Argevollen

Episode 10

It's common for series that feature a large group of characters to place one of them in the spotlight for an episode, allowing them to either develop or show off the full extent of their skills. Before doing this, it might be pertinent to ask: is this character interesting? Do they have a personality that can carry an entire episode? Are they relevant to the show's bigger picture?

For Masaru Okui, the answer to all of these questions is “no.” He's your typical hothead soldier, quick to the punch and lacking in forethought. He doesn't seem particularly good at anything. He's been nearly invisible in ARGEVOLLEN's plot, restricted to dropping a hammy line or two in the background. Prior to this week, I doubt I could have remembered his name.

Still, here he is, starring in his very own episode. The 8th Independent Unit is taking a break in the little town of Wishpe. Wonder of wonders, Wishpe is Okui's hometown. We can tell because he partakes in such pastimes as telling the local old people that he's surprised they're still alive. Later he brings one of his fellow soldiers to his abandoned house and, staring into space, confesses that both of his parents are long dead. Tactful?

All sarcasm aside: this is a cut-rate character with a cut-rate backstory and it would take a miracle to turn his episode into anything more than cut-rate. ARGEVOLLEN has surprised before, but there's no miracle here. The Ingelmians attack Wishpe. Through a string of coincidences, (Samonji and Suzushiro are both out of town and one of the other officers cripples himself by eating bad fish,) the hapless Okui ends up as the temporary commanding officer of the unit. Charged with defending his hometown, he...well, he fails, and instead orders a full evacuation and retreat after the operation goes south.

I understand what the episode is going for. Okui picks his present over his past, abandoning the memory of his hometown in favor of saving the lives of his comrades and the townsfolk. He makes the correct decision despite being in way over his head trying to perform the duties of a commanding officer. His attachment to the town just seems so vague, and his backstory so tacked-on. Where are the specific memories, the lingering fondness for the place beyond “I lived here?” Without more personal knowledge of what Okui is choosing to abandon, it's hard to care about the choice at all.

This isn't a particularly bad experience for ARGEVOLLEN. It's just a tired idea reanimated and forced to life again. Sometimes those ideas fly, and sometimes they fall on their faces. This one is content just to walk. That's fine for passing the time, but there's always hope for something better next week.

Rating: C

Argevollen is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.