English Dub Review: My Happy Marriage “What the Autumn Breeze Brought”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Upon returning to the capital, the group has an unsettling encounter with Naoshi Usui.  Kiyoka assigns Miyo a bodyguard: the dashing Kaoruko Jinnouchi.

Our Take:
It looks like Kiyoka’s mother is the least of our worries now that we know who’s pulling the strings of this mysterious Gifted Communion.  Even worse, the subject in question, Naoshi Usui, happens to be Miyo’s proclaimed “father” and the founder of this malevolent cult.  His unusual ability and unstable personality also make Usui possibly the most dangerous antagonist the series could offer.  I know that families have their share of problems, but the ones from Kiyoka and Miyo have got to have one of the most problematic ones ever outside the Saimori family.
In addition to learning more about Usui’s backstory, the episode sees Miyo being put into witness protection by Kiyoka’s military, meaning she could be spending the next few episodes away from her home.  Fortunately, the military has hired someone to protect Miyo, Kaoruko Jinnouchi, the only female member of the group whose ability allowed her to join the Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit.  Initially seen as a character whose only purpose is to protect, Jinnouchi has a surprising amount of baggage in her background that makes her the most interesting soldier of the bunch.  Along with her desire for friendship with Miyo, Jinnouchi was also targeted for discrimination by the other male soldiers since women were seen as hindrances in the military groups.  Since the show takes place during the Taisho era, these moments, including Jinnouchi sparring with one of the soldiers, further examine the timeline’s traditional gender roles, with women only seen as housewives and men as soldiers.
In a way, “What the Autumn Breeze Brought” has plenty to offer in its subtle themes involving discrimination and traditional roles, not just courage and happiness.  If I were to guess, Miyo’s friendship with Jinnouchi could serve as another key role in the second season, along with Usui’s connection with Miyo’s mother, Sumi.  Regarding how likable Jinnouchi has turned out so far, I hope this companionship between Miyo and her new bodyguard doesn’t throw itself on the back burner amid the series’ mystery behind Usui.