Forum - View topicGoblin Slayer (TV + movie) (w/ index).
|
Goto page Previous 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Next |
| Author | Message | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Edjwald
 Posts: 1141 |
|
||
|
I wonder if the evolving intelligence thing is going to be a motif. It's still bothering me from the last arc.
As to the Sword Maiden (I understand why, but it's still hard to think of a priestess with that name) I remember initially being wary and slightly creeped out by her in season 1, then sympathetic. Now I find myself enjoying her cameo. I enjoyed this episode. It was a little weird to think of Elven Archer's age issue since I'm watching the Frieren anime with near religious intensity, and the subject has gotten a lot more play over there. I find myself examining Elven Archer's character and attitude a little more closely. I have to say, the presence of the guild receptionist and farmer wife candidate number one made me even more apprehensive than usual on the river trip, and I never take encounters on this show for granted the way I do on some anime. |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
I think the goblins getting increasingly cunning and thus more dangerous is going to be an ongoing theme. Goblins are already being underestimated pretty severely, that will have to stop given the increasing threat they pose.
Otherwise the episode was a mixture of calm times and more bloody slaying. It is always nice to see the crew enjoying themselves for a little bit, even if that is usually followed up by especially bloody times. |
|||
|
|||
|
Edjwald
Posts: 1141 |
|
||
I think it's a testament to how well crafted this series is that I like the slice of life stuff just as much as the adventurer stuff, and vice versa. There's a lot of dark, but ultimately, this is a show about persevering and preserving what's precious in the face of it |
|||
|
|||
|
Harleyquin
Posts: 2854 |
|
||
|
S2 #6
How many viewers not acquainted with the source material made the connection between the crude dam used to stall boats with the water locks up the river to allow passage for regular boats? I didn't, and I'm confident many other viewers didn't either. Another exhibit to the low cunning and adaptability of goblins, which is not a good thing for our main party as they continue to learn and adapt if not exterminated. Good thing the Priestess figured out how to adapt her new spell to a completely unexpected purpose, which bought them the opening they needed to make a clean break. If the wizard boy is still alive, he'd do well to remember that lesson about how to think fast or die otherwise. Wolf riders aren't new (the tail end of season one had them during the invasion), but the goblins using elf arrows from the elves they ambushed is. They can't make equivalents, so it's easier to steal from the dead. Despite all this, it's telling the goblins have never bothered doing full-scale raids the same way they did to the Slayer's village all those years ago. Not surprising given the overall military strength of a race that has literally lived through Ragnarok and more. Our main party is privileged to be invited to Elven lands, as most of them would never get the chance. Still, the Ranger's sister is more conservative and would prefer her younger sibling stop her wanderings and return home to settle. That won't happen for a while, and it's fortuitous the Slayer is around as he'll have something up his sleeve against an actual dinosaur. I confess I have forgotten which part in season one had ogres. The Slayer remembers who the elf girl is, even before her brethren realised. Like the human bard in season one, the elven equivalents sign the praises of the Orcbolg even if the man himself cares little about his reputation. He won't change, but seeing his exploits up close might make the newlywed Bride rethink her stance about him. It's an interesting arc that is far more entertaining than the one preceding it, so I'm curious to see where it goes from here, especially with next week's episode titled "Jungle Cruise". |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
Yeah, the theme of goblins getting more and more cunning is now a weekly thing. One would assume that if a goblin family is completely killed off that their knowledge also vanishes. I somehow doubt that though. I like that despite just surviving an ambush that there was some time to enjoy nature and frolick. The elven lands seem like a relaxing place too, as long as no giant dinosaur attacks. I do wonder why it is attacking though, given how old the thing is, it might have been incited by the goblins somehow, since it has not attacked before.
|
|||
|
|||
|
Edjwald
Posts: 1141 |
|
||
|
Quinn - The difference between an ogre and an upgraded goblin isn't all that much, but if memory serves, the ogre is the one who got sliced apart when Goblin Slayer used a dimensional teleport scroll to warp in a high pressure blast of water from some deep source. The big Goblin whachamacallit was the one who caused wounds that ultimately killed Goblin Slayer after Goblin Slayer strangled it with a garotte made of of fine hairs.
