Kujira no Kora wa Sajou ni Utau – 10, 11

(Atarashii tabi ni deruwa)”I’m Setting Off On A New Journey”Pathway to the AfterlifeWith the tide of battle ebbing away, the remains of a costly battle become rather evident. And it really touches me how so much compassion and deliberation goes into remembering the dead. Even while grieving for their friends, the Falainians gave time to commemorate lives lost by the very enemy that swore to destroy them. As they went about sending off caskets, I wondered if their prayers to guide lost soulswould extend to comrades who fell on Skylos, forever sunken beneath the treacherous waves of sand.Encounter with the UnknownFollowing the conflict, I like how they set up a meeting between the Mud Whale and another civilisation. In my opinion, this interaction was long overdue, and brought a new perspective to the table. Although the Nous appeared to have been widespread throughout the world, countries exist that choose to rely on advancements in technology, as opposed to making sacrifices for the supernatural gifts that Thymia might bring. If anything, it seems that Thymia allows for a gap to be bridged, where a significant difference in strength would otherwise have existed – as seen when the foreign delegate was easily prevented from attempting to annex the Mud Whale. After Suou optedfor a pacifist approach, the situation looks to have stabilised, and a distinct possibility even arises where alliances are concerned. But with ulterior motives remaining unexplored,pertaining to foreign expansionist policies, it’s hard to determine whether such an agreement would be sincere.Concluding ThoughtsSo it seems like Falaina was lacking an essential component required on any sea-worthy ship: a rudder. And as of now, there doesnt seem to be any particular drawback either in regards to its functionality. My suspicions of the Kokalo being a sinister object were misplaced, and my doubts especially crumbled when it took on the form of an adorable creature, though it’s always possible that adverse effects may start showing up much later. Having finally received a means of navigating itself, we can perhaps expect a new turn in the Mud Whales mysterious journey through the world, which might not be as aimless as it initially seemed. Will the Kokalo be a catalyst for salvation, or the beginning of a descent into further damnation? With so few episodes remaining, its difficult to say whether such a question will ever be answered.

(Yume no Hanashi da)”It’s Just A Dream”The TrialFranz Kafka might have been proud of the way in which the trial turned out. For starters, it was utterly absurd, to the point where itaccurately rendered a stark depiction ofthe Empire’s dystopian society. Though its frivolous procession lacked self-awareness regarding its own nature, a necessary criteriafor achievingthe post-modernist form, it was bloody entertaining if not somewhat contradictory. Isn’t it ironic to watchseemingly emotionless people becoming swayed by Orka’s theatrical rhetoric? Of particular note was how he manipulated Araphne into shooting athim within the court room, before tellinga cautionary tale of ‘daemons‘ to strike fear within the judiciary panel deciding his fate. Bycorrectly playing all the cards, he saves his own life, as well as most of his own subordinates, while essentially keeping the title ofCommander-in-Chief. To that end, I can only say that his featsdemonstrate a remarkable competence rarely seen. With only one episode left and another issue taking up the forefront, I get the impression that this will be last time that we see the Empire in this series. A shame too, because Orka possesses the makings of an impressive villain, something that Kujira has sorely lacked for the duration of its run.Origins of the NousIwant to highlight theGreek etymology surrounding ‘The Rain ofKatharterio‘, which literally translates to ‘Purgatorial Rain‘. Speaking in literary terms, the Purgatorio from Dante’s Divine Comedywas a mountain, representingseven levels tied with the deadly sins,in addition to Paradise, which sat at the peak. Dantecharacterised suffering and spiritual growth through overcoming these obstacles in order to reach the top, seekingto discuss the nature of sin, as well as outlining moral issues inherent to politics and religion. These immediately become relevant, whereabeautiful attribution of purgatory becomes corruptedin light of the Empire’s actions. Though Dante’s poem outlined a theory that all sins arise fromlove, the Empire takes it to the other extreme, by using the Nousto construct an allegedly sinless world entirelydevoid of emotions. In an obsession driven by a want for emptiness, they go about slaughtering as they please, wielding a divine rightas a justification fortheir wrongdoings. This surely can’t be what the Nous wants either, considering what Olivines conveyed to Lykos through a vision.To that end, I feel like Falaina strikes a central ground – encouraging the constraint of excessive emotions, as opposed to enforcing a whole-scale deprivation. DespitetheMarked suffering a comparatively shorter lifespan, Falaina’s simple way of life can unpack a myriad of deepermeaning, one that even visitors are impressed by. We see it in the unique culture they have established over the course of a century, wheretheir specialcustoms and wonderfultraditionsindicatea greater purpose to their existence beyond mere exile.Concluding ThoughtsThere is much to suggest that the removal of emotions is an unrefined process, and I have an analogy in mindthat could cover up some potential plot holes. Just like how zombies might exhibit traits of being alive, moving about searching for humans, they are most certainly ‘dead’. That is how I’ve come to view the Apathoia, as people who retain a baresemblance of emotions, that are for the most part inhibited. The extent of absent emotionsprobably has something to do with the frequency of visits made to a Nous, as Lykos has slowly gained the capacity to express her feelings, due to time spent away the Nous’ influence. This would help justify why citizens of the Empire are not entirely emotionless, and I feel like perhaps the term has been taken too literally by a good number of viewers, myself included.We also learn that Failaina has alternate methods of generating power, but I won’t go into too much detail about how itconsumes lifespans, because that actually should have been quite obvious. However, the socialrevolution this revelation may have instigated is a topic that’s definitely worth delving into. Though I’m quite peeved that they chose to introduce the concept so late into the series, and these hammy twins weren’t exactly subtle or eloquent, the prospects of an internal crisis mark an intriguing dilemma that has yet to be seen in Falaina’s 93 year history. There is a youthful navety, that remains woefully ignorant of the sacrifice and bloodshed required to bring about a tumultuous insurrection. But conversely, revolutions are also some of the most interesting segments of history, especially in a more contemporary era. It will present the greatest challengeChakura has ever faced, because a civil war is afoot, which would likely end in a genocide of the Marked. No doubt he feels betrayed by the upper echelons of the Unmarked, who kept such a heavy secret from everybody else. That said, I expect Chakuro to rise above the trepidation of his doubts, in order to choose what is right.Preview