[Rewatch] Jigokuraku • Hell's Paradise Episode 12 Discussion
#**Episode 12 - [Umbrella and Ink](https://i.imgur.com/IPXSYRd.png)**
[← Previous Episode](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q6t29h/rewatch_jigokuraku_hells_paradise_episode_11/) | [Index](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1p5ukl7/jigokuraku_hells_paradise_rewatch_official/) | [Next Episode →](https://v.animethemes.moe/Jigokuraku-ED1.webm)
**Information:**
[MAL](https://myanimelist.net/anime/46569) | [AniList](https://anilist.co/anime/128893) | [ANN](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=23963) | [Kitsu](https://kitsu.app/anime/jigokuraku) | [AniDB](https://anidb.net/anime/16012)
**Legal Streams:**
[Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GJ0H7Q5ZJ) | [Hulu](https://www.hulu.com/series/hells-paradise-ed1bbbfa-fb32-4b9a-83b8-04a42687ae59) | [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/81574246)
-----
***It's been called so many things. Ochimizu, Tokijiku no Kagunomi… but regardless of what you call it, I'm afraid there's nothing like that here.***
**Questions of the Day:**
1) Are you surprised that the Elixir of Life doesn't really exist?
2) [Senta?](#makicry)
**Wallpaper of the Day:**
[Senta Yamada Asaemon](https://i.imgur.com/j12GKrI.png)
-----
Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, ***unless*** you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!
/r/anime's spoiler tag format is as follows:
[Hell's Paradise]>!Gabimaru loves his wife.!<
Which becomes [Hell's Paradise]>!Gabimaru loves his wife.!< when you don't break the formatting on purpose like I just did.
[← Previous Episode](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1q6t29h/rewatch_jigokuraku_hells_paradise_episode_11/) | [Index](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1p5ukl7/jigokuraku_hells_paradise_rewatch_official/) | [Next Episode →](https://v.animethemes.moe/Jigokuraku-ED1.webm)
**Information:**
[MAL](https://myanimelist.net/anime/46569) | [AniList](https://anilist.co/anime/128893) | [ANN](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=23963) | [Kitsu](https://kitsu.app/anime/jigokuraku) | [AniDB](https://anidb.net/anime/16012)
**Legal Streams:**
[Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GJ0H7Q5ZJ) | [Hulu](https://www.hulu.com/series/hells-paradise-ed1bbbfa-fb32-4b9a-83b8-04a42687ae59) | [Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/81574246)
-----
***It's been called so many things. Ochimizu, Tokijiku no Kagunomi… but regardless of what you call it, I'm afraid there's nothing like that here.***
**Questions of the Day:**
1) Are you surprised that the Elixir of Life doesn't really exist?
2) [Senta?](#makicry)
**Wallpaper of the Day:**
[Senta Yamada Asaemon](https://i.imgur.com/j12GKrI.png)
-----
Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, ***unless*** you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!
/r/anime's spoiler tag format is as follows:
[Hell's Paradise]>!Gabimaru loves his wife.!<
Which becomes [Hell's Paradise]>!Gabimaru loves his wife.!< when you don't break the formatting on purpose like I just did.
Commentaires
[Welcome back, everyone!](#michaelwink)
[Here were my original reactions to episode 12](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/14hvukj/jigokuraku_hells_paradise_episode_12_discussion/jpd1vg3/), if anyone wants to read those.
---
- [Way to kick a tree while he’s down.](https://i.imgur.com/TupUXyd.png) [](#foldedarms)
- [Welp…](https://i.imgur.com/R4rrh1j.png) [](#emiliaohdear)
- [Not one of the Tensen…](https://i.imgur.com/PQNfSv7.png) [](#kumikolook)
- [Senta is finally revealed to be Rank 5 in the Yamada Asaemon clan!](https://i.imgur.com/SgZpwka.png) [](#neat)
- [Let’s *not*.](https://i.imgur.com/NahMU0y.png) [](#seasonaldisapproval)
- [This is terrifying.](https://i.imgur.com/h06SuzX.png) [](#dighole)
- [Sagiri made progress!](https://i.imgur.com/yeYXRmE.png) [](#SPORTS)
- [Lovely…](https://i.imgur.com/K9XxoMh.png)
- [That’s not good.](https://i.imgur.com/wxFzHyW.png) [](#emiliaohdear)
- [Ganbare, Yuzuriha!](https://i.imgur.com/UaojlI2.png) [](#faito)
- [Didn’t think that part through huh?](https://i.imgur.com/vZiFNCn.png) [](#kukuku2)
- [No, you did not.](https://i.imgur.com/NZFT1Aq.png) [](#mug1)
- [Poor guy just wanted to be an artist…](https://i.imgur.com/Xy0ZsL3.png) [](#therethere)
- [*Ouch*.](https://i.imgur.com/TEYdTYX.png)
- [Senta nooooo!](https://i.imgur.com/adTyhzv.png) [](#TOMODA)
- [At least we end on Shion coming to the rescue instead of a worse cliffhanger?](https://i.imgur.com/z1lZArz.png)
It makes sense though, the more interesting part is why experiment at all?
