a child and became a ruler. Even though it was ridiculous, the king wanted to kill Chagum so that he could secure his throne, even though he was hurt emotionally for killing his own child for it.

Barsa finally reached Toya and Saya’s hut, as she instructed Toya to buy some goods. Barsa hid the jewels for future use, as well as doing maintenance on her spear when she saw a bright glow around Chagum. As she shook his body, he awoken and the glow disappeared, and Chagum asked if he said anything funny and said that he wanted to live. Barsa said she would protect him but he said it felt that way ever since that thing in him appeared. Toya was also interrupted by someone with a brimmed headgear as he escaped after the person pressed about information of Toya burning necessities for a long trip.

As Toya informed her, Barsa passed him a gold bar and told them to move, as it was dangerous. On the road, Chagum stubbornly refused to be carried with the huge weight, and Barsa said he was not like a prince and he had pride. However, she acknowledged that it was going to be hard without a horse. There were also two moons appearing. Suddenly, she could sense that there were pursuers as she told Chagum to run as men similar to that brimmed headgear man that talked to Toya appeared, rushing forward as a battle looked eminent.

Thoughts

This is perhaps the first time that I have found a second episode having a higher graphical quality compared to the first, and that is considering the fact that the first episode of Seirei no Moribito literally blew me away with its graphical excellence in design and background color and scenery. It is perhaps its strongest point to drive, considering that the plot though good, is not as strong compared to some of the most moral disturbing and complicated plots in the spring season anime.

More about the minus side of the anime later, it’s time to give them a slap on the back for giving such a high standard among a really quality abundant season. To me, the scene at the end of the episode with the rice fields is one of the best animation of a beautiful rural background for ages, and I was replaying that scene two or three times to absorb the amount of detail captured only by another well known animation company known as Kyoto Animation. The dramatic headgear throwing was a tad excessive though, and it feels so cliche.

I found that Seirei no Moribito is one of the top shows this season and rightly so for its excellent portrayal of Barsa as a multi-faceted character with a past that begs for answers, as well as an endearing character amidst her role as a bodyguard. She is definitely extremely likable, and it’s apparent when she carries the young prince like a mother, treated him like how a parent would to a child when she talks, and yet is still calculative and plans ahead with the groceries as well as a good judgment of friends with Toya. It’s always a good show when you find the main character compelling because you can feel for her/him. For now, the blemish is that I have little impression over Chagum.

In all, I do want to know a little bit about the tale of the water spirit, which I believe that it will be told in due time. Next episode seems to be a fight that Barsa might be outmatched, and I do wonder what happens as she looks battered.

Kaze no Shoujo Emily Episode 2

Summary in a chunk

Emily broke the vase and Elizabeth noted the cat was there, only for Jimmy to jump in and say that he had brought the cat home. He told Elizabeth that there was a rat problem and used the cat, and promised that it would stay out of the main house. With that, Elizabeth simply asked Emily to get ready for dinner. Perry helped to clean up the broken vase and said Emily was courageous to talk back to Elizabeth. As they had their meal, Elizabeth told Emily the roles she had to do such as letting the cows free, helping with after meal cleaning. Emily also wondered why they were still using candles, but Jimmy said it was part of the Murray tradition.

Elizabeth also informed Emily that she would be sleeping with her. Emily was uncomfortable, and asked Elizabeth about her mother’s room, but Elizabeth was avoiding the issue and said that no one entered and told her to sleep. The next day, Emily overslept, and Elizabeth was forcing her to get rid of her pigtails, only for Emily to insist that it was something that her mother and father upheld. Elizabeth said it was the pride of the Murrays to be prim and proper. Emily was then locked inside a dark scary room, and was asked to repent in the room. She hated the Murrays and wanted to return home. Emily tried to escape from the window through a huge tree, only to be caught by Jimmy and Perry.

Jimmy and Perry brought her first to the butter factory where they made her own butter, which fascinated her. Then, Jimmy brought her to his very own garden, where she could feel the imagery of the trees being nymphs and princesses, while the wind aunt appeared as well. It was almost like a garden paradise and Emily was surprised how Jimmy could see the imagery too. As they went up, Emily found a site with tombs, as Jimmy explained that it was the place for the Murrays. Hugh Murray was the head and he had brought up this barren land into a rich field. Mary Murray was Jimmy’s mother, and when she had a contagious flu then, Elizabeth allowed her in and nursed her back to health, never ostracizing her in fear of being inflicted.

Jimmy said that was the pride of the Murray, where they never feared pain or trouble, but moved on with grit. Perry informed Emily that Elizabeth had returned home, as she rushed back. When Elizabeth entered the room, Emily admitted she escaped and was willing to face punishment. Elizabeth said her punishment would be for her hair to be cut. As Elizabeth was about to cut her hair, Emily said that she could do it but her pride and view will never change on it. Elizabeth could feel the pride of the Murray blood in Emily, and decided against cutting. Finally, they allowed Emily to go to school, but on some really old fashioned clothes. It was clear that the students did not like the high handed family and a blond threw Emily’s book down, telling her to get lost.

Thoughts

I really like this mellow series quite a bit. Personally, I like Jimmy as a character because he is such a casual person that helps to save Emily with his glib tongue, even against someone as harsh as Elizabeth. I find myself liking Jimmy, even though he feels rather simpleton in most situations currently. Still, I really like the part where he joined Emily in the imagery of the nymphs and princesses from the view of the trees, and I found myself absorbed at the youthful innocence.

If anyone of you can look over the character design, Emily is clearly another strong lead, with her determination and drive to follow her own will at things, just like how the first Murray of the house, followed his own will due to the pride of the family to carry on in situations of despair and uncertainty. I also enjoy the moment where Elizabeth’s harsh stance was cooled after seeing the determination in Emily’s eyes. The eventual hug and thanking of Elizabeth for not cutting her hair is also rather cute as Elizabeth looked stunned from the affection given to her. She is probably not used to hugs.

I do wonder a bit about Perry though. He seems quite interesting and I want to know about his origins from being a stable hand in the family. I want to know who picked him and there seems to be a bit of a disdain by Elizabeth for his position. I guess being a hand of sorts is considered to be degrading and it’s probably something that Elizabeth, the head of a high class group, will do. I also wonder about the blond that shoved Emily’s books away. Why is there such an unstated anger and hatred for Emily even before talking to her. The answer will probably be revealed in the next episode.