Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Senyaku – 02
Once more, into the breech!
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Well it looks like they are busy fanning away a great deal of the smoke that billowed out of the last episode. So, does this show have what it takes to recover? |
The Child of Contract
It’s good to be the King?
Ibuki is more than just a temporal king, he is the inheritor of a vast amount of spiritual power and responsibility in the form of the Red Dragon. It was probably glanced over, like so many details were during the first episode, but Nil Kamui is the center of worldwide political intrigue, much of this having to do with it being the focal point of the world’s lines of magical energies, and how much of that power the Red Dragon can command. But given what this beast demands in return, it’s looking like the definition of Pyrrhic Victory is taking shape sacrifice by sacrifice.
I felt that this episode opened the exact way it needed to. It went back into all the exposition threads it weaved the past episode, and did some much needed untangling. It also did a good job of revealing, in minor touches, who the players were, and what they stood to gain in playing the game. Every time one of the other major character’s appeared on screen, we got a bit of mood, background, and some character development. They didn’t lay all the cards out, as it is too early for that. Instead we are able to perceive some signal versus all of last episode’s noise. But then they do introduce four new characters with no names and shadowy motivations. So, yeah, more noise, I guess?
Some much needed discussion with Kai, not that it did much good…
First a heart to heart between Eiha and Kai reveals that Mashiro really did willingly make a sacrifice. It was her duty as a shrine maiden. That’s a hard pill to swallow yes, but seemingly necessary. Also, Ibuki was manipulated by Nil Kamuii’s provisional government to take up his title and duties. This looks like road paving to Hell. That seems to be the order of the day in this country. But in this we become aware that the composition of the war, and the rivalries aren’t exactly what they seem at first glance. D’natia seems to have more invested that just protecting themselves against Kouran’s expansionism. Kouran itself looks to want to contain or even control the Red Dragon, the Expedition, with the help from the other two. And thanks to a new, proper, introduction, it looks like even that alliance has a splinter faction.
So, he’s a little bit brash
Swarou Kratsvari (created by Kinoko Nasu) is from D’natia and is one of that nations rare and celebrated Black Dragon Knights. He looks like he is part of the splinter faction, or wants to start it with Ibuki’s blessing? I have to give props to his attendent Meryl for being both a high class lady, and not letting Swarou act out of his station. But he doesn’t very much care for what his nation did to Nil Kamuii after Kouran invaded. From him we learn that that nation’s representative is at large, to be introduced by the episodes end. Seems these representatives have are quite taken by the new, young, king.
He’s also cured with awesome. Good looks, Unlimited Blade Works, and a hot attendant. Perfect Nasu!
Suddenly, an attack…
She’s soooooo evil…..
So, Benizuru’s forces are still at large, and before her reinforcements arrive, she attacks the town and orphanage after getting a tip from the friendly stall holders featured last episode, that is where Ibuki has his ties. The revolutionaries find this out in due course, and then it’s one big “off screen battle”? I’m still scratching my head over her character and her place. It’s a nice, interesting design, just so poorly implemented most of the time. She’s also the designated carrier of the Villain Ball, so I guess it was nice knowing her? That kid we saw her with last episode? Her magic ate him and made him into a shield and a post-mortem Ibuki-bomb. Good save Ro!
I think we all knew Kai tripped his death flag towards the beginning, right?
But it’s all set up for Ibuki’s next challenge and potential sacrifice. Again, the show isn’t doing itself any favors. I could follow the combat a little better, but it quickly became a tangle of weightless characters and barely controlled chaos. Which is a shame, as that featured Eiha, and I want to see more of her in a better light. When the chips were down in the orphanage, it became clearer. It seems that the Red Dragon is, shall we say, ruthless in how he interprets sacrifice. So, when Ibuki fails to protect Kai during a moment of heated, are we friends, discussion, Benizuru attacks and kills the poor orphan. So, that means, that as a new king, Ibuki didn’t protect him, and thus sacrificed him. I’ll be charitable here, and say the Red Dragon is just very anxious…But it works, and that means the Villain Ball is punctured!
Ro is gonna Urobutcher him….or get Urobutchered!
From there it was pretty much meeting Ro, the possible splinter faction rep from Kouran, and her magic talking backpack of soul eating! Again, nice job on the MC save. Try not to eat him all in one go! Not only that, we have Ibuki making his first kingly decision. That’s making sure the jerk that betrayed him last episode stay far away from him. I guess the guy is good enough to guard orphans?
..as if we really needed the reminder…
Behind the Game Master’s Screen
Eiha’s original design…Click for full image
Final Thoughts
Well, I think the show is doing better. You are more than welcome to disagree. It is true that it is suffering from some directorial control, but I still love the parts it is made of. If they can start doling out the story in some smaller chunks, and improve the combat animation, I think it could rise even higher. So, let’s see where it leads us next time.
