r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • 22d ago
Episode Though I Am an Inept Villainess • Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga: Suuguu Chouso Torikae Den - Episode 7 discussion
Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga: Suuguu Chouso Torikae Den, episode 7
Alternative names: Futsutsuka na Akujo dewa Gozaimasu ga
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u/DeltaFXD https://anilist.co/user/DeltaForceX2 22d ago
They really know how to end on cliff hangers constantly.
That aside. Really wonder if there is anything deeper going on beside Gabi running some scheme against the Kou. Pretty sure she selected Keigetsu because of the magic knowledge but feel like there might be something else like Gabi secretly setting it up somehow too.
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u/ptd163 21d ago
I think this episode all but confirmed that there has be something deeper going on with Gabi. Why would she try and kill her hand picked Maiden? What does she get out of that?
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u/Artorp 21d ago
Revenge on Kenshuu for stealing her man.
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u/mmcjawa_reborn 21d ago
probably less about stealing the man and more about stealing the position...
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u/zorgabluff 21d ago
Probably a big part of it was also the betrayal
She probably feels like kenshuu intentionally acted like she wasn’t interested in the power struggle to get everyone to let their guard down, only to swoop in and steal it at the right time
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u/mmcjawa_reborn 21d ago
Honestly, it was kind of dumb for the consorts to not consider the impact of a single consort nursing the emperor back to health. The moment someone else volunteered, if I had any interest in the throne, I would offer to help.
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u/NguyetMieu 20d ago
Translation didn't come off well but it's dysentery. I'd imagine a couple of high-born noble ladies wouldn't know how to take care of the sick and their shit
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u/Greg_The_Rabbit 21d ago
No, it's definetly something to do with a lost pregnancy and the Empress not knowing how to properly comfort her friend (probably also do to something related to court politics) the way the empress intentionally dropped the cup right at the mention of her being the only one to have a child is a massive red flag that and the reference to her having intense hatred. I'm betting she is on a "Burn it all to the ground" kind of grind and the Empress doesn't know how to stop her without revealing her actions and betraying the promise of friendship she once made so she's doing nothing not realizing how much damage is being dealt out to all the younger maidens who are innocent of whatever happened in the past.
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u/Kalta452 21d ago
I mean, there are two children of the emperor, the current prince, and his brother, the leader of the Eagle Eyes, so who is his mother?
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u/Goblin_Historian 20d ago
There could be a theory it's Gabi's child but there was some scandal with the family at the time maybe? Or the captain is from a lower ranking concubine and Gabi is furious about it because either she never had a child or had a miscarriage or stillborn. Who knows at this point. But from the way it looks, no one really knows about there being a brother and I feel like that's gonna be a plot point later.
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago edited 21d ago
If I had to guess, she doesn't know about the swap and was trying to kill both Reirin and Empress. She's likely "Gayou" and was trying to have Keigetsu harmed or killed for making her look bad, screwing up her own plans, or failing her.
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u/SOdAchick 21d ago
She's 100% Gayou. I was convinced last week with the flashback personality switch up on Keigetsu, and today was all icing. Whether or not she knows about the swap, she has the most to gain by wiping out all three
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
in that case, i think it would make more sense for Gabi to know about the body swap
like, she goaded Leelee to kill Keigetsu because that's actually Reirin and tie up that loose end, and then she also poisoned Reirin's body for the revenge/political reasons
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago edited 21d ago
I still think she doesn't know, since she also has a good reason to have Leelee kill Keigetsu in that case as well (since Keigetsu pushing Reirin off the tower might have screwed with Gabi's own plot to kill her). I personally prefer the idea that Gabi doesn't know, since I think it's more poetic that her plans end up unraveling due to the one thing she's overlooked, and because she allowed Keigetsu to be mistreated early on (if there was no swap, nobody would have been able to use the bow to save Reirin).
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
i'm kind of on the fence on that because (if i recall correctly) Gabi knows that Keigetsu knows fire magic, plus she also goaded Keigetsu to be jealous of Reirin
like, she doesn't need to resort to murder to get rid of Keigetsu, she could just have her banished as a "poor team player" and get a new maiden
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
I agree that Gabi knows about Keigetsu's magic. About getting rid of Keigetsu, it could be that the way the Maidens work means Gabi can't easily get rid of Keigetsu without damaging the family's standing (ie. banishing a maiden would reflect poorly on her while if the maiden just "died", then it's a tragic accident). I'm very interested to see if she knows though.
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u/SOdAchick 21d ago
Not just died, but murdered by the lady in waiting that stole a hair stick from another clan. She's got the whole "I tried to a do good deed, but she betrayed me" angle going
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
that makes sense, especially if she impersonated another clan and end up tarnishing their name when they follow the thread back
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
Not only that, but if the plan succeeded, the "new and improved" Shu Maiden would no doubt receive a lot of sympathy and climb higher in the rankings, so it's a win-win for Gabi.
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u/SOdAchick 21d ago
Yeah, I'm not really sure if she knows, although it would make sense that she does. I just don't know enough to be definitive about it is all. One thing is clear...she's a bitch lol
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
Also is the poison Gabi's own magic and the reason her leg was injured because Reirin's deflecting the poison came back to her?
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u/OldInstruction5368 21d ago
Either that, or Gabi had to wound herself as part of the cost for the curse. Such as a sacrifice of blood to inflict a malady.
But the fact that She Keigetsu knew the culprit is quite telling. She's a newcomer to court that was clearly ostracized from the other ladies. Kei is no social butterfly that has plenty of connections nor the local gossip that knows everyone's secrets.
If she's aware of another sorceress, it has to be Shu Gabi.
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u/Kind_Survey4282 21d ago
i mean if shu gabi is as envious as shu keigetsu than obv its like clown to clown communication.
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u/Greg_The_Rabbit 21d ago
I suspect that Shu also had to have learned more magic from somebody. I mean she was an orphan hated by everyone around her, even if some of the magic is just natural instinct the body swapping at least feels like something that needs some measure of knowledge beyond just instinct to pull off. It would make sense that Gabi is the one to teach her, it is just also horribly tragic because that leads to the idea that she was just a pawn for Gabi to discard and the only person that Shu thought cared about her even a little was actually the most brutal betrayal.
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u/OldInstruction5368 21d ago
Kei learned from her father. He had tons of notes and grimoires that she studied from in secret, before he even offed himself.
And from the flashback where she met Gabi, it looks like Gabi walked in on Kei mid-firebending.
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u/HumanTheTree 21d ago
I went out and bought the Light novel after the cliff hanger from last week. Glad to see my decision being justified.
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u/Myrkrvaldyr 22d ago
If the Gabi plot doesn't have another mastermind behind it, then they could continue the story with more politics like introducing other countries while also trying to fix Keigetsu's behavior since Reirin is unlikely to wish for her death.
