English Dub Review: BACK ARROW “Does a Huge Ship Bring Hope?”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

The ground breaks and Elsha in her Briheight merges attached to a huge ship. Meanwhile, the king of Rekka discusses with their general Kai about Shu and the second Rakuho. The village holds Back Arrow at gunpoint to go with the soldiers and he agrees much to Atlee’s dismay. When Bit’s watches Back Arrow, Atlee tries to free him but Elsha stops her. Back Arrow convinces her that he’s alright and understands the village’s decision.

The Iki territory representatives meet with the villagers and they turn Back Arrow over them. After convincing the group that their new home is beyond the canyons, Bit requests to join the Iki military in frustration. Bit triggers the Iki territory’s plan to bury the village and the ship under the rocks of the canyon. Bit grabs Back Arrow’s Bind Warper with a plea to save the villagers. Back Arrow frees himself and heads over to the ship. They fight against the officer from Iki again and win. Afterward, the villagers abandon the Iki territory on their own terms and join Back Arrow in his journey to go beyond the wall.

Our Take:

The episode shows the turning point for the villagers with Arrow and his journey beyond the wall. Then there’s Rekka with their victory over the first Rakuho and their king demanding to know more about the second Rakuho.

Arrow’s acceptance of the village’s treatment of him is unexpected at first. He even considers them as friends despite everything. Then he explains that he refuses to go beyond the wall if it means placing someone else in harm. Arrow despite his lack of memories is mature enough to ask the real questions with Elsha. He’s a decent guy and I do hope we get to see him recover his memories while on his journey.

The conflict mainly stems from the trio and their opinions on the plan to serve Back Arrow up to Lutoh. Atlee thinks it’s wrong on the basis that he saved the village and that it’s her turn to save him. Elsha agrees that the village doesn’t have a lot of options and goes along with Bit’s plan. Bit is a gullible idiot, and while his intentions were good it just makes the conflict simplistic with the Iki’s betrayal. They really couldn’t have made it more obvious with their presentation of the village’s new home and the cannon that Bit fires off as a signal to cause a rockslide. The Iki territory couldn’t have the ship since it would attract the attention of the two warring nations. At least the village gets the leave the Iki territory on their own terms and be on their own like they’ve always been.

Now the old king of Rekka does have an intimidating vibe and with Shu Bi’s comment, he’s bound to be a threat to Back Arrow and the villagers in the future with their new home of a ship. Shu Bi and Kai’s vow about changing Rekka offers a glimpse into Shu Bi’s plans with Back Arrow. The smile he gives at the end convinces me that he has plans of his own for Back Arrow. Kai’s banter with Shu Bi and Ren was amusing and establishes their dynamic like the trio from the village.

Overall it was a good episode that sets up Back Arrow’s journey with the villagers looking for a place to settle in the Wall.