English Dub Review: Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts: “Chance Meeting of a Boy and a Child”
Overview: Sariphi (Emi Lo) helps Amit (Brittany Lauda) as she grapples with Jormungand’s (Brian Mathis) sudden refusal of her good luck charm. Ilya (Clifford Chapin) saves the young armadillo boy, Maalo (Trisha Mellon), and forms an unlikely bond with the child.
Our Take: Jormungand’s courteous demeanor is usually a commendable, positive part of his personality. However, here it serves as an inconsequential and banal “conflict” between him and Amit, that isn’t foreign to series like these. His honor, serving as a forced wedge to preserve Amit’s self-confidence about her charm, makes for a vanilla first half. That said, the resolution is sweet in how the captain puts her feelings above his own well-being. Although, it’s just a roundabout return to their situation in him re-accepting the amulet, making it feel pointless. In theory, it’s a powerful emotional concept, but it suffers from middling execution. Ilya’s quest, however, is the redeeming quality this episode needed.
Ilya’s chance encounter, saving Maalo, is so heartwarming in how adorably kind and wholesome the little armadillo boy is. If this boy does not make your heart melt, there is simply no hope for your cold soul. Maalo is an endearing way of pushing through Ilya’s anger and communicating beastkind’s humanity, being a catalyst for his growth. Sariphi’s presence is also felt in playing an impactful role in his progressive compassion. It’s a sweet second part that makes me hopeful for Maalo’s return and the ripples Ilya’s heroic act will cause.
