REVIEW: ‘The Heike Story,’ Episode 10

Content Warning: The Heike Story Episode 10 contains a scene depicting a suicide.

The Heike Story is an adventure/drama anime inspired by a 12th-century epic story produced by Science SARU. Having learned much in her recent wanderings, Biwa decided that she would return to The Heike to bear witness to their final days and pass along their story. But not everyone will have the same reaction to the return of this reminder of earlier, brighter days.

Perspective is a critical aspect of storytelling. How a moment impacts us depends greatly upon the point of view through which it is delivered. Rarely have I been so vividly reminded of this fact as to when I was watching The Heike Story Episode 10. With Biwa’s return to the faltering clan, we once more get the bulk of this episode’s story framed through her point of view. And while many of the clan’s members are clinging to denial or attempts to barter their way out of their predicament, Biwa has already come to accept that this thing that was once so formidable is about to die. Her presence causes a story that seems like it should be chaotic and disordered.  It is an interesting approach that works surprisingly well.

While a fair amount happens in this story, much of it is washed aside by the moments that feel the most relevant. Namely, Biwa’s numerous reunions with the people that she once lived with. From her first meeting with the failed warrior Koremori to seeing her once more with Tokuko and the little Emperor, Biwa’s meetings far outweigh the larger events that continue to consume the Heike. But I suppose that is to be expected. Since, like Biwa, we have all known where the greater story was headed since Shigemori first took the little orphan girl in all those episodes ago.

Between Biwa’s many emotional reunions and the unfolding of the larger narrative, The Heike Story Episode 10 lands most of its story beats remarkably well. The only place where the tale comes across a bit poorly is in a side element that I fail to see the point of. For reasons that are not clear, the story decides to continue to follow the three sisters that Biwa traveled with. Perhaps future episodes will bring an explanation as to why the trio continues to feature in the story, but for now, it just felt like miss used time.

Science SARU has done a great job of making numerous aspects of The Heike Story visually memorable. The animation in this episode does a fantastic job of delivering the emotions of the story. This is especially true of Biwa. The peace and calm that resonate from the young woman’s person are always striking on the screen. That it manages to make calm so powerful is an all-new achievement for them.

So, when all is said and done, The Heike Story Episode 10 continues to build the narrative’s closing moments with excellent skill. There isn’t much time left for the Heike, but Science SARU looks to be making their final episodes as memorable as possible.

The Heike Story Episode 10 is streaming on Funimation.