Ok, so from episode 1, which explained a lot about the setting, this one dives a bit more into the characters, and also introduces a new one. First, we’ll begin with our main, Leon.
Leon didn’t have a lot of character development in episode 1 (either too busy showing a Horror its intestinal system or too busy being a newborn.) However, we get a bit more on him. He’s serious, no-nonsense, and apparently has a 24 hour sour expression on his face.
See, he even admits as much. However, that’s not to say he’s got no personality. For one, he’s very mad at his father’s sexual escapades and casualness about it. Secondly, he has very deep rooted issues wish his mother’s death. His first scene in the episode is a nightmare about her burning to death.
Then it devolved into a horrible monster face.
We see he’s got a lot of issues, which not only affect himself, but his powers. Those markings you see in the pic above aren’t tattoos, they’re apparently part of his nightmares. And when in battle, he gets covered in some soot from another woman’s pyre…he does NOT take it well.
Know how I commented on how the armor moved like an actual face? Well it does here. Leon goes absolutely berserk and it takes his dad armoring up and tackling him to snap him out of it. We’ve seen in the first episode he’s strong, but he’s still very new and has major emotional issues. It will be very interesting seeing where he goes there.
The other main lead, his dad, German/Herman/something…is, to contrast his stoic son, a bit childish and comedic. Also, he’s a PIIIMP.
However, like I said in episode 1, there’s more to his lechery than there seems. For one, he uses the opportunity to get info for his missions. While you could go to a bar and look for rumors, gotta say, this way seems better. Secondly…apparently Leon inherited his Golden Armor from his mom, so someone else has to inherit the Zoro armor that German has. In other words, he needs to make another baby. I like how he blends the serious aspects with the comical, and feels genuine both ways.
Next up to pseudo-join our crew is Ema.
Ema is a amazing. She doesn’t bat an eye when captured, she is cool and confident, just all around badass. When tied up, and a guard tries to punch her she does THIS!!!!
I mean…HOLY CRAP. I don’t even know if that’s even possible…but its one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen. She’s a Makai Alchemist (which I think means she has powers, but no armor) and she uses some razor ribbon yoyo thing and uses it with amazing style.
While our duo try to save her from the Horror of the day, it turns out she didn’t need saving, and when Leon goes berserk, she’s the one who ultimately kills the baddie. I really…really hope she’ll be reoccurring…a lot.
Now we have two characters that, while introduced last episode, weren’t given a lot of development. One is high priest/advisor/totally not the main villain Judge Frollo-I mean Mendoza.
He is an evil advisor A-hole, who hates the Makai knights for some unknown reason, and so has been manipulating the king and the kingdom to destroy them all. He is just what you want from this type of character-smarmy, conniving, you just wanna punch him in the face.
When he finds out the queen and prince are apparently in the Makai bloodline, he..doesn’t take it well. He makes up a bulls*** story that the king’s illness is because the queen’s poisoning him and that the prince is a bastard. Since the king’s looking too sick to make a judgement call, and due to the power Mendoza possesses, he pretty much is able to stage a coup, capture the queen and force the prince into exile.
Speaking of the Prince, he’s a pretty swell guy.
He’s pretty typical; the noble prince who’s both good at swordplay and also has a very big heart. We see him fight, we see him protect a peasant who was about to be punished, and all around be a good guy. He was living a happy, good life until Mendoza decided to screw everything up. It’ll be interesting seeing how his idealism works now that he’s exiled. Will he continue to have the people’s hearts and minds due to being such a good guy? Will he be labelled a bastard and turned on by everyone? Will he get a scar and decide to go after the Avatar to regain his honor?
Overall, I found this episode to be very good. Its given some answers, its developed the characters more, and looks to be setting up for a much bigger story to come. The animation remains great, as well as the action. The monsters look creepy, and the witch trials actually have some pretty obscure lore discussed in it. I’m pumped for more of what this series has to show.
Actually the translation for Makai Hoshi is Makai Priest not Alchemist
^ yes, hoshi is priest / star,never really known as alchemist
I really really really love Garo. It’s metal as fuck, but in a self-aware enough way, where the coolness of it all really bleeds into its atmosphere/overall narrative. It knows how to tell a good story too, albeit with a bit too much sexposition but it’s more of a nitpick IMO. I love the super 70s vibe from this, I love the ridiculously dark fantasy vibes, I love the characters, I love the world….there’s so much richness in the story and I find it so hard to look away……
(also the OP is the best thing bc garoooooooo!!!)
Well, they were talking about Makai Knight Zoro needing a successor this episode. I wonder if that’s who the prince is going to become (this is a pure guess, no betting this time). And yes, I think I still owe 15 bucks from my prediction bet on Buddy Complex (XD).
I really like from what I’ve seen so far. However, one thing bugged me from last episode was how the horse was like featherweight when it was riding on the roofs. I’m not too surprised if a couple of roofs getting cracked by the horse, but to just have absolutely no effect was a negative in terms of animation and effects (everything else was great though).
I thought the same, but only because I still had Shingeki no Bahamut in memory. bad timing for a not so good horses on rooftops scene^^