Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[Episode 3: Mortal Combat]

[Enjoyment Value: 9.5/10]

Balsa, layin’ the smack down!

[Thoughts]

Oh my god. This episode was absolutely golden. There wasn’t a single low point for the entire duration of the episode. The fight scenes were absolutely amazing. Each one was quite realistic, having Balsa try her hardest against the four assassins but not suddenly overpowering them and killing them with ease like most other shows would do. I found myself sitting up in my chair watching every single detail of the fights. How the assassins were so coordinated, the way Balsa just barely countered and dodged their weapons, and the impact they were having on the environment around them and the way they were using it.

One thing I like about the assassins was that they were just some generic characters. They each have their own personalities and aren’t in 100%-kill mode continuously. Jin, one of the assassins, was particularly interesting. He wanted to end Chagum’s life himself so that his father wouldn’t have to kill him. I felt this added some immediate depth to his character and I thin we’ll be seeing more of him in the future since he isn’t dead just yet. Well that is if he isn’t executed for failing his duty….

As for my favorite character and one of my favorite female characters ever, Balsa, she is one tough girl. While being so strong she can be so gentle and filled with warmth yet when the situation calls for it she can be so sharp and merciless in combat. To me, she gives off a strong portrayal of a woman and a realistic one at that. Why do I say that? Even while she felt as if she was going to die she had enough strength left in her to think not how she would save herself but rather how she’d save Chagum and thus allow him to help her. There was something about that scene that gave off an impression of a caring older sister or even a mother in my eyes.

As for Chagum, this guy is constantly surprising. I almost expected him to be a total wimp and whiner before the series actually started but he can manage to hold his own. Seeing him traverse dangerous territory to help out Balsa was very admirable and even more so when he voiced his fears and doubt (and even after seeing a wolf) but yet still pushed on knowing that Balsa needed his help. This guy is having a lot of steady character development from what I’ve observed and I hope he continues to grow at the same pace that he is currently (I wonder if Balsa will eventually teach him the way of the spear?).

Lastly, that scene near the end with the two men fighting was quite strange. I’m quite sure it was a flashback of some sorts because at the end we saw what seems to be a very young version of Balsa. It’s just a guess but I think one of those men, particularly the man who won the fighting, was Balsa’s father. I really want to see where that goes and definitely can’t wait for the next episode where we get to see more of Tanda’s character and hopefully some insight on his relationship with Balsa.

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On an unrelated note, please forgive the lateness of some of my entries. I’m still in preparation for my last final exam which I’m taking this Wednesday afternoon. >_<

[Preview]