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Characters in order of appearance:

Transcript

  • Episode begins with Asirpa and Yoshitake scouting the 7th Division’s HQ from outside. A 7th Division soldier stands guard at the entrance*

Yoshitake: That’s the 7th Divion’s HQ. There are iron bars on the windows and guards standing by the entrance all night. We can try saving him, but it may be too late already. Even Immortal Sugimoto’s luck has to run out some time. Asirpa: Sugimoto is alive. His strength comes from the way his heart is immune to the fear of death.

  • Flashback shows Naoaki, Houzou, and Fumio aiming their rifles at Saichi, before Saichi runs away and jumps into a bear den*

Asirpa: The only other man I’ve known who’d jump into a bear’s den is my father. He gets as close as he possibly can to the Grim Reaper…

  • Flashback shows Saichi killing the Matakarip brown bear with his bayonet*

Asirpa: …and that’s how he finds a way to survive. That’s why he’s immortal.

  • Scene changes to a room inside the 7th Division’s HQ, as Yohei holds a knife with the tip embedded into Saichi’s chest, while attempting to plunge it deeper. Saichi prevents this by pushing up on Yohei’s arms, before pushing him off of himself, causing the knife tip to be removed from his chest. Saichi jams his fingertips into Yohei’s throat*

Yohei: Augh!

  • Saichi grabs a piece of the broken chair, laying nearby, before swinging it into Yohei’s face, causing blood to fly from it. Kohei who is still held between Saichi’s leg, stabs Saichi in his right shin with a knife, as Saichi bashes him over the top of the head with the broken chair leg, causing drops of blood to fly into the air. Saichi then swings the broken chair leg into Yohei’s face before bashing Kohei over the head with it. Saichi does this repeatedly, before several 7th Division soldiers open the door and enter the room*

7th Division Soldier: Stop it! You were told not to kill him!

  • The 7th Division soldiers enter the room and restrained Kohei, Yohei, and Saichi*

Kohei: I’ll chop him up and feed the pieces to the pigs! Saichi: You’re lucky that your friends showed up! I would’ve killed you and your brother both!

  • Scene changes to a room in the 7th Division HQ, as Tokushiro sits and speaks to a 7th Division soldier*

Tokushiro: Keep the brothers away from Sugimoto. 7th Division Soldier: Yes, sir.

  • Scene changes to the room Saichi was in, as two soldiers handcuff Saich and tie his arms together with a rope*

Saichi: You guys are so damn slow. I made all that noise for a reason. Come in and save me.

  • Yoshitake watches from outside the window*

7th Division Soldier: This guy’s crazy.

  • Yoshitake jumps to the ground, from the second floor of the HQ, landing on his feet in front of Asirpa and Retar*

Yoshitake: He’s tough. Asirpa: Huh? Yoshitake: Sugimoto’s alive! Asirpa: *sighs* Yoshitake: He’s locked up, which means he must have hidden the tattoos somewhere. Those bars and old and rusty.

  • Yoshitake points to the window of the room Saichi is in*

Yoshitake: If we can get one of them off, I can dislocate my joints and sneak in. I like gambling. And I’m willing to bet on you. I’ll help you save Sugimoto, so give me a share of the gold. Asirpa: Okay. I’m not interested in the gold. If you find it, you can split it with Sugimoto. Yoshitake: Okay, we’ve got a deal.

  • Asirpa and Yoshitake shake hands*

Yoshitake: We’ll tie the rope to one of the horses outside. On my signal, make it run to pull the rope. It’ll rip off the bars and the frame, and we’ll make our escape. You got any soap? If I could rub myself down with it, it would make it easier to get through the bars… Asirpa: Hmm…I’ve got fat.

  • Yoshitake strips down to just a loincloth, while shivering in the snow*

Yoshitake: Huh? Asirpa: Bear fat.