> Senta is finally revealed to be Rank 5 in the Yamada Asaemon clan!
The bookish guy can generally handle accounting. That can be important.
> Let’s not.
Yeah, I begin to think this entire idea is introduced to make the story edgier than KnY.
> This is terrifying.
And a similar design was used in the fall...
> Poor guy just wanted to be an artist…
Pretty common story.
From the fallen tree, firewood is made
Boss Fight time! But before that we get some exposition since the Tensen, Fukū, isn't really taking them seriously. Only Yuzuriha is somewhat noteworthy to them because, unsurprisingly, in her trade they also teach a certain application of Tao, including the good ol' log substitution jutsu, a Shinobi classic. Fukū is only really interested in cultivating her for later consumption though.
We also get confirmation of the artificiality of the island. It's just a human experimentation lab and the local cult was created to keep control of the locals. Poor Hoko having a crisis of faith. At least that's better than dying. Though the goal of the experiments does appear to be reaching the capital T Tao, the one that can't be named. As it stands however, the current Tan is useless to normal humans, as it just turns them into what happened to Hoko'd village, and what will happen to him. Chōbei may be turning into a tree guys 🫤...
The ensuing fight turns out to be somewhat of an experiment as well, as it reveals things about Tao not even Fukū knew. They initially dismissed Sagiri as just being average, but thanks to her experienced in the island she has been able figure out some form of Tao technique. That's why she's the GOAT! Everyone else had Tao explained to them and/or had trained in Tao-adjacent techniques! My girl _came up with a personal form on her own!_
Fukū and Yuzuriha both theorize it has to do with types of Tao, and that Sagiri's is for some reason an inherent antagonist of Fukū's, but I don't think that's the case because it doesn't track with Taoism. Remember that this philosophy preaches the connection of everything in the universe, to the point they may as well be one. While a certain form of being may come to you more naturally, you should be able to become alike anything else if you understand the flow of energy. The most literal example of this is actually in how the Tensen can switch between male and female forms, from Yang to Yin energy. Yin Yang is a generalization that englobes everything in opposites, yet Sagiri's attacks are harmful to Fukū in either form, bypassing the energy adaptability of the Tensen that makes them so versatile.
In summary, I don't think it has to do with something inherent to Sagiri, but about the way she is using Tao at least in this fight specifically, and something that in theory anyone should be able to replicate. But we'll see.
We finally get Senta's rank as the 5th among the Yamada Asaemon executioners. I like his thrust centric style. Certainly not the most optimal way to use a katana but it _can_ do it. He really pulled clutch during the fight. Just enough to endear one to him before he bites it, oh Jigokuraku, you never change. Well he's not dead yet, but may as well be.
Morbidly, it is a fitting fate. Just as he explained to Sagiri, he had closed off his heart due to the emotional toll of the job, and like a thirsting man in a desert, as soon as he tasted one drop of Yuzuriha he threw himself into that oasis with no hesitation. And now, he's drowning in his personal Heaven...
Ah of course, we knew from Gabimaru's fight that the Tensen had a second form. Good thing GOAT no. 2 Shion is here! Even a berserk Gabimaru couldn't beat this, but teamwork makes the dream work, right?
Kyoshi means "sutra master", and it's a type of clergy in Japanese Buddhism.
Today's philosophy documentary is [Three Taoist Tales.](https://youtu.be/0hl1qPgVK48?si=oeIOki-7vitRT2Pb)
Other than grossing out the audience, I am not seeing a big need for more female bochu jutsu users.
