English Dub Review: Shikizakura: “Pulse/Climax”

Overview: As Oka (Melissa Molano) performs the maid shrine ritual, Kakeru (Bryson Baugus) races towards her in the hopes of saving her life. 

Our Take: While not exactly what one would call pulsating, or even the most climatic as the name of the episode would suggest, this episode does a good job of setting up the main conflict to come while getting characters in place for it, both emotionally and physically, and throwing a few surprises along the way. 

There is not much that is confounding throughout with a lot of this episode establishing various progressions. However, the one who manages to be the exception to that rule is that of Oka’s father, Shuten, and the reveal that, similar to Ryo’s mother, is actually a powerful Oni in disguise and the one behind the murder of Oka’s mother. With the expectation that this twist wouldn’t be used twice, it managed to throw me for a loop. With his gigantic demonic form taking shape, he is very much the final big baddie, both literally and figuratively as Oka and Benio struggle with the reveal. Speaking of Benio, the true nature of Shuten acts as a simple yet convincing way to end her conflict with Kakeru and for them to join forces, as the bright-eyed hero also arrives on the scene. 

Haruko, inevitably and in paint-by-numbers fashion, comes out of her shell, accepting her heroic destiny of her own free will to stand side-by-side with Kaede. At the very least, it’s nice to have a stronger character that makes her own choices and acts as the hero that she wants to be, despite what others think, like choosing not to finish off Shuten that would have also sacrificed Ukon. It is also quite a shock that Ukon was not an Oni in disguise with how the series smartly telegraphed it to be so but was a misdirect in it actually being a plan with Haruko to take down Shuten. With Ryo and Kaede all battling Oni and Kakeru, Benio and Oka ready on the battlefield, the stage is well set for the upcoming final battle.