  • Scene changes to inside the 7th Division HQ, as a soldier stands guard in front of Saichi’s room. Saichi lays, tied up on the floor*

Saichi (Thinking): Those twins will come back. If I don’t do something, they’ll kill me next time.

  • Saichi notices a lathering sound, and turns to find Yoshitake slithering through the window*

Yoshitake: I decided to drop in. Saichi: A ghost?! Yoshitake: Shiraishi, the Escape King! Saichi: What are you doing here?

  • Yoshitake pops his dislocated arm back into place*

Yoshitake: A scary Ainu girl threatened me with a poison arrow. Saichi: Asirpa…

  • Saichi notices the sound of a horse neighing*

7th Division Soldiers: Now what? Something’s spooked the horses! A horse thief?

  • The guard outside Saichi’s room runs to the stables. Asirpa stands outside with Retar*

Asirpa: Retar’s scent. The horses found him.

  • Back in Saichi’s room*

Yoshitake: That’s not good. We have a problem. Saichi: Just get these cuffs off!

  • Yohei and Kohei open the door to Saichi’s room*

Yoshitake: …! Saichi: …! Yohei: Kohei, you watch outside. Don’t let anyone in.

  • Yoshitake hides behind a box within the room*

Yohei: If I take his cuffs off after I kill him, we can tell everyone he died trying to escape. Kohei: Yohei, give me that. A gunshot will bring everyone running. Do it with a bayonet. Yohei: *groans*

  • Yohei hands Kohei his revolver, before Kohei exits the room and closes the door. Yohei reaches for his knife but finds that it isn’t there*

Yohei: Huh?

  • Yohei suddenly turns around to find a freed Saichi lurching towards him, holding his knife. Saichi grabs Yohei’s throat*

Saichi: The asshole with the missing tooth! I can tell it’s you!

  • Scene changes to outside the room, as Tokushiro and several 7th Division soldiers walk up. Two 7th Division soldiers restrain a crying Kohei*

7th Division Soldier: It was like that already when we opened the door.

  • Tokushiro walks into the room to find a dead Yohei, and Saichi sitting against the wall and clutching his bloody abdomen*

Saichi: *pants* 7th Division Soldier: His guts… 7th Division Soldier: He won’t last long. Tokushiro: Your life’s like a candle in the wind, Sugimoto. Saichi: Save me. I’ll give you the tattoos or anything else you want.

  • Tokushiro smiles and turns around to his soldiers*

Tokushiro: Prepare a horse-drawn sled! Take Sugimoto to the best hospital in the city. Wake up a doctor and have him treated, even if it means putting a gun to somebody’s head!

  • Asirpa and Retar watch from outside as the light in Saichi’s room turns on. Two 7th Division soldiers place Saichi on a stretcher*

Tokushiro: Wait.

  • Tokushiro bends down by Saichi*

Tokushiro: We’ll do our best. Make sure to pay us back. If you feel the Grim Reaper closing in, tell us where the tattoos are. Got it? Saichi: I’ll never die!

  • Tokushiro stands up and whispers to one of the soldiers carrying the stretcher*

Tokushiro: I’ll follow him. Keep talking to Sugimoto. Got it? Find out where they are before he dies. 7th Division Soldier: Yes, sir!

  • Scene changes, as two 7th Division soldiers and Saichi are riding through Otaru on a horse-drawn sled. Back at the 7th Division HQ, Tokushiro stands above Yohei’s corpse*

Tokushiro: There’s something strange about this corpse…A deep wound on the right hand.

  • Tokushiro grabs Yohei’s hand and examines it, causing the knife in it to drop to the ground*

Tokushiro: Did he get that protecting himself? It would be difficult to hold a bayonet like this.

  • Tokushiro grabs Yohei’s other hand and sniffs it*

Tokushiro: His left hand is unharmed. Why didn’t he switch? Did you really die fighting Sugimoto like this? Well? Did Sugimoto put this in a corpse’s hand?

  • Tokushiro notices blood on Yohei’s belt*

Tokushiro: This belt…There are bloody fingerprints on the other side.