> Though the goal of the experiments does appear to be reaching the capital T Tao, the one that can't be named.
If the Tensen remember it correctly, the original practitioner splitting himself into 7 has to mean something. I still can't quite grasp what.
> In summary, I don't think it has to do with something inherent to Sagiri, but about the way she is using Tao at least in this fight specifically, and something that in theory anyone should be able to replicate. But we'll see.
She isn't planning her moves ahead, moving on training and impulse.
Only the sword throw wasn't planned. The rest of her attacks would be dodged by Fukū because they did have conscious intent. That's why they had to hold them down for a critical strike. Maybe in the future she can do a full fight as you say though.
Was this the name of this particular Tensen? My subs had some long name and only the first part of it matched a bit of what I heard. Neither of which was Fuku. It was something with a J iirc.
Will go back and look for your comment in that episode thread (once I figure out which one it was).
Dub
So without further explanation, I am picking up FAR more Claymore off this show than I first did and the dub is kind of helpful for that. The lab of the immortals does feel more mainland to me but I think all the China sea region has some concept of it. It even back ties to Hinduism, kind of, though with less precise language.
Anyways, was another Demon Slayer-y episode but, now that I think about it, it is almost certainly aimed at the audience that got a bit better about how clean at least early DS was. I am aware of later arc names so it might also get more adult. They also went for much different visuals and that's for the best. Sagiri being the Z fighter that can control her Tao level fits and as to what Tao beats what, we just have to guess. Cliffhanger!
QotD:1 No, I kept comparing the place to El Dorado for a reason
2 To follow a yandere is to walk alongside your death. He died well.
At least, the yandere didn't play an active role in his demise.
*On today's episode:* Senta simp Yuzuriha to the death,Gabimaru suffers from a Tao depletion (probably) and the Tensen of the week basically says ''sorry, your Elixir of Life is on another Island !''
I'm now believing Hell's Paradise follows the same rule as [another well-known title taking place on an Island]>!Battle Royale!< about killing a side character soon after his backtstory got revealed. At least, Senta seems to be able to draw endlessly in that dream world caused by the flower poison.
Speaking of him, we have another Yin-Yang pattern with Yuzuriha : Man and woman. Kind and introvert in opposition of cruel and extrovert. Chained by the duties of a noble clan and living freely as a criminal. Even their clothes, white and black symbolize their respective side of the Yin-Yang.
And just like that symbolism, in either of them lies a bit of the opposite energy. Senta's admiration for Yuzuriha comes from an envy to be like her, says ''screw you'' to his duties in order to be the artist he dreamt. And the selfish, cruel Yuzuriha can express what appears to be guenine sympathy for Sagiri and even Tensa in his last moments.
Meanwhile, I didn't saw coming the reveal about the divine nature of the Tensen being a lie and the so-called reliigon being just a sect used so the experiment subjects behave. And you can tell how it's difficults to let go of your false believe when Hoko refuse to acknowledge the Tensen in front of him isn't a god.
But to be fair, when said false god transform into an vegetal monstrosity after being cut in half, I too would be incline to believe in their godhood.... Funny how their monstrous form appear to have a humanoid body part in black and white to symbolize the Yin and the Yang just like Zhu Jin has
**Questions of the Day:**
>1) Are you surprised that the Elixir of Life doesn't really exist?
Kind of. Between the introduction of Tan, the monsters and the incredible feats from the humans, I thought we were in a pure fantasy setting.
2) Senta?
Poor Senta, shouldn't have revealed his backstory. [](#laststraw)
**Theories still in progress**
*From episode one*
* Knowing the location of the Elixir of Life is nice and all, but how exactly people came on the conclusion that ''We have Greed Island at home'' is indeed the place ? Someone did came back alive. It isn't the man on the row boat we saw in the previous episode since the flowers sprouted on him when he already came back. That could hint at the fact the Shogun may know more on that Island than he let appear. Given the tensens need fresh blood as a fertilizer for their Tan, it's possible they let one human escape once in a while so he could tell the tale to anyone foolish enough to try their luck on the island. **New elements with that episode* : With the reveal the Island is just a giant experimentation lab, it could be possible they have some contact with the outside world to share the advancement of the Tensen's research. And some operatives in Japan are tasked to spread the lie on the Elixir of Life to keep the livestock coming.