Smokey - I'm not sure how knowledge gets passed on after nests are wiped out either. It could be that there's always some straggler somewhere who slips away...sent out on a scouting mission right before the raid or whatever. Or maybe even some kind of collective unconscious/species memory thing. |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
Episode 7 is the best episode of this season for me so far. It had plenty of action, including a tussle with a dinosaur that has a very hard to remember name and also some solid goblin slaying. There was also some character moments, including some actual growth for some of them. The biggest thing was how moody the episode felt though. Especially the eerie music and scenery later on in the episode, it made for a rather haunting vibe.
|
|||
|
|||
|
Harleyquin
Posts: 2854 |
|
||
|
S2 #7
We've had enough reminders this season that goblins do adapt and come up with new tricks to abuse for plunder, breeding vessels and sport. I DID NOT expect them to figure out how to saddle dinosaurs for mounts; nor did I judge them capable of seizing entire fortresses occupying strategic points on the river as strongholds for outward raids. Turns out the elves are no better than the humans in the village Slayer grew up in: fail to keep your goblin infestation in check and before you know it you're one of their warning stakes. For a handicap, the Slayer did very well. Killing the dinosaur handler wasn't difficult (the Ranger makes it look easy but that's a tough shot!) but incapacitating the dinosaur and then healing it afterwards to respect the wishes of their hosts is classy. He still needs his team to play their roles to perfection, and it's testament to their time together that all he needs to do is give them instructions and they go ahead and execute them with perfect timing. Usually it's a Shaman and higher evolved form which comes up with the deadly innovations goblins are infamous for, and this arc is no exception. Because the elves dismissed their threat for centuries, they've had that long to evolve tactics and what amounts to discipline for their kind. They most likely pillaged the elven armoury of their stronghold which leaves them no want for good arms, while the stronghold's location up-river means slowly poisoning the inhabitants downstream is easy to do and impossible to detect let alone stop. Good thing the Slayer is in town for a vacation; had Ranger's sister not decided on marriage she would have find out the hard way what happens when goblins are left alone for too long. Not sure if next week's episode title is a good thing, but knowing the Slayer he'll come up with a brutal method of goblin annihilation which he will risk grievous injury for and that gold elixir which the animators took so much care to give a still frame for will be used to save his life. That's one way it could go, or he might use the elixir to save one of his teammates who's gravely injured. Either way, looking forward to seeing how he finishes his vacation job and what the Ranger's village will do to thank him for his impromptu commission. |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
I forgot how much difference there is between the goblin slayer gang and the hero gang. Like the episode showed, the goblin slayer gang needs to rely on tactics since they are too outnumbered to use brute force and even then something like a poison mist spell can mean the end. Meanwhile the hero is just mowing down monsters like it is nothing and even her party members have a lot of brute power.
Anyway, the wedding was lovely and the goblins have drowned, so it seems like a happy end. |
|||
|
|||
|
Harleyquin
Posts: 2854 |
|
||
|
S2 #8
Even by the Slayer's standards, this expedition was probably one where he REALLY had to improvise. His long experience with exterminating goblins let him correctly deduce where the main target was, while he needed advice from the dwarf on the best place to open a breach to flood the tower. After that, it was all-or-nothing to incapacitate the shaman long enough for them to make a clean getaway, which really needed the dwarf to stay alive and keep one spell in reserve. It's been a long time since we've seen the Slayer's party this close to annihilation, and it falls to the Priestess to salvage the situation with a clutch Purify spell (she's used it plenty on this vacation, might need a bit more practice to truly master it). The gold healing potion was indeed used, although with less urgency than I had anticipated. One surprise of this episode is the Priestess's reaction when the shaman appeared to die from holy water seeping into his wound. It appears the Purify spell is meant exclusively for its defined function, whereas her rage made her apply it in an unusual way which risked her patron Goddess's wrath and a potential disqualification from her chosen vocation. It took her a while to get over the shock, but the end of the episode confirmed her worst fears were unfounded and she can continue pursuing her faith as an adventurer. The other surprise is the Sword Maiden's prediction coming to fruition so soon. The letter she sent to the elf village likely warned the Slayer what his tablet was about, which he never read before setting off. Turns out the Slayer's flooding of the temple has set off a chain of events which might see the return of the Hero's party to the mortal world. Anime-only viewers have no idea what those three are doing in Hell, with just the Sword Maiden's background reading the only clue. Not for the first time, the Slayer's obsession with slaying Goblins has unexpected benefits beyond the immediate annihilation of goblins in the vicinity. An interesting arc which exceeds its immediate predecessor, both in entertainment value as well as exposition of an overarching plot holding the franchise together. The Slayer will continue his quest for goblin extermination, but in doing so (and staying alive) he might well win the fame he originally sought as a Hero before Fate forced him onto his current path. He'll never be as overpowered as the Hero of this franchise, but the lives he's saved and the fates he has influenced to date don't make him any lesser if there's a final reckoning to be made. |
|||
|
|||
|
Edjwald
Posts: 1141 |
|
||
Is that what happened? It looked like maybe she'd turned the shaman's blood into water or something. In conjunction with how she used the purify spell to break up a dam last episode, I'm still not entirely sure how that spell works. I could tell that Priestess felt like she'd defiled something that was meant to be holy...as if she'd used a healing spell to bring cancer cells inside a body back to life or something...but I still don't really get it to be honest. Ummn...the shaman had a bone mask similar to the bone mask/face of the big boss that the hero party was fighting in hell. Maybe the goblins were like the little toe of those hellish forces, and the shaman's powers had been amped by demonic or unholy and generally impure essences for a while? Anyway, great episode. Even though I'm reasonably sure that none of the main characters are going to die, it never feels safe with this anime, which is one of the things I like about it. Side observations: - I was a little disappointed we didn't get to see how the wreath toss turned out. I was half expecting to see farm girl smacking people out of the way like she was batting tennis balls around considering how strong she seems when she's tugging that oversized cart around. - The guild receptionist seemed to be indicating that she came from a wealthy family. I wonder if that's going to play a part in future episodes at some point? - In Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon Without Actually Dating Any of Them, the adventuers literally get stronger and faster and tougher as they level up. In Goblin Slayer. their physical abilities don't seem to increase even though they get new spells and miracles and become more skilled. It makes me wonder how the hero's party got so OP even though they seem so young. |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
I think that miracles are meant to only be used to aid, rather than wield one as a weapon. Goblin slayer may approve of the idea, but it seems like the goddess is supposed to be against it, though given the reaction when the priestess prayed later on we can assume she was forgiven or it was never much of an issue in the first place?
