Jihanki Season 2 finished airing a while ago so I got some catching up to do (the show also got renewed for a third season but I’ll worry about that later). Coming back to this show after a couple of months actually created some fun whiplash for me. I nearly forgot what the current objective is for the gang as well as some of the whacky stuff introduced this season.
To recap, Boxxo and co. are at the Dark Forest Stratum after yet another malfunction with the fast travel system. Upon reuniting with Shui and Hevee, they learn about the giant tree-like stratum lord wreaking havoc by sending monsters and turning the villagers into trees. In this episode, the gang make their way through the forest in hopes of reaching and poisoning the stratum lord to stop the monsters from appearing and to lift the curse on the villagers. If you’re wondering why the gang doesn’t just burn the stratum lord down and have to resort to poison instead, it’s explained that the last time fire was used, the whole stratum went aflame so the use of fire to combat monsters in the stratum is forbidden.
Honestly, the whole adventure through the forest is a little boring. Given the Hunters’ combative abilities and the utilities Boxxo and Kikoyu brings, they have little issue clearing a path and fighting any monsters that come their way. About the only issue the gang has is how cold the forest gets at night but Boxxo partly resolves this by getting his friends to create an admittedly legit looking bathhouse for them to warm up. There’s some good comedy here such as the gang immediately shooting down Hevee’s offer to stand guard for the ladies (since you know, it’s Hevee) and Lammis not minding Boxxo staying on the girls’ side to provide supplies and needing Hulemy to remind her that Boxxo is a man (this girl is definitely crushing on her vending machine). Also, I find it sweet that Boxxo bought Lammis a cloak she was eyeing at the shop last episode. I kind of figured that moment wouldn’t go anywhere (hence why I neglected to mention it in the last post) so I appreciate the follow-up.
Relaxing at the bathhouse gets cut short when the gang notices the forest catching fire. That talk about fire being forbidden in the stratum? That was actually foreshadowing for this moment. This is definitely the most creative scene in the episode. You have Hulemy advise Boxxo to pour gasoline on the nearby trees. As insane as that plan sounds, Hulemy explains that the trees in the stratum burn very quickly so getting rid of them ASAP could keep the fire away from everyone. I really like the brief exchange between Boxxo and Hulemy here as it’s not everyday you see Boxxo get skeptical of Hulemy’s plans and Hulemy plead for his trust.
Frankly, the conclusion to the Dark Forest Stratum adventure is very underwhelming. After Boxxo protects everyone with his barrier and the fire dies down, the gang proceeds to the remains of the stratum lord. I’m kind of disappointed that the monster dies to the fire. Given the monster’s giant and intimidating design, it feels anticlimactic that the gang doesn’t have to fight it in the end. Instead of fighting the stratum lord, the gang instead takes on another one of the Netherlord’s underlings and the culprit responsible for the fire: a ghost named Kayolings (Haruka Micchi). I quickly got tired of the character’s singsong dialogue and the apparent autotune that goes along with it. It also doesn’t help that the Hunters take her out very easily. Like, the fact that Kayolings is impervious to physical attacks is immediately rendered moot since everyone can have their attacks imbued with magic. Boxxo not getting to anything in the fight is at least a little funny.
With the Stratum Lord dead, the cursed villagers return to normal and they proceed to take refuge at Clearflow (they kind of can’t stay in their homes now that the forest has burnt down). The gang head back there as well, with Boxxo finally getting to resume business at his usual spot. Too bad Kikoyu is also there and stealing his thunder with her produce. Part of me finds this rivalry a little silly because it’s not like people will neglect to give Boxxo money and accidentally leave him to die. Still, I thought this looked promising two episodes ago so I’m glad to see it continue. Plus, as Boxxo noted, it’s amusing to think that this girl is giving Boxxo more trouble than Chains ever did.
Watch Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon on Crunchyroll
Xenodude Scribbles 