* One guard tell Sagiri a rumor about ninjas at Iwagakure village drinking the Elixir of Life. Is that the same as the one supposed being found on the Island ? Does the village chief have intel about it ? According to Gabimaru, the chief displayed some unnatural feats in the past. Either it's one heck of a red herring, or we have a serious proof he know something about the secret of the Island.
*From episode seven*
* The androgynous tensen mopping the floor with poor Chobe and his brother is shown regenerating their body with vines. And they seemingly changed sex by altering their body with what appears to be the same vines working under their skins. With other living beings such as Hoko having a vegetal body, it would be possible that the tensens are actually born from the same plants that blossom on the bodies scattered on the island. Or they could be former human that got transformed after ingesting that Tan, possibly crafted from the plants in the Island. **New elements with that episode* : Since it's revealed there is no god and people do turn in plants with the Tan, the truth could be on the ''former humans that attained a new mutated form'' side. Just like Chobe is about to do.
*From episode eight*
* One for the long run : Every criminal and executioner alike in the story will eventually die during the story. With only Gabimaru and Sagiri making it to the end when they pull an heroic sacrifice to erase the Tensens from existence.
*From episode ten*
* Those lieutenant monks have followed the Tensens teaching. Could it be they were once humans who have ventured the island and somehow proved their worth to the Tensen, who have offered them a job in return ?
* Several watchers yesterday have questionned Mei's nature. She is related to the Tensens for sure, but is she a part of the original God ? Given the Monks consider Mei as a Tensen, even *defective*, heavily suggests she was part of the original god... Or just be a former human who refused to have her humanity totally stripped away by the Tan.
**Confirmed theories**
* The Island does have hostile locals dwelling in its luxurious jungle. ~~No sentient plants~~ or a hidden ninja clan (for now), but demons insects and giant fish things. Close enough. Correction : WE HAVE A WALKING SENTIENT TREE MAN. I was right !
* Several rewatchers confirmed it already in yesterday thread, but the Shogun is just a bloodthirsty moron that just here to watch people kill each other. To the point he basically used by the Yamada Asaemon clan. If he was a bit smart, he could have done a tournament where the criminals fight to the death with the winner being pardonned. So he could have enjoyed the whole show without losing any executionner on the Island. [](#tomato)
* Even if they're implied to not be humans, there is indeed a civilization living on the Island that have mastered the Tan needed to live a very long life.
* Even if it wasn't due to the monsters poison, Tenza did pass away. He couldn't beat the death flags allegations. [](#toradorasalute)
**Jossed theories**
* Sagiri didn't betrayed Gabimaru, (in fact it was the opposite) and survived past episode 3. So I guess I was in the wrong about a potential death flag... For now [](#bigthink)
* We got an clear explanation that Sagiri is among the best sword fighters of her clans and is ranked poorly because misogynist society won't have a woman as a head of a clan. So she's not dead last among the Yamada Asaemon power ranking.
* Since Gantetsusai was subject to the butterflies spores without heavy hallucinations, I can conclude the butterflies can't perform strong hypnotic effects and joss the theory that the survivors are subjected to a weird, bad trip.
Yuzu's pretty cool though, and I wonder if she's going to end up mastering Tao, since she already has some kind of training and affinity for it.
Q1) I don't know. I'm still not really convinced that it doesn't exist. It just might not have the form that they were imagining, like a potion in a bottle. We'll see though. Maybe the real treasure is actually the mastery of Tao and the achievement of immortality that way.
Q2) [](#holdme)
Ooh I like this theory!
All right. I don’t like this fuckass and his hair’s whack so I’m assuming the bitch is lying. And if he’s not, I’m throwing hands.
Why does that one homunculus monk guy look like when Killua’s older zesty brother with the good hair was under disguise with all the needles and stuff? So that’s a thing? That wasn’t a design quirk; that has religious connotations to it? Or it’s a design quirk and I overthought.
Is this a ship? Sagirin and the female assassin? I like this ship 👍🏾
Dafuq are you calling him fat boy like it’s a slur.
Why is she slimy and making wet noises oh nonononono
Well. We all have our powers in life, I shouldn’t shame.
This mfer is the one person I would say unprompted “I would step on you repeatedly if you were a worm” which is vile because worms are cool.
Oooooooh so he’s a psycho in *that* way? I take it back. My morals and ethics have been shaken.
