Angolmois - Episode 8: Betrayer's Strike - [Review]

By: v.o.lynn

Summary

Traitor, Obusuma Saburou, has pulled aside Shiraishi to try to get him in on the scam of the century. He’s been recruited by a Mongol captian named Nergui (one of Edei’s captains) to be the spy within the Japanese defenses, and, well, seems to think two heads would be better than one.In the meantime, Kuchii doubts the strength of the Toibarai’s defenses when dealing with the large city-wall that protectcs the warlike community of people. Despite his suggestions and requests to take the fight to the Mongols directly, they are denied time and again by the Toibarai leadership (Nagamine Hangan, and the village elder): Kanatokoi is their home, and it is what they will protect.A few Toibari soldiers (Nakamaru, Kamaami, Jirou, and Tasuke) share the same thoughts as their leadership, and ask Kuchii to “use that fancy death stroke or whatever”. (They are COMPLETELY trounced, it’s great.) Even so, Kuchii agrees to stand with the Toibarai in the upcoming fight to protect their stronghold.Edei and his captains in the capital look about ready to go home, but talk about a spy in the Japanese ranks revitalizes their spirits.Shiraishi turns down Obusuma, killing him, and one of the female Toibarai who came across the fight. As news spreads within the walls of Obusuma’s death, Shiraishi hurries to meet the Mongols himself, to replace Obusuma.Hangan shares his detective work about Obusuma’s death with Kuchii, revealing that Shiraishi is his main suspect. And then – a regretful Shiraishi appears with the excuse of having been hunting.The sun rises on the Mongols and Japan’s defenders the next morning, with the approaching Mongol soldiers

Review

Being the commander of the Toibarai, Hangan had established himself as being a voice of both caution and reason, as well as a force to be reckoned with. He shines particularly well this episode with his detective work, and also with his choice to bring it to Kuchii’s attention as both traitors were not not merely refugees from the capital or from Sasu. The traitors are exiles, like Kuchii was. The level of trust he has in Kuchii is kind of nice. It’s a bit of a “Figure it out and deal with it” moment.Watching Shiraishi go from passive to complicit in ratting out the Japanese defenders is a little frustrating. At first, you can see him withholding his opinion, likely ready to keep it as a token bit of information, possibly to share with Kuchii. But after being attacked by Obusuma, watching him take up the fallen traitor’s path is both frustrating and poetic, all at once.Edei is shrewd and creepy this episode. More shrewd than creepy. But the the creepiness is completely undeniable.The weight of this plot  shifts a lot in this episode, but one thing remains constant: the Mongols are coming, and the Toibarai may not be ready. I can only hope that they are.