Backstories are explored, mystery deepens, and tragedy strikes in episode 9 of ZENSHU! Recent episodes have been very heavy on building emotional investment. All of that work is sure to pay off. However, now that fate has reared its ugly head, and Natsuko is powerless to stop it.
SPOILER WARNING for episode 9. Rated 14+ for Profanity and Violence
Raw Emotions
Luke’s emotions have been laid bare and we get some much needed context about his story in, “A Tale of Perishing.” The episode starts with a montage of four of the Nine Soldiers’ deaths. Then, it shifts to Luke’s perspective from previous episodes. As he cares for, and falls in love with, Natsuko. It feels a bit like a condensed recap episode, but it was nice to finally see some concrete scenes that contribute to Luke’s character development. We came out of it with a better idea of how much Luke lost and how much Natsuko has improved his life.
Surprising Confessions and Despair
When Natsuko confesses at the ending of “A Tale of Perishing”, to QJ, it comes as a genuine surprise to learn that Luke destroys the last Soul Future. He gives into despair and unleashes the Ultimate Void. Thus, creating a devastating force that destroys the world. It’s funny, how a fictional movie, in a fictional story, makes me seriously analyze its merits as a work of art. Tsuruyama, the director, calls “A Tale of Perishing” her masterpiece. Yet, its bleak and pessimistic tone is the exact opposite of what you’d expect from an animated movie. That implies the authorial intent was meant to make a statement or purposefully play against expectations for some reason. This train of thought supports QJ’s sacrifice at the end of the episode.
Irony and Hope
The dramatic irony of QJ’s proclamation of clear weather, only for a downpour to start upon their death, was devastating. It seems the events from “A Tale of Perishing”, that Natsuko worked to prevent, are still destined to happen but in different ways. I predict that by the final episode, Natsuko, will fill the role meant for Luke, and become the hero who is forced to watch her friends die.
In the same way “A Tale of Perishing” was meant to be a story of loss, ZENSHU may become a story of despair. However, where the former ended in destruction, the latter may end in creation. Natsuko may end up rewriting the whole thing!
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