日本三國

>To have a show that can engage viewers so much with just a dialogue alone is something remarkable This kinda reminds me of Orb. There was an episode where two chracters talk about their different religious beliefs and ideologies, and 90% of the whole episode is spent on them talking inside a carriage-- none of it feels boring or out of place. Shows that can engage viewers with dialogue alone are something special.

**Some other things to note:** I think the timeline in the ED (which is difficult to read due to the snow) will be added to the anime's website, but if you don't feel like waiting, check the source corner. Also, see the source corner for the organizational chart of the Yamato government seen in last episode. In our first discussion and general daily or weekly anime discussions, some felt the narration implied that foreign refugees were responsible for the collapse of Japanese civilization and worried that the series would take a nationalist tone. The ED (and this episode with a weak "emperor") confirms that this isn't the case. What it does say in the timeline is that the presence of refugees led to an increase in xenophobia and xenophobic riots in Year 2055. The series was created during COVID when there were many cases of East and Southeast Asian people being blamed for the virus and physically attacked across the world. There were also some xenophobia sentiment toward foreign residents in Japan during the lockdown when the borders were closed to non-residents. Tatsuya Kitani released a music video of "Hidane" with his lyrics in several languages, including English. I think the same may happen with Leina's "Chikai." Both are about Aoteru and Saki. Last episode, when Yoshihiro Taira was lamenting about the situation with Buō and having terrible luck, a tea stem was floating vertically in his cup. That's a sign of a good luck ("chabashira ga tatsu") and sure enough, the ingrate was saved by "baldy." **Some Japanese fans check episode reactions on Reddit and really wanted foreign viewers to be aware of a Kansai joke made between Tsune-chan and the knife-wielding man, so I'll try to explain it.** There is a famous skit that everyone loves to copy by Yoshimoto talent agency's comedians. When you step into someone's home or an office in Japan, you always say "Excuse me for disturbing you" (邪魔するで～ in Kansai dialect) to be polite. In the comedic skit, after someone says "Excuse me for disturbing you," the person they are speaking to says, "If you're going to disturb me, go home" (邪魔するんやったら帰ってや～). Then the first person replies, "OK!" (あいよ～) and pretends to go home. (I know I did a terrible job of explaining and I swear it makes more sense if you just watch this clip where they made the same joke in Dandadan, except they didn't use Kansai dialect.) The knife-wielding man and Tsune-chan had that exact exchange save for the “OK” in the show. Speaking of Yoshimoto comedians, Girly Record cosplayed Tsune-chan (and looks like “an ugly pilot”) while singing Kitani’s Hidane, and re-enacted that scene. This was the creator’s response, which don’t need to know Japanese to understand. **The** **official anime website added a glossary** **a couple of days ago.** The information it contains are not considered spoilers. I'll add an English version to the bottom of this comment or in a separate comment later. (ETA: I replied to this comment with a translation of the glossary, but had some trouble with the formatting.) But, although Tsune-chan-san has described himself as the heir apparent of the Asama clan and adores his mother so much that he's working on her biography (this was shared in one of the official anime’s tweets this week), **his mother favors his sister Aika, and intends to make her the clan successor.** It's not clear if Tsune-chan is aware of this when he's boasting about his lineage to Aoteru. The historical Yoshitsune was betrayed by his older brother (Minamoto no Yoritomo) and forced to end his own life, but he was also the youngest of his family and not interested in being number 1 unlike Tsune-chan. And I think they might have made a mistake in Tsune-chan's brother's name. I think they actually meant to write 昂経 (Takatsune) instead of 昇経 (Noritsune/Shōkyō).

