Anime

Record of Grancrest War Episode 2: Alliances the Hard Way and Combat Kisses

Quick Summary of Record of Grancrest War Episode 2

In Record of Grancrest War Episode 2, “Ambition,” Theo Cornaro tries to come to grips with the responsibilities of a Lord, and he’s still not sure how far to trust Siluca Meletes. After all, it’s not every day a talented and beautiful mage offers to hand you your dreams. Meanwhile, sensing potential weakness, the neighboring Lord David Lassic and his mage, Moreno Dortous, launch an attack. Can Theo defend his new territory? Can he trust Siluca to help him? And is that cat really wearing a cape?

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

What’s In This Post

Quick Episode Summary
3 Favorite Moments
Thoughts
Related Posts

3 Favorite Moments from Record of Grancrest War Episode 2

Siluca doesn’t seem to appreciate Irvin’s shock at the mere suggestion that she has friends. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I like a little bit of well-placed humor. Given the somber tone of last week’s episode, though, I was pleasantly surprised when we got a dose of it in this episode! As she and Irvin are plotting their next move (4:30), Siluca sighs and says in a resigned voice, “I’m not crazy about the idea, but I’m considering calling a friend.” Irvin is too shocked to speak for a moment. Then, he says, “Lady Siluca, you have friends?” It was a running joke in this episode: Later, Theo says “So you actually have a friend?” around 10:01 when Aishela arrived.

Sir Balgary, like a real cat, couldn’t just admit he wanted to be petted. No, he had to act all disinterested. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I think I might have a new favorite character: Sir Balgary the cat! Siluca summoned him (5:30) to be a messenger for her. Do you have cats as pets? Or, more precisely, do your cats allow you to live with them? If so, then I’ll be that Sir Balgary’s attitude reminded you strongly of real cats. “I grant you permission to pick me up,” he says (5:45) just before adding, “And to rub me behind my ears.” Then he put up his little arms so she could pick him up. Siluca’s deference to him put the icing on the cake. Maybe I need to have higher standards, but that scene made my day.

Did Siluca really have to act so surprised that Theo will willing to fight? Poor guy’s ego has got to be taking a beating… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

I had to applaud Theo when he decided to take over Siluca’s fight with Moreno (17:35). I was afraid he was just going to stand there and watch the fight while his counterpart, David Lassic, was active in the field. Though Siluca seemed surprised he’d actually fight, I think she has mistakenly associated his lack of experience with a lack of resolve. As he said, “After all, as your Lord, this is my battle.” Now, before anyone gets up in arms and accuses me of supporting sexist or stereotypical gender roles, please hear me out: This scene didn’t resonate with me because Theo was doing the “manly” thing and protecting “his” woman.

That’s not it at all! As the authority figure, he saw an opportunity to show his people that he was willing to fight for them. That’s an important thing for them to see. And in some way, I think he understood Siluca’s low opinion of him. Do you remember when Aishela asked Siluca why she’d pledge her support to someone like Theo? She could only say that he had great ideals. Then she just trailed away, unable to add to the list! That had to sting! ISo this was his opportunity to show her that he brought value to their relationship — that she hadn’t contracted with a weakling who couldn’t do what was necessary when it was necessary. So, good for you, Theo!

Thoughts about Record of Grancrest War Episode 2

Little touches of realism can anchor a show’s world in my imagination. The more well-defined a world is, the more its details are self-consistent and interesting, the more brightly the characters can shine.

In this episode, Grancrest has some encouraging signs in that regard. Did you see the rough terrain around Theo’s castle (2:26)? He doesn’t rule over a gigantic, rich empire. There aren’t funds to manicure or maintain the grounds, so the grounds are rough. The grass isn’t even cut. The road leading to the castle isn’t paved with stone; it’s a mud path. Again, no funds or people to build and maintain paved highways.

Little details, like the lack of a well-manicured lawn and unpaved roads, can go a long way to maintain suspension of disbelief. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

The detail that really caught my attention in this episode was the army David Lassic’s assembled to attack Theo. Do you remember the empire in Gate? Do you remember how they maintained an enormous military? There were hints that it had to be funded with an enormous tax base, and it took years to build up. David Lassic had a small territory, so his army was correspondingly small — about 50 men with a handful of mercenaries. That’s reasonable for the size of his territory.

Realism is not only cool, it can reasonably affect the plot. Did you find it a easier to accept that David Lassic would surrender? Given that he knew he was the Lord of a small holding, he also knew that by combining his forces with Theo, they’d have a better chance of realizing both their visions. So little touches don’t just anchor a world. They can help move the plot forward!

What did you like about this episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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