The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: Saya can't believe she sees Elaina
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Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6 Review – Best In Show

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Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6 Review – Quick Summary

In Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6, “The Land of Truth Tellers,” Elaina visited a kingdom with a strange blessing. Or was it a curse? No one in the country could tell a lie! Elaina found it strangely silent inside, which, in retrospect, was probably to be expected. She tested the spell by trying to say that she was ugly. Of course, she couldn’t tell such a lie! She met a woman who couldn’t speak even if she wanted to. Using paper and pencil, she asked Elaina if she was the witch from the United Magic Association. She wasn’t, and the other woman went away, dejected. Why was the woman looking for the United Magic Association? What was the deal with this country? And would Elaina just leave things be and leave?

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

Favorite Quote from Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6

The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: Eihemia put everything into the spell for her king

Can’t blame Eihemia for her reaction to the king’s words. She put quite a lot of effort, and herself, into the spell… Capture from the Hulu stream.

Eihemia had put everything she knew into the spell to make the king’s wish come true. She had enchanted a sword that, when held in the king’s dominant hand, would make it impossible for anyone to lie anywhere in the kingdom. She even had to give up her voice to make the magic work.

You’d think the king would be grateful, wouldn’t you?

Nah. As soon as he activated the magic, briefly raising Eihemia’s hopes for praise, he looked at the sword, frowned, and said, “But man, this sword is really lame” (12:01).

Was the sword’s power of honesty already working? Or was he just a jerk? I’m betting the latter, though I supposed it doesn’t exclude the former!

Best in Show Moment for Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6

The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: Eihemia knows the truth of it

Is the climatic battle really satire? Eihemia knows the answer! Capture from the Hulu stream.

Setup: Elaina and the Really Lame Sword

For the longest time, I puzzled over what moment to choose for my favorite. Of course, “longest” is relative. I usually leave an episode with several moments in mind, but this time I was a complete blank for at least 24 hours. It was only when I rewatched the climatic “battle” between Elaina and the king that it dawned on me what I was seeing.

But first, a little background. Did you happen to see the original Star Trek episode called The Changeling? In it, James T. Kirk basically used logic to argue a self-aware computer weapon to destroy itself. At the time, it was an interesting idea. But now, decades later, it’s become a cliche. The idea that by force of argument a character can resolve a plot is just patently ridiculous.

The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: The king doesn't look ready to listen to reason

The king doesn’t look like the sort to rely heavily on logic. Capture from the Hulu stream.

The Journey of Elaina knows that.

So why is the climatic battle just that trope? Elaina arguing the king into seeing how wrong he was so he’ll reform his life and kingdom? The key is in the Really Lame Sword.

Delivery: Satire Can be Hard to Spot

The climax is satire. Look at the signs. As Elaina prepares for her finishing blow, she asked Saya (whose love for Elaina is so pure it hurts) to cover for her. So, Saya did. All while Elaina’s making the king see reason, you see bursts of fire, massive splashes of water, or gusts of wind. They’re so loud that it’s hard to say they’re in the background. They’re as loud as the argument!

There’s no way that’s supposed to be taken seriously.

As Elaina’s arguing, she uses the work “saya” to describe lies as the scabbard that keeps the sword of truth from indiscriminately slicing into people. That in itself is a hilarious image. It’s impossible to take something that like seriously! As if to reinforce the point, Saya turns to Elaina, thinking her love has called for her. The stars in Saya’s eyes were just adorable! But no, Elaina was still trying to make her point.

BTW: Saya’s voice actor, Tomoyo Kurosawa, was absolutely delightful!

The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: Saya is head over heels for Elaina

Have you ever seen a happier face? Elaina’s going to have to take responsibility at some point… Capture from the Hulu stream.

Not convinced? Then how about this? Elaina had positioned her broom behind the king during their argument. She pulled it forward, knocked the sword out of the king’s hand, and used a Thor-like hammer to smash it. The king cried out, in anguish (18:43), “The really lame sword!”

This episode of Elaina’s journeys tried its hand at satire, and it was so subtle, and I was laughing so hard, that I almost missed it. The subtlety combined with what it subjected to satire — a trope near and dear to my heart — earned it my Best in Show moment.

What did you think of the guards saying to Elaina, “Welcome to this damned country?” What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

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4 thoughts on “Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6 Review – Best In Show

    1. I do, too. I remembering growing up, being the rational sort, and wondering if God experienced character development. I mean, in the OT, he’s all, “Put ’em under the ban!” Then in the NT, he’s all “Love everyone.”

      Almost doesn’t sound like the same God. And what’s the point of an omnipotent God if he changes? That would give lie to the idea that he’s perfect, wouldn’t it?

      Turns out the answer (or at least “an” answer) was simple. God didn’t change. Human perception of the divine changed. The OT was really about bringing a people together to reveal the divine message. The NT was all about that message being applied to all of humanity.

      And then, under emperor Constantine, we lost it again.

      Sigh. So close…

  1. Unfettered truth is a terrible thing. That’s why the Hebrew commandment is “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” This basically means don’t tell lies to hurt other people. The social lie is not included. Nor is the lie of self-protection. Somehow that got changed into “Thou shalt not lie.” This show is about the absurdity of total truth.

    Another parallel with Kino! Check out “The Land of Visible Pain.” Everyone is “truthful” because everyone can read everyone else’s minds. Consequently, the system started to fly apart. Now everyone lives far apart and robots do all work. A “truth spell” on steroids.

    Elaina and Saya have a faint trace of Mikoto Misaka and Kuroko Shirai about them…

    1. “This basically means don’t tell lies to hurt other people. The social lie is not included. ”

      I’m really glad you commented.

      I have a degree in theology. I studied Old Testament. But the distinction you drew never dawned on me.

      And like all truths, it’s so obvious once you point it out!

      I really have to watch Kino. Well, it’ll have plenty of company on my backlog!

      “Elaina and Saya have a faint trace of Mikoto Misaka and Kuroko Shirai about them…”

      Saya’s even surprisingly competent on her own ground, just like Kuroko!

Please let me know what you think!

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