  • Saichi is shown rising up while on the horse-drawn sled*

Tokushiro: Why did you put the belt back on after killing him, Sugimoto?

  • Fluid leaks from behind the plate on Tokushiro’s head. Scene changes to the horse-drawn sled, as Saichi slams the back of his fist into a soldier’s face, causing blood to fly from his mouth and knocking him off the sled. Back at the 7th Division HQ, Tokushiro opens Yohei’s coat*

Tokushiro: …!

  • Back at the horse-drawn sled*

7th Division Soldier: Did someone fall? Huh?

  • The soldier looks back to find Saichi standing behind him. Saichi tosses Yohei’s intestines behind his shoulder. Back at the 7th Division HQ*

Tokushiro: He stole the guts!

  • Back to the horse-drawn sled. Saichi tosses the soldier off the sled, before taking the reins*

Saichi: Go! Run, Run!

  • Saichi notices the neighing of a horse and turns to find Tokushiro chasing him on horseback. Tokushiro pulls out a gun and aims it at Saichi*

Saichi: *grunts*

  • Asirpa sits on Retar’s back while he stands on a rooftop in the distance, as she notches an arrow. Asirpa fires the arrow, hitting Tokushiro’s horse in the flank, causing it to fall to the ground. Tokushiro falls off the horse to the ground, causing him to roll along the ground, before he immediately transitions into a sprint. Tokushiro stops running and points his gun at Saichi, slightly pressing down on the trigger, before pulling the gun back*

Tokushiro: Perhaps not today.

  • Tokushiro walks up to his fallen horse*

Tokushiro: What happened to this horse? I didn’t hear a gunshot. Eh?

  • Tokushiro stares at a wound on the horse’s flank*

Tokushiro: What is this wound?

  • Asirpa is shown holding the arrow she had fired, with the poisoned meat from the horse still on the end. Asirpa holds the arrow away from Retar*

Asirpa: You can’t eat this. It’s full of poison.

  • Scene changes to Tokushiro and several 7th Division soldiers standing outside their burning HQ*

7th Division Soldier: Lieutenant, someone started a fire. Get back! It’s going to set off the ammo!

  • Hajime stands beside Toksuhiro*

Tokushiro: We should let Sugimoto…no, Sugimoto’s group gather the tattoos. They’re better at it than we are.

  • A soldier runs up to Tokushiro*

7th Division Soldier: I’m so sorry! The fire spread so fast we couldn’t get the tattoo out!

  • Tokushiro takes off his coat to reveal a shirt made of the tattooed skin*

Tokushiro: It’s safe! I’m so hot! So hot!

  • Yoshitake, wearing the uniform of a 7th Division soldier, stands behind Tokushiro*

Yoshitake (Thinking): That explains whey I couldn’t find it…Damned pervert…

  • Scene changes to the forest outside Otaru, as Saichi approaches the awaiting Asirpa and Retar, on his horse-drawn sled*

Saichi: Asirpa…I was trying to show off when I left, but you saved me. I’m an embarrassment.

  • Asirpa has a sad look on her face, before she suddenly darts toward Saichi and strikes him in the head with her sutu*

Saichi: Ahh!

  • Scene changes to a house, where two armed men stand guard outside*

Shinpachi: Enough money for the time being, and several of the latest foreign weapons. It’s all I can offer you.

  • Toshizo stands in a room with a man, Shinpachi, overlooking a table of guns, while Tatsuuma sits outside the room. Toshizo grabs a rifle and examines it*

Toshizo: It’s enough. Thank you. Shinpachi: If only I wasn’t so stiff these days…I’m too old to run alongside you. Toshizo: Liar. You were obsessed with the Shinsengumi for years. You must be excited, Nagakura.

  • Tatsuuma turns and looks into the room*

Tatsuuma (Thinking): Nagakura? Don’t tell me this old guy was the Shinsengumi’s finest swordsman, Nagakura Shinpachi?

