This is one of my favorite minor recurring bits in this period of Saber: the character looking like they may have just died only to turn up fine in that bed. I was really hoping that they would keep escalating it, like Ogami or Ren gets completely disintegrated and then the next episode they're just lying in that bed with some bandages on their face (and then they walk out while Mei isn't looking).

The health care for the Sword of Logos is really pretty mediocre, all things considered. These guys survive death, but then they're still beat to shit and poisoned. Daishinji all like I Got Them Healthy Enough To Swing A Sword, What Do You Want From Me.

Also, I hope Mei's first move in Episode 14 is to put a lock on the outside of the recuperation room.

I quite liked this special, there are quite a few flashbacks (especially to the Luna getting dragged into that big white book scene, which they keep showing us at any opportunity possible), but all the original stuff that was made for this special was just great.

Like the other Swordsmen Chronicles specials, it's mainly a character-focused thing, which is something we hardly get with Saber's fast pace, it's an alternate version of events from Episode 13, but I honestly wish that at least some aspects from this version were used instead of what happened in Episode 13, it would've probably made me appreciate the episode more.

Besides that stuff, this was just a great little special, Kento's one of my favorite characters, so this special was something I really enjoyed, and it makes me kind of sad that there's only one more of these specials because they've been the most enjoyable part of Saber so far to me.

(Also, I really like the short stories, I don't normally comment on them, but they've been enjoyable so far, this one in particular.)

Haha, yeah, Sophia totally sent Rintarou on a fool's errand, poor guy. While Espada Retsuden doesn't revolve around any kind of fight scene like the previous ones did, I think the focus on Kento's regrets and revelations before he bravely goes to meet his death adds important context for the concurrent episode. He's not just pointlessly throwing himself at Kurayami's blade again in a vain attempt to atone and avenge, rather he wants to protect his friends the way they protected him, hence what he meant by Touma saving his soul, allowing him to remember his mission as a Swordsman for his final battle.

I appreciate that sweet story!

I wonder how you even find the time you need to write all these daily on top of your reviews. Looks like a lot of work.

I think that it's also quite gratifying to have Sophia, the one who managed the group, knows about Touma being Kento's childhood friend, making Touma even feel more welcomed - as an obligation too for it being someone that their dear Kento already knew. It's charming for Ogami and Mei to try to cheer Kento's up by reminding of what he has right now but, it also can rub me off the wrong way a bit for him to telling him to just ignore/forget it. Like, having good friends around him won't diminish how important, though it's true too that he shouldn't go into a self-destructive path to search for it. So for this episode, while Ren simps for Kento for being strong, Kento had similar feelings on Rintaro.

also as far as the mysteries the show has had I figured otu that Touma was from the Wonder World after episode 1, and that Calibur at this point in time IS NOT Kento's father as soon as it was mention and I did correctly Guess his identity cause Daichi(or at least the old Saber) was the only person who it made sense for him to be (other than Luna but I didn't think the show would go that balls to the wall that early) albeit I wasn't 100% sure until the reveal

I didn't even realize how much he looked like the Once-ler before this

Yeah, they've been really delightful. Definitely a high point of the first act of Saber.

Thanks! This one kinda snuck up on me. I'm glad people liked it!

It really does a great job of having Kento confront how addicted he was to his vengeance and suffering, and how the things he thought he was doing for others were really just things he was doing for himself. Having him come to that conclusion and vow to be more selfless in supporting his friends... pretty great!

It's fun to do, which makes it easier to make time for. You can tell when I have less time because it's all dialogue, and very brief.

I think it's less that, than Ogami and Mei trying to talk Kento out of his martyrdom. Kento's whole self-destructive attitude is based on his belief that he needs to do this for everyone else, so the episode is smart to have multiple go We Did Not Ask You To Do That.

uh

I'm going to cut the awkward elephant off before it can go any further and tell you Die specifically...

That is not a spoiler. That's just a popular fan theory people have and I guess people believe it?

OH GOD. THANK YOU. Today's been a grueling day at work, and I literally could not handle a gigantic Saber spoiler as well.