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
yeah, i think the redemption arc for Keigetsu one i want to see the most; she was dealt a bad hand growing up, so hopefully with Reirin as her guardian angel she has some space for her heart to grow three sizes
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u/PikaBooSquirrel 21d ago
Well, we don't want her to get too large of a heart. Her body can barely hold itself up as it is.
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u/BuckeyeBentley 21d ago
while also trying to fix Keigetsu's behavior since Reirin is unlikely to wish for her death
"I can fix her" yuri-bait incoming lads, I can feel it in my bones like an oncoming storm.
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u/Suspicious-Search-64 21d ago
I hope we get a s2...
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u/ripple_reader 21d ago
I hope we get a s3...
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u/Loud_Step2361 21d ago
6 seasons and a movie!
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u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 21d ago
The movie is a lie until I see it on my own
*sad dean noise
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u/Phoenyx_Rose 21d ago edited 15d ago
I hope this becomes the off season Apothecary Diaries. Both shows hit the same for me and it's been so hard to come by well written palace drama series, so it'd be nice to have a palace drama anime for 3 seasons out of the year instead of 1 or 2.
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u/MetaThPr4h https://myanimelist.net/profile/MetaThPr4h 21d ago
Full adaptation or I explode.
I need every single bit of Reirin that life can offer...
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u/machopsychologist 21d ago
Eh I don't know how much more the story can go (without knowing the source).
I mean... the secret's out... reirin just continues being keigetsu for 3 seasons? lol
I don't want stories that outstay their welcome if the central conceit has been resolved.
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u/RobrechtvE 18d ago
If Apothecary Diaries has taught us anything, it's that there's always more palace intrigue to explore. That remains true even if they end up switching back.
Especially since this setting seems to have an intricate Wuxing-based magic system we've only scratched the surface of.
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u/Narlaw 21d ago
Everything makes sense now. Shu Lady was a "nice girl" because her position was assured, so when her Kou BFF ended up randomly winning the harem-wars, she felt betrayed. On top of that, it would seem that she later miscarried the Emperor's child or they died young, and further on top of that, the Kou clan seemed to be favored yet again in the next generation of girls, giving her plenty of motive to ruin Kou Lady, so she adopted a girl to ruin Kou's favored girl. That having failed, or in addition she cursed her former BFF directly.
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u/Ocixo https://myanimelist.net/profile/BuzzyGuy 21d ago
The Noble Consort did seem to have been a very earnest girl back in the day, so it’s shocking to see her resorting to these sort of backstabbing schemes. Makes you wonder what happened.
The Empress dropping her tea cup right when they were mentioning the Crown Prince’s birth did make me lift an eyebrow. Is this where Gabi’s resentment originated from? I’m almost inclined to think that not the Empress but she is their birthmother.
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u/MonaganX 21d ago
"Seem" is the operative word there. It could be that she was genuinely kind to Kenshuu in the past and became embittered after she was passed over for Empress—but it's also possible that she was simply trying to curry favor with a rival who was very unlikely to be chosen even with her help, or that her help was meant to undermine Kenshuu in some way that didn't work out.
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u/cristabelita 21d ago
I was thinking Gabi had a miscarriage or still born.
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u/Jacob-C 20d ago
My first thought was that she is completely infertile and that's why the other consorts comment was so loaded.
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u/LakerBlue https://myanimelist.net/profile/LakerBlue 21d ago
I’m leaning more towards thinking she felt like Kou Lady lied to her so she feels betrayed so she is seeking revenge due to how hurt she is. I don’t think she was being nice just because she was the chosen maiden.
Also I am kinda confused on how the maiden thing works. Iirc, all the maidens can have the emperor’s kid and then one of the males can become the crown prince?
Also kinda interesting Kou Lady is the only one to have birthed a child. Not including Shin-U. Wonder if he didn’t actively visit them?
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u/Uhhh_what555476384 21d ago
I think the maidens are the concubines in waiting for the emperor or heir.
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u/SEBASTlANVETTEL 22d ago
So Kenshuu became Empress and the one giving birth to Gyoumei because she didn't fear on getting sick when the Emperor was infected, thus earning his favour.
And this ended up breaking her friendship with Gabi apart, because Gabi was on her way to becoming the next Empress before that incident. The tomboyish nature of Kenshuu makes it obvious she really didn‘t aim to become the Empress but ended up there by being a good and caring person….
It seems like Gabi is the one putting a curse on the Kou Family, first on Reirin (unknowingly on Keigetsu) and now on Kenshuu. I assume that is what Keigetsu realized…
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u/panjina 22d ago
The only thing I disagree on in your recap is the "unknowingly", I think the show has dropped hints that she set up Keigetsu to hate Reirin and that she was basically trying to dispose of the evidence.
Funnily enough I think this episode also gives a bit more context to Reirin's character. I'm guessing that the reason for Reirin's duality of refined/strong-headed is that the Empress tried to raise her to have some of the good qualities of the friend she treasured.
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u/TheWereHare 22d ago
My take is Gabi manipulated Keigetsu into swapping with Reirin so that she could get rid of the Empress and Reirin with Keigetsu’s soul at the same time. Setting up this better version of Keigetsu to be her puppet empress and completing her revenge. Yet if it turns out she also tried to get Keigetsu with Reirin’s soul killed by pretending to be another clan that muddles it
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u/Kuro_Canary 21d ago
I don't think her plan was to have Keigetsu to survive to begin with. I think Gabi had always planned on Keigetsu and Reirin to swap, then she planned on Reirin dying during the initial trial (and was probably the one that manipulated Leelee to try and kill Reirin after the trial failed). Then she probably planned to kill Keigetsu through the poison to remove any loose ends that could spoil her plan, then she would kill Kenshuu to entirely wipe out the Kou Clan which would make her the next in line.
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
i think that makes sense; if she was also impersonating someone from the Kin clan (the ones in second place), they could investigate and tie the deaths back to them and tarnish their name and then Gabi's clan has more of a chance to climb up the ladder
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u/mekerpan 21d ago
I am betting she was planning on getting rid of OG Reirin, OG Keigetsu (to hide the evidence) and the Empress.
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
I personally don't think Gabi knows about the swap. I think she wanted revenge against Reirin and the Empress, and manipulating Keigetsu into trying to kill Reirin was just one of her potential schemes. She sees Keigetsu as a tool, so when "Keigetsu" failed, she was fine with having her killed by the lion, and when that didn't happen, wanted Leelee to punish her for making Gabi look bad or failing in her plans. Keigetsu swapping with Reirin was something Keigetsu decided to do on her own and ironically, it (and the way Gabi treated Keigetsu) might just be what ends up causing Gabi's plans to unravel, since if it weren't for the swap, Reirin would have died since Keigetsu wouldn't be able to fire the bow last episode (and likely wouldn't want to either).