  • Tatsuuma stands to his feet*

Tatsuuma: Hey, Shinsengumi geezers. You’re not just after the gold, are you?

  • Scene changes to Asirpa, Saichi, and Yoshitake standing beside a horse within the forest, as Retar lays in the snow behind them*

Yoshitake: So, what do we do with this horse? Saichi: What do we do with it? It would be a shame to just leave it, and…

  • Saichi rubs up against the horse’s head*

Saichi: See? It likes me! Yoshitake: No, it would stand out too much if we took it with us. We should get rid of it. Asirpa: I want to give Retar a reward, too. Saichi: *whimpers*

  • Yoshitake approaches the horse, after pulling out a gun*

Yoshitake: Then it’s settled.

  • Yoshitake cocks the gun. Scene changes to the dead horse lying in the snow, as Saichi, Asirpa, and Yoshitake stare at it*

Yoshitake: The best thing to make with horse meat is sakuranabe, huh? Asirpa: Sakuranabe? What’s that? Saichi: You eat horse meat like it’s sukiyaki. It’s popular in Tokyo. Asirpa: S…Sukiyaki? Is it good? Yoshitake: It sure is. But we’ll need an egg to make it.

  • Yoshitake runs into the forest*

Yoshitake: I’ll go hit up local farmers!

  • Saichi and Asirpa silently stand beside the horse corpse*

Saichi (Thinking): Awkward…

  • Asirpa approaches the dead horse and starts cutting into it with a knife*

Saichi: Uh… Asirpa: Sugimoto, they really got your face, huh? Your body’s covered in wounds, too, isn’t it? You rest. Saichi: Asirpa…This is what searching for the gold is going to be like. If something happened to you, I don’t know what I’d tell your grandmother or the rest of the village. Asirpa: You’re trying to say I’m just slowing you down, right? Saichi: No, that’s not it.

  • Asirpa throws a piece of horse meat at Saichi’s face, which sticks to his cheek*

Saichi: Eh? What’s this? Asirpa: Put it on your face. I’ve heard that horse meat can reduce swelling.

  • Retar rises up behind Saichi while staring intently at the horse meat on his face*

Asirpa: I’ve already seen my father brutally killed. I know it’s dangerous. I made my own decision that if I went with you, I might achieve my goal.

  • The horse meat falls from Saichi’s face to the ground*

Asirpa: The one who treated me like a child, didn’t trust me as a partner, acted alone, made stupid choices, and was caught…That was you!

  • Retar eats the horse meat that fell to the ground. Scene changes to Asirpa, Saichi, and Yoshitake sitting by a fire within a hunting tent*

Yoshitake: I got some burdock and cabbage as well as eggs. They also shared some sugar, soy sauce, and sake with us. Saichi: Good work. Yoshitake: What? You guys are such downers. We’re about to have a great meal. Well, I’m not interested in getting involved in a married couple’s quarrel. Let’s eat some yummy stew and make up!

  • Horse meat and cabbage boils inside of a broth, within a pot*

Yoshitake: Once the meat turns the color of cherry blossoms, it’s ready to eat. Mix it with the beaten egg, and…

  • Saichi dips the cooked meat into a beaten egg within a container, before eating it*

Saichi: Let’s eat. It’s great! This is amazing! Yoshitake: It’s so good! The mild flavor of the horse meat goes perfectly with the rich flavor of the miso! The miso sauce is just perfect for this! Asirpa: This has osoma in it? Yoshitake: What? Osoma? Saichi: *sighs* Asirpa, you can’t make sakuranbe without miso!

  • Asirpa makes a disgusted face*

Yoshitake: Asirpa, you’re not a fan of miso? Saichi: It’s more like she thinks it’s poop. Yoshitake: Poop? The Japanese and the Ainu have culture gaps in unexpected places… Saichi: I’m sorry, Asirpa. There’s still plenty of meat. I’ll remake it without the miso.

