REVIEW: ‘Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon,’ Episode 45 – “Osamu Kirin’s Apparition Conquest”

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (Yashahime) is a fantasy/adventure anime from Sunrise. Having stopped the Grim Comet from destroying the Modern Era, Osamu Kirin took the comet back to the Feudal Era to pursue his unknown plan. Upon returning, demons spill from the comet, threatening all. Meanwhile, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha struggle to get the Tree of Ages to open a doorway to the past in Yashahime Episode 45.

This week’s narrative mainly focuses on Osamu Kirin as he returns to the Feudal Era and begins enacting his plans there. There is a bit of mystery surrounding the character, as what exactly his intent remains a bit unclear. Whether he is a villain disguising his plans as altruistic, a misguided hero trying to do good through dark means, or just unhinged remains unclear. I appreciate the uncertainty, as it gives Yashahime Episode 45 an element that pulls the viewer in a bit more. I found trying to discern Kirin’s true intentions was an interesting surprise.

While the Grim Comet looms over the sky of the Feudal Era for the entirety of this week’s story, Moroha, Setsuna, and Towa spend the bulk of the episode left behind in the Modern Era. Their pleas to the Tree of Ages to let them return do not have the desired effect. While they are trapped, Yashahime Episode 45 takes the opportunity to let them spend some quality time with Towa’s adopted family. Despite the looming threat that hangs over the girls’ heads, this sequence brings a soothing calm to the episode. Towa’s family seems to grasp what is going on, yet the episode’s tension fails to reach them. Whether the nature of the threat is too abstract for them, or they are just confident that Towa and the others will solve the problem is unclear, but the familiar love and calm that inhabits this sequence provides a nice emotional palette cleanser for the story.

Between the visit to Towa’s family and the expansive nature of the threat in the Feudal Era, Yashahime Episode 45 continues to utilize the size of its expansive cast. The appearance of so many of these characters helps to sell the stakes and scale of the problems facing our heroes. How all the strands of the plot come together, in the end, will hopefully bring a satisfying conclusion.

The visual side of this week’s episode’s strongest element is its design style. Numerous demons, monsters, and even an unexpected transformation are all brought to the viewer through some creative visual designs. These designs help several of the story’s key moments stand out a bit, while never feeling out of place with the rest of the show’s style.

When all is said and done, Yashahime Episode 45 brings unexpected changes to the plot, along with some touching family moments. The build-up to this season’s finale continues and I look forward to seeing if this season can stick the landing.

Yashahime Episode 45 is streaming on Crunchyroll.