As for the blood, I also assumed that the purification spell turned the goblin's blood into water and as one might guess, having all your blood change that way is not good for you. One might argue that the priestess has used her miracles in unconventional ways before (like the barrier one), yet now it was directly aimed at killing a foe. |
|||
|
|||
|
smurky turkey
Posts: 1946 |
|
||
|
I have to say, this season is pretty varied. The gang has to of course deal with goblins sooner or later every time, yet they have also dealt with a dinosaur and now a large sea serpent. Those mermen were pretty articulate btw. Also varied is the places they visit. We have gone from the starting town to the elves and now the capital.
As for the flashback and the goblins having a weird marking, shit is probably going to go down again. |
|||
|
|||
|
Harleyquin
Posts: 2854 |
|
||
|
S2 #9
Odds are this will be the last story arc for this adaptation as it's slated for just one quarter. The last arc with the elves was fun, so I'm hoping this one in the royal capital is just as good if not better. How many viewers pay attention to the OP animation? Those who did, they'll finally have their answer on who the mysterious group led by the Samurai is. The Sword Maiden actually changed class in addition to putting on weight and curves as well as a few few centimetres in height; she was using prayers just like the Slayer's Priestess is instead of swinging her enormous sword around. Back then it was more of a staff with scales, so just as well she didn't have to fight in the front lines when her compatriots were so much more capable. I'm not sure what the point of that flashback was, but the arc appears to be focused on the Sword Maiden this time round and maybe her revelation about the Gate of Hell might see some development. The Slayer is so focused on killing goblins that a quest failing to meet that low threshold is something he'll dismiss very quickly. Just as well his compatriots know how to manipulate him to stay for the duration. The guild is also at fault for using the pejorative "Sea-Goblins" to describe Pelagians, who obviously have more intelligence than mere goblins. Quite the surprise to see the party tackle a sea serpent so early in the episode, with the usual teamwork and Slayer creativity seeing them through the danger. For once, I'm thinking the Slayer is wrong about the goblin wanderers being part of a roaming tribe. The hand tattoos on their backs and widespread use of tamed wolves as mounts hints at something much more organised; instead of a shaman like the last arc I wouldn't be surprised if a Lord or Paladin is leading this arc's antagonists. The Slayer disembowelling dead goblin corpses to confirm previous victims is very much like him; it grosses out his companions but it's surprisingly useful for gleaning information in a world setting that doesn't have advanced technology outside of magic. For now, he'll need more information from the Capital before he proceeds to fulfil his commission to annihilate all goblins shadowing the Capital before escorting the Sword Maiden back to her Water Town. One perk of escorting VIPs is obnoxious gate guards are much more accommodating and obsequious. Said VIP has to pull her weight though, otherwise gate guards can't be nudged into being more efficient and less overbearing. One surprise: his party continues to act like his older sister is still alive. He's never told them what happened to her, will they ever find out? It's jarring to listen to them speak of the future when his sister is very much part of his unchangeable past. |
|||
|
|||
|
Edjwald
Posts: 1141 |
|
||
|
I'm not sure what the deal with the flashbacks is either, but I agree that the Sword Maiden seems to be the focus. I will say, though, that every since I first saw the OP for season 2, I've been wondering about that Samurai and why one of his eyes glows just like Goblin Slayers did the very first time we saw him.
If that sea serpent incident showed me anything, it's that Goblin Slayer would be fully capable of doing quests on a more traditional adventurer route if things progressed that way. I've enjoyed this season. Except for the way that adventurer's school arc ended - it seemed anticlimactic and left a lot of unanswered questions - this show has remained solid quality wise and true to its roots, which a lot of second seasons struggle with. I've liked the slow hints of cracks in Goblin Slayer's emotionless shell, and I've enjoyed getting to see the other members of the cast relax and interact in some personal moments. |
|||
|
|||
 |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours |
|
|
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group