The Blue Eyes Jumi and his best friend; Teardrop of Crystal episode 4 impression

 

Synopsis

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elcome back to the land of Mana with the Teardrop of Crystal episode 4. In the start of the episode, there was a dancer named Revanshe performing in front of a single creature; a basket fish. That basket fish was quite a difficult character and he considered himself better than the other so that he even treated the waiter with bad attitude. By the way; this episode didn’t even mention the name of the current city. However, if you already play the game, you might know that Shiloh and Inspector Boyd now stayed at Polpota Harbor. During this time, they were looking for another Jumi that was known to have a blue eye since she/he was a Sapphire. None of the town peoples knew anything about Jumi but once of them mentioned of a mysterious person wearing a complete armor plate in the town. Since there was a possibility that he might have a pair of blue eyes, they were looking for the man. When Inspector Boyd met the guys, he took a peek to the person eyes (whose face covered by an iron helmet). He was surprised that the man (Toma) had a pair of blue eyes but when they checked on his chest, they didn’t found a sapphire etched on it.

Why did the character so haughty became like different person in a few scenes. a bit of inconsistency
 

Toma explained that he went to Polpota harbor to find out the reason of the sinking of the imperial ship. Since his brother; Thona (also one of the crews) lost his life in the accident, he wanted to know what really happen that made the ship sunk. Just then, a fisherman (or a fisher dolphin) came and told them that if they wanted to know about the mystery of the ship, they ought to seek out the help of a basket fish. He mentioned that for some time, the basket fish was able to determine anything that happened in the ocean with the help of his mysterious blue stone. Off course both Shiloh and Inspector Boyd knew that he might have the Jumi’s core all along. Toma instantly went away and tried to find the fish as soon as possible.  After meeting with the same basket fish that Shiloh and Inspector Boyd met in the beginning, Toma begged him to tell the fate of the sinking ship. At the beginning, the fish didn’t want to tell but after more persuasion from Revanshe the dancer, he took the blue gem inside his basket and showed Toma about the vision of the accident. The fate of the ship was sealed when during their expedition a beast-woman hybrid monster called Sea Hag flew above the ship. The monster’s singing could make the entire crews lost consciousness and in the end the Imperial ship crash to the coral and sink.  Toma thanked the fish for the revelation and the fish just told him to leave. Before long, Inspector Boyd and Shiloh entered the place. Seeing the Sapphire in the basket fish’s hand, Inspector Boyd interrogated the fish asking if it belong to a Jumi and he tried to forcefully snatch the jewel while the fish hold on it like his dear life. Thankfully Shiloh stopped Inspector Boyd from using force.

Even his smile was cute lol

Inspector Boyd and Shiloh asked the basket fish how he managed to possess the blue Sapphire. Shiloh persuaded the basket fish to give away the Sapphire because he might be targeted by the Jewel Hunter Sandra. Shiloh even talked that should they catch Sandra Later, He will give the Sapphire back to him. The basket fish then told them a story. Weeks before, he found out a body washed ashore. He was a very beautiful man with a light blue hair and eyes like an ocean. He introduced himself as Sappho and soon they started to bond as a friend.  He told the fish that he was chased by the people who hunt Jumi’s Jewel. Before long, he had a Jumi partner named Marina. The lady was his knight and he was the hime type Jumi which means that she was the one holding the sword and fights any assailant. Unfortunately, Marina had to sacrifice herself when Jumi’s hunters were hot on their trail and soon after that he got washed in the shore before the fish found him. After finishing his sentence, he took the Sapphire out of his chest. The basket fish shocked that he literally commits suicide. He told the Basket fish that he could not protect himself and if he stayed with him, the basket fish might be in danger later. So, he gave his life force to the fish and told him never to give the Sapphire to anyone. In the end he vanished; leaving the fish mourning for his dear friend.

Their friendship didn't take long but the emotion is in there.

Suddenly, the dancer Revanshe asked the fish to give the Sapphire to her. The fish of course rejected it since although he liked the girl’s dancing, the promise he made to his dear friend was more important. Shiloh tried to protect the fish but the dancer just slammed Shiloh easily. Then in instant, she kicked the fish and took the Gem.  She uncovered her disguise as Sandra in front of Inspector Boyd. Afterward, she ran away with the Saphire in her hand. Shiloh who just stands up told the basket fish that he would gave his friend back. As they chased Sandra, Seraphina who happen to be in the Polpota harbor notice Shiloh running. They finally cornered Sandra and Shiloh brandished his sword ready to take her on in one on one. Unfortunately, Sandra was proved to be superior in fighting. After swept Shiloh, he destroyed Shiloh’s sword using only her feet. Then he kicked him so hard in his stomach sending him flying and crashed to the wall. Sandra was about to stab Shiloh using the broken sword until Seraphina jumped in and saved Shiloh from being stabbed. After Sandra took her leave, inspector Boyd asked Seraphine to take Shiloh back to Domina city. He told Seraphina that he would continue pursuing Sandra on his own and asked her to convey his message. Shiloh should stop looking for Sandra.   

 

Review

This episode at least had a better storytelling than the last one. What still makes me wonder was the inconsistency of the basket fish character. At the beginning of the show, the anime told us how kind of jerk his attitude was toward Shiloh and Inspector Boyd. He even threw a coin to the waiter face at the beginning. However, when he was pictured finding Sappho for the first time, he helped him recover in his house and he was even talk politely to him. This makes me wonder a bit, is he was the same basket fish that appeared on the beginning of the anime? I mean seriously; if he met first with Sappho and acted that kindly. Then how did his behavior change so much after his dead. It was quite weird lol. The good thing about this episode was the theme of friendship between Sappho and the basket fish was spot on. There was a heartwarming moment between the two of them like when they were doing chores together or when they were fishing. I don’t know why he act kindly toward Sappho; a complete stranger he just found lying in the shore. There is a possibility that Sappho’s delicate features (round face, long and light blue hair) made him look like a girl and we know that the fish was a bit of a womanizer lol. Though it still had an emotional scene on it particularly when Sappho decided to leave the world and gave his Sapphire to the fish. The part when he disappeared and told him that he will always be with him truly made me feels the emotion that this anime wanted to convey in this episode.

Chun li taught Sandra her famous kick xD

The battle between Sandra and Shiloh while happened very fast was not so bad but why it was so one sided lol. Sandra had gut kicked Shiloh and broke his sword using only her feet. In fact, as long as I watched this anime, apart from defeating the two little witches, I never saw Shiloh won any single battle with the bosses’ lol. For example, Du’inke from the Mekiv cave beat Shiloh and Lady Black Pearl had to appear to save him. Then, Sandra had beaten him during their encounter not only once but twice. I felt that he got nerfed a lot in the anime. In the original game, Shiloh was proficient with so many weapons. He could use a glove, a nunchaku, a spear, and even bow and two daggers. In here, he only used his sword. And his acrobatic abilities also looks very pale compared to Sandra. Well at least in this episode; he still gave a bit of fight than the last one. I hope the next episode will be even better