  • Asirpa hesitantly picks up the miso-dipped meat with her chopsticks, and holds it in front of her mouth, while making a pained face*

Saichi: Asirpa…?

  • Asirpa eats the miso dipped meat*

Asirpa: This osoma is delicious!

  • Saichi wipes a tear from his eye*

Saichi: I told you it wasn’t poop. Yoshitake: I don’t know what just happened, but I guess you like it! Asirpa: Hinna, hinna! Saichi: It’s really hinna! Asipra: Gimme more osoma! Yoshitake: Sure, eat up!

  • Scene changes to Otaru, as Toshizo and Tatsuuma are sitting in an enclosed horse-drawn sled, riding through the city. Toshizo loads a rifle with bullets*

Toshizo: The man we’re about to meet, Shibukawa Zenjiro, is the leader of a gang of bandits.

  • Tatsuuma loads the cartridge of his revolver with bullets*

Tatsuuma: So your plan is to bring him and his men onto your side?

  • Several men in the enclosed sled load their guns*

Toshizo: I sent a messenger this afternoon, but he didn’t come back. Tatsuuma: So you’re busting your way in? There’s more of them than there are of us. Toshizo: Numbers don’t matter. They never have. The only ones who were ever worth a damn were those who were willing to lay down their lives.

  • Scene changes to Toshizo, Tatsuuma, and several armed men standing outside a solitary house*

Toshizo: If you want to live, then prepare to die!

  • Tatsuuma kicks down the sliding doors to a room where Zenjiro and his men sit, as he, Toshizo, and the rest of Toshizo’s men enter*

Zenjiro and his men: Huh? Bandit: Hey, who the hell said you could come in here?

  • One of Zenjiro’s bandits throws a punch at Toshizo. Tatsuuma walks in between them and catches the punch with his right hand*

Tatsuuma: What a cute little boy! Take this! Up you go!

  • Tatsuuma grabs the bandits shirt and throws him upward, embedding him, up to his chest, into the ceiling of the room*

Toshizo: Shibukawa…I sent a messenger, I believe. Zenjiro: Yeah, I beat him up, and he told me all I needed to know. The Ainu buried treasure…Sounds interesting. Show me your tattoos. Toshizo: Take these.

  • One of Toshizo’s men throws three decapitated heads in front of Zenjiro*

Toshizo: These are your men who were outside.

  • Zenjiro looks to his right, towards several of his armed men hiding behind a cracked door*

Toshizo: Do we help each other or kill each other? Pick one. Zenjiro: *sighs* You win. Kill them!

  • Toshizo immediately shoots Zenjiro through the cheekbone and out the other side of his head, causing blood to splatter on the wall behind him. Toshizo shoots three bullets into the door where Zenjiro’s hidden men were standing. One of Zenjiro’s bandits pulls out a gun and charges at Toshizo, who draws his katana and cuts the bandit down. Toshizo slashes a bandit’s throat, who had charged at him from his right, with his katana. A bandit charges at Toshizo from his left with a gun drawn, as Toshizo twirls the handle of his lever-action rifle around his hand, simultaneously cocking it before shooting the charging bandit*

Toshizo: Kill them all! Don’t let a single one escape. Tatsuuma: So this is the monstrous face of Hijikata Toshizo, the Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi…

  • Flashback shows Shinpachi talking to Toshizo outside a house*

Shinpachi: It’s said that if a man does not die when he should, he faces a shame greater than death. Starting a war at our age…It’s madness. Hijikata, you’re not looking for a place to die, are you? Toshizo: I plan on living for another century.

  • Scene changes to a horse-drawn sled riding through the snow, as Toshizo hangs off the back of the enclosed cabin*

Tatsuuma: Are you really planning on making a new Shinsengumi? Sorry, but I’m only in this for the gold. Who would believe in a fantasy like taking over Hokkaido? Toshizo: There are many who long for Ezo’s independence. They’ve lived here since the distant past.

