Mushibugyo Episode 10
What They Say:
“Kuroageha Arrives”
Content: (please note that the content portion of a review may contain spoilers)
Just like last time, this episode packs in a lot of fighting. We start off as Koikawa faces down Mugai (sort of) as he tries to figure out who might have killed his mother. And when he does root out the murderer, he gets a final bloody battle to a rousing guitar solo. Jinbei gets quite a bit of action, too, though he’s sorely unmatched, determined as he is to fight off the Insect Hunters and defend the girl even as he’s getting his butt handed to him.
The big battle comes when the Magistrate finally unleashes her full power, emitting so much poison that her hair turns a deep purple and she grows a pair of enormous wings, gaining her the name Kuroageha (or black butterfly). This seems like a dues ex machina move she’s making, as she blows apart the house and causes the Insect Hunters to back off, but we quickly discover that this is the moment they’ve been waiting for as they unleash their own secret weapon, a blade that — even though it’s not explained where it comes from or why its powerful — has the ability to seal off her power and leave her vulnerable.
Despite all the action, the episode takes some unnecessary turns that make it seem slow. Koikawa’s initial fight with Mugai is a waste, as he really doesn’t think Mugai killed his mother, so it doesn’t accomplish more than letting the masked man get away. And the Magistrate continues to dwell on Jinbei, worrying about his motives and her inability to stop thinking about him, even while they’re still staring down the men trying to murder her. We get a moment of backstory on the Magistrate, as she laments her powers (she can’t touch anything with her bare skin without killing it) and simmers over the fearful, manipulative treatment she receives from the men who put her in the position of Magistrate. This is all great information that we need, but it’s poorly placed, adversely affecting the adrenaline of the the show.
In Summary
Other fights from last episode have been interrupted, but as the group runs away and splits up, it looks like they’ll take up again right where they left off. Even Kotori, the soft spoken leader, may get a moment to shine as he is split off entirely. As for Jinbei, he once again does little else besides boost other’s spirits, giving the Magistrate the feeling that she’s human again, and actually has to be rescued by Mugai and the others before everyone can make their escape. But something strange, and a little creepy, seems to have happened to him when exposed to the Magistrate’s poison, and next episode may have him finally contributing to the action and being the show’s hero.
Grade: C+
Streamed by: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment:
13″ Apple Macbook set to 720p
0 comments:
Post a Comment