Sunday, July 24, 2011

Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2--Humans Cursed by Humans

Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2 Screenshot 1

It's always interesting when a show with a solid foot in the supernatural denies other supernatural phenomenon; in this case, it's curses.

Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2 Screenshot 2
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Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2 Screenshot 4

Dalian's recurring statement in this episode is that there's no such thing as curses, which means that my initial impression that this show would be about hunting down cursed books is partially incorrect. The plot this episode, focusing on a lady living in a fancy house out in the middle of nowhere, puts forward the idea that the only "curses" are the ones that people create themselves, and that the books that the characters find are not evil but misused. The book in this episode is not in and of itself an evil book; it's just the means to control a golem. However, what someone does with that power could be either good or bad. As discussed at the end of the episode, the only real "curse" was the strict upbringing that the family forced on their granddaughter.

Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2 Screenshot 5
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Dantalian no Shoka Episode 2 Screenshot 7

With all this brought up, I wonder if human failings are something that the series is going to focus on. Since it's now established that the books are simply misused rather that evil forces acting outside of human control it's possible that the show could continue the "curse" angle or focus on the different things that might drive a person to seek out these kinds of books, like greed (although that was partially mentioned in the first episode). The show is also continuing with small additions to Huey's character, making a point of showing that he doesn't like to use his right hand and always keeps a glove on it. I'm inclined to think that it's a war wound, but it's still very early in the series and there's plenty of time to explain everything and figure out where this show is going.

Images from NicoNico.com.

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