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Record of Grancrest War
Episode 4

by Lauren Orsini,

How would you rate episode 4 of
Record of Grancrest War ?
Community score: 3.8

Which episode of Record of Grancrest War are we on again? This felt like a first cour wrap-up, but we're only on episode four! From a critical injury to a father-daughter falling-out to a belated reunion between cousins to a deepening love story to two major battles, there were at least six different events in “Decision” capable of occupying an entire episode. Instead they were all smashed together. This show is going to give me whiplash, but at least it's never boring.

Aubeste Meletes, Siluca's adopted dad, is really good at separating work and life. Maybe too good. I almost suspect that he would have been more lenient if a mage who was not his daughter came to negotiate a deal. “You've overplayed your hand,” Aubeste tells Siluca more than once, and there's dramatic irony in this since Siluca was the least optimistic of everyone on Team Theo that her own father might cut her a break. Watching the differing dynamics between Siluca and Theo vs. Aubeste and Marrine (vs. Moreno and Lassic, for that matter) shows just how much the employer-mage relationship can vary depending on the individuals who've made a contract together. It's interesting to see Marrine carefully weigh Aubeste's guidance as if she isn't sure she's going to take it. I can't imagine Theo even questioning Siluca's advice.

Still, getting rejected by her own dad isn't enough to make Siluca give up. She coolly explores her options, even if that means going to our resident Woman Appreciator, Villar “The Lustful Earl” Constance. (He only works with lady mages under 25 so they still have time to get married afterward, plus his people love witches! Sure, if you say so, Margaret.) But when that flops, Team Theo is once again fighting what has become a typical underdog battle. The action looks amazing, and I was so glad that Aishela was not fridged. This critical moment certainly helped me warm up to Priscilla the healer, but once again Grancrest War is relying on shortcuts to endear characters to us—there just isn't enough time to allow anyone to shine except in short glimpses. So instead we get stuff like Lassic's hand-to-hand triumph and Marrine's calculated risk and Villar's contrary choice to show up with troops after everyone has given up on him to show what kind of people they are. Funny how Marrine's Achilles heel is her creepy cousin.

But even after all of this, Theo is practically back at square one. Rather than break his contract with Siluca (and nip their blossoming love story in the bud), he offers to serve Lord Villar, relinquishing his territories and troops. This decision—the very “Decision” of the episode title—is a wildly romantic gesture Theo made by consulting his emotions alone. It's exactly the kind of thing his contracted mage would never do, and it surprises her. Siluca, too clever to miss its significance, seems to realize she's falling for Theo as well. And now that Theo doesn't have any lands to oversee, they're going to have a lot of time to figure out their relationship. Everything seems to be moving toward a Record of Lodoss War style outcome, in which a group of characters not unlike a Dungeons and Dragons party go on a quest together. If so, what was the point of all that to begin with? Each week, Grancrest War brings a lot to the table, but so much has already happened that the story just feels rushed.

Rating: C+

Record of Grancrest War is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Lauren writes about geek careers at Otaku Journalist.


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