  • Noppera-Bou (Wilk) is shown in Abashari Prison standing at a window. Scene changes to the next day, as Asirpa and Saichi walk through the forest*

Asirpa: Where did the Scat King go? Saichi: Shiraishi went into town to get information. It’s probably best if I stay out of town for a while.

  • Asirpa looks at a print in the snow*

Asirpa: Look, Sugimoto. Ezo deer tracks. They’re still fresh. Saichi: Okay, let’s chase it, Asirpa. Are Ezo deer any good? Asirpa: They’re good if you salt the brains and eat them, Sugimoto.

  • Scene changes to Saichi and Asirpa climbing up a hill of deep snow in the forest*

Asirpa: Sugimoto, you’re too slow. We won’t catch up to the deer. Saichi: Wait a second. I’m tired. Water…I want water… Asirpa: What a pathetic Sisam.

  • Asirpa notices something on a tree and walks up to it*

Asirpa: Sugimoto, I found something good. Sarunashi vine. These vines suck up tons of water.

  • Asirpa cuts one of the vines with her knife*

Asirpa: If you cut them, the sap will come pouring out. You can use these when you run out of water in the mountains.

  • Asirpa sucks the sap from the vine*

Saichi: Uh…Hey…Give me some, Asirpa. Please…

  • Saichi walks up to Asirpa, places his hand on her head, and unsuccessfully tries to pull the vine from her mouth*

Saichi: Sh…She’s so strong!

  • Saichi sits on the ground while sucking the sap from a vine*

Asirpa: There are other uses for sarunashi vines. My snowshoes are made out of it.

  • Scene changes to Saichi walking on the deep snow while wearing snowshoes made of sarunashi vines, no longer sinking into it as he was before*

Saichi: This is great. Asirpa? Asirpa: Look, Sugimoto.

  • Asirpa stands beside a marked tree*

Asirpa: A buck sharpened his antlers here to mark his territory. If we make a sound by rubbing this tree with a stick, it might come back to see.

  • Asirpa pulls out her sutu*

Saichi: You’re abusing that sutu too much! Asirpa: Huci says there used to be lots more deer. They were easy to catch.

  • Flashback shows Huci talking to Asirpa about the deer*

Asirpa: Deer aren’t treated as gods. They were called “yuk,” which means “prey,” probably because they were so easy to catch. Yuk were thought to be scattered on Earth by the gods as food for humans. But one winter, so much snow fell that they couldn’t dig up food, and many deer died.

  • Saichi rubs a stick against the marked tree*

Asirpa: Someone must have treated the deer poorly. So the gods got mad and stopped sending them to earth, they said. Saichi: I see…Hm?

  • Saichi notices the Ezo deer*

Saichi (Thinking): It really came. It’s as big as a horse. Asirpa: Move slow and silently.

  • Saichi slowly grabs and cocks his rifle. The deer hears the cocking of the rifle and runs off, as Saichi shoots it in the flank*

Saichi: I missed its vitals! Asirpa: Let’s chase it! Start climbing! Look for blood on the bamboo leaves. Find the tracks where it left the thicket. Saichi (Thinking): Damn it. It’s my fault for being in a hurry. I just made it suffer needlessly. I have to finish it off, for its sake.

  • Asirpa kneels down and looks at tracks in the snow*

Asirpa: One dog and two men. One’s big, with a strange gait. Did he injure his right leg? It can’t be…

  • Scene changes to Genjiro standing in the snow, his right leg wrapped heavily with a cloth, while wearing a snowshoe made of sarunashi vines on his left leg. Tetsuzo and his dog, Ryu, kneel beside Genjiro while staring at a bear den*

Tetsuzo: Comparing the brown bears of Hokkaido to the black bears Tohoku Matagi hunt is like comparing wolves and pups. But this pup is a breed raised by the Ainu. It doesn’t fear brown bears. Genjiro: That Murata rifle’s hard to use. It only holds one bullet. It’s not a “preference.” It’s “obsolete.” Tetsuzo: *chuckles* And the guns soldiers use hold five rounds, right? That is convenient, yeah. Okay, Ryu. Go!

