English Dub Review: Gleipnir “Gatherers”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Shuichi and Clair join a group of gatherers to have allies in their search for Elena. However, Clair has to make a pact to join the group which she agrees with, and she makes sure that Shuichi does not have to yet. While Clair goes with the leader to get more information, Shuichi becomes friends with one of the gatherers, Chihiro. She reveals that she can understand animals. Meanwhile, Clair gets confirmation that Elena is on the mountain and tells her story. The leader refuses to divulge anything else until she enters the pact. Clair agrees to the pact, and she learns about the leader’s past and her power that ensures that secrets remain secrets.

Shuichi’s interaction with Chihiro sparks jealousy from her teammate who later follows them as they go to search for the wallet she dropped. After attempting to get her to go back to the others, Shuichi gets placed in an awkward position when Chihiro goes inside him. Shuichi notes the difference between her and Clair as he walks in search of her wallet. Meanwhile somewhere in the mountains Elena’s teammate, Subaru finds a cute pink wallet.

Our Take:

This episode shows how the abilities get granted based on the human’s desire and the different personalities in a group of gatherers. Admittedly, I was hoping to see more of Tadanori, but he isn’t obligated to help other people. It would make for a good reveal when Clair or Shuichi call him for help. The soundtrack for the anime is nice. I especially liked the one when Elena and Shuichi talk about Elena on the rooftop.

There’s the leader of the group who knows that her group isn’t the strongest. Her power isn’t as visually like Shuichi’s or Elena’s form. It has a terrifying consequence for those that enter a pact with her. If they tell the secret of their group then they die. Like Tadanori, her ability stems from her history with a female teacher. Her friend revealed that secret which led her lover to commit suicide. She’s an interesting character with the simple goal of gathering the coins for a simple wish.

Then there’s Chihiro who is afraid that if the coins fell into the wrong hands it could be bad for her family. Her dream is to become a vet and that is why she obtained the ability to understand animals with a pair of furry ears. However, she does stubbornly force her way into Shuichi, and while it shows the difference between her and Clair that moment was awkward to watch. Furthermore, it might start a conflict with her admirer, the guy who introduced Clair and Shuichi to the group.

Overall the episode was a good one as it showed how different gatherers are. That last scene sets up the next episode to be an eventful one as Elena’s teammate has Chihiro’s wallet.