Oh damn. He even has nice biceps too, this is Unfair.
Okay. I would still like him if he was a worm.
Kyoshi? Kyoshi Warriors. Avatar Kyoshi… **Ah**.
A*ha*, those were coins on that ~~homunculus~~ Kyoshi, not needles.
Senta deserves more than this 😭
Oh and the fuckass’s back is nice too, what a man!
*they change genders*
What a woman!
How many queer awakenings—or the awakening that aesthetics can be admired and does not equal attraction—were the tensen responsible for IRL, I wonder?
Awwww Senta is such a cutie patootie ☺️ If he fucking dies because we had an ungodly amount of death flags, I’m gonna be so pissed.
***WHY***
I don’t
Ugh. I’m gonna have a BF 😭
🎵 It’s raining men🎵
**I want that fuckass to be burned for a century**.
Daddy’s here!
***
**A Criminal’s First Thoughts**
W a t.
You know what, fuck this, I’m never future planning or telling anyone any of my past because I’ll just up and fucking die within minutes.
The wet noises traumatized me. It is not sweat; it is slime. But the *sound effects.*
I don’t want to believe the elixir doesn’t exist. I’m certain it does. I don’t trust villains.
I hope Mei can confide in Gabi.
It’s really impressive how these criminals go toe to toe with the tensen. It makes me wonder if the Tensen were once criminals too long ago. Demigods can be weird as fuck by birth though, no question about that. But the criminals are holding their ground and defeating the fucks.
***
**QotD**
1. He better be lying.
2. I can’t see question two, but I am on mobile, so I think that’s the reason.
Picture our host in tears, asking if Senta would be alright even thought she knows the answer.
An incomplete enlightened being is your best bet, whatever knowledge he has is more likely historical.
> How many queer awakenings—or the awakening that aesthetics can be admired and does not equal attraction—were the tensen responsible for IRL, I wonder?
Less than you'd think. In the US side of the fandom there was some bitching about all the villains being gender fluid. However, if one has any sense, the Tensen are like the farthest things from trans you can get so they are just a separate conversation.
>
I don’t want to believe the elixir doesn’t exist. I’m certain it does. I don’t trust villains.
He is speaking from what he knows. And remember Gabimaru's master took 'foreign medicine'. Tan might be further mutable and become the elixir.
I can understand the grumbles in that regard. But the tensen are one step down from deities and their logic is based upon a fluid duality. I’d be more surprised if they *never* switched forms on a dime or acknowledged their philosophies/rhetoric/ideologies being a duality.
That’s “Damn, Imma just keep quiet and watch yall fight it out, pardon me” situation.
>
>
>
> That’s “Damn, Imma just keep quiet and watch yall fight it out, pardon me” situation.
Basically. Having any sort of cultural conversation about a foreign work with a deeply, deeply foreign base system is just wasting your time.
Yeeeees you see the vision! Fuck Yin-Yang gender fundamentalism! Yin^(2) power let's gooooo!
> Dafuq are you calling him fat boy like it’s a slur.
Classic God superiority complex about their physical beauty
And what a shame. Gods be missing out how thickness can be beautiful 😤
Houko did not died, but rather accelerated his own end of existence, by losing his main body. Tree people are quite resilient if they still alive as talking heads.
The Tensen says this island is actually a huge experimental ground. Then it is now understandable why Mei, the natives who transformed into trees, or these lesser creatures are considered defective, with the main goals to achieve perfection and eternity, something what the Tensen possess. Or another reason why these starnge animalé creatures, dangerous plants or whatnot exists here. Not just the Shogunate-led expeditions were the only ones visitng this island, but there were many before. And these humans were good test subjects in the form of Kyoshi. In this case, what are the Tensen, because they should be artifical creations as well, who might gained self-consciousness in some way at some point.
For the Tensen, even ordinary humans have purposes beyond that: bocho jutsu training subject (just like Mei) or converting into Tan, which means strange plants.
Sneta might be a bit plumpyand very scholarly, it is one time where he vae to draw the sword and prove he can be useful. As for Yuzuriha, she is the favored one of the Tensen. She is using slimes as a weapon, which is almost close to the Shadow Garden way of combat. But in her case, it is rather an Alchemy build, because she uses every kind of poisons, potions, decoctions, and lots of stuff, which she csan do it drining a potion which cause her to sweat. That kind of sweating which turns into slime. And looks she is utilizing Tao as well, in her own way.
