English Dub Review: Nippon Sangoku “The Seii Coup”

Things started out with yet another dark moment, with yet another individual labeled an enemy of the state and executed. An elderly man claims he was reduced to stealing to help support his widowed daughter. Aoteru is asked to show mercy, but with his new position as auditor,  he orders the man to be hanged in a chilling moment. The man reveals that he was actually a close friend of Aoteru over the past three years, seeing him as a son and even sharing manga with him. Of course, this illustrates how the once moralistic, if cunning, Aoteru has been made to live within the harsh system he finds himself in. That said, viewers are assured that he isn’t completely heartless, silently crying while giving the man a bow, suggesting things might be out of his hands, at least for now.

Offering a bit of levity, there’s also a random joke about “The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” thrown in, which the new government seems to find lewd.

In true anime fashion, viewers are then treated to a bathhouse scene, allowing Aoteru to converse with Yoshitsune Asama, who has become his colleague over the past three years. However, it appears that one thing hasn’t changed over this time. Asama is still trying to decipher what Aoteru’s true intentions are. This leads to a discussion of possible rebellions, twisted laws, and what the future could bring, especially as plans to unify the nation are underway. Of course, Aoteru hints at one thing, if things had really gone according to plan, he’d currently be working in agriculture. And, apparently, all this snow we’ve seen so far might be from global cooling.

This is the segue to the situation in Seii, which Yamoto wants to claim. A coup is underway, with those opposing surrender attacking those who support it. The local governor soon loses his head as funky disco music plays in the background. It really makes you wonder if Aoteru has a point about a people’s rebellion.

Viewers are then introduced to Commander Ohga Wajima, the daughter of a deceased military strategist. Not as brutish as the others opposing surrender, she allows her opponent a chance to die on his own terms, but he chooses beheading, something that she is more than willing to comply with. Once again, the series tries to add a bit of humor, introducing her opponent after he is already dead.

Noting the horrors of the cold, things cut to Wajima giving food to starving locals. While some question why the provisions aren’t going to the military, a confidant defends her, saying that a government can’t last without the trust of the people, even quoting Confucius. She then calls upon the people, promising a better future, as she develops her own farmer-soldier system. Perhaps the series is setting up for Aoteru to really meet his match in her. Ultimately, many viewers will be interested in seeing what the story has planned next from her.