Utawarerumono 7 to 9 - Unexpected Awesomeness

When I first picked up on Utawarerumonowatzits I only watched the first three episodes. I had been reading a lot of good stuff about the series, but from those three episodes I couldn't see why exactly. I did like the characters. Specifically, I liked Eruruu's tail. I still think the tail isn't getting enough air time. However, I am pleased that the story really picked up fast. I'm not used to having this much good action in the beginning of the series....(more)...

My last post on this series only covered from 1 to 3 of the series. This was mostly character development and we didn't get into any major plot. I pickup here at 7 to 9 because of two reasons. These episodes have two major battles and progression of the story line. Plus, I didn't feel like writing about 4 to 6 because I'm just too damn lazy.

I had a jpmeyer **justice, love!, sacrifice!!!** moment when Benawi decided to fight for his country even though it (the emperor actually) had thoroughly screwed him. My eyes almost got a little watery. Almost. I had already guessed what he was going to do once he ran back to the thrown room, and I also knew he was going to try and commit suicide. Predictable but good play none-the-less on the part of the story writer.

After Hakuoro and his army defeat Inkara, Hakuoro became the new emperor. This is the part of this story arc that I wasn't sure about. I was not sure if it was going to be Benawi or Hakuoro who became emperor. I was leaning toward Benawi, but I guess that wouldn't make much sense now that I've watched more of the show.

At any rate. I was expecting a couple of humorous episodes before we got into more action. That wasn't the case. As quickly as the first "war" was over, the second one began. Hakuoro and his new empire begin a battle with Emporer Yue who has a military ten times stronger than that under Inkara. I wasn't surprised that the initial battle with Yue ended so soon either. It would have been nice to have a little more drawn out battle, just for fun. I can only hope they were saving time for more story.

It appears that the creator of this story doesn't like to follow the Powell Doctrine. Hakuoro favors strategy over force. This makes perfect sense because his forces have been greatly overmatched in almost every confrontation. In every battle charge you can hear Hakuoro ordering his army to flank the enemy, and we see many scenes were the enemy presumes victory only to be charged from the rear. This is basic military strategy. What Inkara and Yue should have attempted was to split Hakuoro's forces into smaller groups with less fighting power. You may know it as "divide and conquer."

Instead, these two decide to follow something more along the lines of the Powell Doctrine and throw a massive army into the may lay with seemingly no thought. Inkara's forces lose because of shear incompetence. Yue's forces lose because 1) their a sedge force lowering their battle affectiveness 2) they are battling someone who is using strategy and not pure brawn. Hakuoro goes after their supplies and thereby starves the army. Besides, the Powell Doctrine only works if you have tanks or guided missles.

Filed Under: Need more Eruruu Tail

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