How can this Tensen be defeated: use Tao, do lots of attacks, predict attacks, have more Tao and deal a blow to a certain body part, which supposed to be the tanden/core. Looks like it did worked, it should better to assume they are dread already. Maybe they are still alive waiting for the other to lower their guard.
We got know why Senta as he is right now. When he was a child he wanted to become an artist, but as a Yamada, he had no other choice but becoming an executioner. He never accepted that fate, but went along with it. He is a pacifist, detests violence and killing, and that lead to a self-educated religious scholarship. And through this he wanted to justify killing. Even though he managed to climb up in the hierarchy, but he is one of the most "average" Asaemon. Yuzuriha was assigned to her, and that was basically a fateful encounter for him, as he saw within her himself. She is a free-spirited person who never bound by anything, compared to her, he never had any choices in life, but a destined fate, which is not what he wanted.
And looks like the Tensen did not died after all, and waited for the moment indeed. And poor Senta, he still wanted to be useful by sacrifcing himself for Yuzuriha. Yet another flower creature, but that is bigger and more dangerous. And Shion is for the rescue. His help will worth a lot.
> 1) Are you surprised that the Elixir of Life doesn't really exist?
This was just a good excuse from the Shogunate to dispose "useless" and dangerous people and manipulate the family affairs of the Yamada clan. Yes, the bakufu might also knows this is fake, and I do believe this theory is true.
> 2) Senta?
Poor guy. At least he was useful in combat once.
Phew Groot (Hoko! finally learned his name) isn't dead. But his entire belief system is a lie. At least he still has Mei. Assuming they're able to reunite soon.
That fight with Tensen was crazy. Sagiri's tao being the weakness of the Tensen was handy. Was it only this particular Tensen or all of them though?
Our kunoichi is pretty badass and she's really grown on me. Much as she has on Senta. Something very refreshing about her attitude. I loved that line about killing even a real god if they got in the way of her life.
But even she has no idea what to do when that Tensen turns into its flower hybrid monster form. Luckily our blind sensei is here to save the day. I was expecting Gabi and crew. But he needs to learn how to use Tao better first, I guess.
I wonder what Mei will ask of Gabi. She had some reason for running after him. And why is Maomao Asaemon afraid of Gabi's soft side. That's what helped him realise his Tao and use it, wasn't it?
Did Gabi pass out at the end there from sheer exhaustion? Seemed like he bled out of his nose. An injury he suffered while fighting those Doshi? He can't be out long, we only have one episode left...
The island being a laboratory for conducting experiments on humans and others like the flower people isn't surprising given how random and thrown together everything seemed. That there is no elixir is a big reveal. I like how Sagiri's first thought on learning this is worry for Gabimaru. Also liked how she and Senta decided to try and save everyone.
Unfortunately, Senta seems like a goner. Not feeling too sad about it since he now seemingly gets to live his original dream of being an artist and spend his time drawing even as he's turned into a flower. Is this the flower blooming that will turn him into Tan or just the kind that leaves him an empty shell?
Can't believe there's just one more episode left. We're almost surely ending on a cliffhanger, aren't we? Glad we don't have to wait long for the next season. Nice timing there, Sky. Pretty perfect.
For all the complaints I've had about this anime, the action and choreography still stand out well. No problems on that front, which is good since this episode is almost all action, after a short "sorry, but your ~~princess~~ elixir is in another ~~castle~~ island scene.
Hiding Yuzuhara's power until now... It works, I guess, it's fine but it doesn't feel impactful? It's more of a "hey, that's cool" instead of a "WHOA THAT'S WHAT SHE'S BEEN HIDING?!" which would feel... better for the amount of time spent both in-universe and 4th-wall-breaking (cutting away when she uses her power) hiding it.
So it's not only a Tao-inflicted strike, but there's apparently different types of Tao that are anathema to each other and can't be healed? Maybe it's a bit too soon, but you'd think one of the three explaining tao independently would have mentioned *anything* about different types of tao... Eh, sure, though they really can't spend too long without explaining this again.
Breathing technique to increase tao. WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS BEFORE I WONDER? I saw someone mention that it was probably Demon Slayer's success that spawned this manga/anime - I can definitely see its roots. Good teamwork, good choreography, not much else to say about that.
