September 11th, 2004
Our team reaches Noroi-jima, but almost gets trapped by the rising tide until Urabe comes through once again. The team splits into two, and while Tsuna and Sadamitsu distract the guards Urabe and Hikaru infiltrate the pirate’s camp to retrieve the magatama. They find the same strange drink that the Tsuchigumo had in storage and link it back to the mysterious Shuten Doji, but Urabe is captured when Hikaru gets the magatama. The surprising truth of what happened to Ayatake is revealed with deadly consequences, and even the forces of nature conspire against our heroes.
Have we met the woman that Seimei gives the mysterious message to already, or was that the first time she showed up? Looks like Seimei really is up to something rather sinister. And who exactly is Shuten Doji? It seems that there’s an annoying brat turning up in the next episode, which could dampen my enthusiasm for Otogizoushi (at least I’ve got half way through without hating it!) but also more Mansairaku, which is definitely a good thing.
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September 6th, 2004
The woman from the end of the last episode introduces herself as Urabe, and leads Hikaru and co. to their next destination. Thanks to her cunning they infiltrate a village to gain passage to Noroi-jima in search of the water magatama. Urabe comes through yet again when they need to steal a boat, but her methods are sloppy and cause problems for the group. Hikaru’s forgiving nature wins through, however, and eventually Urabe guides them all towards Noroi-jima.
Is Otogizoushi scheduled for 13 or 26 episodes? It seems that the group will soon have the water magatama, leaving only the fire to collect - and I find it doubtful it can be strung out for too long. One assumes that the “corruption in the Capital” storyline will carry it further. Anyway, Urabe is a great addition to the cast with her wry sense of humour and mysterious ways, and nicely deflates the pompous Tsuna and inept Sadamitsu. Plus we got Samurai In Drag for at least the second time this year (although not quite as funny as Jin with a shamisen!) which is always comedy gold. I hope Media Blasters gets a shift on with the DVD release (given that they’ve got the first volume of Shura no Toki coming out in the next couple of months and Gokusen soon I don’t think that’ll be a problem) because I definitely see Otogizoushi as a keeper.
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September 6th, 2004
Hikaru bonds with Mansairaku when they perform together one evening, but her peace and quiet is disturbed when they are mistaken for a demon at Rashou Gate, which is in fact only a rumour spread by Abe no Seimei on the orders of the Minister of the Right. A further misunderstanding between Mansairaku and Tsuna leads to a dramatic encounter, but more is still to come for Hikaru when she discovers that there are two further magatama to find - and this time, there will be someone else to help them.
I can’t quite get a handle on Abe no Seimei. Is he good or evil? While he appears to be collaborating with bothe the Minister for the Left and for the Right, his speech in the first episode to Matsumushi suggests he’s as concerned about the state of the city as Hikaru and co - and the Minister for the Left seems the only clear-cut villain thus far, what with poisoning the water and plotting around the Gate for some reason (which I assume will get cleared up again later in the series).
Otogizoushi is another show with a strong ensemble cast, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this new female addition to Hikaru’s crew adds to the dynamic (and if Mansairaku will ever join them). On to find the next magatama!
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September 5th, 2004
Hikaru and co. enter the lair of the Tsuchigumo. Sadamitsu rescues a woman, Kuzume, from captivity, who guides the group to the inner sanctum of the Tsuchigumo. After squabbling over a plan of attack, Hikaru eventually decides on using Tsuna as bait while she and Sadamitsu sneak in to get the magatama. After they defeat Hoshikuma, the leader of the Tsuchigumo, Kuzume reveals her true role and the magatama is safely retrieved. However, things don’t turn out quite as Hikaru might have hoped…
One magatama down, but where will this turn of events take Hikaru? One can assume she’ll carry on adventuring, since we’re only 3 episodes in, but I do wonder whether she’ll keep up the subterfuge of being Raikou any longer, especially since Tsuna is already aware of it.
While I do love the stylised backgrounds, I disapprove of the cheap, 80’s-shounen-style trick Production IG pulled in the Hoshikuma fight of using dramatic stills. Mainly because it looked like a pretty cool fight, admittedly, but I guess they’re making up for the budget they blew on the first episode.
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September 4th, 2004
Hikaru and Tsuna head into a village to rest after defeating their Tsuchigumo attackers. After a rather eventful meeting with Usui no Sadamitsu, a playboy with an attitude, they talk with the village elder, who asks them not to disturb the arrangement the village has with the Tsuchigumo. An assassin unsuccessfully makes an attempt on Hikaru’s life, and the evidence points to Sadamitsu’s involvement - however, it turns out that he’s not responsible. In order to prove how serious she is about getting the magatama back, Hikaru faces off against Sadamitsu, who yields to her sheer force of will. He reveals that the Tsuchigumo not only take food from the village, but women - and the villagers are collaborating with them. Despite his reservations, Sadamitsu ends up joining Hikaru’s team in the nick of time, and they journey on to the lair of the Tsuchigumo.
Today I’ve also watched the latest DVD of Twelve Kingdoms, and it’s apparent that they have a very similar feel - the attention to period detail, the foreshadowing, the predominantly dramatic nature interspersed with high quality action sequences, strong lead female characters etc. etc. I think that’s probably why I’m enjoying the series so much, frankly. These 22 minutes just flew by despite not much happening and I’m really looking forward to finding out what’s happening in the capital and the part Abe no Seimei will play in the straightforward magatama questing that forms the main plotline.
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