(Having a little trouble with the line spacing, sorry) # Glossary **【Yamato】** One of three nations fighting for supremacy in near-future Japan where civilization has collapsed following a revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster and misrule. 【Capital】Osaka 【Supreme Ruler】Yamato Emperor 【Form of government】Monarchy 【Agricultural Industry】Crop Farming・Livestock Farming 【Registered Population】About 4.6 million people (360,000 soldiers ・60,000 officials) **【Seii】** One of three nations fighting for supremacy in near-future Japan where civilization has collapsed following a revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster and misrule. 【Capital】Seirō (Former Niigata) 【Supreme Ruler】President 【Form of Government】Republic 【Agricultural Industry】Hunting・Ranching・Crop Farming 【Registered population】About 1.94 million people (180,000 soldiers・60,000 officials） **【 Buō 】** One of three nations fighting for supremacy in near-future Japan where civilization has collapsed following a revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster and misrule. 【Capital】Odawara (Former Kanagawa) 【Supreme Ruler】Buō Emperor 【Form of Government】Monarchy 【Agricultural Industry】Crop Farming・Livestock Farming 【Registered Population】About 3.17 million people (200,000 soldiers・40,000 officials) **【 Taira 】** A powerful clan predating the founding of Yamato, the ancestor of the Taira was one of the warlords during the late-Japan Period to the late-Sengoku period. He was later appointed lord of the Taira ward in former Osaka, and took the surname, “Taira.” The clan head is Denki Taira. When Denki's younger sister became empress to Fuji the Second, he was appointed Lord of Home Affairs. After taking office, Denki poisoned Fuji the Second. He installed Fuji the Third to the throne, made his own daughter empress, and seized full control of the government **【Tōryūmon】** To pass the recruitment exam for personnel of the Yamato Borderland General Corps and secure a government post. The exam is held in the capital ・Osaka, at the residence of Ryūmon Mitsuhide. It is rumored that over a thousand come everyday hoping to enter government service. **【Asama Clan】** A noble clan that distinguished itself during the wars against the Chugoku・Shikoku Confederation and Kyushu Confederation, and became a central figure in the founding of Yamato, which it has supported since its inception. The clan head is Kyōka Asama, the mother of Yoshitsune. Kyōka has three children: Yoshitsune, Takatsune (or Kōkyō or Kōkei)*, and Aika (or Manaka). There is movement to establish her most favored child, her eldest daughter Aika, as her successor. *The anime site has incorrectly listed Tsune-chan's brother as 昇経 (Noritsune or Shōkyō). **【Battle of Nagashino】** The war between the Yamato army and Buō army at Nagashino in the Spring of 57 of the Yamato era. While the Lord of Home Affairs, Denki Taira, was touring the country on behalf of the emperor, Fuji the Third, the Buō army took advantage of his absence and broke through Yamato's first checkpoint, Shimo-Yoshida, and invaded Aichi. Forced into a disadvantageous position, the Yamato army prepared to fend off the Buō army's pursuit at Nagashino, their second checkpoint. The Buō army took up position on the Shin-Tōmei Expressway. Under command of Ryūmon Mitsuhide, a force of just 20 Yamato soldiers climbed the 45 meter-tall bridge pier and brought the battle to an abrupt end with the success of their surprise attack on the enemy's main camp. 【Yamato Army】Commander-in-Chief Ryūmon Mitsuhide (Defensive) Total Forces 8,000 【Buō Army】Commander-in-Chief Hiromasa Shimada (Offensive) Total Forces 27,000

It could also be to win people over to his side when he inevitably go against Denki. After he bowed, people immediately started going against Denki. Then Denki did his thing. Basically Ryumon exposed that there is only one way to deal with Denki, that is to violently remove him. So he has just cause to kill Denki and clean house instead of being accused of becoming a tyrant himself trying to overthrow the government. Of course, if Denki back down after Ryumon bowed, Ryumon will gladly take the result being able to deal with it peacefully. But I highly doubt he believed it would work. So even though it's basically a charade, he has to show he tried to do things peacefully first and there is no other way.

It's not so much of a stretch when you consider his reasoning on just letting Aoteru go after he had his wife executed. He was so impressed by the composure Aoteru showed in the face of the situation, I'm certain had Aoteru even made an ounce of killing intent seep out (as it is very human/normal to want to avenge your loved ones), Denki could have easily had him killed where he stood and not given it another thought. I believe it's fair and you can very much question Denki's (power tripping) methods when it comes to governing, but you can't question his desire to make the **Yamato** the sole ruling nation in all of Japan. And If Ryumon is based on Akechi Mitsuhide, I think it's pretty logical to surmise that Denki is **Oda Nobunaga** in this tale (not to mention his surname being 'Taira')

>Asama’s remark about people deciding whether they praise or criticize something based on what other people do first is so painfully true. And grimly paid off when in the later Imperial Audience a bunch of Army people got all fired up because one of them spoke thinking they could just demand the death of Denki like that and paid the price. >and having it explained and evaluated within the very short time limit is ridiculous. Fully evaluated of course not, but being able to summarize an complex plan or idea in a few succinct words is the sign of someone who is both highly analytical and very good at communication, so in that sense the strengths of Aoteru are clear.

>Damn why is everyone letting that fat asshole do as he pleases. Putting aside that even in our current reality we for some reason allow blatantly evil people to be presidents, I'd say it comes down to roughly a few things: 1. They waited too long and he managed to consolidate so much power that half the people (less after this episode) in charge defer to him 2. People are abiding to etiquette that he blatantly doesn't. Getting evidence of his wrong doings would save the day in another story but if there's no one with enough power to hold him to task it's worthless 3. At this point the only way to deal with him is just to assassinate him, but he's slippery as an eel, probably prepares for possible assassination attempts anyway with how much shit he does and if you fail, the chances of him getting back to are impressively high! That's just my guesses at least