Rating: B+
After an episode which focused heavily on Rudersdorf, it’s no surprise that episode 5 shifts the focus to Zettour. What happens to Zettour here would have been expected even I didn’t already know it was coming from the novels (and thus spoke incorrectly about its timing in an earlier review): in speaking to practicalities, he defied the will of “the people,” which is all-too-often far from rational. Rudersdorf, even though he initially advocated the same, did flip and capitulate to that will, which is why Zettour’s being sent east instead of him, and they seem to both understand that even if Rudersdorf doesn’t want to admit it. It’s a foolish move on the part of the Empire’s leadership, as they seem to be grossly underestimating how critical a role Zettour plays in keeping the war effort going, but as Tanya often laments herself, soldiers don’t make policy; they carry it out. They both understand that, too.
And it’s not like Zettour’s going to go down without a fight. He’s a crafty enough bastard that the Allied forces working with the Federation all but put a bounty on his head, and Tanya is certainly no match for him. Aoi Yuki once again earns respect for Tanya’s squeaky, nervous vocalizations during that wonderful scene, where Tanya’s world is symbolically falling apart around her as her long-term career plans start to crumble. (And kudos again for the production team for Tanya’s wonderful expressions and the way she scampers backwards in shock at one point in that scene, as well as a later scene where Serebreyakov almost casually catches Tanya as she’s about to be blown across the room by an explosion.) But like Zettour, she’s got an impossible job to do herself. And it’s just been made harder by the Federation mages finally coming into play and their leader, at least, proving that he’s on a level with Tanya’s elites. Does make one wonder how much better the Federation would be doing if it hadn’t shot itself in the foot by initially persecuting its mages, doesn’t? (Although there’s also a bit more going on here, as you should eventually see.)
This episode (and presumably the next, too) are a condensed version of novel 8, which almost entirely focuses on Operation Andromeda and the battle at Soldim 528 in particular. That’s still fine, though, as the original novel get bogged down a bit in the minutiae of the urban warfare scenario, while the anime is more firmly retaining its focus on broad strokes and individual character moments. In other words, this is still a case where not being a slavishly-loyal adaptation is ideal, as evidenced by the scene of Mary playing with the dog in the background as Drake is speaking to his uncle. That scene nicely reinforces that Mary is still an ordinary girl when she doesn’t let her vengeance-driven side taken hold of her, unlike what’s likely to happen next episode when she (presumably) crosses paths with Tanya again.
While this episode isn’t quite as crisp in execution as the previous few have been, it’s still another strong entry for the series.
USA Anime 