Quick Summary of Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
Izetta: The Last Witch episode 5, A False Miracle, shows us how Eylstadt unveils Izetta and her powers to the world during Princess Finé’s coronation. Germania responds in force while Major Belkman puts some of the puzzle pieces together about Izetta’s powers. Finally, Jonas learns a dangerous secret as a Germanian spy closes in.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious!
What’s In This Post
Quick Episode Summary
What Happened in this Episode
What I Liked in this Episode
What I Liked Not so Much in this Episode
Thoughts about the Episode
Related Posts
What Happened in Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
Izetta at Finé’s Coronation
At her coronation, Princess (now Archduchess) Finé gives a speech saying that despite the dire situation and long odds, she will protect the country. As proof, she displays Izetta, flying on a large-caliber rifle with the ceremonial sword in tow. All present, even the media, are impressed. The emperor of Germania is likewise impressed — and excited. So excited, in fact, that his aide Elliot had to remind him that the original objective of invading Eylstadt was opening a trade route to the Romulus Federation in the south.
In a demonstration of Izetta’s power, Eylstadt arranges for a plane full of reporters to follow Izetta as she leads a squadron of lances against the Germanian garrison in a captured city. She completely destroys not only their enemies, but their tanks, supplies, and ammunition. As planned, the press widely publishes the story.
Belkman and his assistant Rickert meet Captain Basler, the only survivor of the first Germanian dog-fight against Izetta and the then Princess, to enlist his aid. Grateful and relieved that someone will listen to and believe his story, Basler enthusiastically agrees. After the meeting, Belkman shares his insight that the witch isn’t invincible. Otherwise, why’d it take her two days to reach Coenenberg after the dogfight? Or why didn’t she just fly to Neu-Berlin and kill the Emperor?
Another Germanian Offensive
Eager to redeem themselves, the Germanian military launches an incursion, coincidentally (?) where the ley lines are weakest. Sieghard Müller has a plan for just such an event, and Izetta, having a hard time seeing this as anything but a failure on her part, agrees to help.
Working with Bianca and the other women in the Imperial Guard, they put explosives in the mines all around the pass through which the Germanians are moving. They use a full-scale wooden replica of Izetta towed from a plane to simulate a landing at the top of the mountain, in full view of the Germanians. Then the real Izetta gave them a chance to surrender. When they didn’t, she simulated magical movements while Bianca and her team used silenced weapons to shoot the rifles out of Germanian hands. When they still didn’t retreat, the guard detonated the munitions and brought the rock face down on the enemy.
Jonas, a young soldier smitten with Izetta, accidentally hears Sieghard and and Schneider loudly talking about how the setup was faked. Sieghard almost catches Jonas, who accidentally leaves behind a picture of his family. Belkman mentioned a Germanian spy who happens to be in Jonas’ company.
What I Liked about Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
Details Count
I liked the small detail of the newspaper reporters just dropping the spent flashbulbs on the ground. I still remember cameras that used those, and I remember how blackened they used to look when they’d been used. But don’t expect me to wax nostalgic about them. Today’s cameras are much better!
The Princess (now the Archduchess) and her team did a great job choreographing Izetta’s entrance. Even the sword’s handoff was very smooth. Seeing how happy Elvira Friedman seemed, I really hope that she’s not a spy. Thought blonde women with glasses are rather dastardly this season (I’m thinking of Double de Vabres from Bubuki/Buranki, especially in the most recent epiosde).
I like Belkman’s calm and reason. From the first time we saw him in episode one to this episode, he’s observing and interpreting events with a remarkable clarity. It’s too bad he’s a Germanian because I can sympathize with his approach to life.
Izetta Rearms in Flight
Using fighters to “re-fuel” Izetta with swords is a great idea! Very efficient and realistic. And yes, I just used the term “realistic” to describe re-supplying a witch in flight.
Captain Basler described Izetta as being as maneuverable as a “barn swallow.” I really liked the description, because I grew up on a farm and saw many barn swallows — and they are wickedly maneuverable!
As Belkman and his assistant walk home from the bar after meeting Basler, they pass several propaganda signs. Based on what I’ve seen in history books/sites, they were strong likenesses of the real thing, adjusting for the parallel universe differences, of course.
While Belkman discussed his reasoning that Izetta isn’t invincible, he rhetorically asked why she didn’t just travel to Neu-Berlin and kill the Emperor. Rickert flew into a panic and tried to hush his boss. Little details like that help the world feel more realistic to me.
