Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle
Episode #31
A Young Man's Determination
Trying something a little different, Mokona starts the gang's adventure off this week by dumping them all in the middle of the ocean! Kurogane of course isn't too happy about this and asks why they always land in the wrong spot. Syaoran asks Sakura if she's alright. She replies that she was shocked for a little bit but she's fine now.
Before they can even start discussing what to do or where to go, Mokona spots s hip coming towards them. Moments later they're let on board, given a change of clothes and introduced to the captain who happens to be, Ryanban!
After a quick conversation though it becomes clear that the Ryanban of this world is an alright guy and he quickly gives them jobs on the ship to pay for their lodging until they hit land.
Kurogane is asked to swab the decks, much to his disdain and Syaoran is asked to help out a boy in the engine room. Upon meeting the boy, Syaoran can't help but feel that they've met before. It's not until they take a break and the boy puts on his glasses that he realises that this boy is Fujitaka, his father only much younger and from this world.
Syaoran remembers how his father used to teach him about archaeology when he was younger and the time they spent together before he died.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Faye, Sakura and Mokona are cooking up a storm for the crew. Mokona and Sakura have started making sushi which is a suprise to Faye who has never heard of fish being eaten uncooked before. Syaoran and Fujitaka try some later though and they both love it. Syaoran explains that he tried it once before while traveling with his father. Fujitake asks Syaoran about his father though Syaoran thinks it best not to tell him that he is in fact his father.
Later that night, the boys talk with Mokona about Fujitaka and confirm that whilehe has the same soul as Syaoran's father, he is in fact a different person. That's how Faye describes it anyway. Mokona claims that he can't sense a feather in this world but he wants to stay longer anyway as he can sense that Syaoran wants to spend more time with Fujitaka.
After they go to bed, Fujitaka asks Syaoran why him and his friends are traveling. Syaoran simply responds that he's after something that he must find. Before Fujitaka can ask any further questions, Kurogane enters and tells them the captain wants to see them right away.
Looks like a storm's coming and it hits hard. During all the chaos, Syaorana and Fujitaka are swept out to sea. In the distance Ryanban makes out a claw shaped object that appears be be making a laughing sound.
Morning comes and Syaoran and Fujitaka have washed ashore on the island. The both conclude that the ship must be fine as there's no debrit on the beach and set out to explore the island. Suddenly they hear a loud laugh and Fujitaka explains that they must have landed on Ghost Island.
Back on the ship, Ryanban reaches the same conclusion and refuses to go anywhere near the island due to the legends of the dangerous ghosts.
Back on the island, Syaoran and Fujitaka have started exploring the jungle and have come across a statue with runes engraved on it. Syaoran translates the message and explains that it says that when they hear God's voice they shall be safe and that they should not be afraid of the laughing but a long slender being.
Also on the statue are directions to the highest point on the island which they head to asap. Turns out the highest point is a cave that is the source of the laughing! When the wind blows one way, it makes the laughing, but when it blows another way it creates a super strong gale that blasts everything out of the cave. They remember the message from before and they head through the cave while they hear the laughing.
When they get through the cave, they find themselves utop a cliff overlooking the ocean and the ship! The crew of the ship see them and Sakura, Mokona, Kurogane and Faye head off in a row boat to get them off the island. Suddenly a giant, long, blue sea serpent appears swimming towards them! They all scream but Kurogane simply disposes of it with one quick strike from his sword. Syaoran explains to Fujitaka that the serpent is what the statue must have been talking about.
Back on the boat Fujitaka tells the captain and Syaoran that he has decided that he wants to be an archaeologist when he gets older. This makes Syaoran very happy, though he decides it's time for them all to move on. They all say good bye, Mokona powers up and they leave to continue their quest in the next world.
My Original Impression
Saturday, May 30, 2006
I'm really digging this second season! The writers seem to feel a lot more free in what they do with the characters and story, unlike the first season which was sometimes too literal in it's interpretation.
Here we have this season's second anime-only world which appears to be ocean themed and very well animated (another improvement over the first season). The gang land right in the ocean (something that I'm suprised the manga hasn't done actually) and they are quickly rescued by a boat which is run by the evil sorceror from the Korean world. It appears that he's actually a nice guy in this world and has employed a little younger version of Syaoran's father, Fujitaka! This gives us some great insight into Syaoran's character, something the first season didn't do and even the manga struggles to do well at times. Besides the fact that he's determined and loves Sakura... he doesn't have that much going for him. Here we get to see him think about his father for the first time since the first episode! Kudos to BeeTrain! (never thought I'd say that). We also get to see Syaoran use more of his archaelogical side. Again, kudos!
I really enjoyed this episode and would hope for another anime-only experience, but we're getting one next week which features Fay and..... CHI!!!!
This anime is finally living up to it's potential. Can't wait for next week!
Today's Crossovers
 Ryanban: The Ryanban from CLAMP's The Legend of Chun Hyang returns again for this episode! What I thought was a rather bland character in the first season has grown on me with his two cameos in season two. Who'd have thought?
 Fujitaka: Sakura's father from Card Captor Sakura who is Syaoran's father in this series, returns as an alternate, younger version of his father this time around. Confused?
 Fujitaka: What? Yup, the Card Captor Sakura daddy is back again, this time the previously seen Country of Clow version in Syaoran's flashback.
Shopping Guide
 
Vol 7 "The Dangerous Pursuit"
Buy Regular Disk from Amazon.com
Buy Limited Box from Amazon.com
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