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[series:4476#628] | ||||||
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(All episodes watched): The Head Priest now knows that Main is the reincarnation of a woman from another world, but in episode one of this third season he makes no attempt to learn more or exploit what he already knows. You would sort of think that his own assumptions about his religion might be shaken somewhat, but apparently not. The apprentice blacksmith Johann asks Main to be his 'patron' and subsidize a project that will earn him full-fledged blacksmith status. She initially can't think of anything made of metal that she needs, but then realizes what an opportunity this represents. And the guild of traditional printers is growing hostile to Main's new ideas. So, basically more of the same. Episode 26.5 is a summary of season two and brings us up to speed with where things stand. In episode two Head Priest Ferdinand (right?) holds a strategy session with Main, Benno, and a few trusted others. The politics in this show--the motivations of different factions, what they want and are willing to do, etc--are nore complex than in most isekai series (though I wish things would be made a little more clear--like why does the ink guild see Main as a threat?). Main, of course, is of inestimable value because she possesses a tremendous amount of mana, which is badly needed. But it is always possible that she might lose control and use it to wreak havoc, too. For her protection (and control) she is pressured to be adopted by a powerful nobleman. An odd and annoying priest, Sylvester, is assigned to some sort of role regarding Main. In episode four there's a strange battle with some sort of magical entity, but it made little sense to me and was more confusing than thrilling. Main is strongly advised to hold off on potentially revolutionary projects, like printing with movable type, for the time being. She finds herself with a new sibling. In episode 32 we learn just how deeply the High Priest is involved in plots to abduct Main (High Priest = Bad, Head Priest = Good). Since she cannot race forward with printing, Main decides to concentrate on picture books for now and to improve them. An abandoned infant is placed in her care. In general I enjoy the mix of technical innovation and political scheming that is going on in this show. The infant, Dirk, comes down with a strange illness. I had thought it was smallpox, but it turns out to be related to mana. The outlook for Dirk is not good, but a surprising fix for his problems is proposed by Head Priest Ferdinand. Except that the High Priest, who would gladly harvest Dirk's mana regardless of the boy himself, has gotten wind of this, probably due to the carelessness of Dalia, Main's attendant. It gets confusing; Dirk had seemed to me to be a sidelight to the main plot. We need a reminder of just what these different adoption schemes would entail. The High Priest makes his move with his nefarious scheme to exploit Dirk and Main in episode 35. As is often the case, the thrill I got was diluted somewhat by confusion. Apparently good old magic makes it possible to exploit people with extraordinary mana, sort of like Kryptonite makes it possible to defeat Superman. The problem is that when magic is involved you never know what is possible and what isn't, so it's hard to make sense of things and be thrilled by them. I was taken by surprise by the conclusion because season three is a mere ten episodes long. Basically, the High Priest's scheme plays out and Main will indeed be adopted but by an unexpected patron. This promises a major change in her lifestyle from apprentice Priestess. Another season is promised. Last updated Thursday, June 23 2022. Created Sunday, April 17 2022. | ||||||||