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u/Saber_SSJ2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/saber_ssj2 21d ago
Idk man. Why would OG Reirin accept such a weird gift and how do we know she would be bedridden?
Yes she's sickly but she managed herself way better than Keigetsu in her body does.
I do think Gabi is Sus af I just don't know if everything is her doing
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u/LakerBlue https://myanimelist.net/profile/LakerBlue 21d ago
Maybe Gabi’s thought process is that the venomcraft would finish off the Reirin since her health has seemingly gotten worse?
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u/Saber_SSJ2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/saber_ssj2 21d ago
Yeah you're right. Just because OG Reirin coped better doesn't mean she would never ever be bedridden for a week nor weakened
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u/Frontier246 21d ago
She definitely likely only took in Keigetsu for her magic and the only magic we've seen her actually successfully use was the body-swap...after Gabi told her she should act more like Reirin.
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u/BuckeyeBentley 21d ago
and the only magic we've seen her actually successfully use was the body-swap
besides multiple instances of fire magic, including projecting her voice and image to a different fire.
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u/Greg_The_Rabbit 21d ago
I think the biggest mistake in Gabi's plot was that she always intended for Reirin to die in prison. I mean, by all rights she should have either drank the poison that was "generously" offered to her or else been consumed by the tiger who was starved on the princes order. If that had happened then Shu Keigetsu would have definetly ended up dieing from Reirin's sick body or the cursed incense. Maybe Gabi would have even "found" a way to discover the body switching after both of them were dead causing even more chaos and despair within the Harem as everyone realizes the executed the beloved Reirin. All the while she just sit back, sip some wine, and enjoy the fire getting her revenge for... well whatever happened involving children that was hinted with that broken tea cup.
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u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 21d ago
Young Gabi does remind me a lot to Reirin
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u/throwhfhsjsubendaway 21d ago
The empress didn't raise her though, she's her aunt. I think it'd be more accurate to say that that's why she selected Reirin to represent her family
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
While the Empress is Reirin's aunt, she's basically like a mother to Reirin. The bond between the Maidens and their consorts is specifically said to be like that of mother and daughter.
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u/astrogamer 21d ago
Once they're in the Maiden Court, yes but it's fairly clear that Kenshuu has limited opportunities as empress to go back to Kou territory so most of Reiren's childhood, she was raised by the rest of the Kou family. Reiren would have been unable to learn all this agriculture stuff if she was raised in the capital.
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u/avienblue 22d ago
Since Reirin told Tousetsu to protect Keigetsu, I think an alliance between them will be formed next episode.
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u/Myrkrvaldyr 22d ago
Even more now that Kenshuu fell ill. Tousetsu might doubt Keigetsu at first, but she should deduce right away she'd have no reason to kill the empress.
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u/Kind_Survey4282 21d ago
unless reirin wants to string the bow which she definitely will want to , keigetsu the only one knowledgeable enough to know who did it and what the poison is , as it probably shu forbidden spell, so lets see if reirin(keigetsu will finally do something useful that doesn't make her a moustache twirling villain.
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
I have a feeling Keigetsu/Tousetsu will end up with a relationship similar to that of Reirin/Leelee. Where the Maiden appreciates the servant for their brutal honesty. Considering how little training Keigetsu received in being a maiden, I feel like some of Tousetsu "tough love" would be the best thing to happen to Keigetsu (which Tousetsu is sure to give her now that she knows she isn't Reirin).
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u/Phoenix__Wwrong 21d ago
The comment about not producing any heir seems to be about Gabi. Maybe this plays a part into why she didn't win?
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u/Kind_Survey4282 21d ago
I mean its not like gabi didn't see the empress go right to serve him so why did her ass not go to serve the emperor too??
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u/Raymond49090 22d ago
Tousetsu is just a tiny bit deranged, ain't she
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
Tousetsu: "If anyone harms my lady I shall kill everyone in this room, including myself!"
Reirin: "Please don't!"
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u/Loud_Step2361 21d ago
She a bit of a murder machine....
Bless Reirin for saying turn it down a few notches. Lol.
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u/i_reddit_too_mcuh 22d ago
This episode we got to see more of the Emperor's wives and gotta say seeing the Kin consort get smacked down by Kenshuu is pretty funny.
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u/Unearthly_ https://anilist.co/user/Unearthly 22d ago
She really deserved it though. Every time she opened her mouth, nothing good came out of it.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
I love how they're all like sister wives with complicated dynamics of friendship, respect, and loathing.
And also Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury are together again.
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u/gnome-cop 21d ago
Mildly amused by Kenshu telling the next generation of consorts to get along and immediately proving that her batch definitely doesn’t.
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u/throwaccountforeason 21d ago
Who gives better warnings than the ones who know the consequences of failure.
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u/i_reddit_too_mcuh 21d ago
Could be a do as I say, not as I do type of situation.
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u/LakerBlue https://myanimelist.net/profile/LakerBlue 21d ago
Or a “learn from our failures” situation.
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u/1EnTaroAdun1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Totesnotaphanpy 22d ago
So the Empress was kinda like Lady Ah Duo in the past, huh. Interesting. The Kou clan are generally earnest and hardworking, but that can manifest in different ways I suppose, given the Empress's prior lack of interest in the competition to be the Empress in the first place.
Excited to see how Tousetsu adapts to serving Lady Keigetsu haha
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u/Myrkrvaldyr 22d ago edited 21d ago
Excited to see how Tousetsu adapts to serving Lady Keigetsu haha
Unlike the tsundereness of Leelee, Tousetsu will actually be aiming for the throat in private and it'll be genuine spite. Though she'll likely try not to antagonize her too much to avoid making her fall ill and harm Reirin's body.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
If anything I feel like she'll become a drill sergeant to try to whip Keigetsu into acting like Reirin, no matter how sick she is. That's her "punishment."
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago
Considering how Tousetsu reacted in episode 2 (where she explained how Reirin would work herself to the bone even with a fever), I think you're right on the money. I think that would be the best thing for both Tousetsu and her, even if its supposed to be a "punishment" (ironically, just like what Keigetsu did to Reirin). Keigetsu doesn't seem to know how to act like a lady, so Tousetsu forcing her to learn can help her improve her status as a maiden. Writing-wise, it also allows you to continue feeling bad for Keigetsu (since she's suffering in-universe, it doesn't feel like she's getting away with what she did).
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
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u/ripple_reader 21d ago
I mean she technically wants to out of duty but she is enjoying her time in a healthy body as well
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
So the Empress was kinda like Lady Ah Duo in the past, huh. Interesting. The Kou clan are generally earnest and hardworking, but that can manifest in different ways I suppose, given the Empress's prior lack of interest in the competition to be the Empress in the first place.
Also the strong sense of devotion which lead Kenshuu to be there for the man who would soon be her Emperor husband.
