Quick Summary
In Darwin’s Game episode 10, “Old One,” Ryuuji Maesaka had to physically restrain Kaname Sudou, who was so furious he was pounding the wall in a rage. The reason? The leader of the Eighth Clan, Wang, had kidnapped Kaname’s school friend Youta Ahinozuka. Wang had sent the video of Ahinozuka’s torture — including the removal of all of his fingers — to Kaname. Can Maesaka get Kaname to calm down and think, even with Shuka Karino’s help? And why won’t Xue Lan Liu answer her phone? Her help would come in handy right about now…
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Best Moment in the Show
The “What Must Be Done” mode is deadly to invoke. But sometimes, it is what its name implies. Capture from the Funimation stream.
Do you ever watch an episode, get to a certain moment, hate it, then reconsider? That happened to me in this episode. When I first saw the after ED scene (be sure to watch after the credits!), I really didn’t like it. Like, at all. It really pissed me off.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The episode did a great job foreshadowing what was about to happen. Early in the episode, Kotori Saegusa (a character I don’t really remember) asked Rein Kashiwagi about joining the Sunset Ravens. Rein said she’d pass the request on to Kaname, which prompted Saegusa to remark how great it must be to have a clan leader who was also a nice guy.
“It’s like playing D-Game with a handicap,” Rein answered (02:22).
I can hardly describe Rein as “blood thirsty.” But even she recognizes that there is such a thing as proportional response. Capture from the Funimation stream.
Later, while most of Sunset Ravens were approaching Wang’s hideout in a Humvee to rescue Ahinozuka, one of the passengers expressed surprise that Kaname wasn’t in favor of wiping out the entire Eighth Clan. Kaname said (08:48), “I know. It’s weak. But murdering all the members of the Eighth…”
Kaname and Maesaka finally reached Wang. Kaname began negotiating for his friend’s return, but that wasn’t what Wang had wanted. He simply wanted to see Kaname’s face when he realized what Wang had done. Wang urged Kaname to open the box to his left. The box that was oozing blood.
Ahinozuka’s disassembled body was inside.
Kaname snapped, partly because Wang did such a merciless job of explaining how this was all Kaname’s fault.
When Kaname became silent, Wang grew bored and ordered an underling to kill Kaname and Maesaka. Wang turned to walk away and the underling brought his pistol up. Trying to sound all brave and menacing, the underling said, “Die!”
This poor lackey needed to read the Evil Overlord Site and adapt rule 7. Capture from the Funimation stream.
Kaname’s bullet struck him precisely in the middle of the forehead.
“You were getting on my nerves,” Kaname said (23:43).
Back in the first episode, my first Best in Show moment was about how calm and focused Kaname became in crisis. That really resonated with me because I’ve been in that mode in myself. It’s the same reason I hated Kaname’s single shot when I saw it for the first time. I know that mode switch. I know the mental difference between trying to be civilized and trying not to harm (or worse!) anyone, even if they’re against me. And I know the difference between treating everyone as a human and designating someone Enemy.
The whole series, from the first episode until the last seconds of this episode, were about putting Kaname into that moment of crisis. He just witnessed his last friend outside of the game butchered. Was he willing to let those who had done it live — and put the members of Sunset Ravens in danger? Or would he throw aside the ethics that had gotten him to this point?
Now we know. And guess what? I have no pity for the Eighth.
What did you think of Kaname’s journey? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 1: First Game
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 2: Gemstone Mine
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 3: Ignition
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 4: Fireworks
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 5: Aquarium
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 6: Hardness
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 7: Eighth
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 8: Fragile
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 9: Head’s Up
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 10: Old One
- Review of Darwin’s Game Episode 11: Sunset Ravens
This last episode is going to be a bloodbath… I can’t wait!
“I can’t wait!”
Me, either! I really want to see Kaname cut loose! And seriously, the Eighth have got to go.
The show will get bonus points is the title’s talking less about survival of the fittest and more about human social evolution. But even if we “only” get some great action, I’ll be happy!