English Dub Review: Shangri-La Frontier “Putting Feelings Into a Moment, Part 1”

Overview

On the night of the new moon, the members of Ashura Kai are ambushed by a group of allied clans including Psyger-0. Meanwhile, Sunraku, Oikatzo, and Pencilgon confront Wethermon the Tombguard at the Hidden Garden.

Our Take

The long-awaited summer update confrontation with Wethermon has kicked off, and the trio—Sunraku, Oikatzu, and Pencilgon—have completed their preparations for the battle. Later on, Pencilgon executes a clever plan to strike back at the Ashura Kai, forming a multi-clan alliance to raid their secret base and seal the secret gate they would use to escape. The strategic moves take the Ashura Kai off the board, setting the stage for a decisive showdown. Meanwhile, Rei expresses disappointment at being unable to travel with Sunraku in the new expansion area due to the raid, adding a touch of humor and levity where it’s needed.

Rather than immediately diving into battle, there’s a clear condition: outlast the boss, which is a task well-suited for Sunraku. The fight begins with Sunraku and Wethermon being nearly evenly matched, showcasing Sunraku’s dodging skills and agility. Pencilgon speculates on the condition being to endure a certain amount of time, and the battle unfolds with Wethermon revealing different phases of attack patterns. Sunraku takes on Wethermon solo initially, utilizing his partners for healing items, and Oikatzu proceeds to analyze Wethermon’s movements.

Overall, judging from this episode’s title and the extensive build-up, it’s likely that the Wethermon battle will span several episodes. The pacing suggests a drawn-out and intense confrontation, and the episode offers insights into Pencilgon’s character, especially with the Ashura Kai leader’s betrayal and the comical post-credits interlude. Also, the significance of the necklace given to Sunraku by Emul remains a mystery, hinting at potential developments in the upcoming episodes…