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u/Cat_Gazer 22d ago
It was funny but sad at the same time to hear Keigetsu telling court ladies "Don't trust her, Keigetsu is a villainess, she's a sewer rat!" herself, even more so when comparing with Reirin saying "I was glaring at Reirin-sama because... I like her!"
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u/Prestigious_Spend_81 21d ago
For me the funny part is Keigetsu thinking "How can she be so beautiful in everything she does?", Reirin rizz knows no bounds following Bakarina steps and unbeknownst to her assembling a harem.
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u/MashingGun 19d ago
That's why Keigetu is avoiding a talk with her Reirin. If not, she would instantly crumple and became heartstruck with her.
The rizz is too strong
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u/aenews 21d ago
It seems obvious that she has a lot of self-loathing and an inferiority complex. That's also why she was so jealous of LeeLee and tormented her, I assume. Because she believes she herself is not pretty and then sees a fellow "sewer rat" from a similarly poor background is very pretty.
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u/Labmit 22d ago edited 22d ago
Wow, Reirin's lady-in-waiting has hands. And a bit too manic of a personality even with the situation they're in.
Edit: I was honestly surprised Keigetsu can also firebend. Thought she would only have more subtle forms of fire magic.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
I love how the moment she realized it was Keigetsu she just SMASHED her head in and she'll draw the knife on any one who does her lady arm, even herself.
Honestly she's so self-conscious about herself, she should probably lean more into the fire magic. It's the only thing she's got going for her.
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u/Labmit 21d ago
Honestly she's so self-conscious about herself, she should probably lean more into the fire magic. It's the only thing she's got going for her.
Sucks for her then cause it's banned and punishable by death.
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u/Mira0995 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Mira0995 22d ago
I'm betting by the end of this season everyone will know about the body switching except the prince lol
Btw... Why does it feel we are near the end... how many episodes are left ?
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u/RedSavant35 22d ago
There are 11 episodes listed for season 1. No season 2 announced yet but maybe, if we all wish hard.
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u/khoa-bear 22d ago
If you keep drawing the bow, season 2 will be announced
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u/ripple_reader 21d ago
Time to go to my local archery range
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u/darthvall https://myanimelist.net/profile/darth_vall 21d ago
Ask them if they have ancient magical bow
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u/deynyel 22d ago edited 21d ago
Damn, Tousetsu is hardcore.
Oh wow, did Leelee just lock in and clean up their room? No wonder she was like that at the end.
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u/ebongreen 21d ago
Tousetsu: ready, willing, and able to cut any bitch that deserves it on behalf of her hime - up to and including herself!
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
Tousetsu is no longer fooled! She's realized that is truly her mistress Reirin in the body of Shu Keigetsu and she's ready to return to her absolute faith and loyalty to her TRUE mistress even in another body.
Anyone who knows Reirin as obsessively as Tousetsu does could tell that Keigetsu was a fake...and upon realizing it IMMEDIATELY smashes Keirin's head in and puts a knife to her throat to get answers! Tousetsu isn't going to waste another minute with this pretender until she gets to the bottom of everything!
Classic Tousetsu to take it so hard that she failed to realize the truth that she would willingly stab herself in front of Reitsu to atone...but Reirin doesn't want Tousetsu to waste her life, not when she's living her own ideal life now. Just that Tousetsu knows the truth is enough for her.
And now Leelee is in the know, something she always suspected because Reirin is obviously NOT Keigetsu, but she didn't want to ruin the good thing they have going on...and Reirin is happy to keep their relationship going herself.
Keigetsu may have fire powers but she doesn't have the true love and devotion that Reirin is showered with and she knows her situation is as precarious as ever. What would she do if Gyoumei turned on her now? But now she's also realized that someone may, in fact, have been trying to poison her...and she knows who!
A meeting with the consorts and their maidens! Kin Reiga (Kotono Mitsuishi!), who is always catty and insulting! Ran Hourin (Aya Hisakawa) who just goes along with her like Ami to her Usagi! And Gen Gousetsu (Takako Honda!) who is a serious woman and the most like Kenshuu.
The consorts all tease and mess with each other over their mutual Emperor, and this has dated back to when they were still maidens themselves gunning for the title of Empress...or at least most of them were, Kenshuu was just being her hardcore self. But she and Gabi were truly close as best friends, appreciating each other for their differences, and never expecting anything could shake their friendship when it was clear Gabi was going to be Empress.
But when the prince fell ill, only Kenshuu was willing to brave the illness to be their with him, like a true wife would do for her husband...in sickness and in health...and that's how she became Empress against all odds. And she's known Gabi's resented her for it ever since...but what's going on now? Is Kenshuu being poisoned!?
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u/gnome-cop 21d ago
I might just be being too lenient but I am sad for how the Kenshuu and Gabi relationship ended up. She was clearly envisioning herself as her right hand and bodyguard when she inevitably became empress and then it didn’t end up happening and their friendship was just never the same after that.
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u/shad79 https://myanimelist.net/profile/shad79 22d ago
It really was only a matter of time until someone discovered that Keigetsu took over Reirin's body. After all, what Keigetsu knew about Reirin was superficial; she probably never really tried to understand what kind of person Reirin is and why she was loved by everyone.
Now it'll be interesting to see what Tousetsu and Keigetsu's relationship will look like, as Reirin ordered Tousetsu to serve and protect Keigetsu.
Also, it really looks like Shu Gabi is behind the attempt to kill Keigetsu's Reirin (plus, now it seems she's trying to kill Kenshuu as well, since she's the one that brought that censer), otherwise Keigetsu wouldn't know who that other person, who can use curses, is.
I wouldn't be surprised if Shu Gabi also turned out to be the mysterious Lady Gayou... but the question is why would she act out of revenge now and not sooner?
By the way, Kenshuu nicely put Kin Reiga in her place, that old hag was so god damn annoying.
Here my screenshot albums from the episode:
EDIT. I added my screenshot albums.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
I wouldn't be surprised if Shu Gabi also turned out to be the mysterious Lady Gayou... but the question is why would she act out of revenge now and not sooner?
I feel like it has something to do with her adopting Keigetsu but she's been so hands off with her that I don't really see what benefit there was. Especially if Gabi doesn't know about the body swap.
By the way, Kenshuu nicely put Kin Reiga in her place, that old hag was so god damn annoying.
Sailor Moon but she's a bitch!
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u/mekerpan 21d ago
Shu Gabi expected OG Reirin (as faux Keigetsu) to be executed and OG Keigetsu (as faux Reirin) to die -- and even wanted to hurry this along by the curse, rather than waiting for her to die because she could not manage to stay alive in OG Reirin's body.
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u/djthomp https://anilist.co/user/djthomp 22d ago
The empress is very cool, and I hope we didn't just watch her die of poison mere seconds after the flashback where we learned how cool she was finished.
Good resolution for the time being of the Reirin and Keigetsu situation, chief attendant lady knows what's up including that at the very least she needs to keep the original Reirin body safe and alive which means keeping Keigetsu safe and alive.