  • Ryu runs up to the bear den and starts barking*

Tetsuzo: If you find a female bear, rape it! Don’t intervene. This is a fight between me and the bear. Genjiro: Hey, where’s your other bullets? Hunters who used Murata guns held their other bullets between their fingers. Tetsuzo: If you have five bullets, it makes you believe you get five chances. I only get one shot, so I make sure I’m always satisfied with it.

  • Ryu runs away from the bear den, as a brown bear charges out of it, towards Tetsuzo. Tetsuzo glares at the bear while aiming his rifle at it, causing the bear to stop it’s charge and stand on its hind legs just in front of Tetsuzo*

Genjiro (Thinking): He stood right in front of the bear’s den as it left and scared it! Tetsuzo: If you get scared and stand up, you lose.

  • Tetsuzo shoots his rifle. Scene changes to Tetsuzo sitting on the corpse of the bear*

Tetsuzo: Matagi Tanigaki, are you still going to follow me? I didn’t save you from the cold because I wanted a lover. Genjiro: You’re looking for a white wolf, too, aren’t you? When I was back in my homeland, a medicine-seller told me something. He told me the name of an incredibly skilled bear hunter in Hokkaido. He said that once that hunter goes up a mountain, all the bears there will disappear. He told me your name, Nihei Tetsuzo.

  • Episode ends*

Episode Rating

Story & Pacing (9.7/10)

  • The episode maintains excellent momentum by seamlessly switching between multiple engaging storylines:
    • Sugimoto’s brutal fight and daring escape from the 7th Division
    • Asirpa’s growing leadership and resourcefulness
    • The Shinsengumi's expansion and recruitment
    • The introduction of Nihei Tetsuzo, a legendary hunter
  • The intensity of the prison break and Hijikata's ruthless gang recruitment contrasts beautifully with Asirpa’s cultural insights and the looming threat of bear hunters.

Characterization & Dialogue (9.8/10)

This episode delivers outstanding character development and introduces compelling new figures.

  • Sugimoto Saichi – The Unstoppable Fighter
    • His fight with the Nikaido Twins was pure brutality—he’s not just a survivor, but a relentless combat strategist.
    • Stealing a dead man's guts to stage his escape? That was disgustingly brilliant.
    • Despite his badassery, his moment of shame after needing Asirpa to save him makes him human and relatable.
    • His final exchange with Asirpa (about not trusting her) was one of the most emotionally charged moments of the episode.
  • Asirpa – Proving Her Worth & Leadership
    • She orchestrates Sugimoto’s rescue with strategy, precision, and unwavering faith in him.
    • Her patience finally wears thin, and she scolds Sugimoto for treating her like a child.
    • Her subtle emotional arc (missing her father, losing Retar, fearing for Sugimoto) makes her more layered and complex than the average "plucky sidekick."
    • The evolution of the "miso=poop" joke was hilarious and a huge character moment for her—finally eating it was her symbolically accepting parts of Japanese culture.
  • Tokushiro Tsurumi – The Perfect Madman
    • His deduction skills are terrifying—he immediately realizes Sugimoto staged his escape just by analyzing a corpse.
    • His reaction to losing the tattooed skin (revealing he was literally wearing them as clothing) was one of the most disturbing yet hilarious moments ever.
    • His obsession with power and the war chest continues to make him an incredibly layered villain.
  • Shiraishi Yoshitake – The Best Escape Artist & Comic Relief
    • His role in the prison break was fantastic, proving he’s more than just a comedic character.
    • The soap/bear fat scene was golden Kamuy-style humor at its best.
    • His realization that Tsurumi was wearing the tattooed skins made for a hilarious reaction shot.
  • Hijikata Toshizo – The Ruthless Samurai General
    • His Shinsengumi-inspired massacre of the bandits was an absolute spectacle.
    • His vision for Hokkaido’s independence adds a larger historical and political element to the story.
    • Nagakura Shinpachi’s introduction adds more weight to the Shinsengumi faction.
    • His stoic, no-nonsense demeanor contrasts with Tsurumi’s theatrical madness, making them two incredible rivals.
  • Nihei Tetsuzo – The Legendary Hunter (Debut)
    • His introduction was excellent—he's a force of nature.
    • His philosophy about having only one shot making him stronger immediately cements his credibility.
    • His dominance over the bear shows he’s no ordinary hunter—he commands respect and fear.
    • The parallel between him and Asirpa’s father is strong—he’s an old-world master of survival.

