English Dub Review: The Eminence in Shadow “THE DRAGON’S TEARS”

Overview

With Cid missing and things getting hot, the Shadow Garden springs into action. At the Mitsugoshi Hot Springs Land that is!

Our Take

Skel and Po, embodying the problematic horny virgin archetypes as they usually do, sneak into Cid’s room and snatch six tickets to a Mitsugoshi hot springs resort. Unbeknownst to them, these tickets were personal gifts to Cid. Shadow Garden mistakenly assumes th at Cid invited Skel, Po, and three Shadows to the hot springs for a mission, posing as romantic couples. Eta, inspired by a story Cid shared about a legendary dragon and a princess, believes there’s a hidden meaning to the tale. Beta, Zeta, and Delta are chosen as the “couples,” while the other Shadows attend as regular guests.

Terrified at their reaction, Skel and Po lie by claiming Cid is running late and will join them later. Leading the girls to speculate if the mission was Cid’s way of granting everyone a holiday. Skel and Po get caught spying and face consequences. But their tears trigger a magical reaction in the spring water. Channeling the princess tear from the dragon legend, Eta coerces Beta, originally an elf princess, to cry, transforming the water into a dragon. The Shadows successfully vanquish the dragon, and Eta reveals the spring now possesses magic that promotes health and beauty. Alpha believes Cid orchestrated the mission to free the tormented soul of the dragon and have some fun. Skel and Po, undeterred, return home with determination to pursue their never-ending, problematic quest…

Overall, this was a random yet mildly entertaining filler episode that gives the show some focus on the supporting cast’s activities in Cid’s absence. The Shadow Garden’s version of the hot springs visit adds an element of fun, providing a backdrop for the supporting characters to relax. And the storyline, intertwined with Beta’s encounter with the dragon, adds depth to the proceedings. While Cid’s whereabouts remain unknown after the previous episode,  we can at least hope the next episode delves into that.