Synopsis:

Looks like Hakuoro’s intuition was right again, Kunnekamun has become a nation of war. It begins with Hauenkua (creepy emperor v3.0) attacking the tribal nation from episode 20 without the emperor’s permission. This leads to suggestion from Hauenkua that Kunnekamun should conquer all other countries to ensure their survival and peace. This suggestion is countered by the other general, Hien, who would rather see other countries united under Kunnekamun to ensure their survival and peace…basically the same deal, and they both know it. But they both get slapped in the face by the walking STFU that is Genjimaru, who talks some sense into Kuuya, saying that fortifying their borders is more important than conquest.

Following all that tenseness there’s a slight lull in action where Hakuoro strolls around checks on everyone in Tusukuru. Of course that means we get some Karura and, more importantly, Touka screentime! *cheers*

Of course this is just the calm before the storm as Benawi informs Hakuoro that despite Kunnekamun having shown their power, two nations have combined forces and have started their advance. We don’t even get to see the battle this time, it’s just a straight cut to the aftermath of the massacre. If that wasn’t bad enough, to reinforce how coldhearted Kunnekamun is becoming, they won’t even show mercy to their own peasants, who are suffering the collateral damage of the battles.

Of course we can’t go a whole half episode without a midnight talk with Kuuya, this time Eruruu is used as the messenger XD Kuuya starts spewing some nonsense about the beauty of the moon and using it as an anology to link it to their god and etc. Hakuoro isn’t buying it though, and presses on to the subject at hand, their increasing love for war. Hakuoro reminds Kuuya that she is not alone and that when faced with difficult decisions she always has Genjimaru and Sakuya to act as her voice of reason.

Despite the talk just a short while earlier, the next day Kuuya decides to send out an announcement of unison a declaration of war. The decision spurred by the fact that the strengthening of borders is only inviting more attacks and her people are suffering. Without Genjimaru or Sakuya to act as her conscious, she decides that this course of action is best.

Upon hearing the news, Hakuoro orders the strengthening of the borders and preparation for engagement. In the meantime, Kuuya plans to advance on Onkami Yamukai (the winged dudes). Genjimaru warns her that if they attack Onkami, the house of Witsarnemitea, that they will segregate themselves with everyone else who considers them thei guardians. Kuuya understands this, but also knows that they have already separated themselves from the rest of the world.

On the march to Onkami Yamukai, the winged race summons an attack on the advancing mechas. It seems that it’s working quite well until the rogue winged agent shows up and dispels the chant, apparently his name is Dii. After some awkward bentering and the use of unknown and lengthy terms the scene cuts to the fall of Onkami Yamukai.

With that out of the way, Kuuya marches on Tusukuru and towards Hakuoro. Apparently she is going with the intention of regaining his friendship, but with an army and mechas in tail, it hardly seems like it. Hakuoro thinks it’s best to evacuate the capital while they stay behind and buy some time. Everyone unanimously agrees that Hakuoro should evacuate as well, since he seems to be the main target of the invasion. And so with that, the gang heads out to intercept the incoming force, only to be greeted with mechas. Despite their brave and courageous taglines, I’m pretty sure they were all thinking what I was thinking: “We’re so screwed”. Anddddd, cue cliffhanger ending.

Typical, but oh so awesome, episode.

Thoughts:

Although the mechas really aren’t that great to me, this episode was still pretty damn good. It was pretty much the Utaware that I’ve come to love. Some nonsensical spouting of names that seem to be a mashing together of any syllables that work, some global conquest and a healthy amount of Touka, all is well.

I think that Kuuya is a fairly weak emperor, emotionally. She can’t make decisions on her own and ends up defaulting to the one that seemingly hurts the least, but really hurts the most. She sees it as saving her people, but she is destroying other nations, global conquest never works out for the best. The dual personality seems to work well with her though, on the battle field she’s merciless, and off she’s confused and scared. Though she’s beginning to become a warlord off the field too, it’ll be interesting to see how Hakuoro gets out of this one (and to make him evacuate, it’s has to be pretty bad).

This ep had some screentime for everyone! From Benawi to Kamyu and even the twins, all the characters got a couple of scenes of screentime, quite awesome. Of course Touka got some much needed attention, all we need is some more of her dere dere and I’ll melt into a puddle of joy.

Also, Utaware pulled a Honey & Clover on us and left us with a little teaser scene with Hakuoro holding a seemingly dead Eruruu Aruruu (oops, my mistake) in his arms. I guess this is a new fad, not to say that it isn’t working, but it’s oh so cruel T_T Hang in there Eruruu Aruruu!

Screw everthing else, to make up for the last ep, screencap section is dedicated to Touka =D

Touka fanboyism on the rise! Will she be able to topple Haruhi for the #2 spot on the bishoujo rankings? Will her dere dere ever be seen again? Stay tuned for the next episode of Dragon Ba…I should really stop doing that >.>

Victories

- Touka! Of course
- Everyone else?
- Power of the Onkami Yamukai, just goes to show that you never screw with winged people…unless you have a more powerful one
- Variation on battle scenes! Yay, they listened
- Uh…Touka?

Phailures

- Creepy emperor, it’s getting old and it was never good in the first place
- Kuuya, what’s happening to the innocence T_T
- Mechas, not growing on me at all =\
- Names picked out of a medical dictionary (I have to keep the episode open as a reference just to remember them)
- Death teaser scene, so cruel =(

~ Shirukii ~