Next Time
The cyborg from Durarararararara! Dammit, I loves me some fantasy cyborgs…
Bonus OP and ED
ISOtone by Natsumi Kon
Delta Decision by Eiha (Miyuki Sawashiro), Ro (Maaya Uchida), Meryl (Haruka Terui)
About skylion
All around nerd that enjoys just about any anime genre. I love history, politics, public policy, the sciences, literature, arts...pretty much anything can make me geeky...except sports. Follow me @theskylion
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 105 comments
I didn’t think it possible, but I would say that this episode was even worse than the first episode. Hey, lets explain the plot AGAIN for dumb ass knight guy. So Ibuki has to kill someone every time to use his dragon powers? Not really I guess, it just has to be someone he cares about dies. Which is fine I guess, but the idea of the viewing audience caring about the death of orphan boy or priest girl is ridiculous. It seems like every move the show makes is only making it a worse show.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
The show hasn’t leveled off that is for certain.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
It cannot be that bad since it has more SEIBA! 😛
(Not)
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Did you read the link I posted for Nasu’s character?! It’s hilarious…
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
That has got to be the worst contract ever. So basically, every time he wants to use the power, he has to kill somebody close to him? I’d rather give the whole thing back too! I mean, all this will do is make all the deaths cheap and completely predictable. You just know which characters are going to get axed off, and it’s only to do one kill attacks. It’s like making a philosopher’s stone, only stupider.
This episode wasn’t as good as the first, but I’m still interested in seeing where this ends up going.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 105 comments
Except he doesn’t even have to kill them, someone just being killed apparently works just fine too. Don’t forget the tasteful end card that shows exactly who is going to die as the series progresses. The one with Mashiro and Kai crossed out and a bunch of other characters who are already marked for death.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Well, this is the definition of the Fautian bargain. I don’t mind the plot device in and of itself. And I really don’t mind the way they execute it on screen. He is the king, and that is a broad responsibility of a king; to protect his subjects.
But he still has little awareness of the rules. I mean, the eyeMusic agreement is just as damning, but at least you can read it, right? And he still has little agency in how the contract is fulfilled.
That needs to evolve but quick….
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Even Faust didn’t have continually refresh the contract for every act he did. But Ibuki does have to mature quite a bit if he wants to take his place as king. He basically retreated into this defeated demeanor after his family got wiped out, and now he’s kind of got to get back in the saddle and then some.
I honestly don’t know why they keep having walls of text during the eyecatches. I mean, I just pause and read it, but that’s impossible during regular broadcast. Why do that have that much info at that point? And important info at that? At least when Shingeki did it at times, it was really just extra enriching info about the world, not stuff that would figure heavily in the plot.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
No he didn’t have to do that, did he? But it’s still a very very broad, but somewhat derpy look at kingly duties…
As for the text wall, blink you miss it, I got nothing.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Well, the Dragon seems to set the terms, and basically if you don’t save the person when you could have, that’s also murder…yeah, I’m beginning to see why they said the Red Dragon went mad.
And I’m not so sure about that end card now. Most of the people that just appeared on it are people that we see at what we can assume is the climax that we saw at the beginning. The parts of the expedition group to find the Red Dragon, so I’m guessing since they’re not dead yet, I’m wondering who he will use. Fugata and that second in command of his are goners, but maybe he won’t use his powers for quite a while after that.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Yeah, they rather clipped the conversations about the supposed “madness” twice this episode.
The end card, is my opinion, just the sheet pulled of the corpse. It serves to underline the sacrifice and that he is going to have to do it again, maybe, kinda, maybe? Tension, guys! I think it’s pretty cheap, and so I make fun of it for these posts.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
An insane setting to gain power like that is basically saying people are better off being loners if they want to avoid suffering.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Another below average episode. At this point, it’s basically saying the plot has enough holes to be Swiss cheese. It has its moments but too few of them. At least that annoying, purple clad, mechanical legged bitch has been dealt with right away. That more or less counts as a highlight.
If things continue to be this shaky after the next episode, I’ll either drop it or maybe come back when all the remaining entries are available. I was lenient with the opening though it failed to impress but more and more, Chaos Dragon is proving itself a series not worth a weekly watch.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Swiss cheese is much more welcome, I figure….
I really wanted to like Mechanical Legs. That was just a neat idea, and since it came from a game, I wanted to see stats! But all is not rosy in execution is it? So yeah, it’s good that she is gone…
I find it a hard watch myself. But when I start for my reasons, I finish for my reasons….
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
That is one sucktastic power that Ibuki’s gained. He’s had to sacrifice two people close to him to get temporary bursts of power to kill two weaklings that one of the party could have slain with relative ease.
And then after he’s as useful as tits on a bull.
That being said, Naus and Eiha interest me, so I’ll keep up with this.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I think it might stink a bit less as the show moves one. Also, I don’t think they can keep the “kill a friend again this week” thing going, as that would just be silly…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Unless he makes a new friend each week! He has plenty of rebel followers from which he can pick from, plus the orphanage. I’m sure he can find enough. Is this a one or two cour show? Actually since they revealed that as a king he’s “murdering” his followers if he neglects to protect them, he’s already got a line-up of ready sacrifices.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…One cour show, and he has plenty in his party to pick from, as you might see with my coverage of the next episode…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
But if he sacrifices them all off, it’d be a boring end, because Ibuki is pretty lacking as the main character to carry the show on his own shoulders.
Only 11 more sacrifices (assuming they keep the one per episode pace). Unless they plan on having Ibuki sit aside every other episode because let’s face it, he’s definitely not a fighter and has no powers to speak of.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
They hinted at his final form during the first episodes cold open. He might have other forms he gets as the episodes move on…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Did they now? I no longer have the episode, but are you referring to the fly-by each character on the rooftop part?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Yep…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Didn’t he look exactly the same? Now I have to re-watch that part, let’s see if I can find it…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Hmm, found a clip on youtube. He looks the same, with his sheathed sword. Or am I missing something?