shinigami’s blog

We find out several interesting things in the beginning of this episode.

1. Claymores (the swords, I mean) don’t have mundane problems like rusting. They need not be cleaned after going through a Yoma’s guts. They can also be used as throwing spears for hunting desert lizards. Claymore clothes though, are less An Adventurer’s Best Friend; they aren’t even self-repairing.

2. Claymores (the girls) have been with the organisation till they became half-Yoma, i. e. since they were children.

3. Raki is slow. Though he has been traveling with Clare for awhile, he still has difficulties with an inference like “All Claymores are half-Yoma, half-human, Claire is a Claymore… hmmm… uh, wait! This means Claire is half-Yoma too, but half-human. Wow…”

After 2 and 3 being said at us, I’m not sure if the point is that Raki is slow or if the producers insult our intelligence.

4. Claymores (being half-Youma, half-human, get it?) need to eat very little food. Uhm, let them not become role models for another generation of anorexics (which are all human, get it?) Raki is surprised. Why, exactly? Why would a half-Youma, half-human, that can heal instantly and all that, need food the same way a human body does?

Claire envies Raki’s enthusiasm in front of the fried lizard and wonder at what being human means (as she is half-Youma, half-human, get it?). This is a hint that they enjoy little and can actually whine (though in a dignified manner).

I like her reply to Raki’s “why did you become a Claymore?” - “I made my decision when I was young.” So obvious, yet so perfectly clear.

5. Clare stroking fondling her sword can be a tad disturbing. :))

Then we are finally treated to Clare’s chat with the Organisation Man and the first insights the pit of voles snakes it is. (Btw, Clare’s reply sounded like a human’s, though she is… yeah, it gets old, that’s my point exactly.)

One examination of Clare’s body later - Claymore’s are just tools - (Uhm, manga spoilers, I guess, but isn’t Clare’s body too… normal in this scene?) the guy gives Clare a nasty mission, then leaves, taking his slithery tone with him. Organizations are evil, especially nameless ones. No surprise here, no?

Clare dumps Raki in an inn and goes off. Best move of the episode! Unfortunately this creates the opportunity for yet another scene of “Claymores are half-Yoma, half-human.” Well, to be fair, they finally explain more of what this means, but still… And Raki still doesn’t realize that Claire was once not a Claymore? WTF?
Or am I annoyed at this hammering because I already know what Claymores are from reading the manga?

Having found out the obvious, Raki runs after Clare. Boo! Hiss!

Basically Clare’s mission is to take out a Claymore who lost to her Yoma half due to using it too much. This woman is her one and only friend, who has been with her when they turned into Claymores. Some drama later, Clare kills her.

I am actually happy with this episode, dumb Raki lines aside. Sure, the drama is not particularly well done, but the series had to introduce the matter sooner rather than later. This is a heavy drama anime, so I am glad they showed it now. Those who want just bloody action can go find it elsewhere now.

As a bonus, the next episodes will cover a very good part of the story.

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