Action & Tactical Brilliance (9.8/10)

  • Sugimoto vs. Nikaido Twins – Pure Savage Fighting
    • The finger jab to the throat, chair-beating, and brutal knife counter—this was one of the rawest fights so far.
    • The aftermath (Kohei weeping over Yohei’s corpse) was a rare moment of emotion for a villain.
  • Sugimoto’s Escape – One of the Best in the Series
    • The guts trick was genius—both disturbing and strategically brilliant.
    • Hijacking a sled while bleeding out and fighting off soldiers proves why he’s “Immortal Sugimoto.”
  • Asirpa’s Bowshot – Silent But Deadly
    • The poisoned arrow taking down Tsurumi’s horse without making a sound was incredibly smart.
    • Tsurumi recognizing something was off but stopping anyway shows his respect for worthy adversaries.
  • Hijikata’s Raid – The Old-School Samurai Slaughter
    • Guns, katanas, and raw intimidation tactics—this was an absolute bloodbath.
    • His effortless killing spree showcased his experience and skill.

Worldbuilding & Themes (9.7/10)

  • Ainu Cultural Elements Shine Again.
    • Water vines as hydration sources—another example of practical survival knowledge.
    • Hunting traditions & beliefs (yuk as “prey from the gods”) add further depth to the Ainu worldview.
    • Ritualistic respect for deer juxtaposes with the brutal realities of survival.
  • The Battle for Hokkaido’s Future Expands
    • Hijikata’s independence movement vs. Tsurumi’s military coup plan
    • More factions = higher stakes = richer storytelling
  • Nature vs. Humans – The Ongoing Struggle
    • Tetsuzo vs. The Bear shows how some humans have mastered their place in the wild.
    • Sugimoto and Asirpa’s hunt reinforces how nature will always be a battle of skill and patience.

Themes & Symbolism (9.7/10)

  • "Strength Comes from Willpower, Not Just Skill"
    • Sugimoto survives not because he's the best fighter, but because he refuses to quit.
    • Tetsuzo’s belief in "one perfect shot" aligns with Sugimoto’s survival instinct—both bet their lives on their abilities.
  • "Trust vs. Independence"
    • Sugimoto leaving Asirpa was a mistake, proving he needs her just as much as she needs him.
    • Hijikata, despite his lone-wolf nature, acknowledges the need for alliances.
  • "Resourcefulness vs. Recklessness"
    • Sugimoto’s escape was ingenious, but also reckless—he barely survived.
    • Asirpa’s methodical planning (poisoned arrow, tactical retreat) was what truly saved him.

Final Verdict: 9.7/10 – One of the Strongest Episodes Yet

This episode had everything—brutal action, tactical brilliance, top-tier character moments, historical intrigue, and cultural depth.

  • Sugimoto’s prison escape was masterclass suspense & strategy.
  • Tsurumi’s deduction skills and Hijikata’s takeover raised the stakes even higher.
  • Asirpa’s evolution from sidekick to equal partner was a defining moment.
  • Tetsuzo’s introduction promises another incredible battle ahead.

This is Golden Kamuy at its absolute best—unpredictable, thrilling, and rich with history, strategy, and survival.