[DreamSword]

Episode 7: Mother, Daughter

This episode was all about Seimei.

And yet the weird part is, despite how much backstory this episode provides for her, that was probably my least liked part about it?

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that we're getting more development out of her and further elaboration on her past as the daughter of an aristocrat and a Makai Alchemist, but there was one other aspect that stood out so much more to me.

That aspect being the overall atmosphere of the episode itself. I really got drawn in from the very start. From the talk about Xehanort's' lineage in the beginning, to the air of dread when it came time for Seimei to make her ultimate decision, this episode nailed the atmosphere when it counted most.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. What is this episode even about? Well, another ancient and sealed Horror is slowly beginning to be unleashed, just like last episode. However, what makes this one special is not so much its immense strength, but rather its direct connection to Seimei, and more specifically, her parents. To the point that Seimei decides to face this Horror alone.

Speaking of Horrors I always dig the monster designs in this franchise.

I also feel that this episode actually showcases the point that the previous episode was trying to make alot better(strength in giving up one's' life) via the flashback of how exactly Seimei's' parents met their end, and the seal on the Horror was placed. It's the sort of thing many a proper parent could relate to give sympathy for, I think. The type of bond and love that many other stories have done well too(NiER, for example).

Also, I'll admit, I didn't expect the climax to go the way it did.

Converting a Horror into a Mado Tool was something that was never done in Carved Seal of Flames, so to see it done here in Crimson Moon was quite the surprise. Granted, given Zaruba's' backstory in the first anime, I suppose it was always an option, but still, I really did just expect Seimei to kill the Horror and be done with it. Also, that great sword for Garo came right out of nowhere, but hey, it's cool, so I'll let it slide. And overall it makes me interested to see where this new development will go.

All in all, a pretty good episode. Certainly much better than episode 7 of The Animation if nothing else.