Dantalian no Shoka Episode 3

What a relaxing episode

3.75/5 (Good)

Pros: Good atmosphere, better pacing and great use of subtlety
Cons: Slow, seemingly meaningless plot standstill

This is almost the exact opposite of episode 2. Episode 2 was rushed, lacked impact and was very weak, but this episode was slow, subtle and strong. I like these kinds of episodes where the plot sort of stands still while the characters develop some sense of control. Episode 2 lacked the thrill of the first episode and the important atmosphere that the show was well known for. Episode 3 however, returned the atmosphere with little banter and challenge.

What do you mean we're not saving the world?!

Episode 3 was organized into two parts; the book of wisdom and the Queen of the Night.

The first part introduced Camilla, a girl with short blonde hair that loves to wear unique clothing. The book of Wisdom has corrupted some school kids and so Huey and Dalian investigate. They see that the children are under the phantom book's power of knowledge but have no intentions of committing evil, which just leads the two out of the hut with the book immediately after the 5 minute talk.

This part was really anticlimactic in the way that it settled the problem so seamlessly, but the atmosphere was kept constant. This was because of the pacing that met an oddly intensified amplitude from the last episode. Both parts in episode 3 were well balanced and controlled on their content flow, which definitely helped the mystic atmosphere of the series.

Part 2 is a bit more intense, but barely. Burglars come in to steal the expensive book called the Queen of the Night. However, the Queen of the Night is actually an carnivorous African plant that eats up the two burglars. Again the tone was kept at a constant murmur.

I know this is from episode 2, but she is just WAY to goddamn adorable....

I personally liked it. However, this kind of episode can only happen once in a while for it to work with the series, otherwise, it will work against it and strain its ability to sustain suspense and drama. We need another thrill like episode 1 to make it to episode 4.

Hurt me moah Dalian-chwan!!!