REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 8 — “The Witch and the Demon Sword: Act III”

With Helga (Miyu Tomita, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury) sending Guideau (You Taichi) away with the Demon Sword, The Witch And The Beast (Majo to Yajû) Episode 8 opens with the group split up. But with the Executioner determined to acquire the fabled weapon, it won’t be long before a showdown erupts. But while the foe seems to hold all the cards, he has missed critical information.

This episode picks up immediately after Guideau’s escape. We see her use the time Helga gave her to reunite with Ashraf (Toshiyuki Morikawa). Still partially frozen, we learn that he and Matt Cugat are still alive. However, Matt is hanging on by a thread. Knowing that the paladin will aid them in their fight against the Executioner, Ashraf begins crafting a healing circle to stabilize Matt. While the healing begins, Guideau catches the others up on what transpired at the base.

Despite Matt’s previous antagonism towards Guideau and Ashraf, this scene makes the viewer feel for the paladin. As he learns what has happened to his men, he shows genuine remorse for the situation. While this doesn’t forgive the brutal things he has done in the past, it gives him a level of heart that separates him from others we’ve been introduced to in the organization.

Before the trio can devise a plan of action, The Witch And The Beast Episode 8 sees them interrupted by the Executioner. Flanked by dozens of Paladins under his sway and Helga held at his side, it seems like the final battle is about to begin. Before that, we learn specifics about the forbidden instrument the Executioner wields.

The pacing of this episode’s middle stretch is perfect. While most of it is spent talking, impactful moments punctuate the discourse. These often brutal surprises keep the tension up. As the story threads unite, the viewer becomes more invested in the situation and characters when the narrative comes to the big moment.

The Executioner manipulates Helga into getting the sword back from Guideau through the forbidden instrument’s mind-control ability. Once he has both the witch and sword, The Witch And The Beast Episode 8 reveals why Helga is required to unseal the sword. To unleash the power of the demon blade, it must be plunged through a witch’s heart.

With Helga’s cries of pain, as the cursed sword rips through her chest still fresh in the viewer’s ears, the scene changes. An extended flashback shows how Helga came to be the last of her clan and the Executioner’s hand in the event. The moment plays out with shocking force. Presented to the viewer through Helga’s young eyes, they understand Helga much better. The pain and fear that the animation captures through Helga’s character delivers the emotional weight of the moment.

With her usefulness done, the Executioner casts Helga aside as he prepares to wield the world-shattering power of the demon sword. But as Ashraf struggles to save Helga’s life, he points out a fatal flaw in his enemy’s plan. The Executioner plans to use his forbidden instrument to control the sword. However, that would require the sword to have a sense of pride he could bend to his will. In its true form, the sword is only instinct and destruction. There is no will to bend.

With nothing to control it, the sword begins to lash out, ripping the already demolished cityscape into a true ruin. As Matt struggles to contain the carnage through his bond with the ice elemental, one last card remains to be played.

As the now stable Helga weeps, she tells the others to run. Her only lament is that she will die never getting to kiss someone. Ashraf doesn’t listen to her instructions. Instead, he prepares the coffin he dutifully lugs around, and informs Helga that her wish will be fulfilled. As the episode closes, we see Guideau lean in to kiss the witch, unlocking her secret power.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 8 does a superlative job of mixing background exposition with tense narrative developments. It builds the wretched nature of its villain while diving into the pain of the protagonist’s past. Leaving off on a beautiful shot that heralds a brutal encore, the series continues sculpting its unique horror/fantasy storytelling brand.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 8 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.