English Dub Review: Utawarerumano – Mask of Truth “A Vow to Rebuild”

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

Maroro drops the keystone, which seems to trigger the collapse of the Great Bridge. Before everyone leaves, Oshtor/Haku tells Maroro that he considers him a dear friend, but Maroro questions him about Hakun before leaving, swearing the next time he will kill Oshtor. Everyone is able to get off the bridge successfully, but losing the bridge is a major strategic loss for the Yamato. Still, they were at least able to protect the Capital, and Oshtor convinces Itak that this is victory enough. The Yamato decide to leave, but Atuy says she’s staying behind with Itak.

Later, Atuy shows up on the Yamato boat, saying that Itak told her he couldn’t protect her now, but he isn’t giving up on her. In her relaxing, Atuy kisses Oshtor, almost piecing together that he’s actually Oshtor, but then dismisses it. Meanwhile, Maroro and Raigo plan their next step.

OUR TAKE

Huh, I honestly expected this to be at least a three parter, considering how elaborate the battles were AND that this is basically the halfway point of the season. Not only that, Atuy’s five minute departure from the main cast makes it feel like this show is weirdly clinging to a status quo, despite this supposedly meant to be a developing serialized narrative. And on top of THAT, this isn’t even the only mini arc this season about a main female character supposedly defecting/departing to be with a separate faction in a meaningful and seemingly permanent way…only for that to be undone at the end so she an rejoin the main group and be under Oshtor again. I don’t mean to imply that the only way for these characters to feel like they’re getting development is for them to break off from the group one by one, or that they can’t have meaningful character arcs while working with the Yamato, but it just seems odd that two of these have taken such big steps for both characters only to walk it all back entirely in the final minutes. As well as having both these characters be drawn back by their connection to Oshtor, but also getting a hint that he’s actually Haku.

And that actually leads me to my other point: What does it serve to have this deception? Clearly we’re not meant to think it’s a totally good thing, as Maroro is someone who also knows/knew Haku but is vengeful against Oshtor, ironically not knowing he is fighting the friend he wants to avenge against a man who is already dead. I’m sure something about this makes sense in the context of the previous seasons/games they’re based on, but it seems to not be made very clear in the thirteen episodes of this season so far. If I had a guess, it would be that Oshtor’s charisma and influence is so great that his face alone can command this entire army AND that public knowledge of his death would utterly cripple morale, but we also know that just about everyone here also loved Haku dearly and would very likely follow him into battle just as easily. I can understand keeping that information from Maroro, an enemy, so as to confuse opposing factions and keep them convinced they’re facing a seasoned veteran, but I very much question the use of this against allies. Perhaps they’ll explain it more next time?