English Dub Review: The Drops of God “Thus Spoke the Will”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Shizuku begins his search for the first of the Twelve Apostles.

Our Take:
Shizuku may not have won the first round of this wine-naming contest, but that doesn’t dissuade him from finding the “Drops of God”.  He also discovered what his vision was in the previous episode, so he should be able to focus more on his true goal, right?  Given that he has accepted his position in the wine department, we can assume he’s more than willing to participate in the competition.  This is where the anime’s structure continues to show its colors, with Shizuku and Tomine guessing one of Yutaka’s wines, the Twelve Apostles, based on country of origin, name, and even year.  The first of the Apostles sends Shizuku to confront an artist named Mizusawa Kaori, who painted a portrait after tasting a wine.  However, Kaori would need some help remembering its name due to her amnesia.
Much like the previous episode, “Thus Spoke the Will” further showcases Shizuku assisting specific characters as they search for the name of the chosen Apostle wine.  In this case, it’s possible that the Apostle wine and Kaori’s dilemma were connected.  This is evident in Kaori’s portrait, which matches the description of the First Apostle, and in the engagement ring she wears, which could be a gift from a wine expert.  Of course, we can also expect plenty more flashbacks that reflect the metaphorical descriptions of a specific wine, as well as some historical facts about the beverage itself.  While the show’s knowledge of wine remains impressive, it may not captivate those who aren’t particularly enthusiastic about wine or its history.  However, it continues to balance itself well with its story, which helps retain my interest in this adaptation.