[DreamSword]

Episode 24: Imprint Butterfly

This was not at all what I expected, but in probably the best way!

The final episode, which I also assume is the aforementioned OVA, actually follows a Makai Knight named Tokikawa; A man unable to age.

People who've been paying attention to the lore of show can probably very quickly deduce who this new mystery knight is far before the reveal at the end, but that doesn't make this episode any less impactful.

Even without that context, the episode does a solid job in making Tokikawa likable, and his platonic relationship with Raiko's' mother very sweet. I concept of a cursed Armor was also really interesting to me, and I felt it was a shame that we never get to see the suit in the episode proper.

But, with the rest of the show in mind? It adds an entirely new layer to Kintoki. From why he's became Raiko's' attendant, to his personality, to his fighting style, to the very clothes that he wears, it did a whole lot in helping flesh him out as a character, and I am 100% here for it. If Hakamadare weren't in this show, Kintoki would probably now be my favorite.

The continuation of using butterflies for symbolism was also very appreciated. It's something that was held consistent all throughout the show proper and it was good to see more of it here. Death, rebirth, corruption, purity, they're used in alot of ways, and here I felt that the use of butterflies to signify that time is fleeting(in this case, literally) was really cool, ontop of them being used as a symbol of the friendship between Tokikawa and Raiko's' mother.

Does it do any of the wrapping up for characters that I expected/wanted out of a final episode? No, but what it did give me was something I appreciated all the same. All that's left now is the movie.