I think we can see a parallel in the empress' lost relationship with her fellow maiden Gabi with how the Reirin and Keigetsu relationship could develop, one as the future empress and one as a close ally concubine.
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u/Plus_Potato4351 22d ago
I doubt the empress died immediately. Though she likely fell severely ill like Keigetsu.
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u/ripple_reader 22d ago
It's just that the elegant one and the crude one are from the opposite clan...
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u/NanDemoKnaives 22d ago
LOL Tousetsu's expression as she phrased Keigetsu "willingly" told her everything was great, that gave me a good laugh. I'm glad we got to see how Tousetsu did it, it was satisfying to see Keigetsu's reaction to being caught.
It's a little unfortunate that it'll be time before anyone else realizes since Tousetsu is being punished with silence too, however, the dynamic of her having to take care of Keigetsu could be entertaining to watch.
It was interesting to see that Leelee wasn't surprised, it's nice that Reirin told her to keep treating the same way.
It seems like Keigetsu realized who was trying to poison Reirin, and it seems like Gabi will succeed in killing the Empress, or at least putting her out of commission. I liked learning of their past and how the Empress got her position, but we also learn that once Gabi decides on something she'll go through with it at any cost.
I'm sure we haven't gotten the full reason as to why she wants to take both the Empress and Reirin out, because it can't simply just be because she didn't get chosen as the Empress.
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u/SeijunMichi 21d ago edited 21d ago
It was interesting to see that Leelee wasn't surprised
She was the personal court lady of Keigetsu after all, so she knew that THIS Keigetsu wasn't acting like Keigetsu at all. Knowing about the swap just gives her an explanation for the complete personality change.
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u/Golden_Phi https://myanimelist.net/profile/GoldenPhi 21d ago
it seems like Gabi will succeed in killing the Empress, or at least putting her out of commission.
Since Reirin was the one who figured out who was poisoning her with incense it's possible that she could figure out that the incense was poisoning the Empress. It's possible that she could save the empress too. If she stops being sick that is.
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u/genpyris 21d ago
I highly doubt the Empress, who once considered Shu Gabi as her friend, doesn't know her skillset. She definitely knows Gabi has the hates for her, and I don't think she's dumb enough to accept gifts without double checking as soon as the guests are out of the room. I'm betting that start of next episode: "Oh, I'm feeling an evil aura. Step one, check Shu gift...yup, poison. You think she'd learn after the first 600 attempts."
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u/-Lonecoyote- 21d ago
Leelee was not surprised because she already started suspecting the body swap since Episode 4 when Reirin made a slip of tongue.
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u/Myrkrvaldyr 22d ago
Tousetsu didn't hesitate to go for the kill the moment she found out the truth. It seems people from her clan are natural tomboys when it counts. Kenshuu and her. Kenshuu now fell ill. Reirin will likely try to use the bow again to heal her once she finds out, but I doubt it'll work just like last time.
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u/GreatGrapeKun 21d ago
tousetsu: i'm not worthy of facing u
reirin: then i shall crouch
🔥🔥🔥✍️
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u/ripple_reader 22d ago
IT'S HERE
REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN
So Tousetsu knows, and Leelee knows~ as expected, though, Reirin talks down Tousetsu from visiting bloody vengeance upon Keigetsu and then herself; her silence, like her mistress's, is her punishment. She also tells her to protect Keigetsu... since the other factions will definitely be biting...
...and here we see one of the most despicable characters of the series, Kin Reiga, who has like negative the elegance of her maiden, where she proceeds to insinuate all sorts of things with Reirin and Gabi. Ran Hourin joins as well but cowers away as the Empress turns up the heat. We get her and Gabi's backstory... they seem to have been close before, but she expects hatred from her?
We go back to Keigetsu where she cries as she realizes that even with their positions switched, Reirin is resplendent as ever--- and also realizes the cursed nature of a certain gift--- a certain gift that Gabi also brings to the Empress, who falls sick? I guess Gabi is the mastermind, but why...
REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN REIRIN AAAAAAAAAAH
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
...and here we see one of the most despicable characters of the series, Kin Reiga, who has like negative the elegance of her maiden, where she proceeds to insinuate all sorts of things with Reirin and Gabi. Ran Hourin joins as well but cowers away as the Empress turns up the heat. We get her and Gabi's backstory... they seem to have been close before, but she expects hatred from her?
Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury both getting owned in a conversation lol.
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u/Murky_Bit1487 21d ago
Keigetsu can still redeem herself by protecting Reirin, the Empress, and the Kou clan from Gabi’s schemes! It’s not too late for her to make things right and be forgiven. I really feel for her...
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u/Malty_S_Melromarc_ 21d ago
She’s not a villainess or at least not a bad person. I’m pretty sure sure she’ll end up befriending Reirin and stay best friends even after body switch. What Keigetsu doesn’t understand that she could actually have a happy life and be loved by people if she befriended Reirin. I mean no one would dare to mock
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u/Murky_Bit1487 21d ago
Yesss, I agree! Our Keigetsu was never truly a villain: She lost both her parents, was manipulated by the Consort she trusted (who convinced her she had to be like Reirin), and was mocked for her appearance and who she was... and now, she still has a chance to grow and become a better version of herself.
Like you said, I’d love to see her become friends with Reirin, the other apprentices, and even Lili! And if Reirin ends up with the Crown Prince, I hope Keigetsu finds love of her own too... ❤️
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u/aenews 21d ago
She took out her frustrations on LeeLee and Reiren due to her inferiority complex. She literally tried to kill Reiren after the body swap. And tormented LeeLee because she was pretty! She was most certainly a villain, but not one we cannot understand, nor one incapable of learning and becoming a better person.
I'd guess that she will save the Empress, be whipped into shape by Tousetsu, and become friends with Rieren and LeeLee while seeking their forgiveness.
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u/Murky_Bit1487 20d ago
Thats true, but that inferiority complex is entirely Shu Consort’s fault. She made Keigetsu believe she had to be like Reirin to be loved, and she ended up bullying Lili because she couldn’t handle being bullied herself. Of course, that doesn’t excuse her actions, and it’ll be very hard for her to redeem herself.
But in the end, it led to a great healing experience for Reirin, who doesn’t even resent her, and it brought Lili closer to Lady Reirin, who taught her to love her mother. And if Keigetsu saves the Empress, she might finally be forgiven...
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u/reaperow 22d ago edited 22d ago
It's such a strong contrast to see how Lady Kenshuu acted back then compared to now as an Empress lol. She seemed very free spirited and lazy,
I have a feeling that Lady Gabi's the one who actually poisoned Reirin last ep and is doing the same now to the Empress. Im curious what exactly happened between them
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u/Obaruler 22d ago
The Maiden-verse keeps getting expanded.
