Utawarerumono Episode 6 Discussion / Poll

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Wandering_Youth

Not just medicine but "specific" animal anatomy.

Considering how landlock the village looks. How did grandma show *that to her? Wonder if grandma has collection of *stuff somewhere.

[Onizuka-GTO]

Why do twins have to be the same gender?

I bet one is female the other is male. except the male is kinda gayish. sorry i meant feminine.

[Sorrow-K]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

As much as i like utamarerumono, I feel that fat incompentant rulers are too cliche in anime.

Totally agree. The worst thing about it is that it's pretty much the only major sore point in an anime that has, otherwise, been surprisingly good. Fortunately, as has been said, it looks like they're going to be sidelined (hopefully killed) soon, and, with any amount of luck their replacements will be worthwhile antagonists.

It's not the easiest pill to swallow ever, but I'll accept that it was believable (if only barely) that Benawi didn't kill Hakuoro as soon as he got the upper hand, and that Hakuoro let Benawi's soldiers go when he won the battle, given that they seem to have some sort of interesting rivalry going on, and also given that Benawi eventually mutinied against his ruler. At the time though, they're almost friendly banter on the battlefield did feel a tad... unnatural.

It's an interesting story though.... and there's certainly nothing wrong with the pacing. This is looking up with each episode and looks to be turning into quite an epic. Good stuff.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Angelsama

Its good to see that the series is running at a good speed - even better that its going to be 26 episodes.

You just gotta feel sorry for Eruruu - i wonder when'll get to see her more of her feelings shown for Hakuoro.. it better not be something that goes into a back story. >_>

& i really can't wait to see Benawi kick some serious arse.

yeah... though the epic/legendary stuff is okay, it only really has meaning for me in how it impacts people's relationships: separation, lives cut short, etc. I'm probably going to have a hard time staying fascinated if its going to be fight after fight. In this technology setting, there tended to be a lot of positioning, supply gathering, and downtime. "fight after fight" may be movie-rific but....

[Alu]

Long post ahead :

I found some pretty nice posts above so, I will quoting some and posting some comments bellow regarding the episode.

First of all though, I enjoyed watching this episode very much, this despite the fact that the subs came sooner then expected (/cheer Yesy), but also because it, yet again delivered us good development in the story as how it unfolds.

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

It's an interesting story though.... and there's certainly nothing wrong with the pacing.

I definitly agree.., everything seems to be going VERY well paced; in fact.., currently its one of the strongest aspects that Uta-mono has in his favour.

On this episode we finaly see Benawi stand for his ideals and beliefs.
Benawi seems to be above all a fair person.., whom will always fight for what is truthfully right in befinit of the people.

It was only natural that in due time, thanks to the selfish actions of the emperor he would make his stand; even despite the consequences.

I belive this feeling has always been inside of Benawi.., even though he joined the emperor's army.., I belive he did that in belif that he could bring more peace to the land and more proper justice for the people.

Allas.., the emperor naturaly did not share the same ideals; thus.., Benawi then probably saw in Hakuoro what he had been searching for; or in other words.. a Just man, that even haven chosen to part to war for the freedom of the people is aware of its own consequences and also aware that even in the end he will never forgive himself for taking such actions.

A quote from the previous episode clearly defines Hakuoro very well, he himself said "In the deepest pits of Hell xxxxx exists; and I will eventualy fall there."

Regarding the merchant:

Spoiler:

For having such a prespective.., I guess this intrigued Benawi.., thus the merchant he had sent was clearly to investigate on Hakuoro's personality.

More or less "a test" for Hakuoro by the part of Benawi; leads me to belive that he chose not to kill him during the fight because he was getting pleased with the outcome of what he was seeing in this man.
Pleased enough in fact to as I said, take a stand before the emperor saying his actions where not just.

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

As much as i like utamarerumono, I feel that fat incompentant rulers are too cliche in anime.

Its true.., they are indeed a cliche.., not just in anime.., but in a countless number of stories..; never the less in this case I feel as if they are needed.

The story is only now starting to unfold, thus and in order for it to have a good basic starting ground foundation, it was required an antagonist which wouldn't please the public in general and that due to his selfishness/stupidity commited some act that might trigger the following events.
Such as it happened.

Thus, having served its purpose, we can eliminate him from the story with no regrets.

Also.. judging by the characters we see in the OP.., Uta-mono seems like it has a very good cast of antagonists..; in fact I belive what we will see will be a hierarchy in this aspect. For as when Inkara and his brother where simply emperor&governor of that small land.., there will always be someone more powerfull that is pulling the strings.

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

At the time though, they're almost friendly banter on the battlefield did feel a tad... unnatural.

