REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 14 — “Personal Rule”

Tougen Anki Episode 14, “Personal Rule,” sees the class endangered as the Momotaro discover their presence in Tokyo. As the hunters begin to circle in, we learn more about some of the Momotaro present in the city, as well as one of the key members of the class. 

Wasting no time getting into the meat of the story, this episode opens up with the narrative’s big catalyst. As the class heads back to their hotel, Jin (Koutarou Kishiyama, My New Boss is Goofy) saves a pair of young girls from being hit by a runaway truck. However, to do so, he uses his blood powers, instantly altering the Momotaro. 

While Jin’s actions here are clearly beneficial, they also cause numerous problems. With the Momotaro on their trail, Mudano (Hiroshi Kamiya, Heaven Official’s Blessing) hurries the class back to their hotel to gather their belongings before relocating to a local Oni safe house. Once there, they find the entire Oni community has been put on alert, causing a lot of displeasure directed at Jin.

Tougen Anki Episode 14 handles its sensitive moments well.

Despite often bungling sensitive moments, Tougen Anki Episode 14 handles the situation and its impact on Jin fairly well. It’s easy to understand why everyone is frustrated by Jin’s breach of protocol. They have been put in danger for reasons that don’t involve them. At the same time, though, Jin did do the right thing. But perhaps not in the right way.

As the tension surrounding the well-intentioned young man becomes suffocating, Mudano steps in with his best teaching moment yet. He reassures Jin that saving the kids was right, but next time, find a way to do it without showcasing his blood powers in public. Given the physical aptitude Jin has displayed, this seems like an entirely plausible alternative to setting off the Momotaro. 

On the other side of the narrative, Tougen Anki Episode 14 follows some of the Oni as they try to exploit Jin’s slip-up. Mikado is among them, and through his reaction to the situation, we learn he is an exception among the Momotaro, as he is only willing to kill Oni that threaten people. Learning that Jin actually saves the girls makes him push for capturing and questioning only. 

Jin’s motives and emotions come through powerfully in Tougen Anki Episode 14.

It’s instantly clear why the story wants to present Mikado as a more moderate Momotaro. If the series does try to create an emotional confrontation between him and Shiki, as is heavily alluded to in the last episode, he can’t be a monster in the same vein as the majority of Momotaro are. That he holds to this personal rule is a clear attempt to separate him from the others. 

As clear as the goal is, it is equally obvious why it fails. The pure bloodlust and disregard for Oni life are too prevalent within the organization for someone to be remotely involved and not be complacent in their cruelty. You don’t get to aid murderers, and then be excused because you didn’t pull the trigger yourself. 

The two sides of Tougen Anki Episode 14‘s story come together when Jin slips out at night to check on the condition of one of the girls he saved. The Momotaro Shinya (Chiharu Sawashiro, Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway) uses his concern against him, as he threatens the girl’s life if he doesn’t come with him. 

Jin’s motives and emotions come through with a fair degree of power in this scene. His concern for the girl and its ties to his unrevealed past create a solid connection to the often harsh and seemingly uncaring young man. The fact that the story refrains from giving all the details about his motives shows a bit of restraint on the show’s part, even if those details feel fairly obvious to decipher. 

Despite some hiccups, Tougen Anki Episode 14 is still a solid step up from the last episode.

In the wake of Jin’s abductions, both sides spend what remains of the episode responding to the developing situation. As the Oni are shocked to discover a goodbye note from Jin, Shinya is busy recruiting other Momortaro to his cause, clearly expecting a rescue attempt. 

While the Oni side of closing is brief and fairly effective, the Momotaro side lags and is overly obnoxious. With several of the psychos in one room, the scene is largely dominated by angry threats and inane insults. Mikado’s use as an observer who internally comments on how nuts everyone seems is the only enjoyable element of the moment. 

Tougen Anki Episode 14 manages to tell a decent story. While there are still some serious hiccups, it is a solid step up from the last couple of episodes, though that is a low bar to set. Hopefully, the upwards trajectory can continue. 

Tougen Anki Episode 14 is streaming now on Netflix.

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