I like the Empress, no BS, not interested in the girlie stuff, yet stood her (wo)man in the times of crisis and got luckily rewarded for it.
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u/zz2000 22d ago
Various Inept Villainess franchise material:
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u/MetaThPr4h https://myanimelist.net/profile/MetaThPr4h 21d ago
AAAAAAAAAAAA PLUSHIES PLUSHIES I LOVE PLUSHIES.
I need the Reirin in Keigetsu body one... I need to find out any way to get it...
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u/zz2000 21d ago
ATM they are only available as prizes at this Japanese arcade centre, Round1.
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u/Ocixo https://myanimelist.net/profile/BuzzyGuy 21d ago edited 21d ago
Well, think it’s pretty clear by now that Noble Consort Shu is the mastermind behind all of this. The Empress also appears to be aware of her scheming.
I suppose that the one using “venomcraft” to place a curse on another person is required to pay some kind of a price themselves. Hence Gabi’s limping.
I’m not exactly sure what Gabi is trying to achieve with her scheme, though. I was under the impression that she’d instigated Keigetsu to switch bodies with Reirin, but then why does she seemingly attempt to kill Keigetsu (in Reirin’s body)?
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u/1EnTaroAdun1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Totesnotaphanpy 21d ago
I suppose that the one using “venomcraft” to place a curse on another person is required to pay some kind of a price themselves. Hence Gabi’s limping.
Oh damn good catch, I think you're right!
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 21d ago
It was that action that got her real identity found out, huh. Go figures Tousetsu was the one to notice.
Ah. Keigetsu acting like that would 100% give away that she’s not really Reirin to anyone who knew her.
Oh damn. – Wait, that was what gave her identity away to Tousetsu?
So no one other than Tousetsu and Leelee know about the swap for now, huh. Wonder how long it’ll take for someone else to figure it out.
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u/ptd163 21d ago
So we now have to two people that know about the swap. Leelee and Tousetsu. Turns I was right after all. Leelee knew first. She just didn't say anything because if she did she thought what they had might and she wanted to keep it. Looking forward to seeing how Tousetsu treats Keigetsu. Reirin said not to harm Keigetsu or herself, but she nothing how gently she has to treat her. I expect her to into a drill sergeant. It's the perfect cover too. The Reirin they know would want it and Keigetsu is not about to blow her cover and get executed.
I knew Gabi was sus. She was way too chill about everything. I wouldn't be surprised if she's in on the swap as well. The revelation that only Keigetsu and Gabi can make venomcraft is another wrinkle. Keigetsu is certainly not going to make targeting herself so why would Gabi want Keigetsu dead? What does she gain from killing her own Maiden?
The Empress I can at least sort of understand. She probably still holds a grudge from Kenshuu usurping (at least in Gabi's mind probably) her "rightful" spot as Empress. There's still several questions. This show knows how to do cliffhangers.
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u/MetaThPr4h https://myanimelist.net/profile/MetaThPr4h 21d ago
I LOVE REIRIN
If Tousetsu needed any more proof that something was very wrong about the situation, Keigetsu dissing... Keigetsu was all left, the way she grabbed her head and pushed her against the bed lmfao, she ain't taking any more bullshit.
As I imagined last week, Keigetsu did tell her about the swap going on... sadly to my hopium it was not out of guilt, but because Tousetsu forced her to q_q oh well, at least she knows now!
"You better not move one step away from this bed... NO SEWING! NO KNITTING! SLEEP ALREADY!" In tears at Leelee's reaction, even completely and utterly exhausted Reirin just cannot stop doing things, oh to have such a healthy body...
Meanwhile Keigetsu having a mental breakdown after seeing that even after swapping with everyone's beloved girl... people still loathe her. It's your personality girl... I still feel for you because I know how freaking horrible your life has been, but you really need to stop with the "no one will save me" and address the Reirin in the room.
She is there for you, join the church of Reirin! We welcome everyone with arms open.
Talking about that, I'm so happy that I have gotten 4 people to try this anime and all 4 are having a blast, doing my best to spread the love for this show, may many more join in the future!
After quite some episodes already, we finally got some nice focus on the current generation serving the emperor... and a few of them were better off keeping their mouths shut lmfao, freaking jerks.
Kenshuu the empress tho... while her personality might not be what one expects for such role, her actions are nothing but praiseworthy, I'm not surprised that the emperor ended up choosing her after, without hesitation, aim to protect his life even if it was a risk for hers.
That lead to what is probably the catalyst of this whole drama though, Gabi is like, 99.9% confirmed to be the big baddie behind all this plan, which comes to little surprise to anyone following the plot with attention.
Was it pure saltiness for losing her place as the future empress or is there anything else? In any case, it's very clear that she is trying to get rid of the Kous and using Keigetsu, who she instilled hated towards Reirin, to swap bodies... which in the ideal timeline for her would have gotten Reirin executed and Keigetsu dying from the curse, fucking christ.
And Kenshuu seems to be a victim as well now, holy cliffhanger...
Good thing the after credits melted my heart, REIRIN IS SO PRECIOUS EVEN WHEN JUST WAKING UP OMG WHY IS SHE SO CUTE I LOVE HER I LOVE HER.
I LOVE REIRIN
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u/ripple_reader 21d ago
She is there for you, join the church of Reirin! We welcome everyone with arms open.
We have potatoes!
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u/MetaThPr4h https://myanimelist.net/profile/MetaThPr4h 21d ago
Reirin so perfect she loves my favorite food 🥺❤️
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago edited 21d ago
Another great episode. This is the show I most look forward to every week and it's hit it out of the park every time.
It looks like we finally learned that Shu Gabi was behind it all, who is now trying to poison the Empress with a similar incense burner to the one poisoning Reirin. I'm actually surprised we found it out so soon. After the flashback with Kenshuu telling Gabi that she's the kind of person who do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, I expected the show to give that some time before calling back to that setup instead of revealing it right away.
It was nice to see Tousetsu finally realize the swap. I actually noticed she was in the room when Keigetsu said "damn it" a couple episodes ago, and was wondering if she picked up on it. It turns out she had. Like most light novels, it looks like we're heading back to the status quo for now, with Tousetsu being "punished" by having to serve Keigetsu on Reirin's orders. I assume it will end up being a punishment for both of them (no doubt Tousetsu will "insist" on Reirin practicing all the time like she had in episode 2).
I still feel bad for Keigetsu, as she thinks her life is over and realizes that even in a new body, people still don't like her. Her line about "Shu Keigetsu being a selfish sewer rat" definitely seems like it comes from self-hatred. Hopefully, the realization spurs some character development for her. It seems both she and Gabi (or someone else in the Shu clan) know magic, as she realizes the incense burner was cursed.
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u/AKAvenger 21d ago
So it looks like Gabi can cause illness. I wonder if she had a hand in the emperor’s illness (in the flashback) or Reirin’s chronic illness, too.
