Rating: A-
With “New Town and Nostalgic Feeling,” the series begins the adaptation of novel 3, thus following the exact path trod by episode 1 of season 2 of the original adaptation. And like that adaptation, the depiction of Holo’s hangover after a night out drinking the strong stuff is epic. Whether this version or the original is better is a complete toss-up:
The best joke aside, this episode begins the Kumersun arc, which takes the duo to a new town on their gradual trek north. Much of the episode involves the series playing to its greatest strength: the byplay between Lawrence and Holo. And both are in fine form here. Though Holo still gets the better of Lawrence more often than not, he is learning, and is at least sometimes holding his own at this point – something he couldn’t do as recently as a few episodes back. Even when he is doing his best, though, Holo is still clearly enjoying herself. Companionship means everything to her at this point, so it’s no surprise that the seed of the next potential conflict gets sown in a careless comment implying that she might have to make the last leg of her journey alone. To his credit, Lawrence at least realizes that his practical musing should never have been said aloud and tries to take it back, but has the damage already been done?
The matter arises because Lawrence finally gets around to voicing an issue that has lingered in the background since episode 1: does Holo actually remember where Yoitsu is? Lawrence has only heard of it in passing, and “in the north” is much too general to suffice when they are nearing a point where a specific direction must be set. Holo recalling the hot springs of Nyohirra provides some reference, as does that it’s to the southwest and Holo required two days of travel in wolf form to get there, but that still encompasses a massive area. They’re going to need more to go on, and at this point there’s no ready source of information.
The other potential point of conflict takes the form of one of this arc’s major supporting characters: the young merchant Amartie. He’s clearly a few years younger than Lawrence but more successful even though he’s from the same merchant’s association, a point that probably isn’t lost on Lawrence. even though Amartie proves quite helpful in getting them a room. Of course, he has ulterior motive for helping Lawrence and Holo find a room in a sold-out town: he’s clearly smitten with Holo (whom he believes to be a nun) at first sight. And rather than just flirting with her as the coin dealer back in episode 3 did, this is the kind of puppy-dog obsession which portends eventual complications. He also serves as a stark contrast to Lawrence’s older friend Marc, who has his own stand, wife, baby, and even apprentice. (This version does not mention that Marc is older than Lawrence, which I feel is a key detail here.)
The technical merits here are not spectacular, with the rough spots showing most in distance shots of Lawrence and Holo traveling in their wagon. Even so, it’s still a visual improvement on the original, which saw a new studio take over for the second season and a notable drop in animation quality. Which version is better overall is a toss-up, since each has weak points. The original lacks the scene about the letter which warns Lawrence, too late, about the armor prices, while this version lacks the scene about Holo’s dream, which frames their crucial later conversation about their differing sense of time. New closer “Ringo to Kimi” is a wash with original closer “Perfect World;” both are fine but neither is memorable. To my surprise, new opener “Sign” stands up remarkably well against the great original OP “Mitsu no Yoake,” both in song and visuals. It’s a strong early contender to be one of the season’s best.
I have always felt that the second season of the original adaptation was the stronger of the two on the writing front, in part because original writer Isuna Hasekura had honed his writing skills more by this point, so I am eager to see if this adaptation will produce the same results. It will be forging into not-previously-animated territory around mid-season, as the new OP clearly shows the most important supporting characters from the fourth novel, so there’s also that to anticipate.
USA Anime 