REVIEW: ‘SHY’ Episode 15 – “Heartblade”

While Teru (Shino Shimoji) and Iko (Nao Tôyama) found it hard to believe their new friend Ai Tennoji (Kotori Koiwai, Bocchi the Rock) was from a secret shinobi clan, the sudden appearance of one of her clansmen quickly dispelled their disbelief. But that isn’t the only surprise the young woman has to reveal in SHY Episode 15, “Heartblade.”

After a brief confrontation with her pursuer, where she exhibits one of her secret sword techniques, she explains her situation more fully to Teru and Iko. She reveals that she is her clan’s princess and has been oppressively sheltered in her village. This overprotective approach towards her is due to both her status as a princess and because she underwent heart surgery as a child, leaving her easily exhausted.

This explanation serves as an altogether fine backstory for the character. The concept of the sheltered princess running away feels a bit cliche, and SHY Episode 15 doesn’t do anything exciting with it. The pursuer following Ai turns out to be a loyal retainer named Tokimaru (Izumi Kitta), who seeks to return her to the village for her own good. While he is dedicated to his task, it quickly becomes clear that he has no intention of forcing the situation through physical violence. The only interesting thing we learn about Ai is the nature of her connection to her sword, Heartblade.

It is common when romanticizing swordsmen to say that their hearts are in their swords. For Ai, it seems to be a bit more literal. The young princess can feel the intentions of others through her sword, and she also learns about those who touch the blade. We see this demonstrated after Teru holds the sword. After listening intently to the blade, Ai knows that Teru is Shy/shy and that her biggest current joy is the deepening bond she has with Iko. The latter detail comes out to the delight of Iko and the mortification of Teru.

The special empathy Ai possesses helps give the character something unique, whereas her backstory lacks such a quality. Furthermore, this emphasis on her heart makes her feel like a natural fit for the series’ larger arching narrative. Will her empathy make her resistant to Stigma’s influence or more susceptible to it? Or will whatever surgery she had as a child play a critical part when/if she confronts the villain? Some interesting questions manage to salvage what initially feels like a by-the-numbers character.

As it turns out, though, Ai has come searching for Shy. Due to her special empathic nature, she senses a great darkness coming from the world and wishes to aid Shy in fighting it. Since Teru is unsure how to take this all in, decisions are put on hold till the morning. With no place else to stay, Ai invites herself to Teru’s. Iko also joins them, unwilling to let the other two enjoy a sleepover party without her.

From here, SHY Episode 15 breaks the heavier tone of the opening with some silliness. The girls have dinner, of course, Ai is an amazing cook, play games, and enjoy their night. This moment of fun lets the audience see Ai as more than a plot device or harrowed princess but as a person. This makes the sequence a critical moment of calm as the viewer bonds with the new character.

This moment of bonding also works to bring more emotional impact to the last reveal of the episode. As the girls prepare to turn in, Ai feels she must confess one last secret: she left her village to find her sister. The episode then cuts to an unidentified rooftop where a shinobi named Utsuro (Hitomi Ueda, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic) converses with Stigma. Utsuro is identified as Ai’s sister, setting the stage for another emotional confrontation akin to the one that happened last season between Pepesha (Mamiko Noto, Insomniacs After School) and her mom.

While it could become a bit repetitive if SHY settles into a rhythm of focusing on a secondary character it follows as they confront a minion of Stigma with a personal connection to them, it will still hold a lot of potential. As long as each journey can pack the same emotional highs as Pepesha’s did, I won’t complain too much, even if the story structure becomes a bit rinse and repeat.

SHY Episode 15 manages to do a decent job balancing its exposition and character introduction with a bit of fun as it fleshes out Ai’s personality. Despite some cliched elements in the character, Ai feels like she could have a lot to bring to Teru’s story if the series can develop her coming confrontation with her sister properly.

SHY Episode 15 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.