Anime

Record of Grancrest War Episode 16: Mirza Listens to Advice? Edokia Puts Skin in the Game

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Quick Summary

In Record of Grancrest War Episode 16, “Outpost,” Theo Cornaro and Siluca Meletes lure Mirza Kooches into the Forest of Eternal Darkness, and things seem to be going their way. Then, the unthinkable happens: Mirza listens to his mage’s advice! Meanwhile, Ulrica pushes her assault on Edokia Kalaha’s Haman, who had been able to buy peace — until their coffers ran dry. Edokia’s mage, Laura Hardley, suggests a strategy that lays everything on the line. Will the Queen embrace such a naked ploy? And if she does, will it be enough to stop the vicious Ulrica?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

What’s In This Post

Quick Episode Summary
3 Favorite Moments
Thoughts
Related Posts

Interested in the previous cour’s OP?
It’s hard not to like how much Theo and Siluca respect and support each other. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
  1. I really enjoy how Theo and Siluca’s relationship has developed. In this episode, we get to see how they rely on each other to dissect their enemy’s plans and craft a response (6:56). From a narrative perspective, their relationship as Lord and Mage is a huge contrast to Mirza and his mage, Telius Savoie. The former trust and look out for each other; the latter, well, even in this episode, Mirza nearly beheaded his mage. For me, couple of other things stood out in this scene. First was how Theo was crestfallen that he was going to have to lead yet more civilians into battle (this time from Altirk), just like he did in Sistina. Sure, his crest seems to grant them capabilities above their training, but many of them still died, and that seems to haunt him. I’m glad to see he’s not indifferent to their plight. Second was how Siluca responded to his gloom: she put her hand on the small of his back and said, “Sir Theo, I believe that you can hear the people’s silence voices.” I thought that was a touching way to sum up an aspect of his crest’s power. Sure, he’s benefited from its use, but so have the people who supported him. The power was mutually beneficial. Too bad more of the crests don’t work that way…
Ever hear the phrase “cat that swallowed the canary?” This is what the grin version looks like! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
  • You know how enthusiastic I’ve been every time Ellet shows up, right? There’s something about her sarcastic humor and how much she reminds me of Honne Nohotoke from Infinite Stratos (the latter is a link to Amazon) that I find captivating. So even though her role was minor, and she was on screen for a moment (9:10), her appearance still made me happy. She was strategizing with Siluca and Laura when she came up with an idea (and by the way, isn’t it convenient that they can use their wands as cell phones?). Did you see how shocked Siluca, Laura, and Moreno Dortous acted? The latter almost spilled his drink! Not only did Ellet have this adorable little smirk on her face, but her strategy worked. She did her part to throw Milza’s forces into confusion. Kinda cool how she used her Lord Selge Constance’s reputation for running away as a tactic! Bet he was a little embarrassed by it, though. Poor guy.
    • Beauty can be a form of power. I’ve often wondered if that’s why certain patriarchies try to both disparage witch craft and cast human sexuality as something terrible. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
  • I can’t help but like Edokia, the Queen of Haman. We rarely get to see sexually uninhibited characters shown in a positive light. Too often, they’re case as selfish, or foolish, or intoxicated at all times by their own sexuality. That’s not the case with Edokia at all. So far, we’ve seen how she’s honestly loved her husbands, who not only got along with each other, but who were themselves upstanding citizens proven by their willingness to put their lives on the line for their people. We’ve seem how Edokia wants to protect her citizens and  emptied her coffers — including her personal wardrobe — to save them from slaughter. We’ve seen both the sexually uninhibited and the responsible ruler sides of her personality. That’s why, for my third favorite moment, I’m choosing Laura’s advice to “please remove those clothes you’re wearing” (15:55). Laura’s idea was for Edokia to stand before her troops and announce that the Nords had taken everything — even her clothes — and that now was the time to fight to preserve their lives and freedom. Given Edokia’s character, this seemed like a perfect tactic!

    • Thoughts

    Yes, I’m serious that I thought Laura’s advice to Edokia was perfect! Edokia’s well known for having embraced her sexuality, and her people still love and support her. So, the advice made perfect sense. And no, I didn’t choose this moment so I could get fanservice-oriented screen captures! That’s completely coincidental…

    That being said, I do have an objection to the ending, but first let me point out that Edokia’s speech to her people was spot on. She and Laura stood before them in simple robes, and in her most imperial voice and bearing, Edokia explained how the Nords had taken all of their money — and now, even the clothes off their backs. The only thing left were their lives and territory, she told her people, particularly her soldiers. She announced that to protect those lives and land, she’ll gladly give her own life, and she threw off her clothes as a symbol of her resolve. In support of her Queen, the normally shy Laura did the same.

    Edokia’s authority was so great that she could wield it even without the usual trappings of power. That speaks volumes of the strength of her bond with her people. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

    The effect was instantaneous. Not only her soldiers, but her Lords as well, responded enthusiastically. It wasn’t a lewd moment at all. They responded to her adamant resolve to protect them and their country. She used her body as a way to express her resolve, and given her character, I thought this was perfect. How much authority does someone have to have to exert it even in the nude? Most of her soldiers and even the Lords stripped in sympathy with her.

    To be honest, yes, my morale would have improved in that moment. Quite a lot, actually. I would not hesitate to follow her into battle — or to precede her, which would likely be best for all involved. However, I would have left my armor on. And that brings me to the objection I mentioned earlier.

    Gotta give credit to Juzel Rossini for such a masterful job of subterfuge! Guess he was as good as his word. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

    The Haman army met the Nords at the docks. And the Haman army wore only their shorts. One of them even had a little bow on their briefs. They faced an axe-wielding enemy known for their hand to hand ferocity, wearing only underwear. Oh, and a few of them had helmets. They were perfectly arranged in their formation. But they were mostly naked.

    I’m not saying that made episode fell apart for me. Edokia gave a great speech in front of the enemy, and helped by Juzel Rossini’s fantastic work preparing the slaves from Starck to revolt, the eventual victory made sense. But I’m struggling to accept how an army would think going into battle in underwear was a good idea! If Juzel hadn’t been there, or if Ulrica’s forces had simply attacked, the poor soldiers would have been at a significant disadvantage!

    Being inspired by Edokia’s courageous display of nudity makes perfect sense! Facing an enemy with a display of nudity?

    That makes less sense.

    What do you think? What were your favorite moments? Let me know in the comments!

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    3 thoughts on “Record of Grancrest War Episode 16: Mirza Listens to Advice? Edokia Puts Skin in the Game”

    1. It was good to see the Rossini kid contribute something.

      Eudokia and Haman are by far my favorite faction/nation now.
      Funny that I should read this now after I literally just wrote like a 700 word defense of naked warfare. You’re definitely not the only one to question that, though. The second I saw em lined up like that I immediately thought to myself “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. We’ll see if it pays off for em!” I’m glad it did.

      Reply

      1. You make a good point — and your post is even more convincing!

        I was so focused on how I’d react that I didn’t give enough thought to the opportunity.

        It occurs to me that her soldiers removing their clothes was a profound show of respect for their Queen. Quite a counterpoint to Marrine’s experience!

        I’m not ashamed to admit that I had to look up your “It’s a bold strategy, Cotton” reference. It’s been a long time since I saw that movie! The meme’s perfect for this episode!

        Reply

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