I have to dissagree on this.., because I have seen this aspect you mencione several times on anime.

It is hard for me to describe, but these are the type of characters that love to battle, to find a worthy oponent is like to test your own skills, see as how far you can reach, and also to give praise to your oponent, for in these times I belive he would feel the same.

So in other words its more or less like a test for each one given by themselves.

Actualy when Orobo and Benawi's friend (I forgot his name) started to battle, they both say they where "pleased to meet again".
"Pleased" as in happy that they could continue they're unfinished test if you know what I mean.

I guess we will be seeing more of this in this anime, which to me is a very good thing.

On a last note though..

Originally Posted by Vexx

yeah... though the epic/legendary stuff is okay, it only really has meaning for me in how it impacts people's relationships: separation, lives cut short, etc.

I think in this episode we did see a very hard impact on the relation between Eruruu and Hakuoro.
I'll have to spoil tag it though :

Spoiler:

Lets start from the begining.., when first Eruruu saved Hakuoro she was very happy to have found him and even more that SHE was able to save him.
As time passed we can realy see that she has grown to him alot, partialy due to his caracter, but we do notice that Eruruu has special feelings for Hakuoro.
I belive in Eruruu's mind nothing would please her more then to spend time with him in a world of peace, but allas.. that is not the case.

As she said so herself in this episode while talking to Yuzuha, when this asked her about him, she then said "He seems too busy now..."

It is a fact.. War is in the heart's of men.., either for good ideals or bad; one of Men's ultimate desire is to fight - while saying this ecchoes of Escaflowne come to mind; never the less I belive it to be the best phrase to describe the path that was chosen.

Thus.., Eruruu currently realised this.. and when she saw Hakuoro returning.. she did not rush to him because.. I belive she saw him in a diferent state.. as in.. the feeling of war is slowly consuming him, taking him away from enjoying calm and serenity.

Which will probably eventualy lead to an interesting development on behalf of Hakuoro.

Thus mostely concludes what I found of good in this episode; the fight scenes where pretty good, altough short; but since that had been mencioned before I thought I'd analise other aspects.

Never the less we have to give credit to the fight scenes, I have not been dissapointed yet with watching one.

Next week:

Spoiler:

On next episode we have Hakuoro vs Benawi
Oh and Nuwangi seems to get captured

Final conclusion : I gave it a 9
Thanks for reading

[Jinsoo]

Originally Posted by Onizuka-GTO

Why do twins have to be the same gender?

I bet one is female the other is male. except the male is kinda gayish. sorry i meant feminine.

Hehe, UKE ;D

Yes, portraying corrupt emporers as fat people is a common sterotype in Asia really. Overcome with greed, wealth, and power(AND FOOD!). They let themselves go

Oh I'm starting to dislike Nuwangi in every episode he appears in >_>; He's so hot headed. GOSH.

Oh and that asassin guy, Shikinaro or whatever, he's silly I like how he says "DESU HAI!" XD

[zalas]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

It seems Erururu recognize it as soon as the peddler bought it out. So what was grandma been teaching her

Since she is essentially going to be the village doctor for the entire area, she would have to know solutions to all sorts of problems people may face, and that does include problems in the bedroom.

[Shiroth]

Alright - if both the twins are guys - howcome the merchant was saying "beauitful females" when they were in the scene?

Ah well, whatever gender they are - they're pretty adorable in my eyes.

[KBTKaiser]

They haven't been established as guys yet. That will probably happen somewhere between eps 9-13 I think.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by KBTKaiser

They haven't been established as guys yet. That will probably happen somewhere between eps 9-13 I think.

Spoiler:

Do you me to show you that they are males?

Remember, this is based of a game.

[Psieye]

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

It's not the easiest pill to swallow ever, but I'll accept that it was believable (if only barely) that Benawi didn't kill Hakuoro as soon as he got the upper hand, and that Hakuoro let Benawi's soldiers go when he won the battle, given that they seem to have some sort of interesting rivalry going on, and also given that Benawi eventually mutinied against his ruler. At the time though, they're almost friendly banter on the battlefield did feel a tad... unnatural.

I find it perfectly believable and like them for being able to do this. Elite Commanders who acknowledge each other and thus who really don't want to rid the world of such good men. To feel the necessity of killing the enemy commander and all his troops in order to defeat them - while pragmatic it shows a lack of skill, honour, confidence and foresight. Such a commander would have a different reputation to Benawi/Hakuoro and in general, would lack the charisma that give their troops so much inspiration. You saw how the soldiers near Benawi were far different to those who died at the frontline - you can't get such Rallying without high Charisma and Honour/Reputation.