GUYS. YOU BEAT A TENSEN ON THEIR HOME TERRITORY. YOU KNOW THERE'S 6 OTHERS, AND DON'T KNOW THAT MORE AREN'T COMING. WHY THE EVERLASTING HECK ARE YOU RESTING HERE!? YOU'RE NOT IMMOBILIZED OR MORTALLY INJURED, GET OUT OF THERE, FIND THE OTHERS, DON'T TAKE A SHORT REST HERE ASDKXJHLKHJAGSDHJG. This is like D&D logic where you try to take a short rest within enemy-held territory, except the DM actually plays the world out to its natural conclusion and you get friggin' fridged or mugged.
Sigh. Anyways. I don't really love Senta's explanation of loving Yuzuhara's sense of freedom while utterly ignoring her immorality - it has a severe Harley Quinn falling in love with the Joker sort of feeling. Like you can admire that without loving the seductive, amoral murderer part of her, it shouldn't be an all or nothing thing. I should've seen his death coming as soon as they started playing a flashback, tbh.
Overall thoughts on tao at this point: so... going from being completely unknown last episode to "oh, people have been using it all along and we just didn't know its name/call it by the same name" is certainly a choice. I feel like this kind of undercuts the narrative strength of it again, making it common-ish-place that everyone possesses, just in different amounts. Also can apparently be increased just with breathing techniques, so was it *really* a Primary Conflict breakthrough that Gabimaru had last episode, or just a technique breakthrough? The more they try to unify it, the more confused it seems to be... which might also just be innately what tao is anyways.
1) You mean the mythical item they went in search for without solid proof of its evidence *isn't real*? Gasp. There're more stories where the treasure doesn't exist than those where it does, I think. Though I bet it does exist in some other form. Or it's the friends made along the way.
2) I guessed wrong about the next death. Flashbacks of the death flag variety abound.
In my opinion, I don't think the author wanted to portray that in a positive light. Much like Sagiri, Senta was a victim of the heteronormative rules of the clan (you're a man, you should handle a katana, not a brush) and grasped the first thing he viewed as a way out, without thinking it through. Even if it's a selfish person that would abandon him the moment he wasn't useful anymore.
> Tao was here all along
Yep, another shonen trope we got here. I mean, even in the best shonens do we go from "only a select few can wield the [power system in use]" to "everyone and their mother use it in the story".
At least it makes sense here because Tao is, according to the irl philosophy, supposed to be everywhere and within everything.
As a rewatcher, I'll admit there are certain aspects of the story, and especially the world-building/mythology that I don't remember too well from my first viewing, with some of the later episodes actually being more hazy in my mind. As such, the reveal that the elixir isn't real actually comes as a surprise to me (assuming the Tensen was telling the truth, which I'm not 100% sure if they were, but I'll continue under the assumption that it's true). Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about the reveal right now, but I guess it will depend on how they follow through on it from here. I do like Sagiri's thought that it will mean that Gabimaru won't get his pardon, and the same is true for the other prisoners as well. I'm sure that will lead to some interesting character development later on.
Anyway, once again the main battle here was really well done. They do a good job incorporating all three protagonists in integral ways. It's interesting how the Tensen was specifically focused on Yuzuriha due to her Tao power, and judging her while they fought. Sagiri's quick strategizing initially, followed by Yuzuriha pushing her forward when things didn't work quite the way Sagiri intended was great to see. Also, I've been liking Senta a lot more than I remember liking him the first time around. I feel like in other anime, a one-sided attraction like this would lead to some pretty awkward comedy, whether it's him acting like a creepy perv and/or her being creeped out by him and hurling insults at him. And granted there were a few harsh moments (most notably her using him in a painful way during the fighting), but even then it was nowhere near what other shows could have done. And his feelings don't seem to come from a perverted desire due to how hot she is, but rather from a respect for the way she lives her life and how it contrasts with his own personality. But poor guy couldn't catch a break, and gets hit by that flower protecting Yuzuriha. At least he went out with that hallucination of her, as creepy as it was seeing it from outside his perspective.
And man, they know how to make great cliffhangers to get us excited. First the somewhat earlier scene of Gabimaru passing out and spurting blood, and then the promise of an epic rematch with the Tensen's evolved form, with Shion entering the fight. Let's go!