*Update Note* Reviews for new episodes of utaware are available, I say this because I notice most of the visits on the utaware tag are on 18 and 19 because that’s what shows up on google. Check the most recent posts, I’m pretty much up to date on Utaware.

Synopsis:

We start off with a flashback to a family fleeing a burning castle with pursuers on their tails (literally XD). The sister of this unknown family urges her brother and a guardian to use an underground waterway to escape as she holds up the pursuit. So basically we have a 4 minute opening of not so subtle hints at Karurauwaturei’s past.

Back to the present, we join team Hakuoro and the rebellion in the middle of a raid. *insert typical battle scene* and with that everyone is happy and free, albeit a little tired. As night falls the team plans their attack when all of a sudden commotion stirs outside as lotus flowers flow downstream. This reminds Karurauwaturei of the underground waterway, while her moronic brother is left wondering how she knew about it. And so the plan is to use the seemingly weak and useless rebellion platoon to distract the enemy troops while team Hakuoro run in and kill the emperor…they use this plan a lot.

As the attack begins the coast is clear for the assassination of the emperor…until they hit the throne room, which is guarded by copious amounts of guards. And so as battle begins it is finally revealed that Karurauwaturei is really Karurauwaturei! The former queen of the country. This completely unexpected revelation finally clues Derihourai into the fact that Karura is his long lost aneue. *insert typical battle scene* and hurrah! The emperor is dead, which means Derihourai is the new emperor, and he names the country…Karurauwaturei! ORLY?! NO WAI!

So back in Tusukuru everything is back to normal, Karura opts to turn down her brother’s request to stay with him. Eruruu continues to be a nagging killjoy and Oboro seems to have ditched his yaoi archer threesome and returned to the siscon we all know and love. And so the emperor of the newly formed Karurauwaturei comes to offer his thanks to the emperor of Tusukuru. Much to his surprise it’s the one and only Hakuoro, mercenary and emperor, they’re so much alike. After a not so subtle show of concern for his sister, Derihourai leaves. Hakuoro asks Karura if she’s sure about letting her only family leave, Karura refuses and reminds him she’s Hakuoro’s personal love slave loyal subject who has sworn everything to him.

Thoughts:

Pretty good episode, much of it was the standard Utaware warfare which I’ve come to neither hate nor love. To their credit the battle scenes are getting a little more creative, they still seem to lack flow, but they’re getting there. As for the foreshadowing…I certainly hope Aqua Plus isn’t trying to be subtle, because they suck at it. From the first time the name was mentioned any fan with a double digit IQ would have realized where they were going with it.

I really question the system of power employed in the world of Utaware. I’m not sure how it was in the past, but if you kill a nation’s leader, usually you become somewhat of an enemy…not the new emperor. I am really surprised that one of Hakuoro’s peasants hasn’t come up to him and stabbed him in the face yet.

Animation and consistency is getting better as this series goes along. Though the cut and paste battles really have to stop, what happened to the good times, where they didn’t have a 8 member army. Flanks! Defence lines! Strategy and tactics! *sigh* I suppose that goes out the window when your generals can singlehandedly take multitudes of troops out instantaneously.

Touka fanboyism…rising…rising…infinite!

Cool fertilizer, must be kind of expensive though

So creepy >_<

YAY!

If he doesn’t, I will

Of course not, he prefers the company of men

Victories

- Touka
- Battle scenes getting slightly more creative
- Animation quality on the rise
- Karura stays in the harem!
- TOUKA!

Phailures

- Lack of battle plans, head on rushing seems to be their only attack pattern. And the whole ‘lure everyone out so the emperor is easy bait’ is getting old.
- Eruruu, dear Haruhi, beat some moe into this girl
- Creepy emperor
- Political system, I for one would not bow down to the one who killed my leader
- Attempt at foreshadowing and suspense
- Not enough Touka.

~ Shirukii ~