One must think beyond the battlefield. Sure you can make it easy to win by playing dirty, ignoring code of honour, committing unnecessary genocide, etc. But what would you be left with after the war? Your deeds will be known to both your own people and the enemy. If Hakuoro chose the Merciless Demon path, then all he'd be doing would be to replace one tyrant with another (himself). What greater good would that do, if the 'new' system is also one dominated by fear and power? Winning isn't all that matters. "The Ends justify the Means" is an irresponsible view of trying to disown all responsibilities after "The End" has been reached - after he successfully leads the rebellion to victory over the Emperor, Hakuoro has to take responsibility and establish a new government somehow.

The opponents will react differently according to the Commander's Reputation/Charisma too. Troop morale, how much mercy they're willing to show if they do defeat you, how willing they are to retreat if things go bad - all these and more are affected.

[Green²]

That merchant really is something. The muikou leaves... If at any point that you really did think he was a spy, you could interpret that as an message... ...an message saying that they are well aware of the resistance buildup, ..with that they are coming. Practically seemed like an "oh shit - wtf" moment for Hakuoro.

And / or even with, with the merchant's access to such goods, could he have at one point been dealing with Tusukuru? Guy's dirty IMO. Good stuff.

[Onizuka-GTO]

fat incompetent ruler = little boss.

I think we wil lbe soon moving up to the mid-level boss
and then evetually the high level cool big bad boss.

cliche? sure. but its based on a game. desu HAI!

[KBTKaiser]

The assassination scene is funnier in the game though.

Aruruu and Mukuru sneak up behind the guy and he's like "I'm just joking. Can you please call off the giant beast?"

Angelsama> BTW, I was the one that clarified that problem in the game Q&A thread. >>;

[Daniel E.]

Originally Posted by Psieye

I find it perfectly believable and like them for being able to do this. Elite Commanders who acknowledge each other and thus who really don't want to rid the world of such good men.

Amen to this.

Benawi didn't kill Hakuoro because deep down inside he admires and respects him a lot. Hakuoro let the soldiers go because the battle was already over.

Certanly a case of Gentleman vs Gentleman.

[Psieye]

Mmm, a general trend has been that such Battlefield Honour and 'Chivalry' died as the ages advanced. Even back when Musket/Rifle warfare was first introduced in Europe, as they were so crude in accuracy units bunched up together and fired in volleys. Officers (who were all educated to speak French) on opposing sides did call out "Please, have the honour of the first shot" "No no, after you my good man". Battles would cease when the sun went down and each army would go back and get some sleep - to return to the exact same positions the next morning to continue fighting.


Modern warfare? "If it's seen, it's dead no matter how well armoured it is" - any idiot (on foot or in a ground vehicle) who doesn't hug cover and advance cautiously gets sniped or blown up. On Open Terrain, you don't see lines of people coming towards each other - Transport/Mobility and Accuracy/Range/Rate_of_Fire/Area_of_Effect have improved so much that the fight would start before you can see each other with the naked eye. Any concentrated group of people out in the open would be targeted by artillery (Artillery/Tank Guns, Air Bombing or Cruise Missile).

Given how even the soldiers are unlikely to see each other's faces, how improbable it is for Generals to be looking at each other. Thus, it's that much harder to have Honour on the battlefield when all you see are blips on an electronic map or something.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by KBTKaiser

Angelsama> BTW, I was the one that clarified that problem in the game Q&A thread. >>;

Do you want a medal or something?

[Daniel E.]

Originally Posted by Psieye

Mmm, a general trend has been that such Battlefield Honour and 'Chivalry' died as the ages advanced. Even back when Musket/Rifle warfare was first introduced in Europe, as they were so crude in accuracy units bunched up together and fired in volleys. Officers (who were all educated to speak French) on opposing sides did call out "Please, have the honour of the first shot" "No no, after you my good man". Battles would cease when the sun went down and each army would go back and get some sleep - to return to the exact same positions the next morning to continue fighting.

This kinda reminded me of how Last Exile started; Where they actually made signs and take turns to kill one another.

[KBTKaiser]

Originally Posted by Angelsama

Do you want a medal or something?

No, just saying. Considering how many times the question's come up now...

[thundrakkon]

Originally Posted by Angelsama

You just gotta feel sorry for Eruruu - i wonder when'll get to see her more of her feelings shown for Hakuoro.. it better not be something that goes into a back story. >_>

A side note from all the killing and battles going on, I would definitely like to see more of their relationship develop. It certainly adds to the story.

That said, I would feel sorry for Aruruu in a way. I mean, so if her sister hooks up with her "father," then what does she call her sister? Or, in another perspective, if her father marries her sister, does her father become her brother?

I am sure she doesn't mind either way, but still....