English Dub Review: Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon “The Three Princesses Strike Back”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

In present day Tokyo, Osamu Kirin, Towa’s homeroom teacher, chats with Sota Higurashi. Mei introduces herself excitedly. Moe Higurashi joins them after returning from her trip, and Mei asks her excitedly about a gift.

Osamu Kirin quickly turns his conversation with Sota to the Grim Comet. However, Sota is unable to see the celestial body with his normal human vision.

Back in the feudal era, Kirinmaru muses about the comet’s appearance during his time, and resolves to do something about it.

Zero asks Riku how to release Towa’s full demon powers. Riku claims that Towa is too kind for her own good, and unlikely to possess the destructive power his mistress seeks.

Towa and Setsuna learn about the latter’s “blood blade” on her arm from Jyūbei. He explains it’s a sign of her demon blood from from Sesshōmaru. He then tells Moroha she has a commission. Towa and Setsuna join Moroha to take on Zero.

Kirinmaru meets with Sesshōmaru’s mother (Lisa Ann Beley), to discuss Zero’s obsession with the prophecy. The demoness reveals her disdain for her granddaughters, while also cryptically mentioning the Weather Windmill and Akuru’s pinwheel.

When our three protagonists face off against Zero, they find she’s aided by an unexpected ally: Riku.

Will Towa be able to overcome her feelings to fight against him? And will doing so unleash her true demon powers?

Our take:

So last episode we saw a bit of Lady Zero’s background, but not much about her motives behind “cause problems on purpose” and possibly protect Kirinmaru from his fate at the hands of half demons.

This episode, we see that it’s more of that second part. She’s also apparently the twin’s great aunt? Or, like, cousin or something? Demon family trees are wild, yo.

Oh, and we see more of Osamu Kirin as well, who I’m now 100% convinced is Kirinmaru.

It’s always a treat to hear from Erika Harlacher (who also voices the titular character in Violet Evergarden) as Moe Higurashi, however briefly. Robbie Daymond (that’s Tuxedo Mask for my fellow Sailor Moon fans) also makes stellar use of his limited screentime as Sota.

Mei (voiced by Xanthe Huynh, aka Sachi in Sword Art Online) wraps up the modern day Higurashi family appearance for the episode, and presumably this season, with a delightful performance.

It’s more than a treat to see the Tenseiga back in action. Although I have to say, the extremely roundabout connection between Zero, Towa, and Rin needs a touch more explanation. And I have my doubts that we’ll get that anytime soon.

Overall, despite the lingering storylines, newly introduced details, and apparent family ties, this is a decent penultimate episode for this series. I’m interested to see how they wrap things up, but I’m not optimistic that everything will be neatly resolved by the end of next episode.

Which loose ends will remain will have to wait until then, though.