[DreamSword]

Episode 15: Brothers

This episode legit jumpscared me.

It's a backstory episode for Koga, detailing when he started out training to be a Makai Knight as a kid and the friends he made along the way.

All through the episode is a wholesome, welcoming atmosphere that wouldn't be out of place in an episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Kamen Rider Hibiki. But then that ending hits.

Sure, the very beginning of the episode is a bit of a giveaway, but I won't lie, I was so sucked up in "The Adventures of Koga & Friends" that I forgot all about it. I was too busy thinking about stuff like "Huh, does Purple grow up to be Leo?" and "Oh wow, a surprise Rekka cameo."

So when the tragedy at the end hits, it really did effectively catch me off guard. In the good way! And it's a great attention to detail too, because I went and checked, and yeah, Koga's' coat did infact have that charm on it since all the way back in the very first episode of the franchise. Wasn't aware I'd ever want an origin story for it, but I'm glad I got it!

If I had to nitpick one negative though? I wasn't really a fan of it being established that Garo is the strongest Knight in universe. I dunno, it just feels weird to me. I mean, I guess one could interpret that as simply meaning that Koga's' dad, specifically, was the strongest Knight, but still. I like the angle of Garo just being one of many, and not inherently special alot more than it being some sort of special title or suit.

This might actually be my favorite episode so far. But there've been a few solid bangers recently, so I don't wanna call it just yet.