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The Winter 2017 Anime Preview Guide
Tales of Zestiria the X season 2

How would you rate episode 13 of
Tales of Zestiria the X (TV 2) ?
Community score: 4.1



What is this?

When last we left Sorey and his companion Seraphim, he was headed to Rolance with Rose. On the way to one of her family's warehouses, he witnesses her capably handle a crooked deal. When they arrive, he gets to meet both a old friend of Rose's who's into exploring ruins and a local knight intent on arresting him for being the Shepherd. While he continues to train in preparation for an anticipated eventual rematch against the Lord of Calamity, Rose has her own much darker business to take care of involving the local Bishop. Tales of Zestiria the X season 2 is based on a video game and can be found streaming on Daisuki and Funimation on Sundays.


How was the first episode?

Theron Martin

Rating: 3

After a season off Tales of Zestiria the X has returned for its promised second cour, and it picks up almost right where it left off; the only addition is a flashback featuring Lailah which apparently shows the previous Shepherd, Michael. After not even being mentioned in the first half, that he pops up again in another flashback later in the episode suggests that his influence may play a role beyond just providing some philosophy about the nature of malevolence.

What is certain is that Rose is going to play a significant role in this season, too. She is quite prominently featured in this episode, whether it's her dealing with thugs trying to peddle stolen goods, showing Sorey around her warehouse, confronting the soldier who tries to arrest him, or handling eager potential traders; in fact, she has nearly as much screen time as Sorey does. The final sequence, where she returns to her Scattered Bones business in ruthless fashion, is also all her and reminds us again that, for all her warm smile, she can be coldly efficient when need be. Props go to seiyuu Mikako Komatsu for giving her a distinctly different tone and vocal pitch when she goes into this mode.

Beyond her actions there's actually not much else to this episode. The only real action scenes are the assassination at the end and Sorey's practice session, and both are fairly short. Alisha doesn't appear at all (though she is featured prominently in the new opener, which is shown at the end of the episode) and the Seraphim present don't do much or have a lot of input. Based on the opener, it looks like the Rolance knight who comes in a vain attempt to arrest Sorey is going to be a recurring character, but there's little indication so far about what long-term role he will play. (My guess is that he's there to learn that Sorey is fighting for everyone, not just Hyland, and that it's in Rolance's best interest to unite behind the Shepherd, too.) Technical merits are essentially unchanged from last season, so if you liked the look of the show then, you won't be disappointed here.

In all, this is an uninspired start to the new season. The first season definitely had its ups and downs, though, so it's not time for alarm bells yet.


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