[DreamSword]

Episode 14: Soul Moon

Pictured above: Vega from the Street Fighter series.

This was an episode that many in the US have seen done before, but it was done effectively, and as such I have no complaints.

The overall moral of the episode is the age old "It's the inside that counts" lesson, which, I think is something many people even today still need to learn. And again, it's not like the lesson itself was delivered terribly.

I also approve of the episode being rather simplistic here, as this episode is also our introduction into the second arc of the anime. Seimei is gone now, and her departure clearly has a lasting effect on Raiko and Kintoki. Plus, the titular Crimson Moon finally makes its appearance.

In exchange for Seimei, Zaruba is now a part of the regular cast again. Interestingly enough though, no mention of there being a specific pact with him and Raiko like there was with Leon in the previous anime. And speaking of things missing, the James Bond-esque self-destructing letters from the Watchdog Center also seems to be gone.

Something else that I definitely appreciated was the how dynamic the action sequence was this time around. The Crimson Moon showing up and making the Horror of the week stronger kinda demanded it, and even besides the length, sequence itself with all of the masks, while certainly on the nose in terms of the overall message of the episode, made for a really cool visual and I really dug the entire thing.

And lastly, we have a new OP and ED! In terms of visuals, these ones are definitely alot more dynamic than the first set that we got. In terms of the songs themselves, I'd say they're about even in terms of quality? Not bad, but nothing I'd say is super fantastic either.

Overall, I liked this episode. I felt it served as a good intro into our next big arc, and I think it nailed beauty in simplicity. Good stuff.