Izetta Can’t Take a Compliment
Even though she’s crushed the Germanian military twice in rapid succession, Izetta’s still uncertain about her contribution. She’s such a sweet character that I really don’t like seeing her in this situation. Of course, my reaction’s the result of good world and character building, so from that perspective, I like it a lot.
Another pleasant little detail: Finé realized that Germania wants her country as a route to the Romulus Empire. That means they won’t heavily bomb Eylstadt. That also gives our heroes considerable protection that they wouldn’t otherwise have had!
The plan to simulate Izetta’s attack for the invading Germanians well conceived and executed. I loved how the dummy crashed into an airbag so it wouldn’t be loud, then careened into the net. I was glad to see that they didn’t use a human at that stage — that wouldn’t have felt realistic.
What I Liked Less about Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
I’m struggling to believe that two senior imperial officials, Sieghard and Schneider, would discuss how they pulled off the fake Izetta defense in the middle of the woods. Well, if one of them’s a spy, maybe I could believe it. I could believe a junior officer, excited at knowing a secret, blurting it out. But not two senior officers. That was too contrived for my tastes.
We were almost through the entire episode. In fact, we were through the episode, before it struck. The last quote as part of the preview for next week was, “Oh, no! Lady Izetta’s breasts!” First, I think it should have been “oh noes!” If we’re going to be cliche, let’s embrace it! Second, why can’t we go one episode without groping, bouncing, displaying, or otherwise interacting directly with Izetta’s body parts? I didn’t say anything earlier when, at the battle in the pass, they put the microphone in Izetta’s cleavage, because that makes perfect sense: the Germanians were below her, so the angle was perfect to conceal the device. But couldn’t they have found something better to tease the next episode?
Thoughts about Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
Izetta Without Body Armor
Will Jonas misinterpret what he heard and think that Izetta’s entire role has been faked? If so, will he feel betrayed? Betrayed enough to speak up? Or will the mole in his company take advantage of anything Jonas might say to frame the young soldier so the mole can keep operating?
I know that Elvira dressed her for visual impact, but I’d feel a lot better if Izetta wore state of the art armor — along the lines of what Bianca and her Imperial Guard wore. Izetta’s just a human, and she’s vulnerable out there!
I liked how the narrative flowed in this episode. Eylstadt put on a spectacle at Finé’s coronation and captured the world’s attention. Then they followed up by having Izetta free the captured city with a complete Germanian trouncing. Then they pulled off a solid victory simply with good planning and some theatrics at the pass. Too bad you need more than that to win a war!
Germanian and Security Protocols
I just have to call out Sieghard and Schneider’s conversation out in the open, near the front lines. I can completely understand Shneider’s desire to know, but he’s a military officer to crying out loud! They could have at least whispered or — even better — delayed the conversation until they got back to the capital. I would much have preferred the conversation to have gone something like this:
- Schneider: Sieghard, what…
- Sieghard: Hold on, General. I will fill you in completely when we return. The trees might have ears.
- Schneider: Ah, you’re right. Only a fool discusses such things out in the open.
- Both: Ha ha ha!
But no, they spilled the secret. At least Jonas knows, and maybe the Germanian mole, too.
What do you think? Am I overreacting to a little forest conversation? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: [Spoilers] Shuumatsu no Izetta – Episode 5 discussion
- 100 Word Anime: Izetta: The Last Witch Episode 5
- The Con Artists: Rolling Review – Izetta: The Last Witch (05)
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Cooler Nights — That Means It’s Time for the Fall 2016 Anime Preview (Part 1) (discusses Izetta: The Last Witch)
- Review of Izetta Episode 1 (Beginning of the War) and Episode 2 (Scars and Gunfire)
- Review of Izetta Episode 3: The Sword in the Heavens
- Review of Izetta Episode 4: The Secret of the Witch
- Review of Izetta Episode 5: A False Miracle
- Review of Izetta Episode 6: On a Quiet Day
- Review of Izetta Episode 7: The Battle of Sognefjord
- Review of Izetta Episode 8: A Cruel Fairy Tale
- Review of Izetta Episode 9: The Sellun Corridor Burns
- Review of Izetta Episode 10: Iron Hammer of the Witch
- Review of Izetta Episode 11: Finé
- Review of Izetta Episode 12: Izetta