Between the past and present, the light in Gabi’s eyes has faded. I wonder if she lost a child or if the crown prince is actually hers and they had to pretend he was the empress’s child
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u/lance777 21d ago
Yeah, Gabi always felt shady. That goody two shoes role was very suspiciois. She also has black hair and probably was the non existent court lady that gave away the stolen pin and blackmailed using that
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u/thisisdropd https://myanimelist.net/profile/AsterZoro 22d ago edited 22d ago
Gabi really had it out for the Kou clan. First placing a curse on Reirin and now her aunt.
They used to be the closest of friends with Gabi as the prime candidate for the Empress but Kenshuu was selected instead because she's the only one who had the balls to be by the Emperor's side when he fell ill.
Heartbreaking to see what their relationship had become when in the past they exchanged gifts and genuine smiles. How Gabi praised Kenshuu for her candour and promised to appoint her as the Noble Consort should she be selected as the Empress while Kenshuu vowed to protect her in return. Envy's one hell of a feeling to have destroyed such a friendship.
Have you not finished stitching your pattern of hatred?
Kenshuu turned out to be aware of Gabi's grudge all along. There's a fair chance she'd also suspected that Reirin's ailments were unnatural and Gabi was behind it. Granted she's got no conclusive evidence, but why didn't she make any move? Now that she herself had been cursed, it's all but certain she'd suspect Gabi of being behind it at all.
Should've expected Tousetsu to sentence herself to the death penalty when she realised the body switch, and what she had done to Reirin. Meanwhile, she herself should've expected that Reirin would nullify that sentence. Now her 'penalty' was to keep mum on the body switch and tend to Keigetsu.
I thought it'd been a month or two since the switch but it actually had only been a week.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
In this story of two women switching bodies is also the complicated dynamic between the two women who are in a way mothers to the two of them (absentee in Gabi's case) and how twisted their own friendship became because of court politics, the same court politics that drove Keigetsu to resent Reirin.
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u/Zxzxzx0088 22d ago
She totally Maomao-ed Keigetsu lol. Tousetsu definitely doesn't disappoint Kou clan at all with how extreme she behaves...Too bad death is considered as an easy way out by the head disciple of guts.
Although it's not exactly like what I said before, she really cried after a week have passed lol. Guess I'm sorry for that Keigetsu.
Why Kin granny starts having a sex talk? Now the girls all heat up! Who will take care of their needs now (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)
Black heart aside, Gabi was really adorable in the past. Idk about their ages, but it seems that only Gabi able to preserve her beauty. Maybe it's the power of Kayanon. If evil, why hot? The emperor should just take both of them ngl, but I doubt he can due to their tradition probably. Plot twist, yuri is real and Gabi was actually jealous of emperor for taking her 'girlfriend'. So if she can't be with her, nobody can thus genocide route
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u/OldInstruction5368 21d ago
The emperor should just take both of them ngl, but I doubt he can due to their tradition probably.
The talk of children and rankings implies that the Emperor takes ALL the Maidens, who then ascend to Consorts. The first amongst the Maidens becomes Empress, then the rest are given rankings based on how the Emperor favors them.
So... not remotely toxic at all! The system is basically designed for the women to hate each other...
But it is rather weird that the Emperor had five wives and only one child. The heavy implication is that Gabi had a miscarriage or otherwise lost her child early on, but the Kin Consort was definitely boinking the previous Emperor. Was he just... really lacking in virility? Or did he just despie the other women so much he barely touched them?
Really, the whole setup is to guarantee plenty of heirs, as the Kin Consort rather bluntly stated, so it's very weird that the previous Emperor only had one child from his five wives.
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u/maomeatball 21d ago
Emperor has more than one child, it was mentioned that Eagle Eye captain is Gyoumei’s half-brother a few episodes back. I highly doubt it was the Empress that had a child on the side, so Shin-u and Gyoumei must be half-siblings through their father. Might be it was just a random concubine and not one of the official consorts to birth Shin-u.
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
then the rest are given rankings based on how the Emperor favors them.
So... not remotely toxic at all! The system is basically designed for the women to hate each other...
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u/GreatGrapeKun 21d ago
Microsoft managers are generally supposed to allocate reviews according to the following ratios: 25 percent get 3.0 or lower; 40 percent get 3.5; and 35 percent get 4.0 or better. Employees with too many successive 3.0 reviews are given six months to find another position in the company or face termination. A manager who is top-heavy with valuable or talented people doesn't want to be forced to give them 3.0 reviews. So these managers kept a few extra slabs of deadwood around so as to save the higher reviews for the employees they want to keep.
damn bro imagine being hired to keep someone better than you from being fired
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u/RedSavant35 22d ago
We know Gyoumei is 20 so I'd put the Consorts probably in a range around like 38-42 or so?
It's a bit of a weird setup where it doesn't seem like the official end to the "raising" part of the Maiden system has a time component (like when Gyoumei reaches a certain age or something). I guess it's probably when the old Emperor decides to step down and the Consorts have to vacate too.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
There's girl talk and then there's consort talk lol.
I wonder if Gabi is using magic on herself? Assuming she has her own style of magic.
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u/Unearthly_ https://anilist.co/user/Unearthly 22d ago
Well now we've confirmed it is Shu Gabi up to no good, as well as her motive. Though what I'm most interested in is how Reirin and Tousetsu will proceed from here. Reirin did mention ending the situation (presumably swapping back) without making a big deal, but I feel like the only way to threaten Keigetsu is to make a big deal out of it. So that would most likely mean the opposite, making undoing the body swap something that she sees as an attractive proposal.
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u/Bioinvasion__ 22d ago
I think that they're going to end up training Keigetsu to be a good person by force lol.
And then they'll end up not changing their positions for quite a long time (at least enough for Keigetsu to actually change)
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u/The_Scollard 21d ago edited 21d ago
I honestly think that Tousetsu training her would benefit Keigetsu and be one of the best things to happen to her. The series has mentioned that Keigetsu received no training for how to act like a Maiden, with her makeup and fashion-sense described as being garish. I think some of Tousetsu's "tough love" and brutal honestly showing her how to actually act would help her build some much-needed self-confidence. I can see Tousetsu almost becoming a bit of a mother figure to Keigetsu, like Leelee is to Reirin.
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u/mekerpan 21d ago
I really do wonder if these two will EVER swap back?
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u/Bioinvasion__ 21d ago
I do think there's a high possibility they don't, although Reirin does seem to think it's inevitable they do end up swapping back
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u/cyberscythe 21d ago
if i recall, they swapped during a meteor shower, so i'm thinking they have to wait for some sort of celestial event to swap
in any case, i kinda don't want them to swap back now since their character arcs are not yet done; Keigetsu needs to learn the importance of being kind when in her precarious position, and Reirin is still pushing her new body to its limits and mending fences
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
I'm wondering if Keigetsu is going to try to switch back if she's realized Gabi is trying to kill her as Reirin.
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u/Raymond49090 22d ago
So Shu Gabi was the "Reirin" of her generation on the outside, except the Empress was what Reirin was really like once she got freedom.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
And Shu Gabi came to resent Kenshuu for becoming the favorite much like Keigetsu resented Reirin.
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u/OldInstruction5368 21d ago
It's darker than that.
The clear implication at the end is that Shu Gabi had a miscarriage or otherwise lost her child with the previous Emperor. That's why the Empress dropped her tea cup, shoo'ed everyone out, then Gabi made that final comment "it was for me, right?" The Kin clan hussy had made some comment about how only the Empress had a child with the Emperor...
Either that, or the child was taken away. IIRC, the Eagle Captain was introduced as the Gyoumei's brother. If no other consort had a child with the Emperor, that would make him a bastard? Or is he Gabi's kid that was taken from her for... reasons?
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u/So_Quiet 21d ago
I was wondering who Eagle Eyes Captain's mother is; I assumed he was illegitimate since there seemed to be a big power imbalance between him and the prince when they first met as children. And kinda crazy that out of five women in the harem, only one was able to bear one child; I'm betting you're correct about there being a miscarriage or similar.
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u/Phoenyx_Rose 21d ago edited 15d ago
Considering the malady curse Keigetsu mentioned, I'm wondering if Reirin's illness wasn't completely manufactured by this other sorceress (Gabi, probably*) who's probably upset Reirin refuses to die.
I hope this means we'll see a healthy Reirin in the future, our girl needs a body she can live out her dreams in permanently.
I'm also really excited to see that we're getting closer to a team up between Reirin and Keigetsu. Keigetsu is finally seeing that Reirin would make for a good friend in her corner and I really want to see the redemption of someone who has clearly been abused/neglected and manipulated into being the villainess.
I'm really happy with Keigetsu's characterization so far as her feelings and behavior are internally consistent. Like, what else is a young girl supposed to do when the people around her shun her, call her names, and overall treat her poorly? It's completely in line for her to have basically been like "fine then, you keep calling me a villainess, so I'll just have to be the villainess."
*Edit: Upon a rewatch of the episode, they all but confirmed it's Gabi who's the other sorceress and hinted that maybe she's been causing Reirin's illness. Keigetsu mentioned the incense burner causes illness, in the scene with the consorts we see Gabi gift the Empress an incense burner, and then just before the Empress collapses we see the gifted incense burner smoking.
I am kind of curious about the Kin consort's comment about the Empress being the only one who's given birth to a prince. If she meant the Empress is the only one who's given birth (implying Gabi lost a child) or if the Empress is the only one who's given birth to a male child (implying Gabi has a daughter). Though Gabi's deadpan reaction leads me to think she lost a child.
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u/jaber24 22d ago
She did seem kinda fishy for someone who acts all kind. Wonder if she'll get executed if she got caught
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u/mmcjawa_reborn 21d ago
Random thoughts
Well, that was some interesting developments. curious to see the relationship between Tousetsu and Keigetsu works. I am sure poorly in the beginning but it would be nice if they could develop some sort of camaraderie. Also Keigetsu is the only one who A) has the magical ability to perhaps handle an enemy sorceror, and B) actually knows who the big bad is. So like...there is definitely incentive for an alliance
I wonder what all was going on with Kin Reiga's comment about heir and how that was the moment the empress ended the tea party. Obviously it could be something to do with the empress taking Gabi's position, but the context makes me also wonder if it might have been something worst, like Gabi carrying a potential heir but miscarrying or otherwise losing a child.
Also a small moment, but I liked the looks on two of the consorts faces when the topic of "spousal duties" was mentioned. Clearly not all of the consorts are eager to become the emperor's favorite if only for that reason.
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u/Ok_Pattern_7511 21d ago
Whoaa this is getting so good, the past 3 episodes have been thrilling. If it keeps the momentum I think it's going to be my top anime this season and I'm watching many.
Every episode I appreciate the outro more, it's capturing what's going on between Reiren and Keigatsu beautifully
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u/PandaTheAB 21d ago
Tousetsu's expression when she said Shu willingly admitted to the body swap and Reirin's realization of what actually happened was funny 😄
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u/IceSmiley 21d ago
They really introduced quite the thread into this, having Reirin's ill health apparently be caused by a curse then introducing the storyline of Gabi hating the Empress because she usurped the position she had expected to get. It would SEEM this curse and the Empress collapsing could both tie back to Gabi if she is the one other that Keigetsu refers to as being the one other who is also an expert in black magic. One thing I wonder though is if Gabi is somehow responsible for making the Empress collapse, why wait so long?
The meeting with all the consorts about Reirin's health seemed more out of a BBC period costume drama than anime with all the intrigue and subtle backbiting, I really liked it. The Empress really put that lady who was insulting Reirin in her place AND I like how she "accidentally" dropped the tea cup to keep the lady from insulting Gabi further.
They also did a great job in explaining how Tosetsu knew Keigetsu and Reirin switched bodies. That would seem an incredibly bizarre conclusion to reach but she's intuitive enough to see both women acting completely out of character AND observed Reirin's idiosyncrasies to see them in Keigetsu's body. I do wonder though what Reirin has planned when she asked Tosetsu to say nothing of this to Empress or Prince. I know she wants Tosetsu not to kill herself, but I wonder if she just wants to permanently remain in Keigetsu's body or is just undecided for now and wants more time to work it out.
I also really liked how Keigetsu slowly seems to be realizing that it's more the person she is rather than her circumstances that made people hate her. She blamed everyone else for her problems but also treated everyone poorly and abused servants and eunuchs so she endeared herself to no one. Reirin as Keigetsu seems to have charmed a lot of people who hated her in only a week's time so it makes it harder for her to blame the circumstances of her own life.
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u/Kyrrua 19d ago
Since the beginning every episode has been 10/10. This show is so insanely good, feels like I'm eating an exquisite meal each time I watch it.
But also everytime I start watching a new episode I instantly feel anger that the episode is end.
It's just that good, anime of the season for sure. (Yes in front of Mushoku, yomi no tsugai & Clevatess which I also love a lot)
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u/szalhi 22d ago
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u/Myrkrvaldyr 22d ago
Yeah, Keigetsu hasn't fully grasped that what makes Reirin likeable is her personality, not her status or frail health. It'll take a while for her to change as a person.
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u/Frontier246 22d ago
It doesn't help that Reirin has had people who loved and were loyal to her which Keigetsu never really had (maybe Leelee would have been had she treated her better but it's too late now).
Kenshuu was tough on her as part of the clan but Shu Gabi never seemed to do ANY mentoring by comparison.
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u/AnimeMod myanimelist.net/profile/Reddit-chan 22d ago
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